TEARS OF BLOOD

struggle against Lady Marmaduke and the evil villain sir Darkly to clear their names.

SIR MARMADUKE MARMADUKE C.B.E: KCBE: DSO & 2 BARS: PHD.: FATHER. RATHER THICK

.LADY GERTRUDE MARMADUKE: STEP-MOTHER. CUNNING RASCAL

ALGERNON MARMADUKE: 2ND OLDEST SON. PEDANTIC CLOT & ROMANTIC HERO.

BELLE STONE: ROMANTIC HEROINE.: PURE AS THE DRIVEN SNOW.

SIR DARKLY THREATENING: EXTREMELY NASTY VILLAIN, BROTHER OF SIR MARMADUKE.

TEARS OF BLOOD was first produced by Bearly Together Co.

The first production took place at Theatre 62 in Adelaide, which was converted to Theatre / Restaurant style for the production. TEARS OF BLOOD toured South Australia twice with Bearly Together Co. Music for the production is available from the author on request.

Time: 1900. We are in the drawing room of the Marmaduke family home.

The setting is plush and in good taste except for a ghastly rug bearing the

head of a dead animal which is on the floor in the centre of the room.

A small grand piano is stage left. A chaise-longue to the right of the

fireplace over which a dark portrait of Queen Victoria hangs. There are

French doors to the left and a door to the right.

LIGHTS UP. THE CAST ENTER INTO THE AUDIENCE. THEY PLAY

THE AUDIENCE AT THEIR TABLES, INTRODUCING THEMSELVES,

CHATTING ABOUT THE MEAL, THEIR CHARACTERS AND THOSE

OF THE REST OF THE CAST, ETC. ONCE THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED

A RAPPORT WITH THE AUDIENCE, THEY MOUNT THE STAGE AND

FORM A TABLEAU. SIR MARMADUKE MARMADUKE BREAKS FROM

THIS TABLEAU AND COMES CENTRE STAGE. EACH CHARACTER

BREAKS FROM THE TABLEAU TO ADDRESS THE AUDIENCE AND

RETURNS TO IT ON COMPLETION OF THEIR ADDRESS.

Sir Marmaduke

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen and welcome to this evening's

performance of TEARS OF BLOOD. Can we all say that together

please? TEARS OF BLOOD (he plays the audience until they 'get it right').

I'm the patriarch, Sir Marmaduke Marmaduke, she's my wife, Lady Gertrude

Marmaduke, OBE. He's my son, The Honourable Algernon, he's my brother,

Sir Darkly Threatening Marmaduke, and she's Belle, the heroine. As you will

all have gathered by now due to my position here centre stage, speaking to

you extempore and first, I am the most important character in Tears of Blood.

I'm the matriarch, Lady Gertrude Marmaduke, Sir Marmy's good wife. Or not so

good actually. I'm really a bit of a baddy and I'm in league with my brother-in-law,

Sir Marmaduke's brother, the villain, Sir Darkly Threatening Marmaduke. To tell

you the truth, I'm the most important character in the play.

They do talk such a lot of nonsense. I'm the villain of the piece, Sir Darkly Threatening.

You could tell by looking at me, couldn't you? Scarlet lined opera cape, moustache and

all that. You'd be pretty dim to mistake me for anything else, wouldn't you. Not exactly

cut out for the heroine, now am I? Of course, as everyone knows, the villain is the most

important part in a melodrama.

Hang on. Hang on. Let's not get too carried away here. I'm the romantic hero and without

me there wouldn't be a show. My name is Algernon Marmaduke. I'm his son, her stepson,

his nephew and this is Belle, my true love and prospective bride. I am the most important

character and ours is the most important relationship in the play.

THERE IS A NOISY SQUABBLE FROM ALL CHARACTERS ABOUT

WHO IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTER.

Hang about here. Hang about. What about me? Belle the heroine from the wrong side of

the tracks. I'm the one who should get top billing here. Without a heroine how do you

have a melodrama? If it wasn't for me coming into the Marmaduke family home, nothing

would take place this evening. The heroine is the catalyst for everything that happens.

LIGHTING CHANGE AS ALL EXIT EXCEPT MARMADUKE AND GERTRUDE

THE FIRST FOUL ACT

Oh, woe. Oh woe. Oh woe. Oh woe is me.

Gertrude

Whatever is the matter, Marmaduke?

Listen to this telegram I have just this moment received. Arriving back from

my seaside holiday. Stop. Have met the love of my life. Stop. Am bringing her

with me. Stop. Signed Algernon. Your second oldest son.

Gertrude

He always did have a strange way of expressing himself.

It is not the expression which is of concern at this moment. It is the content

of the missive The love of his life indeed and he a mere child of thirty-two.

Thirty-two is not too young to fall in love. Why, do you not remember, that

was precisely my age when you begged poor dear dead papa for my hand in marriage.

Sir Marmaduke

You were far more mature than Algernon. Why, he is a mere child.

Perhaps you should give him more responsibility. Let him work in one of

your business concerns.

Oh, it's my fault that Algernon is far younger than his age is it?

After you have kept him tied to your apron strings all these years.

Gertrude

I do not wear aprons.

Sir Marmaduke

Do not play the pedant...

You understand my meaning perfectly well.

Let us not quarrel, Marmaduke my dear.

Then again, I suppose one should not prejudge. This young lady Algernon

has met and is bringing home to us may well turn out to be perfectly acceptable.

She may turn out to be eminently suitable. A young gal of breeding and distinction.

More likely a fortune hunter haunting the seaside resorts looking for a likely mark.

Do you think my second oldest son would bring home a fortune hunter.

(Aside) Under my roof! Under my roof. Oh! It's enough to make an old man

weep tears of blood. Tears of blood.

Marmaduke my dear, you do get yourself so worked up. . The doctor said...

Oh, to blazes with the doctor.

He warned you to watch your blood pressure. Have another port.

Perhaps we should reserve judgement until we have met the young damsel?

Proper young ladies do not go to the seaside and if they do, they

certainly do not meet young men there. Does the telegram tell us

what time to expect them?

No it doesn't. Let me see, it was sent at ten am. They would catch the

11 o'clock train which means they should arrive at any moment.

THERE IS A KNOCK AT THE DOOR, ALGERNON ENTERS FOLLOWED BY BELLE.

Algernon

Father, it is I, Algernon, your second oldest son.

I thought it might be.

And this is the love of my life, Belle.

Yes isn't it a pretty name? Oh, isn't she just too, too divine?

Is your name really Belle, child?

Belle

Yes, sir.

Do you know her, Marmaduke?

Her name has a familiar ring.

Oh, Algernon, what a lovely dear old papa you have.

Do you really think so, m'dear.

Why yes, you are exactly as Algernon described you. A high, noble forehead,

wise, kind eyes, a strong, determined jaw, noble carriage. In short, a gentleman

Mien... Obviously springing from noble linage.

Egad, it seems Algernon, that you have chosen a young gal of exquisite

taste and discrimination. Come, my dear, sit on my knee and let us become acquainted.

One moment, dear husband. Should we not quiz this young lady further upon her

background before becoming so... familiar?

It is as plain as the nose on your face that here we have a young lady of

distinction. I've a good mind to take her up to my chambers and show her

my... private things.

Oh father, how very kind.

You must be hungry after your long journey from the seaside.

Belle

Oh yes, I have had nothing since breakfast.

Sir Marmaduke

Nothing since breakfast?

Algernon, take Belle to the kitchen and tell cook to make her a sandwich.

BELLE AND ALGERNON EXIT.

Sir Marmaduke

ALGERNON RE-ENTERS

Tell cook to go easy on the butter.

ALGERNON EXITS

Sir Marmaduke

ALGERNON RE-ENTERS

LIGHTS DOWN AND THEN UP

Will Belle be accused of a dastardly crime? Will they ever

stop punning on her name?

To find out more, send me an email telling me you want

to produce this juicy, fruity melodrama. It has had several

successful seasons.

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