The Enchantment (NHB Classic Plays)

Stage Version

Victoria Benedictsson

• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781780017518
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Drama
• Index: Literature

Published alongside the National Theatre premiere of the mesmeric but little-known play by the woman who was reputedly a model for Miss Julie and Hedda Gabler.

One sunny day in Paris, Gustave Alland, famous artist and philanderer, visits Louise Strandberg - convalescing in her brother's studio - and casts her effortlessly under his spell. In a vain attempt to escape, she exiles herself to her provincial hometown in Sweden. But a letter propels her back to Paris and into his arms. And for a brief moment, ecstasy is hers.

'an extraordinary play... Clare Bayley's immaculate version is a major act of reclamation' - Guardian

'Many thanks to Clare Bayley, who has unearthed and translated this fascinating play... an astonishingly mature work... a cry for equality that still resonates today' - The Times

ACT TWO

A June day in Paris.

The same studio, but with more furniture, curtains in front of the windows and a few large Japanese lanterns hanging from the ceiling. On the table, a vase full of roses. On a smaller table next to the chaise, a portrait of ALLAND.

LOUISE, now in an elegant new Parisian outfit, greets the CONCIERGE, who has just entered.

CONCIERGE. It’s the twenty-second of June, and on the first of July the lease –

LOUISE. I’ll take it for an extra month.

Two months.

All right, three months, if necessary.

CONCIERGE. I can’t let it for less than a year, as I told you just the other day.

LOUISE. Six months, then. I’ll take it for six months.

CONCIERGE. It’s twelve months or nothing. The new tenant is waiting for an answer, and he can put his money on the table. On the table!

LOUISE. So can I.

CONCIERGE. Then you have first refusal.

LOUISE. I can pay half now, and the rest on the first of September. I don’t have it all right now.

CONCIERGE. I can wait until September. But you’ll give me something for the little extras, won’t you?

LOUISE. If you’ll let me arrange things as I’ve asked –

CONCIERGE. I am discretion personified. I’ve been about a bit myself, you know. I’m not some clodhopping provincial oaf, as I’m sure you’ll appreciate.

LOUISE (impatiently). Yes. Yes –

CONCIERGE. Good. It suits me to have you here – that’s why I’m letting you stay on. And Monsieur Alland, too – such a distinguished gent. Such manners!

LOUISE goes to the cabinet and starts to count out the money.

If there’s anything else you want me to do – pick up some groceries for you, anything like that – I’m at your service.

LOUISE (handing her the money). Here. I think you’ll find that’s right.

CONCIERGE. Very good. I’ll give you a receipt – and then, of course there’s the furniture. All this furniture that your brother rented, that’ll be available too, from the first of July.

LOUISE. Perhaps we can discuss that later.

CONCIERGE. Very well. You can have everything just how you want it.

She leaves.

LOUISE. God – I’m mad. I’m mad! But I can’t help it.

The CONCIERGE re-enters.

CONCIERGE. They’re here again – the painter and her sister. Shall I – ?

LOUISE. Please show them in.

CONCIERGE. If you say so. I’m only thinking of what’s best for you. I’d never let anyone in without first telling them that you’re out.

LOUISE (distracted). Yes, yes!

CONCIERGE. I do it out of friendship – Lord knows, out of pure friendship for you and the handsome gentleman. Don’t get me wrong, of course, but I was young once, you know – not that you’d know it now! And I remember what it was like – oh yes, I certainly remember what it was like –

She exits at a trot.

LOUISE (to herself). Oh Christ, where is he? What have I done wrong? Why doesn’t he come?

ERNA and LILLY enter.

ERNA. The postman has brought some good news.

She hands LOUISE an opened letter. LOUISE reads distractedly.

LOUISE. I don’t quite…

ERNA. Don’t you understand? I’ve been awarded an artist’s bursary.

LILLY (delighted). Nine thousand crowns. Well, that is three thousand each year for three years.

LOUISE (faintly). Well done, Erna.

LILLY. And that means, I can stay on!

ERNA. That’s not what I said.

LILLY. You wouldn’t have the heart to send me back.

LOUISE. I’m staying on, too – for a while at least.

ERNA. But I thought you couldn’t afford to?

LOUISE. I think I can get by for a bit longer.

LILLY. That’s the spirit! You’ve got money, after all. You just have to have a word with that bank manager of yours back home. I’m so happy! We’ll have so much fun!

ERNA (gruffly). Oh – will we? Louise has retreated so far into her own little world that we barely see her any more.

LILLY (with her arm around LOUISE’s waist). Yes, but now we’re going to haul her back out again!

LOUISE. Don’t say that!

ERNA. These days you always seem to be out when your friends come to call.

She sees the portrait of ALLAND and is momentarily unnerved.

LOUISE. I go to the theatre quite often – and then there are my French lessons.

ERNA (looking at the portrait). Who exactly is your French teacher?

There’s an embarrassed silence.

LILLY. Guess what! I’ve had a letter from Viggo.

LOUISE (coolly). Really?

ERNA. Sixteen pages of nonsense.

LILLY goes to the window and starts reading.

It’s looking very different around here! Lots of new stuff in the old place. You’re spending like there’s no tomorrow, aren’t you? Oh – don’t take it the wrong way. You know I can’t help mothering everyone.

LOUISE turns away.

Are you annoyed?

LOUISE. No.

ERNA. I suppose it’s none of my business, what you get up to.

Look at that – she’s readi...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Dedication
• Original Production
• Love, Literature and the Arbiters of Taste
• Characters
• Act One
• Act Two
• Act Three
• Act Four
• About the Author
• Copyright and Performing Rights Information