OUR LADY OF SHADOWS.
BY LUCY GOUGH.
Commissioned and Broadcast by BBC Radio 3.
With:
Claire Skinner as Catherine
Rosemary Leech as Sister Ignatious
Tessa Worsley as Hag & Narrator
Malcolm Ward as Sir Lancelot
© Copyright 1995 Lucy Gough. All Rights Reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transcribed in any form or by any means, including, but not limited to electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or other means, without prior written permission of the Author.
A PLAY FOR RADIO.
THIS IS NOT A NATURALISTIC PLAY IT IS A DRAMATIC POEM CONTROLLED BY RHYTHMS. THIS PLAY HAS BEEN WRITTEN BECAUSE IT IS TIME THE LADY OF SHALOTT WAS RELEASED.
CHARACTERS:
CATHERINE:
The lady of Shalott.
KNIGHT:
Sir Launcelot.
HAG: (NON VERBAL)
SHADOW: (SILENT)
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
An elderly Nun.
THE SETTING:
A ROOM IN A TOWER IN THE MIDDLE AGES. IT IS VERY DARK, ONLY THE EPHEMERAL LIGHT FROM THE REFLECTED IMAGES OF THE CAMERA OBSCURA UPON THE FLOOR.
THE FOUR VERSES OF THE TENNYSON POEM USED IN THE PLAY ARE READ BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN CATHERINE.
SCENE 1:
BEFORE THE CREDITS.
FIRST VERSE OF POEM.
On either side the river lie
Long fields of barley and of rye,
That clothe the wold and meet the sky:
[SOUND OF NUNS CHANTING UNDERNEATH POEM.]
And thro' the field the road runs by
To many towered Camelot:
And up and down the people go,
Gazing where the lilies blow
Round an island here below,
The island of Shalott.
THE SOUND OF NUNS CHANTING A PLAINSONG AT COMPLINE CONTINUES FOR A WHILE AFTER THE VERSE ENDS. THEN THERE IS A LOUD EXPLOSION. THEN THE CREDITS.
SCENE 2: 'THE SHALLOP FLITTETH SILKEN SAILED'
In this scene Catherine is 15 Years old. the Sound of a boat being rowed, in the distance can be heard nuns singing the mass of the dead and some sounds from the adjacent village. Catherine and Sister Ignatious are in the rowing boat heading for the island. Sister Ignatious is rowing and finding it hard going.
SECOND VERSE OF POEM.
[SOUND OF ROWING IS HEARD UNDER NEATH VERSE.]
Willows whiten aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Thro' the wave that runs forever
By the island in the river
Flowing down to camelot.
Four grey walls and four grey towers ,
Overlook a space of flowers,
and the silent Isle embowers
The Lady Of Shalott.
CATHERINE:
Sister Iggy.
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
Yes child.
CATHERINE:
Why sing they the mass of the dead?
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
For you.
CATHERINE:
Will you drown me?
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
In solitude.
CATHERINE:
Will it pain me?
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
Poor child.
CATHERINE:
Will you tell me why?
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
Some thought you had conjured the devil.
CATHERINE:
Twas only the ochre of sulphur.
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
Some thought they would die.
CATHERINE:
The fire went out quickly!
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
But you do such dangerous things.
CATHERINE:
To find the secrets of the world.
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
God's magic is sacred.
CATHERINE:
But if I'd made gold!
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
You go too far.
CATHERINE:
There is far to go.
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
Not now.
THEY LAND ON THE ISLAND AND PULL UP THE BOAT, THEY WALK TO THE RETREAT TOWER AND THEN START TO CLIMB THE STONE SPIRAL STAIRS TO THE TOP OF THE TOWER.
CATHERINE:
I am to retreat?
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
Holy Mother thought it best.
CATHERINE:
For how long?
SISTER IGNATIOUS:
Your life.
CATHERINE:
AT THE END OF THE PLAY.
SCENE 11a:
KNIGHT:
HE IS TROTTING ACROSS A PLANK BRIDGE OVER THE FAST FLOWING RIVER. SHEEP CAN BE HEARD.
SCENE 12: "THE GEMMY BRIDLE GLITTERED FREE."
CATHERINE IS TRYING FRANTICALLY TO PAINT THE KNIGHT.
CATHERINE:
White page, virgin vellum,....
[WITH DESPAIR].
Dry parchment! Mark out his shape as he rides with such fury, too fast for his shadow!...Illuminate the page with such light!
SCENE 12a:
KNIGHT:
NOW HE RIDES THROUGH A BARLEY FIELD, MAKING THE BARLEY SWISH, BRIDLE JANGLE.
SCENE 13: "AND FROM HIS BLAZON'D BALDRIC SLUNG."
CATHERINE:
[STILL PAINTING].
Why does this vision make me feel? It's line and symmetry, it's poise. Riding unchallenged... How to paint passion?
SCENE 13a:
KNIGHT:
He comes off the fields onto a hardened roadway and past a homestead.
SCENE 14: "A MIGHTY BUGLE HUNG."
CATHERINE:
[STILL PAINTING].
This image carved in gold...
Follow his line it's hard edge,
How can anything so... make me feel...
SCENE 14a:
KNIGHT:
TROTTING ON THE ROADWAY HE PASSES A SLOW WAGON.
SCENE 15: "HIS BROAD CLEAR BROW IN SUNLIGHT GLOWED"
CATHERINE:
Flesh and blood.... I feel flesh and blood. Mark out his shape on my virgin page. He could break down these walls find what's hidden inside. This quiet fury and passion
SCENE 15a:
KNIGHT:
RIDING THROUGH A VILLAGE, OTHER ROAD USERS QUICKLY GET OUT OF HIS WAY.
SCENE 16: "OUT FLEW THE WEB AND FLOATED WIDE."
CATHERINE:
[SHE IS PACING AROUND IMAGE].
Havoc he has caused havoc. The world jumps like a ball being shaken. Lightning cracks across the frame. Closer, come closer. This way
[HAG RATTLES GRILL].
I don't want food today Hag, take it away! Misere Nobus
[BACK TO IMAGE].
The world shakes as he rides,
my body shakes as he rides,
I follow you round and round,
closer come closer.
[CATHERINE BANGS ON THE BARS.]
Toe rag... toerag, come here Hag!
[BACK TO IMAGE].
See his face.. I can see his face... if I move my science closer, cut out the rest of the world. Come closer, find what treasures are hidden inside. Round and round.
[HAG IS AT BARS].
Let me out Hag! Please! Get the key pass it to me, I'll go on my knees, look you can have everything, my books.
[HANDS HAG A JAR].
This is the philosphers stone, with this you can turn sulphur to gold. Please Hag! Please! I'll tell you all that I know. I have seen my destiny ride before me. I must go and meet it.
[SHE THROWS JAR AT BARS.]
Spotted toad.. If I get out of here I'll cut off your ears and poke out your eyes.. I've got to see him in the world... not a shadow.
SCENE 16a:
KNIGHT:
HE LIFTS HIS HORSE INTO A CANTER ON THE HARD ROADWAY, HIS ARMOUR JANGLES LOUDLY. AS HE PASSES THE CONVENT THE NUNS ARE AT VESPERS.
SCENE 17: "THE MIRROR CRACKED FROM SIDE TO SIDE."
SHE IS FORCING OPEN THE SHUTTERS, BANGING AND SWEARING AS SHE ATTEMPTS TO OPEN THEM.
CATHERINE:
I will not be shuttered from the world!
[CONTINUES TO FORCE SHUTTERS].
Come on! Come on!... Damn and blast you!... Come on, open, blast you open. I will see him. I will see him in the world.
[STILL FORCING].
I've kept out the light for my science, but I've no time for shadows now. Shift, damn you shift!
*THE SHUTTER BAR FALLS AWAY SHE OPENS THE SHUTTERS AND THE WORLD COMES INTO HER CELL. SOUNDS OF THE RIVER, THE BIRDS AND THE KNIGHT RIDING. FROM NOW ON THE KNIGHT RIDING CAN BE HEARD ALL THE TIME FROM INSIDE HER CELL.
CATHERINE:
The world smells so strong!.. The colours! It really was a shadow world.... now rescued by the light! Flown through the shuttered window..... Where is he! I'm looking at the world and he is not in it, was it a vision?... Is he not real? Did my madness paint him.... I can't walk round this world.... I can't walk round it... I've let the shadow go and there's nothing. Over there! Over There!... Gold flashes... it is him... I can see him... I can hear him! It is him!..... Gold against the blue, bold red across his breast.... how my heart aches to be near him! Where is he going? Where does that path lead.... to the castle. He heads for the castle... He has got to see me! He's got to! How can I make him see me? How is it you catch your men Hag? What tricks do you use to trap them?
[CATHERINE STARTS TO SING THE PATERNOSTER]
A knight with no ears! What to do? What to do? Do you seduce them with your yellow breasts Hag?
[STARTS TO TEAR OFF HER CLOTHES].
I'll remove these bandages... Release my body from its shroud.... He's got to see me,he's got to.
[SHE CONTINUES TO TAKE OFF HER CLOTHES.]
If I... if I..... peel off. Stand in the window. Got a body like this have you Hag? Is that what draws men like leeches. Is it like this?.. Virgin skin unmarked. If I climb up in the window he'll see me.
[CATHERINE STARTS TO SING AGAIN].
The air is touching my body, I can feel the winter sun stroke me and the wind between my legs... I perch like a naked seacrow in the window calling ... the dead have arisen!... I want life.... save this maiden from death.... Hag he comes he has seen me! Oh I wish I could pull my fingers through my hair ...please God it doesn't look like the Hags! He comes! I'll be out of here Hag and then you'll be for it.
[SHE SHOUTS TO the KNIGHT HE blows his bugle and gallops down the road TOWARDS HER tower.]
Take me, out into the world.... come to me.
[KNIGHT RIDES across THE CAUSEWAY THROUGH the rising tideWATER].
This way ... this way that's right he looks so hard in the layer of skin, is he made of gold? Will I be crushed?
THE KNIGHT REACHES THE ISLAND AND LEAPS FROM HIS HORSE AND CLIMBS THE STEPS OF THE TOWER. CATHERINE IS BESIDE HERSELF.
CATHERINE:
I can hardly breath!...he is coming...... Hurry, hurry.. I might die before you get here!....
[THE KNIGHT STARTS TO PRISE THE LOG AWAY FROM THE DOOR.]
He loosens the log.
Hagholds won't halt him!
[THE LOG FALLS AWAY WITH A CLATTER. CATHERINE STARTS TO SHOUT THROUGH THE HOLE.]
Fetch the key! Fetch the key! above the door.....there!
[KNIGHT REACHES KEY AND UNLOCKS DOOR].
I am being released... the tomb has opened!
I am unlocked!
HUGE THUMP AS THE HAG HITS THE KNIGHT WITH THE LOG, HE FALLS DOWN THE STEPS OF THE TOWER CRASHING FROM STONE STEP TO STEPAS HE FALLS. SILENCE!
CATHERINE:
No!.... No!
**CATHERINE RUNS DOWN STEPS TO KNIGHT.
CATHERINE:
No!...The gleam is snuffed out, squashed by a hag!
[HAG ATTEMPTS TO SLIP AWAY].
I see you Hag!... I see you!... It's too late I'm out!... Is that why you did this?... Is that why? You lice ridden arse! I guard your exit and now I'm going to tear you limb from limb! You've killed it, you've killed my saviour. Come on then think you can get past me do you?...
CATHERINE DIVES AT HAG THEY FIGHT FIERCELY WITH MUCH GRUNTING AND SNARLING.
CATHERINE:
Try and tear my flesh off! I'll tear everything off you! I'll swing you round and round by your hair...
[SWINGS HER ROUND].
Press your eyes out with my thumbs...
[LOUD SQUEAL OF PAIN FROM HAG].
Hurt does it?... Poor Hag! My strength comes from hate Hag, you have no hope!
[THEY CONTINUE TO FIGHT].
Bare flesh is hard to grab isn't it Hag? Your rags are easy to catch. Your turn to plead is it? Did you listen to mine... you killed my hope and now I kill you.
THE FIGHT CONTINUES UNTIL THEY BOTH COLLAPSE EXHAUSTED AND BREATHLESS.
CATHERINE:
Killing is not easy.. yet, it died without a fight? ...And now his skin is coming off!
[CATHERINE CRAWLS OVER TO KNIGHT AND PULLS THE ARM OF HIS ARMOUR OFF].
He sheds his skin! The gold has gone! He is as soft as I inside, what pretence is this? Stay Hag! you won't crawl far I watch your every move. This creature Sheds his skin!
[SHE PULLS HIS ARMOUR OFF].
He is soft inside, not hard edged.
[STILL STRIPPING HIM].
Like a snail without its shell!
[STRIPS HIM FURTHER].
Hag, I have eyes in the back of my head! That wall leads nowhere! My angel carved in gold is a snail without a home. His skin lying in a heap beside him, the golden fleece. The snake has shed its skin, and what abonimation is this? Has Eve seen the serpent naked? I have been decieved! Hag go and fetch my clothes a story of escape has filled my mind.
[AS SHE KICKS THE ARMOUR TO ONE SIDE].
You are no more than me and I no less than you!
[HAG RETURNS WITH CLOTHES].
Here help me! Help me!... Don't look so dumb Hag... that's right pull it over his head, that's right.. give me your shawl.. there! Does the ferry boat still moor here?... Good ..help me carry him .. come on. He is heavy take his weight your side... we'll drag him then.
[THEY DRAG THE KNIGHT NOW DRESSED IN HER CLOTHES TO THE FERRY BOAT.]
Damn I need his sword, go fetch it Hag, and hurry. The cold wind is nipping my arse and my breasts are frozen! Bring me his skin.
[THE HAG RUNS OFF FOR THE SWORD].
Winter flowers! Here let's lie them around you.
[HAG RETURNS WITH SWORD AND ARMOUR HALF HEARTEDLY CONTEMPLATES DEFIANCE OF CATHERINE WITH IT].
If you raise that sword to me I'll cut your breasts off and give them to our tarnished angel!
[SHE HACKS OFF HER HAIR].
There I'm shorn.
[SHE PLACES HER HAIR AROUND KNIGHT].
How beautiful he looks, long hair becomes him... spread out the dress...
[SHOUTS].
If you leave now Hag I'll hunt you down!... I'm not finished yet.
CATHERINE STARTS TO PUT ON HIS ARMOUR.
I slide into the serpents skin, like a sword into a sheath... I will deceive the world as he did, act out his play. I can feel myself hardening like sulphur to gold, in this skin I go intothe world! Let us send him on his new role... Help me push.
[THEY PUSH THE BOAT OUT INTO THE WATER].
And now for you Hag. You are free to go, no need to tend to bitter prisoners. Stay in the tower? Make it your home. It has stone walls and a roof, you can learn all my secrets, paint your nails gold and keep men in bell jars. I am going out into the world to follow the footsteps of the great men.
[CATHERINE MOUNTS THETHE KNIGHTS HORSE WITH A BIT OF DIFFICULTY, THE HORSE TOSSES IT'S HEAD AT THE UNFAMILIAR RIDER.]
Circumnavigate the world.
Discover new lands.
Fight the Crusades.
THE END.
*STAGE VERSION.THE ONLY LIGHT UNTIL CATHERINE BREAKS OPEN THE SHUTTERS SHOULD COME EITHER FROM HER CANDLE WHEN LIT, WEAKLY THROUGH THE GRILL FROM THE DOOR WHEN THE HAG OPENS THIS AND FROM THE CAMERA OBSCURA IMAGE THAT IS CAST UPON THE FLOOR [A COLOURED PROJECTION OR OCCASIONALLY MOVING GOBO PERHAPS].
**STAGE VERSION: THE REMAINING PART OF THE PLAY SHOULD TAKE PLACE OFF-STAGE.
The full text of the play is published by Seren Books in a volume of three plays Crossing The Bar, Head and Our Lady of Shadows (one stage and two radio) (Ref 1-85411-266-X).
