Original subtitles

(triumphant orchestral music)

♪ Drink deep and the people take the bottle ♪

(upbeat flute music)

♪ That boy is loud, have a drink for all your sorrow ♪

♪ Drink boys, drink deep and the devil take tomorrow ♪

(upbeat flute music)

♪ Now boys, now come and drink for all your sorrow ♪

♪ Drink boys, drink, eat for the devil take tomorrow ♪

♪ Give me the bottle, with plenty of metal ♪

♪ The devil and I are able ♪

♪ And then in his glory ♪

♪ Repeat the story and finish it under the table ♪

♪ Laugh, boys, laugh under the fate of all your sorrow ♪

♪ Drink, boy, drink, eat for the devil takes tomorrow ♪

(audience clapping) (whimsical orchestral music)

- Oh. - Surely

I love every note of every song you sing

and every tap of every step you dance.

- Well, that's mighty kind of you Michael O'Taffe.

- Sure thing, you've done every bit of sense out of me head

and I don't know what I'm saying to you.

- Well, it's been a bit insane today Michael

and I like it. - Peg, will you marry me?

- Well, I might.

What's that you say, it's cents that you earn,

then you ask me to marry you?

Well Mr. Michael, in fact, you can take yourself

right away, go on, be off with you.

- Sure Peg, that's just what I've got to do.

Take meself right away.

- Michael, what might you mean by that?

- I have to go away from Ireland.

- Away from Ireland? - Aye, to London.

- To London. - Yeah, they say

it's a whale of a place and even the streets

are paved with gold.

Peg, will you come to London?

- To London? - Then we can be married.

- Oh, to London.

I'll come, as soon as the season's over.

(happy orchestral music)

- What will the dirty streets of Dublin

be without you Michael? - 'Tis nothing to the darkness

that will be London without you.

- Oh well, it's enough to be in love.

I cannot wait until the very minute the wedding's over.

- Good bye.

- Good bye, good darling.

- Good bye Peg.

Now don't wait till the ship sails, because it's unlucky.

- I won't.

- Now you run straight home to your mother

and tell her it's married you're going to be

and it's off to London you are.

- Oh I will and Michael, I won't look back.

That's unlucky too, isn't it?

- Well, it might be.

- Oh goodbye me darling. - Goodbye.

(chickens squawking)

- Mother, mother, oh it's married I'm going to be.

- Oh you let... - And to who?

- Aye, to Michael, Michael O'Taffe

and it's off to London I am.

- To London? - To London?

- To London.

- And you'd leave, dumpling, just when you're making

your way so fine with your play acting and your dancing.

You'd leave old Ireland to take yourself off

to a misbegotten, foreign heathen conglomeration

of wickedness like London.

I won't have it, so I won't.

- Mother, maybe you didn't hear what I said.

It's married I'm going to be and it's off to London I am.

It may be the soap gut in your ears.

- Soap and ears, soap, did you hear that?

Did I ever have soap in me ears in all the whole of me life?

- Ah, mother it's no use.

You can talk till you're black in the face.

When Peg makes up her mind she's going to do a thing,

she's done it, aye and the next thing after it as well.

(whimsical orchestral music)

(rockets fizzing and banging) (whimsical orchestral music)

- Sure, London's the most exciting place

in the whole wide world.

- Is it? - And you are the

most exciting woman in the whole wide world.

- Michael, you've been kissing the blarney stone.

- I know I have.

And I've caught the habit.

- Of what? - Of kissing.

- Michael.

- Sure, you're the only woman for me.

(sentimental orchestral music)

- Mr. Michael O'Taffe, James Street, Covent Garden, London.

(dog barks)

Aye, I've told him I'm bringing you, Pat.

Oh (laughs) by the time you get this, I shall

be leaving dear old Dublin.

(crowd talking) (whimsical orchestral music)

- Oh dear old Mr. Woffington, she's so lucky

to find a husband she is.

- Aye and she does look for trouble at the best of times.

(crowd talking)

- Goodbye mother. - Goodbye my darling child.

(crowd talking)

- Goodbye father, goodbye.

- Godspeed, don't get into trouble on the way over.

- What?

- Don't get into trouble.

- Aye, all right, I will.

Ah, England.

Sure, it's a whale of a place.

- I'll take him now, miss.

Blessings on you, me dear, you've been that kind.

- Oh not to all.

- It's been a terrible crossing, oh, he's been so upset.

- Sure is a lovely baby.

And I think he's gonna take after you.

- Gee, I hope so, well good day to you.

- Good day.

(crowd taking)

Well, it's not so bad after all.

Ah, now for London.

(whimsical orchestral music)

(bell ringing)

- Mr. O'Taffe from Dublin.

- Well leave it at the house, I'm in a hurry.

(whimsical orchestral music)

(crowd talking)

- Why, thank you kindly.

Thank you.

- Are you seeking anyone?

- I am not.

It's just looking around.

Here, could you please tell me how to get there?

- Oh, you're a long way from there, lass,

you'll need a conveyance.

- I will not.

Surely I have two of me own.

- Oh, I beg your pardon milady, can I summon one of them?

- You can't, I'm not a lady and it's my legs I'm talking

about, now which way is it?

- You've only got to keep straight and you'll get there.

- Did you hear that Pat, we've only got to keep straight

and we'll get there, that's lucky, come on my dear.

(sentimental orchestral music)

- Eight o' clock and all is well.

Eight... - Would you please direct me to that address?

Aye, thank you kindly.

- Eight o' clock and all is well.

- Patrick, it's here he is, Mr. Michael O'Taffe,

oh I never thought I'd find it, surely took a lot of finding

in this misbegotten, foreign heathen conglomeration

of wickedness and he's halfway to heaven he is too.

(sentimental orchestral music)

Michael.

Michael.

(sentimental orchestral music)

Patrick. (dog barks)

Do you know what that is?

Me letter to him not opened, now what do you make of that?

Ah, but I tell you, I will, sure letters take an awful long

time to get over here and it must have arrived

after he left for his work this morning.

That's why the darling's not here to meet us.

Patrick, it's the grand surprise we'll give him.

We'll go out and buy him and cook him the biggest dinner

he's ever had in his life.

(dainty orchestral music)

- Twelve o' clock, midnight.

(dainty orchestral music)

(door shuts with a bang)

- Michael. - Peg.

- Michael, oh.

Oh.

- But Peg what are you doing here?

- Ah and there's me letter to tell you

and you never even opened it.

- Oh, well Peg you see...

- I know darling it came after you got to work,

didn't it now? - Yes, that's right,

it did yes. - Oh Michael,

I thought you were never coming.

Look how grand you look.

Oh, it's so fine to see you.

- Well Peg, what's that?

- Ah, that's another surprise for you.

You're as hungry as a hunter, aren't you now?

- Well Peg, I... - I knew you would be.

- Irish stew, bought at an English shop

and cooked with me own hands.

Smell.

- Lovely.

- Oh, Michael sit you down now.

You're not the only one that's starving.

Sure I had to go sleep to prevent meself

from eating the whole pot.

Here Michael what's the matter?

Aren't you hungry?

- Oh yes, I'm hungry, but I've got

a sort of full feeling here.

- Oh, you poor darling, sure that's

all the trouble of your work.

Ah, it's nothing to worry about,

it's only the wind in your stomach.

(dainty orchestral music) (crowd talking)

- Handsome.

Michael, how long does it take to get married?

- Well Peg, it doesn't take so long, but...

- But what?

- Well Peg things haven't been going too well

with me business lately and sure

I couldn't possibly marry you

till I was in a position to support you as I want.

We may have to wait for a bit.

Do you mind very much?

- Well, I'm sorry things haven't been going so well

with your business Michael.

- Why look, there's David Garrick.

- David Garrick, where, where?

- Look, look, there.

- Is that David Garrick?

Sure he's a brass of a man.

Michael, who is that funny old gentleman with all that...

- Why that's Mr. Rich, the manager of Drury Lane Theatre.

- It's all very wonderful.

- There, an idea is just coming to my mind.

I'll take you to Drury Lane Theatre tonight.

- Michael, to Drury Lane Theatre, oh!

- Blimey!

(grand orchestral music)

- London, oh Michael.

Oranges, Michael can you buy me an orange?

- Digby? - Huh?

- As a dresser, you are incomparable.

- Sir. - As a brewer of tea

you are lamentable. - Sir.

- You know you put the tea in the milk and

not the milk on the tea. - Sir.

- You ought to be hamstrung for this,

but this kindness will I show.

Go with me to a notary, seal me there

your single bond and (laughs).

- In a merry spot, if you repay me not on such a day

in such a place at sums or sums

as I expressed in the conditions,

let the forth it be nominated for an equal pound

of your fair flesh to be cut off and taken from whatever

part of your body pleases me.

- [Play Actor] He who would want to lend money

from a Christian creditor, let him look to his bonds.

- Why I am sure thy will not take his flesh.

What's that good for?

- To bait fish withal, if it will feed nothing else,

it will feed my revenge.

He hath disgraced me, and hindered me half a million,

laughed at my losses, mocked at my gains, scorned my nation,

thwarted my bargains, cooled my friends, heated mine

enemies and what's his reason?

I am a Jew.

Hath not a Jew eyes, hath not a Jew hands, organs,

dimensions, senses, affections, passions,

fed with the same food, subject to the same diseases,

healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the

same winter and summer as a Christian is?

If you prick us, do we not bleed?

If you tickle us, do we not laugh?

If you poison us, do we not die?

And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?

If we are like you and the rest,

we resemble you also in that.

If a Jew wrong a Christian, what is his humility?

Revenge.

If a Christian wrong a Jew, what should

his sufferance be by Christian example?

Why, revenge!

The villainy you teach me I will execute

and it shall go hard but I will better the instruction.

(audience claps)

(grand orchestral music)

(claps)

- And to think that up to this very night

I thought I could act. - And you can.

- Oh, it's not a thing I know about it.

It's everything I've got to learn, ah, but I will

and from him, I will come here every night,

sure he's the most wonderful man in the world.

(grand orchestral music)

- How did you find it, Digby?

- A very moving performance, Mr. Garrick.

- Michael, an idea has just come into me mind.

If I help working and earning some money,

we could get married all the sooner.

- And how would you be earning money?

- How did I in Dublin? (spits)

By me acting.

- You won't find it so easy here, Peg.

- Ah, what in this misbegotten foreign heathen

conglomeration of wickedness?

I'll show you, so I would.

(calm orchestral music)

If you please, is Mr. Garrick in the theatre?

- Yes.

- Oh, can I see him? - No.

- Oh.

Is Mr. Rich in the theatre?

- Now what do you want to see him for?

- I want to act. - Act?

Good morning.

- Very good morning.

If you please, when might I be seeing Mr. Rich?

- Well you can't see him never.

He's with his cats.

- Ah, I'm sure I'd not mind waiting till

he's finished with his ladies.

- Ladies?

Ladies, I said cats, cats, cats.

Real cats, 27 of them.

(calm orchestral music)

Now look here, young woman, you're not going to barge me

and go through that door, not if you stand there

for a thousand years.

- I'm sure a thousand years is a long time,

I'll not be waiting, very good morning to you.

- Good morning.

Can I see Mr. Garrick?

Can I see Mr. Rich?

Huh, well there's no more acting in that young woman

than the ribs in my... (robed figure coughs)

Now mother what do you want?

- Oh good morning.

- Oh good morning.

- I brought the cat Mr. Rich asked me to bring.

- Well, that's all right, mother, you go along.

- Thank you. (laughs)

- Can I see Mr. Garrick?

(calm orchestral music)

(door clicks)

- What eyes.

What hair, what colouring and the mouth, lovely.

Perfectly lovely.

- Oh, lovely, lovely, perfectly lovely.

- Hello, who are you?

- Oh, Mr. Rich, I adore cats.

I can't get on without cats.

Me life's an empty thing without cats.

(dog barks) - The dog.

There's a dog, I won't have a dog about the house.

(coughs)

- That wasn't a dog, Mr. Rich, it's only me coughing.

- I say it's a dog.

- Mr. Rich, I'll just take a look.

(cat meows)

Not a dog in sight.

(sighs)

Oh Mr. Rich, an idea has just come into me mind.

I couldn't bear to be away from a place

that has so many beautiful cats.

Couldn't you just give me a small part in one of your plays,

so I could be around the place?

- Well, there is Mary Conway.

She's expecting...

- Ah, Mr. Rich, don't worry your head about that,

that's a weight the ladies have.

- Well, could you go on tonight?

Rehearse at four o' clock?

- Rehearse at four, oh, Mr. Rich,

lovely, lovely, perfectly lovely.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Hey!

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Oh darling Michael, I've done it.

I'm going to act.

- To act, when?

- Well tonight. - Tonight.

- Tonight?

Well you'll never your part.

- Oh sure I won't have anything to say,

but I'd be on the stage with him.

- Who? - Why David Garrick,

the grandest actor in the grandest profession

in the whole wide world.

And Michael, think we'd be able

to get married all the sooner.

Why you dressed up in all those lordly clothes?

- Oh, I have to go out on business.

- Ah, and me thinking we'd be able to celebrate

this day of days. - Ah.

I'm sorry, Peg, but you do understand, don't you?

- I think I do.

- Au revoir, Peg Woffington of Drury Lane.

- Ah, au revoir.

Peg Woffington of Drury Lane.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Good evening Tom. - Good evening.

- Oh, good evening Tom. - Good evening.

- Oh no you don't.

- Oh yes I do, specially engaged by Mr. Rich himself,

a thousand years isn't such a long time after all, Tom.

- Tom.

(ladies talking)

- Good night to you.

Good night to you.

Will you please tell me where Mary Conway sits?

Ah thank you kindly, that's mighty kind of you.

- Who are you?

- My name's Peg Woffington and I come from Dublin

and this is my dog, Pat and my wages is three schillings

a week and I'm taking the place of Mary Conway

who's answering the call of motherhood, thank you kindly.

(ladies laughing)

- What is it Digby, don't fiddle, don't fiddle.

- Your nose, Mr. Garrick.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- What is your name say you, Abel Drugger?

- Aye, sir.

- A seller of tobacco.

- I am pleased, your worship.

- Your business, Abel?

- This I am pleased your worship.

I am building of a new shop just of corner of street

and I would know by necromancy of your worship

which way to make my dorm, where my shelves,

and which should be for boxes and which for pots.

(audience laughs)

- You are born upon a Wednesday.

(audience laughs)

- Aye indeed sir.

- Make thee your door then south,

your broadside west and upon the east side

of your shop aloft write Mathlai, Tarmiel and Baraborat.

(audience laughing)

(audience laughing and clapping)

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Well, what's the bearing tonight, Digby?

- Droll, very droll sir, it was all I could do

to prevent myself from laughing.

- Oh, thank you.

- Ah, don't you take any notice of him, Mr. Garrick.

You were fine.

- Thank you.

- Sure you made me cry with laughing.

- Let me see, what is your name?

- Me name is Peg Woffington of Drury Lane.

- Oh, of course, I beg your pardon.

I didn't recognise you in my makeup.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Oh Michael.

- Ladies and gentleman, a toast to the most charming,

the most beautiful woman in the whole of London.

Mistress Margaret Delaware.

- [Men] Mistress Margaret Delaware.

- Two o' clock in the morning, clattering clams.

(calm orchestral music)

- Oh Michael, my dear, I've glad you come home.

- What are you tired?

- I am lass.

- Well sit you darling, I'll brew you a pot of tea.

Well have you been all this time at your business?

- I have.

- Well you know Michael, when you weren't here,

I thought maybe you'd gone to the theatre to see me

just as you used to in Dublin.

That's part of the grand news I have.

I've been on the stage at Drury Lane

and I've talked to David Garrick.

(snores)

(sad orchestral music)

(grand orchestral music)

- Have mercy, heaven

soft, I do but dream.

Oh coward conscience, how dost thou afflict me!

The lights burn blue.

It is now dead midnight.

Cold fearful drops stand on my trembling flesh.

What, do I fear, myself?

There's none else by.

Richard loves Richard, that is, I am I.

Is there a murderer here?

No.

Yes, I am.

My conscience hath a thousand several tongues,

and every tongue brings in a several tale,

and every tale condemns me for a villain.

Perjury, perjury, in the highest degree

murder, murder, in the direst degree

Throng to the bar, crying all, guilty!

Conscience, about!

For Richard's himself again.

(audience clapping)

- Magnificent, elegant, a highly coloured performance.

- Thank you.

Ah, was I fine tonight madam?

- You were not, I was disappointed.

- Oh, why?

- Well I'd rather not say, I... - Oh please.

- Well Mr. Garrick, last night I couldn't take my eyes

off or my ears, you seemed to live the part.

- And tonight?

- Well tonight you seemed to be more interested

in the audience than in the part.

- You're quite right, I was,

your criticism is entirely justified.

Thank you, Mrs. Woffington.

- Oh, not at all.

Patrick, did you hear that, he talked to us.

Ah, that's a man that is.

Surer men are men in the world.

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Peg.

We can't go on like this, living here, having no money.

This poverty.

- Oh Michael, it's not that, it's just that well

last night when you came home and the way you did,

I thought maybe you were disappointed in me.

- Oh no Peg, it's not fair on you.

It's not what you expected when you left Ireland.

I must do better for you.

- Oh Michael, I don't want anything better.

- I'm going to do better for you.

- Oh, but I'm quite happy as we are.

- There is a way we can have more money

and you can everything you want in the whole world.

Now Peg, there's a lady and she's fallen in love with me.

- Michael.

- Well Peg, it's not my fault is it?

But she's rich, very rich and she wants to marry me.

Oh now Peg, I'm a man of the world.

You see what I mean?

It need not make any difference to us,

only it'll be better for you.

(dramatic orchestral music)

(sad orchestral music)

- Good day, young lass.

Sulky.

- Digby.

- Sir?

- There's a young lady, one of the four pages,

a Mistress Woffington, I want to see here.

- Yes sir.

- Digby. - Sir.

- Now!

- Yes sir.

Mistress Woffington.

- That's me.

- He wants you, now!

- More trouble.

Will you take care of Pat for me?

- Mistress Woffington.

- Well sit down Mistress Woffington.

I'm presenting a play next week and there's a part in it,

not a very large part and one quite effective scene

and I thought perhaps you might manage.

- Oh yes, Mr. Garrick.

- It's the part of a young lady who's just been jilted,

though I don't ever suppose that's ever

likely to happen to you.

- No.

- But here's the play,

perhaps you'll read me those two lines.

Go ahead.

- I thought your heart was of gold,

but it's of clay like the rest of mankind.

- And I said to her, you can tell him from me

that I heard nothing like that about Mistress Kitty Clive.

- Oh, stop your idle chatter.

- Why am I abrading you?

I should be abrading myself for

ever thinking you were different.

Oh Michael, you've ever driven

every bit of love out of me heart.

- Splendid, you have a natural sense of acting,

Mistress Woffington, you spoke the lines from here.

(cries)

- Oh Kitty come back in a few minutes will you?

(door slams)

There's no need to cry Mistress Woffington.

That was fine.

(sniffs)

You'll make a name for yourself.

Peg Woffington of Drury Lane, eh?

(whimsical orchestral music)

(audience cheers)

♪ I met a lovely kind and she's wonderful ♪

♪ And if you met this lady you would know ♪

♪ Just why I'm happy, why I'm gay ♪

♪ Why I sing a song all day ♪

♪ And why I love this pretty kind of song ♪

♪ There's a little dash of Dublin ♪

♪ And a smile that's always bubblin' ♪

♪ And a pair of eyes forever troublin' me ♪

♪ All familiar trace of errand ♪

♪ Seems to light up if she's wearin' ♪

♪ And I'm feeling she's carin' ♪

♪ For me ♪

♪ I found a four-leaf shamrock one day ♪

♪ Soon she will be my own ♪

♪ Now I know the reason they say ♪

♪ Shamrocks are lucky charms ♪

♪ Sure a little dash of Dublin ♪

♪ Made my heart forget its troubles ♪

♪ And she's promised she'll be doublin' ♪

♪ With me ♪

♪ There's a little dash of Dublin ♪

♪ And a smile that's always bubblin' ♪

♪ And a pair of eyes forever troublin' me ♪

♪ All familiar trace of errand ♪

♪ Seems to light up if she's wearin' ♪

♪ And I'm feeling that she's caring ♪

♪ For me ♪

♪ I found a four-leaf shamrock one day ♪

♪ Soon she will be me own ♪

♪ Now I know the reason they say ♪

♪ Shamrocks are lucky charms ♪

♪ Sure a little dash of Dublin ♪

♪ And she promised she'll be doublin' ♪

♪ And she promised she'll be doublin' ♪

♪ With me ♪

- [Crowd] Bravo. (cheers)

(audience cheering and clapping)

(stage actors talking)

- You're wonderful. - Wonderful.

- Delightful, darling. - On my conscience,

Peg, half of me thinks you are a man.

- On my conscience, the other half knows she is not.

- Kitty Clive, you flatter me.

(laughs)

(calm orchestral music)

- Will my Kitty wanted again Rich?

- Mister is taking the Woffington to the park by himself.

- She needs it.

- Ah Peg.

- Oh David.

- But I'm a great friend of hers.

- Makes no difference, if you were here grandfather

or her firstborn, you cannot see Mistress Woffington

when she's rehearsing.

- Ah, Peg.

- Ah, come on with you David, I'm hungry.

- There'll be the devil to pay when she knows

I wasn't allowed in.

- I takes my orders from Mr. Garrick.

Good day sir.

- Perhaps, perhaps a word with the great Woffington.

Mistress of all our hearts, you see before you

Mr. Triplet, actor, author, poet, painter,

anything from a portrait to the front of the house.

- Well what have you got there?

- Your own portrait lady, yes from memory.

- I'll buy it from you, David give me some money.

Well I... (dramatic music)

- Mr. Garrick sir if I might exhibit this portrait

to some of your cast there might be other commissions

to paint them, see.

- Yes, I think some of them rather deserve it.

- Yes, if you allow me to summon them.

- Why of course. - Of course.

(man mutters)

- It's awful. - No, I've looked worse than that.

- Ah, it's blatant.

I hang it it's an exhibition.

- The Woffington requests your presence on stage

to view a portrait of herself on the brush of yours truly,

especially commissioned.

- [David] What are you doing Peg?

- And Mr. Garrick has asked me to summon you.

- Are we here to work or fawn?

- Specially commissioned indeed,

I'll make her sorry for this.

- Oh forgive you for troubling you, ladies and gentleman,

I have a rather remarkable portrait here,

modern, but very unusual,

not too near it's not quite finished.

Who's portrait you said it was?

- Peg Woffington.

- Oh, I think it's charming.

Very pretty, quite beautiful in fact,

but utterly unlike Peg.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Oh, you don't think Peg is beautiful?

- Oh now best friends could hardly say that.

- Or worst enemies.

- Her worst enemies tell her she can act.

- Oh, that's the first time Kitty Clive

you've ever had the decency to say

what you thought to my face.

Come on dear. (laughs)

(whimsical orchestral music)

(crowd laughs)

Kitty Clive. (laughs)

- Now listen Peg I want to be serious for a moment.

You've meant so much to me in my work,

my happiness, this evening I'm going to pay you

the greatest compliment that a man can pay to a woman.

- David, I... - Ah.

I'm going to make you the first and only woman member

of the Beefsteak and Kidney Pudding Club.

- Oh. (laughs)

(whimsical orchestral music)

(crowd cheers) (whimsical orchestral music)

- Gentleman.

(crowd talking)

Mistress Woffington and gentleman,

this steak and evening pudding seasoned for the year.

1745 is now over.

(crowd cheers)

- Come merry, my gentleman, I think this calls

for something from David Garrick, eh Woffles?

- Yes, yes, Mr. Johnson. - Here here here.

- In making Mistress Woffington the first and only

woman member of the Steak and Kidney Club

of ours ever had... - Here here.

- And in electing her our president, we do so not only

because she is a good actress and destined

to become a great one, but because well because she's Peg.

(crowd cheers)

- Fellow men, I move that our

new president Mistress Kitty Clive...

- Woffington's the name.

- Hmm, gentleman, I move that our new member

and president, Mistress Woffington address the club.

(crowd cheers)

- Do you know gentleman, my mother always called me...

- Peg, you live like the devil!

- Mother! - Peg.

- Oh father! (blows nose)

David, it's my mother and father from dear old Dublin.

This is David Garrick.

- David Garrick? - And is that David Garrick?

- He's not much to look at. - Very disappointing.

- Hm, maybe he's better than me.

- That's because you can't see his face.

- I knew his face is all right on the stage,

coming and bothering Peg.

(sniffs)

(laughs)

- Would you join us? - Thank you.

- You know Peg you took a lot of finding

in this misbegotten... - Foreign conglomeration

of wickedness like London. - Gentleman, allow me to

present you Mr. and Mrs. Woffington of Dublin.

- Good day, how are you?

- Good day to you, good day to you.

- Thank you kindly.

Well Peg, how's Michael?

- Michael? - Yes Michael.

- Oh Michael, sure I had to have him destroyed.

- For the love of heaven. - Who's Michael, Peg?

- Oh Michael, he was a dog, a dirty dog

and one day he turned around and bit me.

- And is it the hatred of all he's given you?

- Peg, take that ticket off your father's coat.

- Why I sure am will.

- And his hat. - Excuse me.

- Well, Mr. Woffington, I expect they don't think

very much of us English actors in Dublin.

- Oh they think a lot about you.

- Oh well that's interesting, what do they say?

- Oh, I'd rather not tell you.

- Oh come. - No, I'd rather not.

- Why come on father, surely he'd love to hear.

- Ah go on, tell the man.

It will do him good.

- I'm sure it will.

- Well they say there's at least a dozen actors in Ireland.

- Yes? - That could you chew you up

and spit you out never know they had a mouthful.

(laughs)

(elegant orchestral music)

- Ah, David it's all very wonderful.

- So your enemies tell you can act, hmm?

(elegant orchestral music)

- Cow.

- Yes, perhaps you're right, but a fine actress Peg.

- Actress (sniffs) what a Rosalind,

why you ever let that elephant play the part

is beyond me comprehension. - She's a great Rosalind.

I shall never forget the first time I saw her play Peg.

It was magnificent.

- David an idea has just come into my mind.

- Yes, I know you want to play Rosalind.

- Oh thank you David.

- Well you can't. - And why not?

- I have the greatest confidence in you Peg,

but you can't play Rosalind.

- I can do anything that she can do, anything.

- Yes, except play Rosalind.

Now listen to me Peg.

- David, I want to play Rosalind.

- Yes, but perhaps you'd like to play Hamlet, Lear,

Shylock, Abel Drugger, hmm?

- No, I just want to play Rosalind.

- Oh, don't be ridiculous.

- Ridiculous? - Yes ridiculous.

A Rosalind with an Irish brogue may be as you like it,

but not as Mr. Shakespeare would like it,

nor what is far more important as I would like it.

- Thank you Mr. Garrick, that's mighty funny

and mighty kind of you.

- Oh, don't mention it.

(crowd cheering)

Ladies and gentleman, it is with particular pleasure

that I present to you tonight

Mr. Shakespeare's play As You Like It,

with Mistress Woffington making her first appearance

in the role of Rosalind.

(crowd cheers)

You have seen many Rosalinds I know

and your verdict on Peg Woffington's performance

I shall await with the greatest interest

and with the utmost confidence.

(crowd cheers) (whimsical orchestral music)

- She's insufferable.

I'll warrant she's in her room now, all dressed up

and strutting about like a peacock.

- Why Mr. Shakespeare ever took the trouble

to write such a part is beyond me comprehension.

- Ah, the poor man couldn't think of everything.

- Darling, sweet, you were so good as Rosalind.

I'm so sorry for you.

- I've no feelings about it.

It's the audience I'm sorry for...

- But surely my... - Goodnight, darling.

- Come on father, ah come on.

- Good day father. - Good day Kathy, good day.

- I wonder if her parents are here tonight.

I don't suppose she has any.

(laughs)

- Oh father do you know this is going to be

the night of nights? - No need to get

in such a stew. - Oh, would you hold

your tongue, I've forgotten every word of me part.

Every word. - Yes, but the...

- Will you get out and leave me to myself?

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Tawdry, she's brazen, hasn't a nerve in her body.

Why she only fools getting to let her play all these parts

by begging that she can.

- Oh David, oh I'm in a devil of a mess.

- Why, what's the matter?

- I can't play the part, I'm being destroyed with terror.

- Why, there's no need to worry Peg.

- There's no need to worry, I'm being paralysed with nerves.

- You're going to give the

best performance you've ever given.

- Performance, it's an exhibition

I'm going to give, not a performance.

- Peg.

You're going to give the

best performance you have ever given.

- Of course David himself has no confidence in her.

He knows she's not an actress.

He'll learn his lesson tonight.

- Mistress Woffington next. - Oh Peg.

Remember the best performance you have ever given.

Oh, I'll try to remember not to forget.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- How are you doing Peg?

- Oh, I'm fine now, don't worry David,

I'll be right when they get going.

- I know you will, after the play

I'll hurry to your dressing room,

I want to be the first to congratulate you.

- I'm glad you say congratulate.

(grand orchestral music) (crowd cheers)

Alas, what danger would it be to us maids as we are

to travel forth so far.

Beauty provoketh thieves sooner than gold.

Were it not better that I did suit me all points like a man?

A gallant curtal-axe upon my thigh,

a boar-spear in my hand and in my heart

lie there what hidden woman's fear there will,

we'll wear our swashing and a martial outside

as many other mannish cowards have.

A lean cheek which you have not,

a blue eye and sunken which you have not,

an unquestionable spirit, which you have not,

a beard neglected, which you have not

and then your whole should be unguarded,

your bonnet unbanded, your sleeve untied,

your shoe unbuttoned, that everything about you

demonstrating careless desolation.

(laughs)

Fair David, art thee ever?

Ah men are April when they woo, December when they wed,

maids are May when they are maids,

but the sky changes when they are wives.

I will be more jealous of thee

than a Barbary cock-pigeon over his hen,

more clamorous than a parrot against rain,

more newfangled than an ape,

more giddy in my desires than a monkey.

To you I give myself for I am yours.

I'd have no husband if you be not he.

If I were among you, then I would kiss

as many of you as had beards that pleased me,

complexions that liked me

and I am sure as many as have good beards

with good complexions will for my kind offer

when I make courtesy bid me farewell.

(crowd cheers)

(triumphant orchestral music)

- And to think she's mine.

- And didn't I have something to do with it?

(crowd cheering) (triumphant orchestral music)

- My dear Mr. Garrick what a beautiful Rosalind.

- Yes, they were quite beautiful.

- What a performance!

- Yes, but what a part, surely you've never seen

anything finer, did you not?

- Oh, what's that, I tell you Peg.

- Oh Martha, would you give me a pint of water?

- Yes. - And Martha, Martha,

I'll not see anybody except... - Mr. Garrick, I know.

- Oh!

- You know Mr. Garrick I've seen at least 40 Rosalinds

in my time... - Yes I would like

to hear all about them some other time.

- Mr. Garrick I was the original Rosalind.

- Yes madam, I'm sure you were.

- Peg, I've been watching you.

Sure you're the loveliest, most beautiful,

cleverest woman in all the whole wide world.

Listen Peg, if you say the word, I'll take you back.

I will I mean it.

Sure Peg, it was a terrible mistake we both made.

- Michael, you're drunk, will you get out of here?

I never want to see you again.

- You said you loved me Peg.

(door slams)

- Be careful with that costume Peg.

- Oh David, will you tell him to go?

David my dear.

- So that's the way it is, David my dear.

- Oh David, get rid of him. - Will you please go?

- I will not, not till I've had my say.

- Oh Michael! - We came over

from Ireland together and we were going to be married.

And one night she walked straight away from me

without a word, just because I hadn't got enough

money to please her and she'll be making

just such a fool of you, she's only with you

for what you can do for her.

- Oh David, stop him!

- Get out. - But... - Get out!

- Well did I do well in the part tonight, David?

- So this was the Michael your mother asked you about.

You lied.

- Oh, but you wouldn't take heed of what he was saying.

Why he was raging drunk, well I can...

- Explain everything, yes I know.

(sad orchestral music)

(sad orchestral music) (Peg crying)

- Dear, here Peg, I haven't spilled a drop.

Here.

(sniffs)

(sad orchestral music)

- Oh, Martha, I'm all right now,

but I must send him a message,

will you give me a paper and ink?

(sad orchestral music)

- Well, what do all of you people want?

- If I may be allowed to speak on behalf of us people,

we are here at your invitation to spend the evening

at Vauxhall Gardens. - Oh yes of course.

(knocks) Come in.

- From Mistress Woffington.

(sad orchestral music)

- What are we all waiting for, let's to Vauxhall.

- We're wait for Peg.

- Peg is not coming.

- Eh, not coming? - No.

Well, what difference does that make,

are we all going, we should be

the merriest party in the garden.

- Hmm, as merry as a funeral.

- Blimey, they're going to Vauxhall without you Peg.

- They're going to well why shouldn't they?

- Yes, Mr. Garrick he said.

- I don't care what he said.

What did he say?

- That it made no difference you're not going,

they'd be the merriest party there.

- He said that, did he?

Oh well I'll show him.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Ah, this is the very devil's garden.

- Yes it is.

- And there isn't a soul here that won't burn

in the everlasting flames of hell.

(laughs)

- Imagine that, Johnson, burying the past.

- Burying the three pass.

- Ah, my lords Henry, James, statesman forth.

- Meet between two slices of bread a stroke of genius.

- My lord, that shall be known to posterity as a sandwich.

- Heavens will you look at that.

(laughs)

- Oh, did you ever see the likes of him?

- Show.

- There was a young woman of Vauxhall.

- [Group] There was a young woman of Vauxhall.

- Oh, a misbegotten creature if ever I've seen one.

(laughs)

- Surely have you ever heard this one.

Once upon a time (laughs)

- In the name of king, I arrest thee.

- Ah gentleman, a rare unusual specimen,

Nicoloso Gallioso. - What's that David?

- A policeman. (laughs)

- Police, there's an act to your very good manner,

sit down before you fall over.

- A foreign conglomeration of heathen wickedness.

- Aye.

- Would you like to go home?

- I would not.

- Well, here's to our evening, gentleman.

- And a very pleasant one too.

- Jolly. (laughs)

And all the better for being unencumbered by skirts.

- Well said, David well said.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Please would you bring me a glass of water?

- Yes sir.

- Waiter, two glasses.

- (laughs) Michael, I don't believe a word you said.

- I was never more serious in my life.

- Michael, you're very Irish, I like that.

- Surely you're the loveliest, most beautiful,

cleverest woman in the whole wide world.

(laughs)

Surely, it's out of your eyes and yours only,

the light of the moon shines for me.

(laughs)

Quiet man.

(laughs)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music) (crowd cheering on)

(bell rattles) (dramatic orchestral music)

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Extreme circumstances, I know, I know. (coughs)

Bostley! (carriage rattles)

Ah (coughs) I knew there'd be trouble in these gardens

and tonight as ever there was

a variety of fools in this place.

Gets worse and worse, duelling, heh,

yes, you might get into very serious trouble for this

young fellow my lad (laughs).

The law is the law Mistress Woffington (coughs).

- David!

- Was I fine tonight Peg?

- Oh David.

(crowd taking)

- Peg, why did you do it?

You might have got killed, I might have lost you.

And that told me that I couldn't do without you, Peg.

Peg!

Peg!

(sad orchestral music)

- Ah, doctor I'm sorry to be wasting your time like this,

but David he was worried just because

I had a kind of fainting fit.

(sad orchestral music)

Well, what's the verdict?

- Verdict?

Oh, just a little physic my dear.

- Oh you and your physic.

You better make it taste good or I'll give to Pat.

Aye, not listening.

(sad orchestral music)

- Doctor, will you do something for me?

- Anything in the world my dear.

- Well oh will you not send that to David?

I'd rather tell him myself.

- Very well Peg.

- Thank you doctor, that's mighty kind of you.

I'd rather tell him myself.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- Ah, good evening Mistress Peg.

- Evening Tom. - Good evening.

A thousand years is a long time.

I don't think I will wait. (laughs)

- Ah, she is the queen of cats.

(knocks) - Come in.

Ah, Peg, we were just talking about you.

Mr. Perdwon Rich here was saying... - Oh, but Mr. Mr.

- All right, mister, I won't give you away.

- David I just want to talk to you alone.

- Oh, Rich, go feed your cats.

We were talking about next season Peg,

you're a rich of drawers you, we're going

to have a wonderful season, we're going to revive

all the old favourites and Goldsmith

is writing a new play for you.

And I thought we might do a season in Dublin,

what a homecoming for you, hmm?

- Yes, well that all sounds very wonderful.

- First act, ladies and gentleman, please,

first act, first act.

(whimsical orchestral music)

- And to think I won't have to disgrace meself

by earning another penny, all I have to do

for the rest of my life is to count me baubles

and say me prayers.

- What'd he tell you Peg?

- Oh, what doctors tell everyone.

I need a little rest.

- Can I come in? - Oh come in.

What might you be wanting?

- You forgot to tell me what you wanted to see me about.

- Oh, I just came to show you my new dress

and you didn't even notice it did you now?

- Oh yes I did Peg, it was charming, delightful.

I'm very fond of that colour.

- What colour?

- Oh that that

pale...

pale...

- Black. - Yes, that pale black.

That's it, pale black, pale black.

You know Peg I've been thinking about you.

- About what?

- I found a lovely little house at Hampton Court

with a river running past the very garden.

- The river, lovely.

- By the way Peg I suppose you will marry me, won't you?

- I might.

- Mistress Woffington please.

- David, be off with you I'm late.

(crowd cheers)

(grand orchestral music)

Were is it not better that I did suit me

all points like a man

a gallant curtle-axe upon my thigh,

a boar-spear in my hand and in my heart

lie there what hidden woman's fear there will.

A lean cheek which you have not,

a blue eye and sunken which you have not,

an unquestionable spirit which you have not,

a beard neglected which you have not...

- A lovely little house... - Then your hose should

be ungartered, your bonnet... - A river...

- Unbanded, a sleeve untied... - Running past the very garden

- The shoe unbuttoned, aye and everything about you...

- We're going to have a wonderful season...

- Demonstrates a careless... - We'll revive all the

old favourites and... - Desolation.

You are no such man, you are rather

point-device in your accoutrements.

- Men are April when they woo, December when they wed.

Maids are May when they are maids,

but the sky changes when they are wives.

I will be more jealous of thee than a Barbary cock-pigeon

over his hen, more clamorous than a parrot against rain,

more newfangled than an ape,

more giddy in my desires than a monkey.

Martha.

- Peg, you are ill, I'm going to fetch Mr. Garrick.

- Oh no, Martha, I'm quite all right.

I need a little bit of physic.

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Good evening, Tom. - Good evening doctor.

- Mr. Garrick in? - He's in his room, doctor,

in his room.

(dramatic orchestral music)

- Good evening, Digby. - Good evening, doctor.

- Where is Mr. Garrick?

- He's at this moment in his box

watching her play the last act.

- Watching whom?

- Why Mistress Woffington.

- But Digby, she's not playing tonight.

- Yes doctor.

- If it be true that's good wine needs no bush,

it is true that a good play needs no epilogue

and what a case I am in then

that neither a good epilogue cannot insinuate with you

on behalf of a good play.

If I a were among you I would kiss as many of you

as had beards that pleased me, complexions that liked me,

and I'm sure as many as had good beards

and had good complexions will for my kind offer

when I make courtesy bid me farewell.

(crowd murmuring)

(dramatic orchestral music)

(crowd murmuring)

(dramatic orchestral music) (crowd murmuring)

(sad orchestral music)

(crowd cheering)

- Ladies and gentleman.

Peg Woffington is

unable to speak to you herself.

She asked me

to give you her love.

(dramatic orchestral music)