This is a test
- 104 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
Thark
Book details
Book preview
Table of contents
Citations
About This Book
Sir Hector Benbow invites Cherry, a pretty shop assistant, to dine. Arriving home, he finds not only Cherry but Mrs Frush, to whom he has rented Thark, his niece's Norfolk house. Mrs Frush complains Thark is haunted. To distract Lady Benbow's attention from Cherry, he suggests everyone go to Thark, which lives up to its spine-chilling reputation. A wild night, sinister butler and plethora of romantic mix-ups add to the lively proceedings.
Frequently asked questions
At the moment all of our mobile-responsive ePub books are available to download via the app. Most of our PDFs are also available to download and we're working on making the final remaining ones downloadable now. Learn more here.
Both plans give you full access to the library and all of Perlegoās features. The only differences are the price and subscription period: With the annual plan youāll save around 30% compared to 12 months on the monthly plan.
We are an online textbook subscription service, where you can get access to an entire online library for less than the price of a single book per month. With over 1 million books across 1000+ topics, weāve got you covered! Learn more here.
Look out for the read-aloud symbol on your next book to see if you can listen to it. The read-aloud tool reads text aloud for you, highlighting the text as it is being read. You can pause it, speed it up and slow it down. Learn more here.
Yes, you can access Thark by Ben Travers, Clive Francis in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Media & Performing Arts & Theatre Playwriting. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
ACT ONE
SCENE ONE
The library of Sir Hector Benbowās flat, Mayfair ā the room of a man of ample means, out-of-door and sporting tastes, who is really more at home in the country than in the West End.
HOOK, a middle-aged and rather careworn manservant, is polishing the silver. The telephone rings. HOOK answers it in a posh voice.
HOOK: The residence of Sir Hector Benbow, how may I be of assistance? (Voice changing.) Mother? What are you doing? ā Iāve told you never to telephone me at work ā What do you mean you had to? ā What? ā You mean itās arrived? When? Go on ā what is it, boy or girl? ā Girl! ā Oh, but thatās wonderful. ā Just the one? ā Girl, I mean. (Relieved.) Ah, thatās good! ā āOwās Florrie? ā Taking it well? ā Alright is she? ā Tell her Iāll come round as quick as I can. ā The boss aināt in, but I told āim it was on the cards ā Iāll leave word. Better go. Bye, mother.
WARNER, a smart maidservant, has put her head round the door.
WARNER: Oh, Mr Hook, I couldnāt help over hearing. Has it happened?
HOOK: It has indeed, Warner, and Iāve got things to do.
WARNER: A little girl, is it? Dear little girl! Oh, Mr Hook, you must be so proud.
HOOK: I havenāt seen it yet. But Iām sure I will be. Now look, if the master returns before I do, just attend to these. (He holds up some letters.)
WARNER: Me?
HOOK: Thereās a telegram for him, see? It came this morning and thereās his letters ā thatās all. Oh, no ā thereās one other thing.
WARNER: What?
HOOK: Heās expecting a lady to call. A lady heās taking out to dinner. Sheās to be asked to come back here at seven-fifteen.
WARNER: What lady?
HOOK: He didnāt say.
WARNER: Is it business or pleasure?
HOOK: Thatās not for you to ask or for us to know. If a lady calls, you simply say, āIt will give Sir āEctor much pleasure if you will dine with him this evening and to call here at seven-fifteen.ā
WARNER: Seven-fifteen.
HOOK: Thatās right. Now kindly go and make yourself useful elsewhere.
WARNER: Very good, Mr Hook.
WARNER exits. HOOK straightens the flowers and polishes the coal. A bell is heard.
HOOK goes out to the hall.
HOOK: (Off.) Donāt worry Warner Iāll answer it. (Front door opens.) Good afternoon, madam, how can I be of help?
CHERRY: (Off.) Sir Hector Benbow, please.
HOOK: (Off.) Iām afraid heās not in, madam.
CHERRY: (Off.) Oh, dear! He told me to call you see.
HOOK: (Off.) Ah, in that case will you kindly step this way, madam?
He reappears followed by CHERRY BUCK. She is about twenty-five, smart and confident.
CHERRY: Sir Hector said something about a little dinner?
HOOK: Thatās quite correct, madam. It will give Sir āEctor much pleasure if you will dine with him this evening, and to call back here at seven-fifteen.
CHERRY: Oh, strong! Will he be long?
HOOK: (Trying to get away.) Hard to say, madam. He and his nephew, Mr Gamble, went to the races this morning.
CHERRY: (Getty excited.) You donāt mean Ronald Gamble?
HOOK: I do indeed, Miss
CHERRY: The Ronald Gamble whoās engaged to Miss Kitty Stratton?
HOOK: (Eyeing the clock.) The very same.
CHERRY: The one whose picture I saw in the Mirror yesterday?
HOOK: Both Miss Stratton and Lady Benbow are at present out of town.
CHERRY: I see. (Watching HOOK watching the clock.) Are you anxious to get away or something?
HOOK: I am rather. Iāve ā er ā had news from āome, you see.
CHERRY: Not bad news, I hope?
HOOK: Well, I dunno. Half and āalf, I suppose. The fact is, madam, Iāve just had a baby.
CHERRY: Sounds as if you ought never to have left home! Well, I suppose Iād better trot along and get dressed.
HOOK: Very good, madam.
The doorbell rings.
HOOK: Oh dear. (He goes over to the door and calls.) Warner, attend to the door, will you.
CHERRY: Pārāaps it would be better if I were not seen around here, just at present.
HOOK: Well, madam, thatās hardly for me to say. But I shall be leaving by the servantsā stairs, if youād care to be shown the way.
CHERRY: Oh, strong!
HOOK: Just half a jiffy, while I get my āat. (He exits.)
Immediately WARNER opens the door and shows in LIONEL. Heās a feeble but affable young man in his twenties with a keen eye for the ladies.
WARNER: Would you mind waiting here, sir, while I find Mr Hook.
LIONEL: Not at all. (Sees CHERRY.) Oh, I beg pardon.
CHERRY: Thatās quite all right.
LIONEL: Iāve come to see Sir Hector.
CHERRY: So have I, as a matter of fact.
LIONEL: In that case, perhaps Iād better call back later.
CHERRY: (Picking up her hat.) Itās alright, Iām just going.
LIONEL: Please donāt go on my account.
CHERRY: I wasnāt.
CHERRY laughs softly. He laughs in response. Brief pause.
LIONEL: Iāve just taken a place in the country, you know.
CHERRY: Lucky you. I love the country.
LIONEL: Do you?
CHERRY: Love it. So much nicer than town.
LIONEL: It can get awfully lonely sometimes ā (Moving to her.)
CHERRY: I expect it can.
LIONEL: Especially when youāre on your own. (Moving even closer.) If you know what I mean?
CHERRY: I do know what you mean ā and if itās all the same to you, I never go out with strangers.
LIONEL: I wish I could find someone like you who does.
HOOK enters with his hat and coat. He does not notice LIONEL.
HOOK: Right, madam, we can leave, if youāre ready?
CHERRY: Oh, dear ā what a pity.
LIONEL: I say, old fruit, are you the butler?
HOOK: I am indeed, sir. (Not sure who he is.) Forgive me, sir?
LIONEL: Iām Mr Lionel Frush. I called to see Sir Hector.
HOOK: Ah ā he shouldnāt be too long, sir.
CHERRY: (To LIONEL.) Heās ju...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half-title Page
- Title Page
- Copyright
- Contents
- About the Author
- Cast of Characters
- Act One
- Act Two