'The call of duty, Is it to ourselves?
'Or to others?
'Each generation debates the dilemma,,,
'Follow the money, or follow your heart?'
June and I agree - you mustn't reproach yourself,
The children, It's not as if you left them unprovided for,
They'll inherit a considerable sum when they reach their majority,
They will,
And I understand the struggle,
The power of first love, And when there are consequences,,,
I've cut ties with her, Frances,
There's nothing more to be said,
And for that, June and I are grateful,
So, may we now turn our attention to the Carterets?
Race you?
On Figaro? He's slower than treacle!
LAUGHTER
HORSES NEIGH
CLICKS HIS TONGUE
SHE GIGGLES SOFTLY
I feel quite neglected,
Two weeks, and not even a postcard?
Surely he can't be that busy? Oh, I don't know,,,
Well, personally, I'm enjoying the peace, So much less drama,
I doubt Jo would agree with you,
Oh, Monty, Yes!
Once the dust has settled,
we need to implement the succession without delay,
Why the urgency?
I waited a long time,,, to become chairman,
Nothing prepares you for the loneliness,,,
,,the lack of a mentor,,,
,,everyone waiting for you to fail,
So I want you to take on the mantle now,
while I'm still here to guide you,
And since Soames is away,,, we can use his absence,
To do what?
To assure the doubters that you, and not he,
are the man for the job,
When will you tell them?
I've already written to my father,
Mm,
I told him that Forsyte & Co should explore new markets,
that I intend to set up an office here in Paris,
where I can have complete autonomy,
Won't he applaud that? No,
He'll want me in London,,,
,,fulfilling his lifelong ambition to thwart his brother,
Oh, believe me, I'd do a better job than my cousin, but,,,
I've told him I need a new challenge,
You have me,
Am I not challenge enough?
You are,,,
Let me see, what are you?
A wild thing, SHE LAUGHS SOFTLY
A wood nymph,
A goddess, Mm,
THEY CHUCKLE SOFTLY
I saw the sun rise today,
What?
Where? When?
In the gardens,
You went out alone?
I-I love the early morning light,
But my darling, we're husband and wife now,
We should want to do everything together,
SHE CHUCKLES
Everything?
Is that not what marriage is about?
Of course,
Next time, I'll wake you,
Mm, SHE CHUCKLES GENTLY
Ah, Forsyte,
Is it true? Soames missing in action?
Yes, On his honeymoon, Poor excuse, I grant you,
Can I help?
Mm, Ceylon Gold, Sir Jimmy Buckland's venture,
Soames told me it's a gold mine, Literally,
Good! Count me in,,,
to the tune of,,,
That's your choice, of course, Mr Culley, but,,,
I'd advise against,
Er,,,
Sir Jim has a dubious safety record,
prone to accidents and rumoured fatalities,
I-I really wouldn't,,, And?
If there are a few careless labourers lost down a mine?
Small price to pay for such fabulous returns,
Couldn't agree more, James Forsyte,
Allow me to expedite your purchase, This way,
With me,
DOOR SLAMS
LAUGHTER ECHOES
SPLASHING WATER ECHOES
DOOR OPENS, BELL TINKLES
Mrs Barrington! Hannah, what a lovely surprise,
LAUGHTER My dear Louisa!
LOUISA LAUGHS
You don't look a day older! Oh, that's kind of you to say!
How's it been?
A struggle, but so much worse if you hadn't stepped in,
I take no credit,
I gave you a helping hand, The rest you've done yourself,
Oh,,, LOUISA GIGGLES
How,,,
,,inspiring!
And to that end,,,
,,I have a favour to beg,
Of course, Anything,
I hesitate to ask, It would involve a risk,
And it concerns my forthcoming fundraising event,
June!
SHE GIGGLES
Tsar Philip of Culver Street?
June Renegade of Hyde Park, SHE CHUCKLES
SHE LAUGHS SOFTLY
Thank you,
I thought you might not come,
It WAS very impertinent of you to ask me,
But perhaps you think the rules of polite society don't apply to us,
Perhaps I think them petty,
Parochial?
Irrational, SHE LAUGHS
Seriously, can men and women not be friends?
Do friends accept gifts?
Keats!
Recite me one,
"When old age Shall this generation waste
"Thou shalt remain In midst of other woe than ours
"A friend to man To whom thou say'st,,,"
"Beauty is truth, truth beauty
"That is all ye know on Earth,,,"
"And all ye need to know,"
Where shall we live? IRENE CHUCKLES
Versailles?
The Tuileries?
The Champs Elysees? THEY GIGGLE
When I was tiny, we lived in three rooms above a baker's shop,
And my father bought me a canary,
But my mother said that wild things should never be kept in cages,,,
,,so she let it fly away,
No doubt to be eaten by a cat, THEY CHUCKLE
Hm,
Well, three rooms won't do for us,
We shall need to entertain, forge connections,,,
SHE GROANS
Now you're about to discover my guilty secret,
Mama never taught me how to play the hostess,
That's it Our marriage is over
SHE LAUGHS
You realise we'll have a housekeeper, servants,,,
And your mother will think me woefully lacking,
SHE LAUGHS
I'm sure she already thinks I've led you astray,
"Led me astray"?
HE CHUCKLES SOFTLY
Have you?
My father taught me university was a waste of time and money,
Likewise, Europe,,, the Grand Tour,
So at 16, I was on the floor of the Stock Exchange,
"learning the ropes",
Oh, don't mistake me, none of it was wasted, but,,,
,,now?
Is my duty to the company,,,
,,or to myself?
You haven't led me astray,
You've set me free,
Someone's all of a glow,
Must be the ride, The wind was bracing,
Suits you, You should go more often,
Oh,,, I think I will,
SHE CHUCKLES SOFTLY
So, the hunt is on, Yes,
Will it be a chase,,, or a trap?
Frances will have it all planned, She learnt from the master,
ANN CHUCKLES
Utterly brazen,
Might as well stick her on a plate with an apple in her mouth!
WINIFRED SNORTS
Olivia sends her regrets, She's visiting the Fitzgeralds,
She and young Anthony have formed an attachment,
Oh, how delightful,
That was quick!
Poor Cyril finds it all so confusing,
Shall we find you a little treat?
Why don't you? There we are, my dear,
Have you met Mrs Parker Barrington? She's back in London,
I'd be happy to introduce you,
Oh, no, No need, ANN CHUCKLES
I knew her in Geneva when she was first married,
Sweet girl, Husband an absolute stick!
ANN CHUCKLES
She and I hiked the Matterhorn together,
LIGHT CHUCKLING
And I,,, I understand you have an extensive collection of moths,
Er, yes, I've been longing to know,
what distinguishes a moth from a butterfly?
Oh, er, well,
in fact, they do have things in common,
Mm-hm? Both belong to the Lepidoptera species -
from the Greek "lepis", meaning scale,
and "pteron", meaning wing,
Fascinating,
Well, that could hardly have gone better,
June was transformed!
You did her very proud,
It was a splendid evening,
Do you really think she's had a change of heart?
It would certainly make things easier,
Soames! Finally,
I trust he's announcing his imminent return,
Not coming home? Oh, my heart, I shall faint,
Can it be true? It must be her doing,
Well, you can't deny she's a bewitching little creature,
What can he be thinking? Setting up on his own in Paris, of all places?
Although,,, with Soames gone, might a fellow step up?
What fellow?
Someone with expertise on risk, investment,
Gambling, you mean,
And for the mantle of "favoured child",
Think about it, Freddie,
With Soames away, you and I are the pre-eminent pair of our generation,
Nobody is to hear of this!
Understood? Of course,
On my honour, DOOR SLAMS
My heart will break,
SHE SOBS
How shall we live without him?
Prepare yourselves,
Is he serious? No, he's clever,
If Jo gets the chair, do you see Soames taking orders?
This way, he gets to be master of his own domain,
Good thinking, No, not good! Defeatist!
Jo mustn't be allowed to get the chair,
Soames must return and fight his corner,
I need to send a telegram,
Dear Mrs Forsyte, so good of you to come,
Did I hear there may soon be exciting news
about your daughter and young Horatio?
I couldn't possibly comment,
MRS BARRINGTON CHUCKLES
Lady Carteret herself dropped a hint,
She's asked me to donate to her charity
for the reclamation of fallen women,
And I wondered whether you might be persuaded to join us?
Of course, er, one must support any scheme
that takes these wretched creatures off the streets,
FRANCES CHUCKLES
Perhaps we can find ways to alleviate their wretchedness,
LOUISA SIGHS They're both very hot,
Try to get some sleep, my darlings,
I don't like it, what Mrs Barrington wants you to do,
She couldn't have asked me at a worse time,
With all these Forsytes buzzing around,
She wasn't to know, I've never told her who the children's father was,
If you do it,,,
,,it could ruin you,
DOOR OPENS
DOOR CLOSES
APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS
An invitation to Frampton Park,
Oh,,, What's that?
Er, the Carteret family seat!
Oh!
Am I invited? Oh,,,
I think we both know you're the main attraction, my love,
JUNE CHUCKLES, FRANCES GIGGLES
SQUEALING
- Irene, mon amie! - Oh!
LAUGHTER Oh, regardez vous deux!
Et voici mon cher mari, IRENE GIGGLES
Mes amis from the corps de ballet - Yvette, Colette, Patrice, Victor,
IRENE GIGGLES
Bonjour, Er, ravi,
Bonjour! Enchante,
Bonjour! Mwah! Mwah!
HE CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY
Bonjour! Enchantee,
Allons-y! Allez! Allez, tout le monde!
GIGGLING Allez, on s'assoit,
Oh, mes chers amis! LAUGHTER
WOMAN GASPS Oh, c'est magnifique!
Alors, Champagne? Vous etes prets, les gars?
On celebre, n'est-ce pas?
Mais non! THEY GIGGLE
Il vous faut absolument essayer notre specialite de maison,
l'absinthe, CHEERING AND LAUGHTER
Allez, la tournee!
L'absinthe! L'absinthe! L'absinthe! L'absinthe!
Allez, tous ensemble, Regardez, regardez, regardez,
THUMPING TABLETOPS
CHEERING AND LAUGHTER
NOISE INCREASES IN INTENSITY
CHEERING
Santeeeee! LAUGHTER
Mm! COUGHING
LAUGHTER
Ca pique un peu, mais c'est bon, non?
How could I be so stupid?
I thought if I appeared compliant, then,,,
Mama would be more sympathetic, would take my wishes into account,
But,,, But now that it's,,,
,,Frampton Park,
Yes,
That can only mean one thing,
He intends to propose,
I suppose we'll never meet again,
I wish it could be otherwise,
Perhaps you should marry me!
THEY CHUCKLE SOFTLY
I think I'd prefer it,
No,,,
I really would prefer it,
June, let's be serious, How on earth would we live?
I-I'd have my settlement, There'll be no settlement,
If your father refuses his consent, and believe me, he will,,,
We,,, Then we'll run away, And live on what?
I have debts, no reputation, I'm yet to secure a meaningful commission,
Sometimes I live on cocoa for a week,
But none of this matters if we love each other!
I,,, I-I shouldn't have said that,
But you did,
And,,, so,,,?
LAUGHTER
C'est genial!
Oui, Monsieur?
Quand aura-t-on le plaisir de vous voir danser avec nous?
When will I join them at the corps de ballet?
J'ai une lettre de reference de Mme Lanner a Londres,
GASPS Oh! C'est pas vrai!
If I can join them at the start of the new season,
La Sylphide, Giselle,
LAUGHTER Oh!
Champagne, Ah,
Mais, que vois-je? Vous n'aimez pas l'absinthe?
Voila, One can have too much of a good thing,
LAUGHTER
So,,,
,,do you intend to make a habit
of advising clients against sure-fire investments?
What's this?
Ceylon Gold,
As predicted, colossal profits,
But it seems Jo is unable to conquer his,,, squeamishness,
And I doubt I ever will, You should ask Dartie,
I'm sure he's made of sterner stuff,
Did I hear my name?
Sir Jimmy Buckland's gold mine,
Shares currently showing a 40% uplift,
Ooh, I like the sound of that!
The purpose of this firm is solely to make a profit for its clients,
But if the heir apparent shows queasiness at its methods,,,
,,is he really,,, acting in our best interest?
It appears Horatio Carteret is partial to June,
Mm! Well!
Think of that!
When we go to Frampton Park, I believe he will ask for her hand,
FRANCES CHUCKLES SOFTLY
And he's the heir, which eventually means, of course,
that June herself will be Lady Carteret,
Just what those high-and-mighties need,
A bit of spark and personality,
LAUGHTER
Feather in your cap, my dear, And to you too, June, of course,
Assuming her father consents?
Why wouldn't he? Can you think of a reason?
Not unless June can,
My love?
Hm?
Sorry, I was miles away, What was the question?
LAUGHTER
Is there any reason I shouldn't consent
to you marrying Horatio Carteret?
Yes, I believe there is,
On account of the fact that I'm already engaged,
CHUCKLING
His name's Philip Bosinney,
He's an architect, one of the new school, and very bright,
He lives on Culver Street, It's also his office,
He's still awaiting his first commission, but he's so talented,
he's sure to be in great demand once the word gets out,,,
Darling, that's enough,
No-one finds this remotely amusing,
Oh, I don't know,
ANN GIGGLES LIGTHLY
I met him at the opera,
He's a modernist and utterly rejects outmoded traditions such as,,,
Asking a father for his daughter's hand before he proposes?
Well, actually,,,
,,I proposed, Wha,,,?
Of course you did!
Am I to understand there's actually some truth to this ridiculous,,,?
June,,, what are you doing?
Following my heart,
Oh, dear,
But how did,,,?
Where could,,,? Tell her, It's out of the question,
June, a word, please,
Did you know anything about this? Why would I?
We know she likes to confide in you,
Oh, Perhaps she thought I would,,, disapprove,
Which, obviously, you do,
You don't understand, He's not like anyone I've ever known,
He cares about things that matter, about right and wrong,
He doesn't want to control me, He wants me to be just who I am,
And that's unlike anyone you've ever known? Yes!
So I should meet him,
What is it?
Why are you looking at me like that?
May a man not look upon his most treasured possession?
Am I really such a thing?
And more,
How could I have done this?
Failed to communicate the Forsyte imperative,
Seize the crown, lead,,, instead of playing second fiddle,
What's been the point of my life, if not to set my son on the chair?
Is that what you put in your telegram?
Obviously not!
I told him if he didn't take the next train home from Paris,
I'd come and drag him home by his earlobes,
Oh, well, that'll do it
This way, sir,,,
Ah,,,
Mr Bosinney,
Please,
Ladies, you've done me the honour of inviting me to join your campaign,
And while I suspect
that the scale of my donation may have influenced your choice,,,
LIGHT LAUGHTER
,,I hope I may have something more than guineas to offer,
No doubt you think me presumptuous,
Daring to aspire to the hand of an heiress,
As you can see, my cuffs are frayed, my coat is worn,
and to demonstrate the gulf between us, you invite me to a place
whose membership fee is four times my annual salary,
Actually,,,
,,I chose it because it's round the corner from your office,
Tell me about yourself,
I'm a radical,
Hm,
I decline to bow to convention,
My family is undistinguished, My studies have left me in debt,
So if you've come here to tell me that I must look elsewhere,,,
I've come here to ask,,, why you love my daughter,
I've never met anyone like her,
We see the world in the same way,
She's spirited and brave,
And, yes, I love her, And if you don't believe me,,,
And what if I do believe you?
You've supported this cause long before I arrived,
The hostels you fund for the women you save,
the clergy you pay to instruct them in the error of their ways,
the homes you find amongst the childless gentry
for their wretched offspring,
No-one can doubt the rigour of your purpose,
But what is the ultimate aim of your charity?
Punishment? Moral superiority?
Or material assistance?
Let me introduce to you
a lady whose history,,, you may find instructive,
LIGHT APPLAUSE
And some of you know me, You honour me with your custom,
Been kind enough to invite me into your homes,
Ten years ago, I was penniless, homeless,
Mrs Parker Barrington heard of my distress,
She could have judged me,,, made a reckoning of my failings,
But instead, she asked me how she could help,
She found me lodgings, a midwife, sustenance,
She asked me what skills I possessed
and employed me as a dressmaker, recommended me to her friends,
Many of you have helped to make me what I am today,
Not a burden on society,,, but a contributor,
Heart-warming story,
but there's a vast difference between you
and the women that we try to help,
You are not what we call "fallen",
And if I was, would I deserve the workhouse?
My children removed?
Myself consigned to penitence and shame?
Widowhood and poverty are not sins,
I wasn't a widow,
My children were born out of wedlock,
Their father,,,
,,died,,,
,,before they were born,
Now do you judge me?
Do I appear less deserving to you now?
Not to me,
And not, I hope, to any here,
APPLAUSE
Thank you so much,
Thank you,
Forgive me, I-I must go,
You don't strike me as a,,, fortune hunter,
How would you support her?
I, well,,,
That is, at present,,, I can't,
But I have prospects, I'm currently seeking a major commission,
But is money the be-all and end-all?
It is for those who are used to it,
I can't agree to this marriage,,,
,,until,,, you've completed your first commission,
Till then, I consent to an engagement,
I have no doubt we'll be seeing a lot of each other,
HE CHUCKLES
HARSH COUGHING
CHILDREN MOAN, APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS
COUGHING CONTINUES
I'm here, my darlings, I'm here now,
You agreed to an engagement?
Why?
He's impulsive, argumentative and currently without means,
Could be years before he makes his first commission, Exactly!
And by then, the romance will have lost its sheen,,,
,,or stood the test of time,
And you're willing to take that chance?
What is this?
You living vicariously,,,
,,allowing June to do what you,,, always regretted not doing?
Not in the slightest,
I'm wholly at peace with my decision,
APPROACHING FOOTSTEPS
I knew it!
You-You were never going to consent because,,,
you've no idea how it feels to truly follow your heart!
So go on, tell me!
We give you permission to get engaged,
SHE CHUCKLES
SHE LAUGHS GIDDILY
SHE SHRIEKS
SHE GIGGLES
And now we assure the outside world that we couldn't be happier,
No, no, no, no, Paws off the table, Pudding, you know the rules,,,
DOG GRUMBLES There you are,
Is there a pact to lower the tone of this family?
First Soames, now June?
Has no-one regard for pedigree?
You'll note the lack of announcement,
June's engagement?
No surprise, I wouldn't advertise such a mismatch,
No wonder the engagement party's "close family only",
Poor Frances had such high hopes,
She must be so disappointed,
Did I ever tell you that, when I was five, I fell into the Seine?
Where were your parents? Beside me,
But I could swim, so my mother was happy for me to take risks,
She was a gambler,
Mm-hm, Like you, with other people's money,
I take calculated risks,
Ah! Like chancing your happiness with someone you barely know?
Come with me, I have a surprise,
SHE GIGGLES
Isaac mentioned June's engagement,
Oh, we couldn't be more delighted,
Of course, June could've had her pick,
but we believe that young people should follow their hearts,
Oh, I wholly agree,
I want to thank you for joining us the other day,
I hope you were persuaded of the cause,
Dear Louisa, she's such a shining example of what can be achieved,
Yes, yes, very commendable,
Still, it's a struggle, with two little ones to take care of,
And when they both go down with a fever,,,
Well, I-I'm so sorry, I have to dash,
I'm expected at the Devonshires' for luncheon,
Are they very sick?
Scarlet fever, apparently,
Poor darlings,
INSTRUMENTS BEING TUNED
APPLAUSE
'Giselle, Act I: Pas Seul - Pas De Deux' by Adolphe Adam
MUSIC SLOWS AND FADES
HEAVY BREATHING
IRENE GASPS
IRENE PANTS
SOAMES BREATHES SHAKILY
IRENE MOANS
IRENE PANTS
SOAMES BREATHES SHAKILY
MUSIC RETURNS
MUSIC SWELLS
Oh, wasn't it wonderful? And I meet the directeur next week,
And just think, if he accepts me,
you can come and pick me up every night after the performance,
Oh, you should meet Yvette's brother!
He's a painter, he comes to watch all of the rehearsals,
I honestly just can't wait for you to see me dance,
Oh, just imagine! You can meet me at the stage door every night,
And when we're settled in our new apartment,,,
,,we could go to the Cafe des Fleurs,,,
HER VOICE FADES AWAY
VOICE MUFFLED
And when we're settled, shall we invite your family to visit?
Yes, Yes, of course, SHE GIGGLES
My love,,,
There's something I haven't mentioned,
A telegram from my father,
Is he well? Beside himself,,,
Huh,,,
,,that I told him my plans in a letter,
when I should have done it face to face,
What was I thinking?
I believe I must return,
Cut short our honeymoon?
And my audition? Sh-Should I rearrange?
By all means, But you must see I owe my father an explanation,,,
,,in person,
Of course,
Of course, I do see that,
So let's return to London,,,
and settle things,,, once and for all,
Afternoon, sir,
How do we know that this fellow
isn't some money-grubbing opportunist?
What is Frances thinking?
She will know that when the heart is set on something,
the more it's forbidden, the more it's craved,
Surely, you don't imagine June wants this boy
just to prove she can have him?
I once knew a couple of young men who pursued the same girl,,,
simply so the other wouldn't get her,
Let me fetch you a drink,
Something amiss? What?
No, nothing to concern you, JOLYON SCOFFS
No-one would believe we used to be best of friends,
It was a long time ago,
Before the old man pitted us against each other,
JAMES LAUGHS
Yes, "Shape up!" "Make sacrifices,"
Was it a sacrifice?
For you?
Alexandra?
No more than it was for you,
I do sometimes wonder where she disappeared to,
As do I,
Still,,, it all turned out for the best,
Emily and you, Edith and I,
Yes,
Splendid women,
Saved us from ourselves,
I almost feel sorry for him, FRANCES CHUCKLES
Don't,
Did you see his hat?
He left it on a chair, and Emily mistook it for a cat,
SHE SIGHS
Uncle James, you look as if you'd like to commission a new house,
And here's Phil, just brimming with clever ideas,
I-I suspect your uncle's perfectly content with his own house,
But should the opportunity ever arise,
I'm sure you could come to my office and view my portfolio,
There, now! What a kind invitation,
JO TAPS GLASS
Well, here we are,
Frances and I ask you to join us
in raising a glass to the newly engaged couple,
- June and Philip, - June and Philip!
APPLAUSE
How to thwart a rebel? Take away their cause,
KNOCKING
Are they,,,?
LOUISA SIGHS Please tell me they're not,
They're not,
Their fever's passed, They're sleeping,
JO EXHALES SOFTLY
Thank God,
SHE BREATHES SHALLOWLY
DOOR SHUTS