Three Plays. Luigi Pirandello

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ Thus, sir, you see when faith is lacking, it becomes impossible to create certain states of happiness, for we lack the necessary humility. Vaingloriously, we try to substitute ourselves for this faith, creating thus for the rest of the world a reality which we believe after their fashion, while, actually, it doesn't exist. For each one of us has his own reality to be respected before God, even when it is harmful to one's very self.

      THE MANAGER. There is something in what you say. I assure you all this interests me very much. I begin to think there's the stuff for a drama in all this, and not a bad drama either.

      THE STEP-DAUGHTER (coming forward). When you've got a character like me.

      THE FATHER (shutting her up, all excited to learn the decision of the Manager). You be quiet!

      THE MANAGER (reflecting, heedless of interruption). It's new … hem … yes. …

      THE FATHER. Absolutely new!

      THE MANAGER. You've got a nerve though, I must say, to come here and fling it at me like this. …

      THE FATHER. You will understand, sir, born as we are for the stage. …

      THE MANAGER. Are you amateur actors then?

      THE FATHER. No. I say born for the stage, because. …

      THE MANAGER. Oh, nonsense. You're an old hand, you know.

      THE FATHER. No sir, no. We act that rôle for which we have been cast, that rôle which we are given in life. And in my own case, passion itself, as usually happens, becomes a trifle theatrical when it is exalted.

      THE MANAGER. Well, well, that will do. But you see, without an author … I could give you the address of an author if you like. …

      THE FATHER. No, no. Look here! You must be the author.

      THE MANAGER. I? What are you talking about?

      THE FATHER. Yes, you, you! Why not?

      THE MANAGER. Because I have never been an author: that's why.

      THE FATHER. Then why not turn author now? Everybody does it. You don't want any special qualities. Your task is made much easier by the fact that we are all here alive before you. …

      THE MANAGER. It won't do.

      THE FATHER. What? When you see us live our drama. …

      THE MANAGER. Yes, that's all right. But you want someone to write it.

      THE FATHER. No, no. Someone to take it down, possibly, while we play it, scene by scene! It will be enough to sketch it out at first, and then try it over.

      THE MANAGER. Well … I am almost tempted. It's a bit of an idea. One might have a shot at it.

      THE FATHER. Of course. You'll see what scenes will come out of it. I can give you one, at once. …

      THE MANAGER. By Jove, it tempts me. I'd like to have a go at it. Let's try it out. Come with me to my office (turning to the Actors). You are at liberty for a bit, but don't stop out of the theatre for long. In a quarter of an hour, twenty minutes, all back here again! (To the Father): We'll see what can be done. Who knows if we don't get something really extraordinary out of it?

      THE FATHER. There's no doubt about it. They (indicating the Characters) had better come with us too, hadn't they?

      THE MANAGER. Yes, yes. Come on! come on! (Moves away and then turning to the actors): Be punctual, please! (Manager and the Six Characters cross the stage and go off. The other actors remain, looking at one another in astonishment).

      LEADING MAN. Is he serious? What the devil does he want to do?

      JUVENILE LEAD. This is rank madness.

      THIRD ACTOR. Does he expect to knock up a drama in five minutes?

      JUVENILE LEAD. Like the improvisers!

      LEADING LADY. If he thinks I'm going to take part in a joke like this. …

      JUVENILE LEAD. I'm out of it anyway.

      FOURTH ACTOR. I should like to know who they are (alludes to Characters).

      THIRD ACTOR. What do you suppose? Madmen or rascals!

      JUVENILE LEAD. And he takes them seriously!

      L'INGÉNUE. Vanity! He fancies himself as an author now.

      LEADING MAN. It's absolutely unheard of. If the stage has come to this … well I'm. …

      FIFTH ACTOR. It's rather a joke.

      THIRD ACTOR. Well, we'll see what's going to happen next.

      (Thus talking, the actors leave the stage; some going out by the little door at the back; others retiring to their dressing-rooms.

      The curtain remains up.

      The action of the play is suspended for twenty minutes).

ACT II.

      Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

      Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

      Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

      Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wBDAAMCAgMCAgMDAwMEAwMEBQgFBQQEBQoHBwYIDAoMDAsK CwsNDhIQDQ4RDgsLEBYQERMUFRUVDA8XGBYUGBIUFRT/2wBDAQMEBAUEBQkFBQkUDQsNFBQUFBQU FBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBQUFBT/wAARCAeoBXgDAREA AhEBAxEB/8QAHQAAAwEAAwEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAQIDAAQHCAYFCf/EAGQQAAICAQMDAgIHBgMEAwkB IQECAxEAEiExBBNBIlFhcQUGByMyQoEIFFKRobEzwdEVYuHwJHLxFhclQ3N0gpKys9MYNGOToqPD 0iY1NlNkg4QnN0RUtMJGVnWk40VVZYWVlP/EABoBAQEAAwEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEBQb/x

СКАЧАТЬ