All language subtitles for The.Dresser.1983.1080p.WEBRip.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX].eng

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[♪♪♪]

RADIO REPORTER:
This is theBBC Home Service.

Here is the news,

and this is Gordon Hill
reading it.

The King and Queen,

accompanied by
the Prime Minister,

Mr. Winston Churchill,

today visited
the East End of London

to inspect
the recent bomb damage.

Yesterday evening,

enemy air raids
over several provincial cities

were reported

to have caused severe damage
in places.

President Roosevelt
has again spoken

of the United States'
cooperation with Britain.

He is to address both houses
of Congress tomorrow.

The meat ration
is to be reduced...

[♪♪♪]

[HUMS SONG]

ACTOR:
Desdemone!

[GASPS]

[HUMMING]

I took by the throat
the circumcised dog

and smote him...

thus.

Oh, bloody period.

All that's spoken
is marred.

I kissed thee,
here I killed thee,

no way but this.

Killing myself
to die upon a kiss.

This did I fear,
but thought he had no weapon.

Oh... Spartan... dog.

More fell than anguish...
hunger.... or the sea.

For God's sake, Horace,

quicker and louder.

And...

And to the state,

this heavy act
with heavy heart relate.

Stand by for curtain.

[BELL TOLLING]

Curtain down.

Horace.

When Othello is dead,
the play is over.

Say what you have to say
with speed,

and put the audience
out of their misery,

and Oxenby, if you don't
keep downstage of me,

I'll have you nailed
to the orchestra pit.

Iago is a supporting part.

Watch it.

Curtain going up.

Mind you,
he's not a bad Iago,

but now I know

how Mr. Churchill
will feel

when he faces
Josef Stalin.

Stand by
for your curtain call, Sir.

Mm.

And Mr. Godstone,

less makeup,
if you please.

You're playing
the Duke of Venice,

not the Queen of the May.

[AUDIENCE CHEERING]

Your call, Sir.

Frank, be more careful
with your sword

during the Cyprus scene.

I have no wish
to be circumcised at my age.

Sorry, old boy.

Let them know
you're coming...

Let them know
you're coming.

Excuse me.

Lord Stuart's
in tonight.

[APPLAUSE STOPS]

My lords, ladies, and gentlemen,

thank you
for your generosity of spirit.

Next week,
we shall be appearing...

At the Alhambra, Bradford.

At the Alhambra Theatre,
Bradford.

On behalf of...

my company, my lady wife,
and myself,

I humbly thank you.

I had my dream again
last night, Norman.

Never mind.
Tomorrow's Sunday.

Unseen hands

driving wooden stakes
into my feet.

I can't move.

It'll be better next week.
You'll see.

Just wait till
you get on that train tomorrow.

What time's the call?

9:00, Sir.

Oh...
Why so early?

Why 9:00?

Because this little piggy
says so.

[HUMMING]

[WHISTLE BLOWING]

We've got three minutes.

Oh, Norman.
Fancy seeing you.

Hey, I've never
seen York so quiet.

Sorry,
I can't stop.

Well, I'm playing Scarborough
next week

and I'm not fixed for Christmas,
so if you hear of anything...

Guard.

Don't blow your whistle,
I beg you.

The actors are coming.

One minute.

What?

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING]

Please wait, driver.

They're very elderly
actors.

They're playing Shakespeare
next week

at the Alhambra Theatre,
Bradford,

so it's all
in a good cause.

You won't go
without us,

will you?

Sod off.

[TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING]

Bastard!

Stop...

that...

train!

["TRAIN" ECHOING]

[ATTENDANT'S WHISTLE BLOWING]

Hey, you just can't
stop a train.

It's not allowed.

Don't you know
there's a war on?

It's against regulations.

You just can't stop a train.

[GRUNTING]

[WHIMPERING]

It's all right.
It's all right.

I'm sorry.

I didn't mean
to disturb you.

You go back to sleep.

Thank you
for watching over me,

but don't
worry too much.

I-- I--

I have the feeling

I may
do something violent.

Oh. Oh...

What's the play
tomorrow night?

King Lear.

Ooh...

Then I shall wake

with the storm clouds
in my head.

Ooh...

SIR: These boom lights
are for me...

and me only.

They follow me wherever I go.

Thank you.

Ah.

It's all right, Sir.
I'm here.

It's Norman.

WOMAN:
Kill the follow-spot.

MAN:
Get back.

Keep back, there.

Hey, keep out
of the way.

Get back.

Come along.

This is no place
for you.

Come on.

If I may intrude?

For the theater.

I trust you will
find comfort there.

[HUMMING]

Excuse me,
but do you have

any Brown & Polson's
cornflower?

I'm at the Alhambra
this week,

and they use it
instead of face powder.

I could arrange

two complimentaries
for any performance

if you'll just let me
have one tiny packet.

Face powder?

Mm.

You'll be lucky,
miss.

[SIR GRUNTING]

God help the man
who tries to stop me.

How much further
do you want me to go?

[SIR RAGING]

Shouldn't we be getting
to the theater?

Come on, love.
You'll catch your death.

Put your clothes on,
like a good boy.

Thank you, my dear,

but Norman usually
looks after me.

I'm Norman.
I'm his dresser.

Take good care of him, love.

I was first took to see you
when I were but a lass.

I'm sorry
you're poorly.

You were lovely
in The Corsican Brothers.

Sir!

Sir.

Hey...

[SIR YELLING]

[♪♪♪]

[RADIO PLAYING]

WOMAN: What are we
going to do, Norman?

There'll be an audience
in the theater tonight,

hoping to see him
as King Lear.

What are we going
to do?

Don't upset yourself,
for a start.

I've never had
to make

this sort of decision
before--

any sort of decision
before.

I'm glad
I telephoned Madge.

She'll know
what to do.

Oh, yes, Madge will
know what to do.

Madge will be
ever so sensible.

Of course,
stage managers have to be.

I should have
made him rest.

The doctor said

he'd come to
the end of his rope,

and he'd found it
frayed.

Doctors.

Just imagine trying
to explain to a doctor

what Sir's been through.

"Well, you see, Doctor,

"he's been trying
to recruit actors

"for his Shakespearean
company,

"but all
the able-bodied

"and best ones
are in uniform

"and the theaters
are bombed to bits

"as soon
as you book them,

"not to mention
the trouble this week

with Mr. Davenport
Scott."

Doctors.

He'd have had
his hypodermic rampant

before you could say,
"As you like it."

What's the latest with
Mr. Davenport Scott?

If you don't mind,

I'd rather not discuss
Mr. Davenport Scott

with a lady.

I'll tell Madge
all about it

when she comes in.

Now, this won't hurt.

It's just
to make you sleep.

You want to sleep,
don't you?

Sleep?

[LOUDER]
Sleep?

Glamis hath murdered sleep,

and therefore,
Cawdor shall sleep no more!

Macbeth shall sleep no more!

Any further developments?

We'd better see the manager.

Perhaps
you ought to come with me.

No, please, Your Ladyship.

Now, let's not rush things.

There's no alternative.

I'll be in my room.

No, Your Ladyship--

Madge is right.

He's in hospital.

We can't play King Lear
without the King.

We've got to make
a decision.

Forgive me,
Your Ladyship,

it's not a decision
we have to make,

it's the right decision.

Please,
Your Ladyship--

I had a friend,

before one's face
was lined,

as the saying goes,

in a very low state,
he was.

Ever so fragile,
a pain to be with.

Someone close to him,
his mother, I believe,

though
it was never proved,

understandably upset,
made a decision.

A little rest, she said,

among those similarly
"off-center,"

in Colwyn Bay.

Never a good date,
not in February,

wrapped in a gray rug
gazing at the gray sea.

Talk about bleak.

Mother dear
made a decision,

but it was
the wrong decision.

My friend
never acted again.

We have to face the facts.

I've never done that
in my life,

Your Ladyship,

and I don't see
why I should start now.

I just like things
to be lovely.

"No pain,"
that's my motto.

Things aren't lovely, Norman.

No, they aren't,
if you face facts.

Face the facts?

It's facing the company
I worry about, poor lambs.

What will happen to them
and the customers?

It's no good,
Sir talking about

struggle and survival,

if you go and cancel
the performance.

It's a disease.

What is?

Hopefulness.

I think we should
discuss this in private.

MAN:
Norman, Your Ladyship!

Your Ladyship!

I asked him, joking like,
if he had been in a fight.

He said no.

I thought he wanted his key,

but he just
sat down there.

Telephone the hospital.

Do not telephone
the hospital.

Get me to my room.
To my room!

I must don my robes.

What are we to do?

Charles,
you help Her Ladyship.

I shan't be a tick.

Well, I don't know
exactly, Mr. Mowbray.

It'll mean giving back
an awful lot of money.

We're full tonight
and Wednesday for Lear.

Richard III
is looking healthy.

Merchant of Venice,
cozy.

As You Like It
is cool.

No, he hasn't
got an understudy.

NORMAN:
Mr. Bottomley.

Hold hard, Mr. Bottomley.

King Richard's himself again.

Bonzo,
why are you here?

My name is on the door.

Did the doctor say
you could leave?

I discharged myself.

Oh, cancel
the performance.

I can't.

Mustn't...

won't.

Then take
the consequences.

When have I not?

How is he?

Norman!

Sir.

I want you by me.

Yes, Sir.

Don't leave my side.

I shall want help.

Yes, Sir.

Madge, dear.

You speak to him.

He doesn't hear
a word I say.

You look exhausted.

That's what I call tact.

Are you sure

you're able
to go on tonight?

He wouldn't be here
if he wasn't.

Would you, Sir?

How long have you been with me,
Madge, dear?

Longer than anyone else.

How long?

Twenty years,
nearly 20 years.

Have I ever
missed a performance?

No, but then,
you've never been ill.

I only want what's best for you.

What's best for Sir

is that he's allowed
to get ready.

Ready... Yes, yes.
I must get ready.

Ready for what?

Excuse me,
Your Ladyship,

but shouldn't you
be getting ready, too?

I can't bear
to see him like that.

Then best to leave us.

I've had experience
of these things.

I know
what has to be done.

Imagine waking to that,
night after night.

My dear,
is he all right?

We hear dreadful rumors.

Surely the performance
is not to be canceled.

No, no, no, no.

He's just
a little tired,

that's all.

Aren't we all, dear?

Aren't we all?

Right.

Shall we begin at the beginning?

Good evening, Sir.

Are we going to sulk all evening

or are we going to speak
to our servants?

[SOBBING]

I do wish you'd stop crying,
Sir.

Shall we play "I Spy?"

Now, I spy with my little eye
something beginning with...

"A."

Now, I know
you won't guess it,

so I'll tell you.

"A" is for "actor,"

and actors have to work,

and actors have to put on
their makeup

and change their frocks,

and then, of course,
actors have to act.

"Zounds, madam, where dost thou
get this knowledge?"

"From a baboon, Sir,
that wandered wild in Eden--"

or words to that effect.

I have never known a kettle
take so long to boil.

I'll tell you what, Sir,
have a little brandy.

Break the rules.

Have a nip.

"A little brandy
won't harm,"

as the surgeon said
to the undertaker's widow.

There's less than an hour
to go, Sir.

You usually want longer.

Shall we make a start?

Yes, it's me, Norman--
The one with the soulful eyes.

I've saved my rations for you.

I don't mind going without.

♪ I like a nice cup of tea
In the morning ♪

♪ Just to start the day
You see ♪

♪ And at half-past 11:00

♪ Well, my idea of heaven
Is a nice cup of tea ♪

♪ I like
A nice cup of tea ♪

♪ With my dinner

♪ And a nice cup of tea
With my tea ♪

♪ And before I go to bed

♪ There's a lot
To be said ♪

♪ For a nice cup of...

♪ I just want a cup of--
A nice cup of... ♪

♪ Tea ♪

Now, come along, Sir, drink up.

It's tea, not rat poison.

There.

Now, that's better,
isn't it?

Isn't it?

Would you like a bickie?

I saved one
from the Mayor's reception

in Rillington.

No? Oh.

"Why don't you have one,
Norman?"

Thanks very much, I will.

If you don't mind my saying so,
Sir,

there seems little point

in discharging yourself
from hospital

and then coming to sit here
like Niobe

prior to being turned
into stone,

so shall we make an effort?

Oh, come here.
Let me.

That's what
I'm here for.

[SOBS]

There, there. There, there...

There, there.
I know how it feels.

I had a friend,
worse than you he was,

and all they ever wanted
to do with him

was put him away,

and no one wants
to go through that,

or so my friend said.

They'll send you to Colwyn Bay,

and you know you never do
any business in Colwyn Bay.

[SIR SOBBING]

Guess...

Guess what
got my friend well?

Now, sounds silly,
this...

An offer of work.
A telegram.

Yes, fancy, a telegram.

"Can you understudy Scrubby--
Outward Bound--start Monday."

He discharged himself,
just like you, my friend did,

took the train up to London.

Found digs in Brixton,
and never looked back.

What do you make of that?

An offer of work.

It meant
somebody thought of him,

and that's ever such a comfort.

So here's something
to cheer you up.

There's going to be a full house
tonight.

All those people
thinking of you,

and wanting you to act.

Really?

A full house?

Shall we make a start?

What play is it
tonight?

King Lear,Sir.

Impossible.

Oh, thank you,
very much.

That's nice, isn't it?

People paying good money
to see you,

and you say
"impossible."

Very nice indeed,
I do not think.

I...

I don't want
to be seen.

That's difficult

when you're playing
King Lear.

I don't want to see
Her Ladyship.

That's even
more difficult

since she's playing
Cordelia.

You saw her a moment ago.
You were alone together.

Were we?

What's the play tonight?

King Lear,Sir.

I... I started my autobiography
today,

but I can't find
a good, catchy title.

I think "My Life"
a little plain, don't you?

I thought I had written today.

Evidently not.

I can't be Lear again.

Shall we begin
our makeup?

Where's my hat?

I'm getting out of here.

I'm not staying in this place
a moment longer.

I'm surrounded by vipers.

Betrayal
on every side.

I'm being crushed.

The lifeblood
is draining from me.

The load is too great!

Norman, Norman...

if you have
any regard for me,

don't listen
to him.

Who?

More, more--

[YELLING]
More!

I can't give any more.

I have nothing more to give.

I want a tranquil senility.

I am a grown man.

I don't want to go on
painting my face

night after night,

wearing clothes
that are not my own.

This is my work, my life's work.

I'm an actor.

Well, who cares
if I go out there

tonight or any other night

and shorten my life?

I had a friend
once said,

"Norman, I don't care

"if there are only
three people out front

"or if the audience laugh
when they shouldn't

"or don't when they should.

"One person, just one person

"is certain
to know and understand,

and I act for him."

That's what my friend said.

I can't move that
which cannot be moved.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

[KNOCKING]

Yes?

I'd like to see him.

I'd rather
you didn't.

It's my responsibility
to take the curtain up tonight.

There isn't much time.

Things have reached
a delicate stage.

I do not
want him disturbed.

What's all that
whispering?

Oh, nothing.
Nothing.

Has he begun his makeup yet?

Not yet.

Do you realize how late it is?

They'll be calling the half
in a moment.

I know
how late it is.

Then on your head be it.

Who was that?

Oh, just a minion,
minioning.

Oh, look!
A dressing gown.

Now, shall we put it on
and keep ourselves warm?

There, now, doesn't that
feel better?

You're back here
in the theater,

safe and sound,
where you belong,

and a full house.

Lovely.

Really?

A full house?

They'll be standing
in the gods.

Do you know...
they've bombed

the Grand Theatre,
Plymouth?

And much else
of the city besides.

I made my debut

at the Grand Theatre,
Plymouth.

They weren't to know.

I shouldn't have
come out this spring,

but I had no choice.
He made me.

Who?

I should have rested.

I had a friend
who was ordered to rest.

He obeyed--
that was the end of him.

He was ever so ill.

Nearly became a Catholic.

Not unlike
Mr. Davenport Scott...

What news
of Davenport Scott?

They're keeping him
in the cells.

Advise his captors

he is to be released
immediately.

The police have opposed bail.

How, then,
do we dispose our forces?

Mr. Thornton
is standing by

to play Fool.

And who as Oswald?

Mr. Brown,
I'm afraid.

But that leaves me
a knight short

for "reason, not the need."

Well, 98 short,
actually,

if you take the text
as gospel,

so one more or less
shouldn't be too upsetting.

Thornton,
toothless as Fool.

Brown...

lisping as Oswald.

Oxenby limping as Edmund.

What have I come to?

I've never had a company
like this one.

I've been reduced to old men,
cripples, and nancy-boys.

Herr Hitler has made it
very difficult

for Shakespearean companies.

It'll be a chapter
in the book, Sir.

I hate
to mention this,

but we're going to be short
for the storm.

We have no one,

but no one
to operate the wind machine,

not if Mr. Thornton
is to play Fool.

I must have the storm
at full strength.

What about Oxenby?

Not the most amenable
of gentlemen.

Send him to me
just after the half.

I'll have a word with him.

I'd better talk

to Thornton, too.

You see?

That's more like it.

You're where
you belong.

Doing what you know best
and you're yourself again.

Now, you start
making up.

I'll go tell them
to come see you.

I'll clean the wig
and beard.

I shan't be
a minute.

What now,
you scotch-arsed Zulu?

It's canceled?

Please say it's canceled.

Geoffrey,

he wants to see you

in the makeup and costume
of Fool just after the half.

Oh, my God.

Are you sure
he's well enough to go on?

He seemed quite deranged.

Sir? Deranged? Never.

See you at the half, Geoffrey.

I'm not exaggerating.

So I said
to Davenport Scott,

"You really must behave.

You have a position
to uphold."

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Uh, Mr. Oxenby,

Sir would like to see you
just after the half.

If he wants me
any further downstage,

I shall end up
at the back of the stalls.

And Mr. Brown,
you're playing Oswald tonight.

Do you know the lines?

Yes, I do,

so long as he doesn't
hiss at me.

I get very quivery
when he hisses.

And we don't want that, do we?

Now, where was I?

Oh, yes.
So Davenport Scott said to me--

Do you mind
shutting up?

Really!

[HUMMING]

Norman. How is he?

Who?

Oh, don't be an ass.

Everyone saw
and heard him.

My Uncle Percy ranted and raved
like that

and he's now in a home.

And I hope you visit him
often, Miss Gibson.

Norman...

is he fit enough
to play King Lear?

You just wait and see,
Miss Manning.

I've never known him
in such fine fettle.

He'll make history tonight
as King Lear.

Uncle Percy.

All's well.
I've spoken to the actors.

Oh, no...

No!

Not Othello.

The lines are fouled.

Instruct the puppeteer
to renew the strings.

I'd have given anything
to see the play tonight.

There's you all blacked-up,

and Cordelia saying,

"You begot me, bred me,
loved me."

[MIMICKING SIR]
"Well, you see, ducky,

'tis King Lear,
he been about a bit."

We used to play a game
called "Risqué."

You had to turn the line
to get a double-entendre.

The best I ever heard

was from a character man
called Berriton.

You know the line,

"What?
Fifty of my followers at a clap?

Within a fortnight?"

Yes, I know the line
and the story.

Well, one day, on a train call
from Aberdeen to Liverpool,

a journey I recommend
as punishment for deserters,

Berriton came out with,

"What? Fifty of my followers
with the clap?

Within a fortnight?"

With the clap...

Within
a fortnight...

Oh, Sir.

Another blank page.

It's only for
the storm scene, Arthur.

When Sir leans forward,
you lean back.

When he leans back,
you lean forward.

That way,
he's always balanced.

Got it.

Now do it.

When he's forward,
I'm back.

When he's back, I'm forward.

Good.

Now, Beryl, you're not to forget
the triple crown.

Don't worry.

I'll do it tonight.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Who?

Irene. I've come
for the triple crown.

Enter.

Good evening, my child.

Good evening, Sir.

All well?

Thank you, Sir.

You've come
for the triple crown?

Yes, Sir.

Polish it well.

I like it gleaming.

Yes, Sir.

Here it is, my child.

Pretty young thing,
aren't you?

Thank you, Sir.

Sir, it's time to age.

They're all
the same color.

Which stick do I use?

I can't see the colors.

You start with the eyebrows,
Sir.

Eyebrows?

You soap
the eyebrows.

Lovely.

Now number five.

"Just the mask,"
you always say.

Leave clean
the upper lip and chin

for the moustache
and beard.

Not too high
on the forehead.

There.

Easy as falling off
a tightrope.

Lake for the lines.

There was a time
when I painted in all the lines.

Now, I merely deepen
what is already there.

Half an hour, please, Sir.

Thank you.

I shall trouser-loony
tonight.

Trouser-loony,
Mr. Carrington?

In the pub, dear boy,

before the audience
are off their arses.

Shakespeare is not renowned
for his brevity.

The only hope of a drink
after the show

is to trouser-loony.

I shall look like this
in my coffin.

And a broad straight line
of Number 20

down the nose.

Gives strength, you say.

Did you find
any Brown & Polson?

No, but I'm still
looking.

We have enough left
for this tour.

And now we mix
the white hard varnish

with a little
surgical spirit.

I know how
to stick on a beard!

I've been a depictor
for over 40 years,

and steered my own course
for over 30.

You overstep the mark,
my boy.

Don't get above yourself.

I shall want a rest

after
the storm scene.

There's no need to tell me.
I know.

Towel.

Towel, towel, towel!

Something's missing.

What's missing?

I don't want
to get above myself, Sir,

but what about the wig?

It's hot, unbearably hot.

I'm going to faint.

Have a little nip,
Sir.

It won't harm you.

Oh, Sir, we mustn't give up now,
not now.

Let's-- let's--
let's highlight our lines, Sir.

Imagine...
bombing the Grand Theatre,

Plymouth.

Barbarians.

[HUMMING]

I shall give them
a good one tonight.

[VOCALIZING]

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

What now?

How is he?

Back to normal,
only more so.

I want to see him
with my own eyes.

He's not
to be disturbed.

And what about
the understudies?

He knows
all about it.

Everything's in hand.

Will he be ready on time?
Will he be well enough?

Yes.

SIR:
Norman!

All this chitter-chatter!

Chitter-chatter.

How does the play begin?

Which play, Sir?

Tonight's, tonight's.

I can't remember
the first line.

"Attend
the lords of France,

and Burgundy,
Gloucester."

Get away from my head.

You must keep silent
when I'm dressing.

I have work to do, work.

Hard bloody labor.

I have to carry the world
tonight,

the whole bloody universe.

I can't remember
the first line.

I'll take you
through it.

No one takes you through it.

You are put through it,
night after night,

and I haven't the strength.

Well, you're a fine one,
I must say, you of all people.

You disappoint me,

if you don't mind
my saying so, Sir.

You who always say,

"Self-pity is
the most unattractive quality

on-stage or off."

Struggle and survival, you say,
is all that matters, you say.

Struggle and survival.

We all bloody struggle,
don't we?

I struggle,

and do you think
it's easy for me?

I'll tell you something
for nothing.

It is not easy.
Not one little bit.

Neither the struggle
nor the bloody survival.

The whole world's struggling
for survival,

so why shouldn't you?

My dear Norman,
I seem to have upset you.

I apologize.

I understand.
We cannot always be strong.

There are dangers
in covering the cracks.

Never mind about
covering the cracks.

What about covering
the wig-join?

I'm sorry

if I disturbed
your concentration.

We both understand
servitude, Alfonso.

Ah...

We won't forget
to finish our eyebrows,

will we, Sir?

What performance is this?

Tonight
will be your...

227th performance
of the part, Sir.

Two hundred and
twenty-seven Lears...

And I can't remember
the first line.

[BLOWS WHISTLE]

One, two, three, four...

[♪♪♪]

There was no time
to alter the costume.

There never is.

How are you feeling?

Well, a little more myself,
Pussy.

You see?

Once he's assumed a disguise,
he's a different man.

Shall I fetch
the cloak

and tie it on
as usual?

Yes, as usual.

Mr. Thornton and Mr. Oxenby
are waiting outside.

Shall I tell them
to come in?

I don't want to see Oxenby.
No, I don't want to see him.

He frightens me.

Mind you, he's the best Iago
I have ever had or seen,

and I include
that four-foot-six ponce,

Sir Arthur Palgrove.

That's more like the Sir
we know and love.

Sir Arthur...

Palgrove.

He went on playing Hamlet
until he was 68.

There were more lines
on his face

than steps
to the gallery.

I saw his Lear.

I was pleasantly
disappointed.

Sir Arthur Palgrove.

Who advises His Majesty?
Answer me that.

You're a miracle worker, Norman.

Thank you,
Your Ladyship.

I've got
a piece of chocolate

for you.

Thank you,
Your Ladyship.

Don't suppose
I didn't see that,

because I did.

There are thousands of children

all over
this beloved land of ours

scavenging the larders
for something sweet.

If only they came to me,
I could tell them

of the one person in England

who has an inexhaustible supply
of chocolate.

It is I
who have to carry her on, dead,

as Cordelia.

It is I who have to lift her up
and carry her in my arms.

Thank Christ, I thought,
for rationing,

but no, she'd find sugar
in a sand dune.

Shall I show the actors in, Sir?

Mr. Thornton
to see you, Sir.

Well, Geoffrey,
does the costume fit?

Mr. Davenport Scott
is such a small man.

Davenport Scott is a worm.

You look--

Do you know the lines?

Yes.

Don't keep me waiting
for them.

Pace, pace, pace,
pace, pace, pace.

Y-yes.

And keep out
of my focus.

The boom lights
placed in the downstage wings

are for me and me only.

Yes, old man, I know.

You must find
what light you can.

Right.

Let me hear you sing.

What?

"He that has
And a little tiny wit."

♪ He that has...

Um.

He that has...

♪ He that has

♪ And a little tiny wit

♪ He that has
And a little tiny wit ♪

♪ With a hey-ho

♪ The wind and the rain
Must make content ♪

♪ With his fortune fit

♪ For the rain
It raineth every day... ♪♪

All right.

Speak it, don't sing it,

and in the storm scene,

if you're going to put
your hands around my legs,

as Davenport Scott did,

then around my calves,
not my thighs.

He nearly ruptured me twice.

Well, if you'd rather
I didn't, old man...

Oh, feel it, my boy, feel it.

Whatever takes you,
that's the only way,

but do not let too much
take you.

Remain within the bounds,
and at all costs,

remain still when I speak.

Yes, of course.

And no crying in the part.

Oh, no.

I have the tears in this play.

Yes, I know.

Serve the playwright
and keep your teeth in.

It's only
when I'm nervous.

You will be nervous,
I guarantee it.

There will be no extra payment
for tonight's performance.

Your contract is, I believe,
"play as cast?"

Yes.

Good fortune
attend your endeavors.

Thank you, Sir.

God bless,
Geoffrey.

I'd rather face the Nazi hordes
anytime.

I hope Mr. Churchill
has better men in his Cabinet.

Mr. Oxenby's waiting
to see you now, Sir.

Oxenby?

What? Why, I can't. I can't.

What does Oxenby want?

It's not what he wants,
it's what we want--

someone to operate
the wind machine.

[WHINING]
I don't want to see Oxenby.

I can't bear the man.

Oh, it's stifling

in here.

Sir, you will have no storm
without him.

Mr. Oxenby
to see you, Sir.

You wanted
to see me?

What?

Oh...

Oh, did I, Norman?

Sir was wondering

whether he could
ask of you a favor.

He can ask.

Well, you haven't been with us
for very long,

but I'm sure you've seen enough
to know

that we're not so much a company
as one big happy family.

We all muck in as required.

[SIR GARGLING]

[SIR SPITTING]

As you will no doubt
have heard,

Mr. Davenport Scott

will not be
rejoining the company.

Yes, I've heard.

You share
a dressing room

with one
or two of them

and you hear
nothing else.

It upsets
the pansy fraternity

when one of their number
is caught.

[SIR GARGLING]

[GARGLING CONTINUES]

We have no one...

[SIR SPITS]

To operate
the wind machine.

We wondered

if you would
turn the handle.

In short, no.

[GARGLING RESUMES]

Anything else?

Has he read my play yet?

[GARGLING]

[SPITTING]

Oh, fancy not wanting
to muck in.

He hates me. Hmm.

I feel his hatred.

All I stand for
he despises.

I wouldn't read his play
if he were Commissar of Culture.

I read it.

Is there a part for me?

Yes, but you wouldn't
credit the language.

He was ungenerous
about Davenport Scott.

I hold no brief
for buggers,

but where's
the man's humanity?

A fellow artist brought
low and in the cells...

cannot be cause...

for... rejoicing.

[VOCALIZING]

Oughtn't we to be quiet
for a minute, Sir?

A quarter hour, please.

A few minutes late,
I'm sorry.

That girl Irene...

The quarter?
I can't. I can't.

Tell them to go home.
Give them their money back.

What are you saying?

Do you want
the performance canceled?

No, he does not.

How does it begin?

Get out, will you?

He'll be good and ready
when the curtain goes up.

We've run out of time.
Leave me in peace.

I can't remember the lines!

Norman. Norman,
how does it begin?

"He hath been out nine years
and away he shall again."

♪ Bom-ba-ba-bom-ba
Ba-bom-ba-bah... ♪

"The King is coming..."

"Attend the lords
of France and Burgun--"

"Attend the lords of France
and Burgundy, Gloucester."

"I shall, my liege..."

"Meantime,
we shall express--"

"Meantime, we shall express
our darker purpose."

"Give me the map--"

Don't tell me. Don't tell me.

I know it.

I have played the part before,
you know.

"Give me

the map there..."

No, don't tell me.

Don't tell me.

"What? Do I fear myself?"

Wrong.

"Know that
we have divided..."

"There's none else by.

"True, I talk of dreams

which are children
of an idle brain."

Wrong play. Wrong play.

"I will move storms.

I will condole in some measure."

That's another wrong play.

"Can this cockpit hold
the vasty fields of France?

"Men should be what they seem.

"My name's Macbeth.

I have lived long enough."

Now look what
you've gone and done.

What?

Outside. Outside!

You've quoted
from the Scottish tragedy.

What? Macb--

Christ, did I? Oh!

Outside.

NORMAN: Turn around
three times.

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

Knock.

[SIR KNOCKS]

Come in.

Swear.

Pisspots.

Ah.

"And my poor fool
is hang'd.

"No, no, no life.

"Why should a dog, a horse,
a rat have life,

"and thou, no breath at all?

"Thou'lt come no more.

Never, never, never,
never, never..."

Welcome back, Sir.
You'll be all right.

Struggle, Bonzo.

Survival, Pussy.

IRENE: Five minutes,
please, Sir.

Thank you.

Let us descend

and survey
the scene of battle.

Five minutes.

Five minutes,
please.

Five minutes.

I'm working.

[AIR RAID SIRENS WAILING]

The night
I played my first Lear,

there was
a real thunderstorm.

Now they send bombs.

How much more
will I have to endure?

Tonight we are
to speak Will Shakespeare,

and they will go
to any lengths

to prevent me.

I shouldn't take it
so personally, Sir.

Bomb, bomb, bomb us
into oblivion,

if you dare,

but each word I speak

will be a shield
against your savagery,

each line I utter

protection
from your terror.

I don't think
they can hear you, Sir.

Barbarians.

Oh, Sir, just
as we were winning.

Perhaps it's timely.
Look at him.

He can't go on.

Get the curtain up this instant.

No squadron
of fascist Bolsheviks

will stop me now.

Do as I say.

Who will make
the announcement?

Davenport Scott, of course.

Oh, dear.

Mr. Davenport Scott
isn't here tonight.

Everyone else is in costume.

SIR:
You, then, Norman.

Me? Oh...
No, Sir, I can't appear, Sir.

You, Norman.

No, Sir, I shall never
remember what to say.

My memory's like a policeman.

It's never there
when you want it.

I have given my orders.

Do as I say.

Sir, I am not equipped.

Do it!

Why can't I stop shaking?

[ORCHESTRA PLAYING]

[ORCHESTRA STOPS PLAYING]

Ladies and gentlemen...

Ladies and gentlemen.

The air raid warning
has just gone.

An air raid
is in progress.

We shall proceed
with the performance.

Will those who wish to live...

[AUDIENCE CHUCKLING]

Will those who wish to leave
do so as quietly as possible?

Thank you.

[BOMB EXPLODING]

MADGE:
Stand by.

Stand by on tabs.

House lights
to a half.

Stand by timpani.

House lights out.

House lights out.

[BOMB EXPLODING]

Cueing grams.

[TRUMPET FANFARE PLAYING]

Cue drum roll.

[DRUM ROLL PLAYING]

MADGE:
Stand by.

Curtain going... up.

I thought the King
had more affected

the Duke of Albany
than Cornwall.

It did always
seem so to us,

but in the division
of the Kingdom

it appears not which
of the dukes

he values most,

for equalities
are so weighed,

that curiosity
in neither...

Geoffrey, was I all right?

What?

The announcement,
was I effective?

Oh, yes, old man,
damn good.

Thank you.
Good luck, Geoffrey.

GLOUCESTER: I have
so often blushed

to acknowledge him,

that now
I am brazed to it.

Your Ladyship, was I all right?

Better than
Mr. Davenport Scott.

Do you really think so?

I was ever so nervous.

Do you think anyone
noticed the fluff?

"Will those
who wish to live..."

Oh, I could've
kicked meself.

You were fine.

Did he say anything?

No.

Stand by, please, Your Ladyship.

Stand by, please, Sir.

He has been out
nine years

and away he shall again.

[TRUMPET FANFARE PLAYING]

The King is coming.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

Cue in the King's fanfare.

[KING'S FANFARE PLAYING]

[FANFARE CONTINUES]

Sir, it's your cue.

Sir, Her Ladyship's
entered.

Quite a nice round, too.

Now it's your turn.
Come along, Sir.

You see? What did I say?

Oh, please, Sir.

I implore you.

The King is coming.

Methought
I saw the King.

Methought so too.

You're on, Sir.
You're on.

Methought I saw him.

His procession formed...

Sir, it's your entrance.

Mr. Oxenby's having
to extemporize.

Somber they looked,

their muted colors
of a tone...

with the bleak heathland...

that is... our-- our kingdom.

The King, my father,
was, methought,

behind me.

Sir, the natives
are getting restless.

Sound the fanfare again.

[FANFARE PLAYING]

Methinks I see the King.

No, I... I was mistook.

I will,
with thy consent,

to his...

Majestic side there

to discover
his Royal... progress.

[AUDIENCE MURMURING]

Is he coming
or isn't he?

Yes.

Sir...

I am assured,
my Lord, the King

is coming.

[BOMB EXPLODING]

Struggle
and survival, Sir.

NORMAN:
Cue the hundred knights.

Cue the hundred knights.

Get on, get on.

"Attend the lords
of France and Burgundy,

Gloucester."

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

Attend the lords
of France and Burgundy...

Gloucester.

I shall, my Liege.

Meantime, we shall express
our darker purpose.

Give me the map... there.

Know that we have divided

in three
our Kingdom

and it is
our fast intent

to shake all...

cares and business from our age,

conferring them
on younger strengths,

while we, unburdened,
crawl toward death.

Yes.

Well, if he stays out
again,

you must take him
to the vet.

SIR: You think
I'll weep.

No, I'll not weep.

I have full cause
of weeping...

but this heart shall break

into a hundred thousand flaws
or 'ere I'll weep.

Oh, Fool...

I shall go mad.

[AUDIENCE APPLAUDING]

MADGE: Stand by
for the storm.

[AIR RAID SIRENS WAILING]

All clear.

Swines...

Just when you want them,
they run away.

CORNWALL: Oh, Sir,
to willful men

the injuries that
they themselves procure

must be
their schoolmasters.

REGAN:
Shut up your doors.

CORNWALL: He is attended
with a desperate train

and what they may
incense him to,

being apt
to have his ear abused,

wisdom bids fear.

REGAN: Shut up
your doors, my Lord.

'Tis a wild night.

My Regan counsels well.
Come out of the storm.

Go storm.

[WIND BLOWING]

Blow, winds...
and crack your cheeks.

Rage!

Blow...

[RAIN FALLING]

You cataracts
and hurricanoes, spout

till you have drenched
our steeples,

drowned the cocks.

You sulfurous
and thought-executing fires,

vaunt-couriers
to oak-cleaving thunderbolts...

[THUNDER CLAPPING]

And thou all-shaking
thunder...

Louder!

Smite flat...

[STORM RAGING]

[LIGHTNING CRACKLING]

Louder, he wants it louder.

[STORM RAGING]

[THUNDER RUMBLING]

Oh, oh, 'tis foul!

He wants it
louder!

[SHOUTING]
I am a man...

more sinned against
than sinning!

[SCREAMING]

SIR:
True, my boy.

Where was the storm?

I asked for cataracts
and hurricanes,

and you give me
trickles and whistles.

I demand oak-cleaving
thunderbolts

and you answer
with farting flies.

I am the storm!

I am the wind
and the spit,

the fire
and the pother,

and I am fed nothing
but muffled funeral drums.

Christ Almighty,

God forgive them
for they know not what they do.

I am driven deaf by whispers.

Norman, Norman,
you have thwarted me.

Good evening, Sir.

I didn't have
the chance to--

Guard the door.

Welcome you here--
you should be happy, Sir.

It's a very good
house tonight.

I was there.

Within sight.

The glory was mine
for the plucking,

and then... naught.

Zero, silence...

A breeze...

A shower...

A collision of cotton wool,

a flapping of butterfly wings.

I want a tempest, not a drizzle.

Something will have to be done.

I demand to know
what happened tonight

to the storm.

I'm pleased
you're pleased.

I've never known you
not to complain

when you've been at it,

and tonight, one could say
without fear of contradiction,

you were at it.

Rest now.

You've the interval

and all
of Gloucester's blinding

before, "No, they cannot
touch me for coining."

Try to sleep.

"You need quiet,"

as the deaf mute said
to the piano tuner.

Mighty, Her Ladyship thought
you were tonight.

That was the word she used,
"mighty."

And wasn't Geoffrey agile
as Fool?

For a man of his age.

He kept well downstage,
never once got in your light.

Much less obtrusive

than Mr. Davenport Scott
in every way.

And what about
Mr. Oxenby?

Are we asleep, Sir?

Oh, to be driven thus...

I hate the swines!

Who?

Now, who is it you hate?

The critics?

The critics?

Hate the critics?

I have nothing but compassion
for them.

How can I hate the crippled,
the mentally deficient,

and the dead?

Oh...

Who, then?

"Who, then," what?

"Who, then,"
what is it you hate?

Oh, let me rest, Norman.

You must stop questioning me.
Let me rest.

Don't leave me
until I'm asleep.

Don't leave me alone.

I'm a spent force.

My days are numbered.

Numbered.

[SIR SNORING]

Thank you for helping
with the storm, Mr. Oxenby.

I don't know
why I did.

Because we're a band
of brothers, that's why,

and you're one of us,
in spite of yourself.

Get stuffed.

That's not nice.

You're Norman, aren't you?

Remember me?
This afternoon,

in the square.

Hello, ducky. You in tonight?

Oh, I wouldn't have missed it
for the world.

I've never known him

so full
of the real thing.

Oh, thank you. We do our best.

Mind you,
seeing him this afternoon,

I never thought
he'd get on stage tonight.

Well, you know what
they say, love--

Dr. Greasepaint,
nothing like it.

Hello, Norman,
how are you?

Will you have one, pet?

Oh, no, tah, love.
I never drink on duty.

Fetch Madge!

Don't be late
for the second act.

Excuse me.

There, there, Evelyn.
It's only a play.

Only a play, dear.

It's going well,
I think.

Except for
your first entrance.

Your hands,
they're like ice.

Cold with fear.

What are you
frightened of?

Of what's to come.

I thought I caught
a sight of him tonight,

or myself, as he sees me.

Speaking "Reason not the need,"
I became detached from myself.

My thoughts flew,

and I was observing
from a great height.

"Go on, you bastard,"

I seemed to be saying
or hearing.

"Go on, you've more to give.
Don't hold back.

More, more, more!"

And I was watching Lear.

Each word he spoke
was fresh invented.

I had no knowledge
of what came next,

what fate awaited me.

The agony was in
the moment of acting created.

I saw an old man
and the old man was me...

Outside myself.

You understand?

Outside myself.

Please, I have a show to run.

20 years...

Did you say 20 years?

Yes.

Have you been happy?

Has it been worth it?

No, I've not been happy.

Yes, it's been worth it.

Madge, dear, in my will

I have left you
my press-cutting books.

I don't want to hear

what you've left me
in your will!

And I have something else
for you.

If possessions can be dear,

then this ring
is the dearest thing I own.

This ring was worn
by Edmund Kean

in a play whose title

is an apt inscription
for how I feel.

"A New Way
To Pay Old Debts."

When you talk of it,

say Edmund Kean
and I wore it.

I once
had it in mind

to give it to you
years ago,

but you were younger then.

I thought
you would misunderstand.

Yes, a ring from a man
to a woman

is easily misunderstood.

I know I'm thought insensitive,

but I'm not blind.

No...

No, I've always known
that you were aware

of what the spinster
in the corner felt.

You were right
not to give me a ring years ago.

I lived in hope then.

At least I've seen you
every day,

made myself useful to you.

I settled for what I could get.

I've always been aware
of my limitations.

Speak well of me.

You are the only one
who really, truly loves me.

EDGAR: Life would not
yield to age.

OLD MAN: Oh, my good Lord,
I have been your tenant

and your father's tenant
these four-score years.

GLOUCESTER: Away,
get thee away,

my friend, be gone!

Thy comforts can do me
no good at all.

He said
you were far better

than Mr. Davenport Scott
in every way.

Did he?
Did he really?

He said
you were very fine

in the storm scene,
Geoffrey.

Very agile, he said.

You know, Fool's by far
the most important part

I've ever played
in Shakespeare.

Trouble is, it gives one
a taste for more.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Yes?

It's Irene.

I'm returning
the triple crown, Sir.

Yes.

Put it down.

Sir, will it disturb you
if I say something?

It depends
on what it is.

I just wanted
to thank you.

For what?

The performance
this evening.

It isn't over yet.

I felt honored
to be on the stage.

In the drawer
of the makeup table

you will find
a photograph of me.

I love coming
into your room.

I can feel the power...
and the mystery.

In days gone by,

this would have been
the place

where
the high priests robed.

I feel frightened,

as though
I'm trespassing.

A kindred spirit?

Lock the door.

Come nearer, uh...

Irene.

Irene...

And you want to act?

Yes.

Passionately?

Yes.

To the exclusion of all else?

Yes.

You must be prepared
to sacrifice

what most people call life.

I am.

Have you good legs?

Higher.

There's not much to you.

Such small bones.

Are you getting enough to eat?

Oh, yes.

So young...

So young.

Aha!

That's more like it.

[LAUGHS]

Oh!

Too late.

It's... it's too late.

Well, now,
my dainty duck.

He seems much better.

What was all that
about?

Let go of me.

[MUFFLED SPEECH]

You think
I don't know the game?

You think I've dressed
the rotten bugger

for 16 bloody years,

nursed him, spoiled him,

washed his sweat-sodden
doublet and hose

and his foul underpants

night after night

without knowing
every twist and turn

of what is laughingly known
as his mind?

He did something,
something unseen and furtive,

something that gave him
pleasure.

That's more like it.

More like what, Irene?

I have to know all he does.

He lifted me up?

He lifted you up?

"So young," he said,
and lifted me up.

Ah!

Why do you laugh?

He was trembling and so was I.

It's youth and newness he needs.

With my eyes closed,

I imagined what it would be like
to be carried on by him...

Cordelia...

Dead in his arms... young.

Never mind the "young Cordelia,"
ducky.

He wants
a light Cordelia.

Light, ducky, light.

Look at yourself.

Look at Her Ladyship.

You don't understand.

He needs youth.

You're lighter than she is.

You're not the first one
to be placed on the scales.

How do you think Her Ladyship
got the job?

Her Ladyship,
when a slip of a girl,

went from map carrier

to youngest daughter
overnight.

I remember it well.

That was the tour

the Doge of Venice
gave Lancelot Gobbo clap.

It's not youth or talent

or star quality
he's after, ducky,

but a moderate eater.

Off you go, ducky.

She'll have to find
another canoe to paddle.

Ours, I'm afraid, has holes.

Did I tell you, Sir?

I mingled during the interval.

You should hear
what they think out there.

Michelangelo, William Blake,

God knows who else
you reminded them of.

Michelangelo?

Do they?

And Blake.

I know what they mean.

Moral grandeur.

I talked to the girl.

She's not as light
as she looks.

We are none of us
strong enough

for a change of cast.

You can never be properly paid.

In pectoral, I name you friend.

The debt is all mine

and I shall find a way
to repay you.

I must-- must
settle all my debts.

Oh, stop it.

You're making me
tearful.

God, your breath smells
of stale tights.

How much have you had?

Not enough.

Iago, Iago...

Wrong play.

I have to wake up
in bliss.

I have to carry on
Her Ladyship.

I need you sober.

I am sober.

Diction perfect,
deportment steady,

temper serene.

It's no laughing matter.
The final push!

I hope you're up to it.
Yes, and you, dear.

What?

And you, Lear.

EDMUND: Be brief in it,
to the castle,

for my writ

is on the life of Lear
and on Cordelia.

Nay, send in time.

ALBANY:
Run, O, run.

EDGAR: To who, my Lord?
Who has the office?

Send my token
of reprieve.

EDMUND:
Well thought on.

Take my sword.
Give it the Captain.

ALBANY: Haste thee,
for thy life.

EDMUND: He hath
the commission

from thy wife and me

to hang Cordelia
in prison

and to lay the blame
upon her own despair,

that she fordid herself.

I do wish you wouldn't do that.

You remind me of a laborer.

[GROANS]

[GROANS]

[WEEPING]

Oh, you are men of stones.

Had I your tongues and eyes,

I'd use them so

that heaven's vault
should crack.

She's gone forever.

My poor Fool
is hang'd.

No, no...

No life.

Why should a dog,

a horse,
a rat have life,

and thou,
no breath at all?

Thou'lt come no more.

Never...

Never...

Never...

Never...

Never...

Pray you, undo this button.

Thank you, sir.

Do you see this?

Look on her...

Look, her lips.

Look there.

Look there.

EDGAR: He faints.
My Lord, my Lord!

KENT: Break heart.
I prithee, break.

Fall... and cease.

The weight
of this sad time

we must obey.

Speak what we feel,

not what
we ought to say.

The oldest
hath borne most.

We that are young

shall never
see so much,

nor live so long.

Curtain down.

On stage, everybody, please.

Stand by for your curtain calls.

Curtain going up.

We've done it, Will Shakespeare.
We've done it!

MADGE: Stand by
for your curtain call,

please, Sir.

Let them know
you're coming.

[APPLAUSE QUIETENS]

My Lords, ladies, and gentlemen,

thank you for the manner
in which you have received

the greatest tragedy
in our language.

We live
in dangerous times.

Our civilization is under threat
from the forces of darkness,

and we humble actors
do all in our power

to fight as soldiers

on the side of right
in the great battle.

We are animated
by no other desire

than to take the works

of the greatest poet-dramatist
who has ever lived

to every corner
of our beloved island.

Tomorrow night,
we shall give...

Richard III.

King Richard III,

and I myself
will play the hunchback King.

On Wednesday afternoon,
my lady wife will play...

Portia.

Portia, and I myself
the badly wronged Jew

in The Merchant of Venice,

a play you might think
of greater topicality than ever.

On Wednesday night...

Lear.

On Wednesday night...

we shall once more assay
the tragedy

you have, this evening,
witnessed,

and I myself
shall again undergo

the severest test
known to an actor.

On behalf of my lady wife,
my company, and myself,

I remain your humble
and obedient servant,

and can
no other answer make,

but thanks...

And thanks...

And ever thanks.

[APPLAUDING]

[GASPS SHARPLY]

[ORCHESTRA PLAYING
"God Save The King"]

♪ God save our gracious King

♪ Long live our noble King

♪ God save the King

♪ Send him victorious

♪ Happy and glorious

Righto, lads, strike King Lear.
Set for Richard III.

Keep that back-cloth in, George.
It does for Bosworth Field.

FRANK: Good night,
Violet, love.

Frank, will you give me
a hand, please?

Fine performance tonight,
old boy.

You gave them
a bit of the old.

Until tomorrow.

Parting is such sweet...

I'm getting weaker.

Weaker, weakened, weakening.

I'm at an end.

Until tomorrow.

I worry about you,
my boy.

What will you do?

As best I can.

What's the play tomorrow?

Richard III.

Oh, not the hunchback again.

Who planned this tour?

You did.

Slavery... bloody slavery.

Oughtn't we to remove
our makeup, Sir?

I shall leave nothing, nothing.

I hope Will's pleased tonight.

I had a friend...

Oh, for Christ's sake,
I'm sick of your friends.

A motley crew they are!

Pathetic, lonely, despairing.

That's nice, isn't it?

I beg your pardon. Uncalled for.

Count myself as your friend.

Never despairing.

I have apologized.

Never, never despairing.

Well, perhaps,
sometimes, at night,

or at Christmas,

when you can't get a job
in a pantomime,

but not once
inside the building.

Never.

Pathetic, maybe,

but not ungrateful.

Too mindful of one's luck,
as the saying goes,

no duke

is more privileged.

Here's beauty.

Here's spring and summer.

Here, pain is bearable,
and never lonely.

Not here.

For he, today,
that sheds his blood

with me...

Soft, no doubt.

Sensitive, that's my nature.

Easily hurt, that's a virtue.

I'm not here
for reasons of my own, either.

No one could accuse me
of base motives.

I've got what I want.

I don't need anyone to know it.

Inadequate, yes,
but never, never despairing.

Bonzo?

Oh, you've not started
to change yet?

I'm a little slow tonight,
Pussy.

All right,
I won't wait.

I'll go back
to the digs

and see if I can
get a fire lit.

Shan't be long.

Night, Norman.

I'm not certain

whether I should
thank you or not.

Not.
I can't bear being thanked.

A good woman.

Good night, old man.

Good night.

Good night!

Death to all tyrants.

I heard that,

Mr. Oxenby.

Tell him from me

that I look forward
to a new order.

I want a company--

Excuse me.

I want a company
without tyrants.

Who'd be in charge?

I would.

You'd be lovely with
a little success, Mr. Oxenby.

Your nose is browner than usual
tonight, Norman.

Good night, Sir.

Good night, Norman.

If you hurry,
you'll catch Mr. Oxenby.

[SIR GASPING]

I'm tired, so tired.

The room's spinning.

Must lie down.

Must lie...

down.

See if you can get me
a taxi

in this godforsaken
place.

All in good time.

Oh, don't cry.
Don't cry.

There's nothing left.

Now, stop that
at once.

Wish the storm
would blow itself out.

It has.

You should
hear the wind...

Like a man in pain.

[BLOWING]

It's quieter now...

Except for
the distant thunder.

I have begun "My Life."

What?

Fetch it.

On the desk... the book.

I made a start.

Find the place.

You didn't get
very far.

What did I write?

"My Life, Dedication...

"This book is dedicated
to my beloved Pussy,

"who has been
my splendid spur.

"To the spirit
of all actors

"because of their faith
and endurance,

"which never fails them.

"To those who do the work
of the theater,

"yet have but small share
in its glory--

"carpenters,
electricians,

"scene-shifters,
property men.

"To the audiences,

"who have laughed with us,
have wept with us,

"and whose hearts
have united with ours

"in sympathy and understanding.

And finally..."

Oh, Sir.

"To the memory
of William Shakespeare,

in whose glorious service
we all labor."

My Lifewill have to do.

Wait a minute.

Carpenters, electricians,
property men...

Sir...

Sir?

We're not dead, are we?

Madge!

[WHIMPERS]

Madge...

[THUD]

Anybody!

Wasn't much
of a death scene.

Ever so short,
for him.

Where's Her Ladyship?

She left without him.
Couldn't wait.

I'll telephone her.

And I'll get a doctor.

Too late for a doctor, ducky.

What'll happen to me?

Wait outside.

I don't want to wait outside.
I never wait outside!

I want to be here with him.

I know my place.

Try and sober up.

Carpenters.

Electricians.

Property men.

You cruel bastard.

You might have remembered!

Her Ladyship's coming at once.

She took it very calmly.

She asked for him
to be covered in his Lear cloak.

Where is it?

His Lear cloak?

Fetch
the photographer, ducky.

Covered
in his Lear cloak?

This isn't
the death of Nelson,

you know.

There's no mention
of stage managers either.

You're nothing now,
ducky.

He took away

your stripes... and mine.

How could he be
so bloody careless?

Come on, then.

And then where will I go? Where?

I'm nowhere out of my element.

I don't want to end up

running
a boarding house

in Westcliffe-on-Sea.

Or Colwyn Bay...

What am I going to do?

You can speak well
of him.

Speak well
of that old sod?

I wouldn't give him
a good character,

not in a court of law.

Ungrateful bastard.

Get out. I don't
want you in here.

What? Holy, holy, holy, is it?
Are we in a shrine?

No pissing on the altar.

Stop it!

He never once took me out
for a meal, never once.

Always the back seat for me.

I can't even remember him
buying me a drink,

and he just walks out,
leaves me.

No thought for anyone
but himself.

What have I been doing
all these years?

Why?

Yes, well,
"reason not the need,"

rotten bugger.

Ooh, beg your pardon.

Turn around three times
and come back.

Come back...

Speak well of him?

Oh, I know
what you'd say, ducky.

I know all about you.

I've got eyes in me head.

We all have
our little sorrows.

I know what you'd say.

Stiff upper,
faithful, loyal.

Well, I've only one thing
to say about him.

I wouldn't say it
in front of you.

I wouldn't give you
the pleasure.

Or him, especially not him.

No one will ever know.

We all have our little sorrows,
ducky.

You're not the only one,

and the littler you are,
the larger the sorrow.

You think you loved him?

What about me?

This isn't a place for death.

I had a friend.

Sir?

♪ He that hath

♪ And a little tiny wit

♪ With a hey-ho

♪ The wind and the rain ♪

[♪♪♪]