Raoul
Gentlemen, if you would care to take your seats? I shall be
sitting in Box Five.
André
Do you really think that’s wise, monsieur?
Raoul
My dear André, there would appear to be no seats available,
other than Box Five…
The front cloth rises to reveal an 18th century salon, a canopied bed centre-stage. The Countess is played by Carlotta, Serafimo, the page boy, is disguised as her maid and 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 jeweler. The jeweller is attended by Meg. There is also an older woman, the countess’ confidante. All apart from Meg are gossiping with relish about the countess’ current liaison with Serafimo.
Countess (Carlotta)
Serafimo—away with this pretence!
She rips off Serafimo’s skirt to reveal his manly
breeches.
You cannot speak, but kiss me in my husband’s absence!
Poor fool, he makes
me laugh! Haha,
Haha! Etc.
Time I tried to get a better better half!
Countess and
Chorus
Poor fool, he doesn’t know! Hoho,
Hoho, etc.
If he knew the truth, he’d never, ever go!
Suddenly from nowhere, we hear the voice of the Phantom.
Phantom’s
Voice
Did I not instruct that Box Five was to be kept empty?
Christine (frightened)
It’s him… I know it… it’s him!
Carlotta (finding
a scapegoat in Christine, hisses at her)
Your part is silent, little toad!
The Phantom has heard her.
Phantom’s
Voice
A toad, madame? Perhaps it is you who are the toad…
Carlotta (as the
Countess)
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. 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 and more hysterically.
Carlotta (as the
Countess)
Poor fool, he makes me laugh—hahahahaha!
Croak, croak, croak, etc.
As before. The Phantom’s laughter rises. The croaking continues as the chandelier’s lights blink on and off.
The Phantom’s laughter, by this time overpowering, now crescendos into a great cry:
Phantom’s
Voice
Behold! She is singing to bring down the chandelier!
Carlotta looks tearfully up at the manager’s box and shakes her head.
Carlotta
Non posso più… I cannot… I cannot go on…
Piangi (rushing
on)
Cara, Cara… I’m here…
is all right… Come… I’m here…
André and Firmin hurry out of the box onto the stage. Piangi ushers the now sobbing Carlotta offstage, while the managers tackle the audience.
Firmin
Ladies and gentlemen, the performance will continue in ten
minutes’ time…
He addresses box five, keeping one eye on the chandelier as it returns to normal.
…when the role of the Countess will be sung by Miss Christine Daaé.
André (improvising)
In the meantime, ladies and gentlemen, we shall be giving you the
ballet from Act Three of tonight’s opera.
(to the conductor)
Maestro—the ballet—now!
The managers leave, the stage is cleared and 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. Meg is aware of them and dances out of step. When this culminates in one gigantic,oppressive, bat-like shadow, the garrotted body of Joseph Buquet falls onto the stage, causing the sylvan glade to fly out.
Pandemonium.
Christine (calling
for help)
Raoul! Raoul!
Raoul runs on stage and embraces her.
Raoul (to
Christine, leading her away)
Christine, come with me…
Christine
No… to the roof. We’ll be safe there!
They hurry off.
Firmin (attempting
to placate the audience, as stage-hands and policemen crowd onto
the stage)
Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats. Do not
panic… It was an accident… simply an accident...
* Onto Next Scene *