Chapter 5. Dress rehearsal
Five weeks of working with the staging had improved everyone in the cast. When Dido came from time to time to pull a cast member off and fit them, Papa would look as if he'd been stabbed in the heart. Complaining did little good; she would only ask him if he wanted dressed or undressed actors on his stage opening night.
Magda, seated with her ever present sketch pad was working on a revision when she took notice of the man seated near her, or rather took notice of his hands. She stopped sketching and moved closer. "Let me see your hands," she demanded.
The understudy looked up at the Goth girl, amused by her kabuki styled face. "My hands?" He stretched them out toward the girl.
"Fuckin' gorgous," she growled as she inspected them. "Dido, come here!" she called to the costumer who was working on a revision with the set designer. "You've got to see this."
The woman leaned over a seat, raising her glasses to her nose. "What do I have to see?"
Magda held up one of the Understudy's hands. "This," her voice was animated and full of excitement.
Dido smiled as she too inspected the long delicate fingers, the beauty of the hands not lost on either woman. "Perfection," the costumer purred. She looked at the assistant. "Measure them."
Magda was already pulling her tape out of her pocket, "I'm ahead of you, old woman." She began to measure the length of each digit. "They're fuckin' perfect." She said writing down the measurements. "Perfect length, perfect width, and perfect shapes."
Amused, the understudy sat quietly as the two women fussed over his hands.
Dido was still inspecting his hands, "I want to have casts made of your hands and arms up to the elbows, if you don't mind."
"Should I ask why?" His voice was full of merriment.
The costumers smiled at him. "Can you keep a secret?"Dido asked when he smiled and nodded, she continued. "Our original idea for the costume for our Fairy Queen hit a snag. Our blacksmith suggested we find someone with perfect hands to cast. And your hands are perfect; I'm going to make them immortal."
'Too late,' thought the understudy. "How do you intend to make my hands immortal?"
Magda drew a quick sketch and showed it to the man when she was sure no one else was about that could see. "Like this."
A quirky grin formed on the lips of the man with stormy eyes. "I like it." He said simply.
Dido was not looking at his face. "You are our understudy for Bottom, are you not?"
"I am."
The older woman said something in quick Russian to the younger. She turned and addressed the man. "I need you to come to our studio, not just for the hand casting… we need to get castings for the head piece, you're head is different from Mr. Turners. We have to make you your own head piece, his would never fit."
The understudy smiled wickedly, "I am at your disposal madam."
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The understudy was sitting naked from the waist up, completely at ease and unashamed of his beautiful body. Magda's mouth had dropped when he'd stripped off his shirt casually and presented his arms to the pair to be prepared to be casted. Both women worked carefully wrapping and applying the casting material.
While his hands and arms were hardening in the plaster, Dido began to apply the first of the weaves to his face. Pausing now and then, she would make an adjustment before setting the next weave. "We want no mistakes, and God forbid we should mar such a handsome face."
The understudy murmured his thanks for her concern.
Magda was preparing the little cast saw for later. "Best hands I've ever seen!" She growled as she watched the master costumer continue to build the weaves that would supply the face base for the mask that was to be fitted to the Understudy's handsome face.
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On the Monday morning of the last week of rehearsals, Dido and Magda showed up with the costumes. Sarah looked at the Fairy Queen's attire with awe. Even Jeremy and Linda were thunderstruck with the elegance and beauty of the costumes. Sarah teased Jeremy about having darling knees and being able to finally show them off.
Papa called a cast meeting just before lunch. "We've a reporter and a photographer coming this after noon to do some promo shots for the cover of weekend theater section in the paper. Please be in full costume and makeup." He paused, "That includes understudies." He motioned Sarah to his side. "I should like you to dress in the first costume only. I have no wish for anyone to see you in the Queen's sleeping attire until opening night if you don't mind, Sarah."
"I understand." She said quietly. "Always leave 'em wanting more."
"Good girl." He muttered turning toward the next person he needed to speak to.
Lunch was very light, as most of the actors were too excited about the wardrobe to think about food. Sarah sat in the makeup chair applying her final touches to her eye makeup. Looking over at Linda, she asked; "Well, is that grand enough to see in the second balcony?"
Linda shook her head, "Add a touch of glitter."
Sarah had hesitated using the glitter, as it reminded her of someone she wanted to forget. She worked the glitter into the eye makeup and then fitted the ornaments that Dido had delivered for her hair, into the upswept locks of hair. Leaves and little vines in delicate gold metal, that looked as if they had sprung from Sarah's head. Linda handed her a container of body glitter gel to apply. She had nearly finished when Magda barged in.
"Come on Queenie, move your sweet ass." She ordered. "The photographer is waiting, he can't take any more pictures of Hayden; it would be obscene."
Sarah turned to her and frowned, "Is he hogging the lime light again?" Rising from her seat she gathered her costume and shook it out so it fell in glorious folds. "How do I look?"
"Hot," Magda licked a finger put it to her own hips and made a sizzling sound.
Linda chuckled as she and Sarah followed the wild child assistant to the costume designer out onto the stage. The photographer stopped taking shots of Hayden and turned his camera on mother and daughter. Papa snickered as he watched Hayden back politely off stage, having been upstaged by the duo. Jeremy waited until he was called for, knowing it drove Hayden insane to see him so calm.
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Dido was in the makeup gallery, fitting the specially made head piece to the understudy's face and head. "Very careful," she warned. "We only have the two; the others won't be ready until opening night."
Kevin looked at his costume, "I say Dido, brilliant idea having us both dressed for the promo shoot."
"Yes," Dido waved a hand, "I am a genius." She bragged happily; "This one's face will never be seen, as he most likely won't get any stage time… pity." She growled aroused. "You have such a handsome face."
"Thank you," the understudy said quietly, the mask hiding his features yet moving as if it were his face.
She stepped back, "I think you are ready." Side by side in identical costumes stood Kevin as Nick Bottom, and the understudy as Bewitched Bottom. "Magnificent," she murmured to her self. She snapped her fingers; "Come along, my darlings, destiny awaits you."
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Hayden was mugging for the camera now that they had asked for a shot of him with the Fairy Queen. Sarah was keeping her temper in check, as he answered questions fired at them by the reporter, not even giving her a chance to get a word in. Papa, seeing Hayden's antics was relieved when Dido appeared with both versions of Bottom. Sarah turned to look; Hayden also looked, but didn't appear pleased when the spotlight was shifted to the pair of Bottoms.
Dido snapped her fingers furiously at Hayden, "Move aside, it is time for someone else to get photographed with our Tatiana." Hayden exited the flower bed that the photographer had requested be used, he didn't look pleased in the least. "I give you our Bottoms."
Sarah, sitting with her feet curled under her, waited peacefully while the man with the camera set up the next shot, one of her alone with Kevin. A moment later, she found herself in between the pair of Bottoms, the understudy behind her, Kevin kneeling in front of them. "Oh come now, we're all friends here," teased the photographer as he motioned the understudy to embrace Sarah; "Tatiana, how about you place your left arm up about the face of that Donkey, and your right arm draped over this handsome fellow down here?"
The understudy, his face hidden under the amazing mask Dido had created, snaked one hand about Sarah's waist. His touch gave her chills, but it was his aftershave scent that drew her attention. Looking up at him in dreamy surprise she whispered; "God I love that scent!"
There was a slight lift to the corner of his lips and he whispered back; "Thank you."
"What is that?" She growled, "I've never smelled anything so spicy and exotic."
"A special blend made just for me." He murmured in her ear as the man with the camera did a light check. He pulled her a little closer, purposeful, making sure she was getting the full effect of his scent. He was careful in how he held her, not wanting her to recall his touch.
Sarah's fingers wound in the stray hairs of the masks shaggy hair. "Well it's wonderful." Her voice had gone husky. She leaned against his lean chest and let the intoxicating scent flood her senses. He whispered something to her as the photographer took their picture, she simpered and chuckled softly. A slightly wanton smile kissing her lips as the camera flashed several times.
Kevin looked up at her, seeing her being so at ease, he took her hand that was draped over his shoulder and planted a kiss in the palm. As the camera flashed Hayden called out, "Kev, how that fiancé of yours?" He hoped the little female reporter would pick up on the tensions he would be creating.
Kevin smiled over, totally unperturbed. "Fine, she's looking forward to opening night. "
"Oh, I so want to meet her!" Sarah cooed.
"And so you shall." Kevin boasted, looking past Sarah to the understudy he snickered, "I can't wait for her to meet you my good friend."
"Oh I don't know, I rather become such an ass around a pretty girl;" Mocked the good natured understudy. Sarah turned and buried her face into the side of the mask giggling.
"You all seem to have such a great working relationship;" The reported comment.
"Don't we," Hayden said joining the three on the bed, "We're just one big happy family."
The woman reporter flirted with Hayden. "Is there a special lady in your life?"
"All ladies are special," Hayden flirted back as he reached for Sarah's face. "Ah but none can compare to our sweet Sarah."
"You seem pretty popular with your cast mates, are you seeing any of them?" the reporter asked suddenly a bit snippy.
"Who has time to date when one is in rehearsals?" Sarah said sweetly side stepping the question with skill learned at her mother's knee.
Placated the woman went on to ask some other questions, soon they were on their way back to the paper, and the cast relaxed. Sarah tapped the understudy on the shoulder when he turned to go back with Kevin to practice. "I'm sorry if I came off a bit forward back there." She blushed slightly. "I recognized that cologne; it's sort of been haunting me." Shyly she found she could not even meet his eyes.
The man in the mask smiled, "Has it?"
She nodded, "I don't usually throw myself at strangers." She stared at the floor boards of the backstage area.
The understudy took her hands into his and pulled her closer with coaxing tender persuasion. "You may throw yourself at me any time you desire." He saw Hayden watching and becoming resentful. Bending forward he placed his lips to her cheek as she looked up at him, slowly he moved his face until her lips were under his in a pleasant surprised kiss. Sarah leaned back, blushing as he released her hands. "Anytime."
Blushing and bemused, she whispered. "Now?"
Before he could act upon her request Papa called for the principals to center of the stage. The understudy watched her go softly, turning to give him a longing gaze over one shoulder. "Soon, my dear, soon." He promised quietly as he moved into the shadows. He watched Hayden run after the girl who was already spoken for, even if she didn't know it.
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Hayden didn't enjoy being anything but center stage. He fumed for an hour after watching the understudy kiss Sarah. He was still fuming when it came time to rehearse the scene where Oberon demands the boy. He stormed onto the stage, and growled at Sarah. "Ill met by moonlight, proud Titania."
Everyone's head turned, including Papa's. Sarah looked at him coldly. "What, jealous Oberon! Fairies, skip hence: I have forsworn his bed and company"
Kevin was going to step forward, but the understudy held him back. "She can handle him." He said convincingly. "He's out of his league." The understudy, still in the Donkey's head, took a seat and relaxed. Kevin sitting beside the other joining him in keeping watch.
Robin Hayden had never had seen such fire, such defiance. "Tarry, rash wanton: am not I thy lord?" no one in the cast could mistake the cruel and demanding tone. Papa was frowning, watching Sarah to see her reaction.
A coolness came over Sarah, a confidences she'd felt but once before, in a room of distended stairs. Her face was calm and mocking, and tranquil; her body spoke to any who was keen enough to notice. She was not impressed, nor was she fearful. Mockingly she uttered. "Then I must be thy lady:" cold steel entered her tone, as she continued in an accusation.
but I
know
When thou hast stolen away from fairy land,
And in the
shape of Corin sat all day,
Playing on pipes of corn and versing
love
To amorous Phillida. Why art thou here,
Come from the
farthest Steppe of India?
But that, forsooth, the bouncing
Amazon,
Your buskin'd mistress and your warrior love,
To
Theseus must be wedded, and you come
To give their bed joy and
prosperity."
Hayden had not expected her to rise to the moment; he was taken aback by the strength he witnessed. Like everyone else he too was held spellbound by this new potency in delivery. He spoke his part circling her like a shark, still trying to intimidate the young woman. Sarah gave him a scornful gaze. Speaking Oberon's words Hayden labored to weaken her, without success, until he said one line. "Give me that boy, and I will go with thee."
A flicker of fear, a memory danced in the eyes of she who portrayed the Fae Queen. Her lips twitched and she growled. "Not for thy fairy kingdom. Fairies, away! We shall chide downright, if I longer stay." Gathering her robes over one arm, as Papa had instructed her to do, the girl swept off the stage in a blur of fury.
Papa stood and applauded, as did many of the rest of the cast. The understudy turned to Kevin saying. "That, my friend is how a queenly woman rejects a King."
"Wow," the only thing that Kevin could think to say.
Seeing Kevin and the understudy, Papa called them over. "As our friend here is in the donkey head, I would like him to read the next scene with Sarah. I want to see what kind of chemistry they have." Papa said to the pair. "Sarah, take your place off stage, sir…" Papa motioned him to the center of the stage. "Begin with Bottom's song."
The understudy moved to the mark and after a moment of preparation, began to sing with no accompaniment in a voice that was rich and full of emotion. Sarah on cue entered from off staged, a hand stretched out as if reaching for something ever so fragile and precious. "What angel wakes me from my flowery bed?" she stayed off a bit from the man who was behaving like one unaware of her presence. Sarah placed a hand to her breast as if enchanted and enthralled by the music made.
Hayden watched the sweetness of the scene, and looked over to see that Kevin was not only watching but enjoying and learning. Kevin would be no problem, Hayden knew. He was very much engaged, and had after all only offered the girl friendship. However the man in the donkey's head, the understudy, was another matter all together. This one had real talent, and when he and Sarah were performing together just now, they created magic. Hayden vowed that at no time would he allow this one to steal his thunder. Nor would he allow him too much time with the girl. There was chemistry there, more so than he liked to admit to. The scene ended with Sarah and her Fairy Court leading the Bewitched Bottom off stage in gentle temptations. Even Hayden had to applaud.
"Could you two please stay," Papa asked softly. "I want a quick run through of the love scene. After all there's always a chance that Kevin might not be up to it." He teased.
Sarah blushed as the flower bed was rolled into the center of the stage. "This is the wrong costume for that scene." She reminded the director.
"As I said, I want that other costume to make its début only on opening night." Papa said looking over some notes, not looking at his young starlet; "Places please."
Shyness came over Sarah, looking at the masked actor. He took her hand, "I'll be gentle." He whispered softly in her ear. "Now lead me," he gave her hand a squeeze.
Taking the hand that squeezed her with tender and gentle encouragement, Sarah softly led the man toward the flower bed. Turning to him with eagerness and an almost wanton expression on her young face, she spoke. "Come; sit thee down upon this flowery bed. While I thy amiable cheeks do coy. And stick musk-roses in thy sleek smooth head, And kiss thy fair large ears, my gentle joy." She took her own seat, reaching out to him with longing arms. Hesitantly, with quiet resolve, he took a seat and leaned over her as she lay beneath him, breathing softly but slightly quicker than she had before. 'That scent drives me mad,' she thought to her self. 'I know that scent, I know I do, but from where?' She listened to him speak his lines, enthralled in truth with his wonderful mastery of the words of the Bard. When she spoke she watched his lips, mesmerized much like the part she played. He moved deeper into the bed, one leg within hers, the other stretched from her hip to toe.
"But, I pray you, let none of your people stir me: I have an exposition of sleep come upon me." He said softly, with a staged yawn then dipped his head to the side of her face that didn't hide her from the audience. He breathed softly into her ear, making soft sleep sounds.
Sarah's arms went into a tender embrace, enfolding the man whose body was pressed so closely to her own. She felt a strange sense of heat and longing. "Sleep thou, and I will wind thee in my arms. Fairies, begone, and be all ways away." She watched as the Fairy court moved softly away from the couple in the heart of what appeared to be a flower in the center of the stage. Sarah took a long ragged breath, a hand unseen by any moved softly caressing her hidden side, cupping her breast when it came to rest. She stroked the masked face with her cheek, and murmured. "So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle Gently entwist; the female ivy so Enrings the barky fingers of the elm. O, how I love thee! how I dote on thee!" Closing her eyes she mimicked sleep and stayed that way until the thunderous applause dispelled the magic of the moment. She opened her eyes, smiling softly. 'So this is what love feels like.' She mused.
Papa turned to Kevin. "Now that's how that scene should be played. Very good Sarah, very good Jay."
Sarah looked at the masked actor. "Thank you for your…encouragement." She blushed.
"Anytime," he whinnied in her ear teasingly, rewarded with the soft peal of laughter from the girl's throat.
Hayden placed a hand on the arm of the masked understudy as he moved toward the dressing rooms. "A word."
"Only one?" mocked the Bewitched Bottom. "I should think you'd need at least half a dozen."
"I've designs on her." Hayden said with open contempt. "So just back off, you can have her once I've opened her."
"Perhaps I have designs of my own." Hands forming fists moved to hips, giving a regal stance to the masked one whose head was inclined slightly as the masked eyes watched his rival.
"I don't care what your designs are," mocked the irritated man like a spoiled child. "I'm going to give Sarah Williams an opening night she'll never forget, so just back off, piss-ant." Thinking he'd made his point he strolled off.
Puck moved quietly to the side of the masked Bottom. "Problems?"
"Not a one," the man snickered. "Even without the help of the flower she wants me."
"So why employ it?" Puck asked. "Why not just romance her as a woman?"
"Poetic justice, Puck," the masked one sighed. "I shall kill two birds with one stone. For it will be by his own hand that Robin Hayden hands over Sarah to me."
Puck's eyes enlarged, "You intend him to place the juice of the flower on Sarah's eyes and speak the words. You intend him to create the enchantment!" He began to bend over with laughter. "By the Gods you are brilliant! If he speaks the enchantment, Oberon will not know it's you who directs this merriment. You are brilliant!"
"That I am," agreed the man placing his fists to his hips.
"But how will you insure it's you and not Turner who turns her on?" Puck teased nearly dancing at the side of the co-conspirator.
"I've a plan." Was all he'd say, "I've a plan, Puck."
