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GIVEN CIRCUMSTANCES
This expression means . . . the story of the play, the facts, events, epoch, time and place of action, conditions of life, the actors' and régisseur's (director's) interpretation, the mise-en-scène, the production, the sets, the costumes, properties, lighting and sound effects--all the circumstances that are given to an actor to take into account as he creates his role.[The Magic ] If is the starting point, the given circumstances, the development.
-- An Actor Prepares * Stanislavsky...
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Look Back in Anger John Osborne 1956 Scene: A one room flat in the Midlands Dramatic Alison: a young woman who has just lost a baby, 20s Alison left her emotionally abusive husband, Jimmy, when she discovered she was pregnant. Months later, she has lost the baby and returns to Jimmy, who still views her departure as a betrayal. Here, Alison finally breaks down in front of Jimmy and reveals her darkest self. ALISON: It doesn't matter! I was wrong, I was wrong! I don't want to be neutral, I don't want to be a saint! I want to be a lost cause. I want to be corrupt and futile! (Her voice takes on a little strength) Don't you understand? It's gone! It's gone! That- that helpless human being inside my body. I thought it was so safe, so secure in there. Nothing could take it from me. It was mine, my responsibility. But it's lost. (She slides down against the leg of the chair to the floor). All I wanted was to die. I never knew what it was like. I didn't know it could be like that! I was in pain, and all I could think of was you, and what I'd lost! (Scarcely able to speak.) I thought: if only-if only he could see me now, so stupid, and ugly and ridiculous. This is what he wants to splash about in! I'm in the fire and I am burning and all I want is to die! It's cost him his child and any others I might have had! But it doesn't matter-this is what he wanted from me! (She raises her face to him.) Don't you see! I'm in the mud at last! I'm groveling! I'm crawling! Oh, God- COMEDY MONO Leave Me Alone! written by Neil Simon (A couple of days ago, Sophie Rauschmeyer moved next door to Andy and Norman who run a magazine called "Fallout." Norman has been romantically pestering her since twelve minutes after she introduced herself to him, and she's finally speaking out.) Center stage Sophie: Mr.Cornell, Ah have tried to be neighborly, Ah have tried to be friendly and Ah have tried to be cordial... (Puts her hands on her temples) Ah don't know what it is that you're trying to be. (Plays with her hands)That first night Ah was appreciative that you carried mah trunk up the stairs...The fact that it slipped and fell five flights and smashed to pieced was not your fault...Ah didn't even mind the personal message you painted on the stairs. Ah thought it was crazy, but sorta sweet. (puts her hands up palms out) However, things have now gone too far...Ah cannot accept gifts from a man Ah hardly know...Especially canned goods. And Ah read your little note. Ah can guess the gist of it even though Ah don't speak Italian. This has got to stop, Mr. Cornell. Ah can do very well without you leavin' little chocolate-almond Hershey bars in mah mailbox-they melted yesterday, and now Ah got three gooey letters from home with nuts in 'em-and (Her voice begins to rise)Ah can do without you sneakin' into mah apartment after Ah go to work and paintin' mah balcony without tellin' me about it. Ah stepped out there yesterday and mah slippers are still glued to the floor. And Ah can do without you tying big bottles of eau de cologne to mah cat's tail. The poor thing kept swishin' it yesterday and nearly beat herself to death...And most of all, Ah can certainly do without you watchin' me get on the bus every day through that high-powered telescope. You got me so nervous the other day, Ah got on the wrong bus. In short, Mr. Cornell. ( shouting at this point) (Moves closer in his face) And Ah don't want to have to say this again, leave me ay-lone!!!!