Beginning

David Eldridge

• Editorial: Methuen Drama
• Año: 2021
• ISBN:
  9781350146198
• Edición: 1
• Categoría: Media & Performing Arts
• Categoría: Theatre Playwriting

"A wry, funny and touching meditation on loneliness, that private shame of the singleton in the era of the dating app and of fraudulent boasting on social media … written with a real depth of insight, humour, compassion and a keen sense of the ridiculous..." The Independent It's the early hours of the morning in the aftermath of Laura's housewarming party. Danny, 42, divorced and living with his mother, is the last remaining guest. The flat is in a mess and so are they. One more drink? This sharp and astute two-hander takes an intimate look in real-time at the first fragile moments of risking your heart and taking a chance. Both comedic and tender, it asks questions about mutual loneliness and human connections. Beginning premiered at the National Theatre, London in October 2017. This new Modern Classics edition features an introduction by Sarah Grochala.

Beginning was first produced in the Dorfman Theatre at the National Theatre, London, on 12th October 2017. The production transferred to the Ambassadors Theatre in London’s West End on 15 January 2018

Laura	Justine Mitchell
Danny	Sam Troughton
Director	Polly Findlay
Designer	Fly Davis
Lighting Designer	Jack Knowles
Sound Designer	Paul Arditti
Movement	Naomi Said

‘Who knows what true loneliness is – not the conventional word, but the naked terror? To the lonely themselves it wears a mask. The most miserable outcast hugs some memory or some illusion.’

Joseph Conrad, Under Western Eyes (1911)

Martha If you wasn’t here with me tonight I’d go to the pictures.

Otto What’s on?

Martha ‘Ben Hur’. It’s an oldie, must be ten years since I saw it, but it’s a film you never forget. You ever seen it?

Otto No.

Franz Xaver Kroetz, Through the Leaves (1976) trans. Anthony Vivis (2003)

The play takes place in a real room, and in real time – but stage directions are indicative, not prescriptive.

With thanks to Dominic Cooke and Robert Holman.

Late autumn, 2015.

The large living room of a flat in Crouch End, London. It encompasses a lounge area and kitchen.

It’s a bit of a mess. There’s been some sort of party. It’s late, the early hours.

Standing is Laura, 38. This is her place. She’s drinking wine. Looking at her, drinking a bottle of Peroni, is Danny, 42.

They look at each other for a long time, for as long as you think you can get away with.

They both jump as a door bangs downstairs.

He begins to wander a bit in the room, drinking. He evidently came to the party after work as he’s in a shirt and trousers and smart shoes. Though his jacket and tie were dispensed some time ago.

He has a big ketchup stain on his shirt and is a bit nervous.

Silence.

Laura sits down. Danny doesn’t know what to do so he lights up a cigarette.

Laura You didn’t fancy it then?

Silence.

Danny Fancy what?

Laura Getting in the taxi?

Danny No.

Silence.

Laura Why’s that then?

Danny Don’t know.

Laura Don’t know?

Danny Keith told me to stay and finish my drink.

Laura Keith told you?

Danny Well he said ‘stay and finish your drink’.

Laura Right.

Danny That all right?

Laura Yes.

Laura smiles and puts down her wine.

Danny Nice place.

Laura Thanks.

Danny To be honest I said I’d get it.

Laura Get what?

Danny The taxi.

Laura What?

Silence.

Danny Well, you know . . .

Laura What?

Danny I thought he was stopping the night.

Laura Right.

Laura laughs.

Danny You see the trouble with me . . .

Laura What?

Danny I’ve got no radar.

Laura No radar?

Danny No.

Silence.

Well it’s not that I’ve not got one at all.

Laura Right?

Danny It just doesn’t pick up a lot.

Silence.

Laura Danny, what the fuck?

Silence.

Danny You know, ‘your radar’.

Laura I don’t know, Danny.

Danny Your ‘man radar’ . . . And my . . . ‘woman radar’.

Silence.

Laura Oh . . .

Silence.

Danny I curse it sometimes.

Sile...