Presentation of Manuscripts
Sample
Scene One
LIGHTS UP ON CHRISTINE KINGSLEY'S DRESSING ROOM AT THE WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE IN LEEDS, WHERE CHRIS HAS BEEN STARRING IN A NEW PLAY, WHICH IS ABOUT TO BE TRANSFERRED TO LONDON'S WEST END. WE HEAR THE WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE AUDIENCE APPLAUD AS THE CURTAINS CLOSE OFFSTAGE. WE HEAR EXCITED VOICES OFFSTAGE AS THE ACTORS LEAVE FOLLOWING THE FINAL CURTAIN CALL.
ENTER CHRIS KINGSLEY. AT TWENTY-SIX YEARS OLD, SHE IS A PROMISING YOUNG ACTOR FROM NEW ZEALAND, FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF LISA HARROW AND BARBARA EWING. THE LEADING MALE STAR, BENJAMIN JACKSON, FOLLOWS HER INTO THE DRESSING ROOM.
| CHRIS | I ... am.... exhausted! But very, very happy. |
| BEN | You were marvellous darling, an absolute sensation! |
BEN KISSES CHRIS ON THE CHEEK.
| BEN | As always! |
| CHRIS | Thank you Benjamin and you were simply divine. |
| BEN | You're too kind. You know I could murder for a drink! |
| CHRIS | I've got some brandy. |
| BEN | You angel! |
CHRIS POURS THEM BOTH A DRINK.
| BEN | I always knew this play had what it takes. One can tell because there's something instinctive about it all. Once you've got the opening night out of the way and you've played to packed houses for a few weeks, you know the little beauty's going places. |
| CHRIS | All the way to London. |
| BEN | The bright lights, dear Chris! |
| CHRIS | Congratulations! |
| BEN | And you, my dear! You know this damn well deserves a proper toast. |
| CHRIS | Well, go on then, what's stopping you? |
| Extract from "Swiss Cider" by André Surridge |
