A Performance of 'Il Muto' by Albrizzio

(scene 9)

During the overture Raoul, Andre, and Neville take their respective seats. Raoul in Box Five, and the managers in their box opposite.

Harry said, "Gentle men if you would care to take your seats? I shall be sitting in Box Five."

Blaise said back, "Do you think that's wise, monsieur?"

Harry said back, "My dear Andre, there would seem to be no seats available othe than Box Five…"

The front cloth rises to reveal an 18th century salon, a canopied bed center stage. The COUNTESS is played by Carlotta. SERAFIMO, the page boy, is played by Christine. At this point they are hidden behind the drapes of the bed, which are drawn. In the room are TWO EPICENE MEN: one a HAIRDRESSER and one a JEWELLER. The JEWELLER is attended to by Meg. There is also an OLDER WOMAN, the COUNTESS' confidante. All are apart from Meg gossiping with relish about the COUNTESS' current liaison with SERAFIMO.

Millicent Bullstrode, as the Confidante, sang, " They say that this youth has set my Lady's heart aflame!"

Dennis Creevey, as the hairdresser, sang, "His Lordship sure would die of shock!"

Geoffrey Hoooper, as the jeweler, sang, "His Lordship is a laughing stock!"

Millicent sang, "Should he suspect her, God protect her!"

All three sang, "Shame! Shame! Shame! This faithless lady's bound for Hades! Shame! Shame! Shame!"

The canopy drapes apart, and we see the COUNTESS and SERAFIMO "kissing" passionately. As the recitative begins, the lights and music dims on stage, and our attention is turned to the managers in their box.

IN THE BOX

Blaise said, "Nothing like the old operas!"

Neville said, "Or the old scenery…"

Blaise continued, "The old singers…"

Neville said, "The old audience…"

Blaise said triumphantly, "And every seat sold!"

Neville said topping Blaise, "Hardly a disaster beyond all imagination!"

They chuckle and nod to Raoul in the opposite box. He acknowledges them.

ON STAGE

Pansy said, "Serafimo- your disguise is perfect." There was a knock at the door. "Who can that be?"

Ron, as DON ATTILIO, said, "Gentle wife, admit your loving husband."

ATTENTION BACK ON STAGE

The COUNTESS admits DON ATTILIO. He is an old fool.

Ron said, "My love- I am called to England on affairs of the State, and must leave you with your new maid." As an aside he said, "Though I'd happily take the maid with me."

Pansy said as an excited aside, "The old fool's leaving!"

Ron continued with his aside, "I suspect my young bride is untrue to me. I shall not leave, but shall hide over there to observe her!" He continued to Pansy, "Addio!"

Pansy said back, "Addio!"

They both said to each other, "Addio!"

Ron goes, pretending to leave, then hides and watches the action.

Pansy sang, "Serafimo- away with this pretence!" She rips off SERAFIMO'S skirt to reveal his manly breeches. "Poor fool, he makes me laugh! Hahahahaha! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Time I tried to get a better better half!"

Pansy sings again with the chorus singing with her this time. "Poor fool, he doesn't know! Hohohohoho! Hoho etc. If he knew the truth, he'd never, ever go!"

Suddenly, from nowhere, we hear the phantom's voice.

Draco's voice sounded through the Great Hall. " Did I not instruct that Box Five was to be left empty?"

Ginny said terrified, "He's here: the Phantom of the Opera…"

General reaction of bewilderment. Christine looks fearfully about her.

Hermione said, "It's him…I know it...it's him…"

Pansy, finding the scapegoat in her, hissed venomously, "Your part is silent, little toad!"

Unfortunately for her the Phantom heard her. Draco's voice rang out, "A toad Madame? Perhaps it is you who are the toad…"

Again, there is general unease. Carlotta and Reyer confer and pick up from the opening of the scene.

Pansy sang, "Serafimo, away with this pretence! You cannot speak but kiss me in my CROAK!

Instead of singing, she emits a great croak like a toad. A stunned silence followed. Carlotta is as amazed as anyone but regains herself and continues. More perturbing, however, is a new sound: the Phantom is laughing- quietly at first, then more hysterically.

Pansy continues, glancing about nervously. "Poor fool, he makes me laugh! Hahahahaha! CROAK, CROAK, CROAK, CROAK, CROAK, CROAK, etc."

Everything happens as before. The Phantom's laughter rises. The croaking continues as the chandelier's lights blink on and off. The Phantom's laughter, by now overpowering, crescendos into a great cry.

Draco's voice boomed, "Behold! She is singing to bring down the chandelier!"

Carlotta looks tearfully up at the manager's box and shakes her head.

Pansy said, "Non posso piu…I cannot…I cannot go on…"

Ron rushed on saying, "Cara, Cara…I'm here…is all right…Come…I'm here…"

Andre and Firmin hurry out onto the stage. Piangi ushers the now sobbing Carlotta offstage, while the managers tackle the audience.

Neville said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the performance will continue in ten minutes time…" He addresses Box Five, keeping an eye on the chandelier as it returns to normal. "…when the role of the Countess will be sung by Miss Christine Daae."

Blasie said improvising, "In the meantime, ladies and gentlemen, we shall give you the ballet from Act Three of tonight's opera." He said to Reyer, " Maestro-the ballet- now!"

The managers leave, the stage is cleared and the music starts again. The ballet girls enter as a sylvan glade flies in. They begin the Dance of the Country Nymphs. Upstage, behind the drop, a series of threatening shadows of the Phantom are seen. Meg is aware of them and dances out of step. When this finishes in one gigantic, oppressive, bat-like shadow, the garroted body of Joseph Buquet falls onto the stage, causing the sylvan glade to fly out. Meg screams and pandemonium follows.

Hermione shrieked calling for help. "Raoul! Raoul!"

Harry ran onto the stage and embraces Hermione. "Christine, come with me…" he said leading her away.

Hermione said, thinking fast, "No…to the roof! We'll be safe there."

Christine and Raoul hurry off hand in hand.

Neville rushed to the stage attempting to placate the audience as stagehands and policemen crowd onto the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats. Do not panic. This was an accident…simply an accident…"