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Kabuki-West

Page 4

by Karen Sunde

KABUKI RICHARD III

  PRODUCTION:

  An open or proscenium stage to allow fluid transitions. Excess of color and beauty.

  A light-weight curtain to be whisked open is customary, not essential.

  CHARACTERS: 5 men, 5 women, Koken 2-6

  Extended character backgrounds are given for those who wish to follow the feud. For "Shogun," substitute "King," for "Shogun's Lady," "Queen"

  .

  MARGARET (of Anjou) - former Shogun's Lady (of Henry VI), ruthless

  .

  RICHARD - brother of dead Shogun (Edward IV), Protector to Shogun's heir, ambitious

  .

  HASTINGS - Chief Lord to dead Shogun, faithful

  .

  BUCKINGHAM - Lord, serves Richard, ambitious

  .

  ELIZABETH - new widow; former Shogun's Lady (of Edward IV), ripe

  .

  RIVERS - Elizabeth's brother, Lord, Uncle to heir

  .

  GREY - Elizabeth's brother, Lord, Uncle to heir

  .

  YORK - Mother of Richard & dead Shogun, widow of Richard of York

  .

  BETH - Elizabeth's daughter, future Shogun's Lady (grandmother of Elizabeth I)

  .

  ANNE - widow to Margaret's son, future Shogun's Lady (of Richard III)

  .

  PRINCE - Elizabeth's son, dead Shogun's heir (would be Edward V)

  .

  CHORUS - story-tellers who speak together; may include Koken, or any actors available; may also play LORDS.

  .

  KOKEN - facilitate the action. Dressed in black, they move sets, manipulate props in full view of audience, scurrying like invisible elves. Two will play NINJA

  .

  KI-PLAYER - Koken who signals the opening of scenes and key moments by striking the "KI" (key) or resounding wooden blocks.

  .

  DOUBLES: Beth may play the Prince. If not doubled, they're onstage once together. Rivers, Grey, Buckingham and Hastings may all double as Lords.

  KABUKI RICHARD III

  Dancing Shiva

  I i Prologue: Flute. KI-Player kneels at edge of stage, and strikes KI, to begin play. Before the curtain, a once beautiful, now haggard, woman enters, faces audience.

  .

  MARGARET

  Margaret, I am

  You may call me

  a prophet

  then I could laugh

  A laugh is welcome

  when the sky hangs black

  The old have seen

  everything

  .

  There was a time

  my eyes danced

  boldly

  when I came riding

  by land and by sea

  from a far country

  to marry a Prince

  who grew to be

  Shogun

  But then came the killing

  then the killing

  began

  .

  I saw a youth

  rise naked

  smeared with ash

  His name

  this time on earth

  is Richard

  but Shiva

  is his soul

  .

  Many don't believe me

  but if they lived my life

  they would believe

  as I

  The Shogun, my husband

  my son, who was Prince-

  both murdered

  by Richard

  So now I am widow

  with my son's widow

  my Anne

  and we stand

  remembering...

  the youth I saw rise naked

  from the ash

  whose name

  is Richard

  .

  This earth spreads a feast

  Taste it all-

  as long as you're strong

  as long as you fight

  again, again

  until your loves

  are hacked away

  and then

  trailing bloody flesh

  they drag you through the market

  of a bald country town

  a woman left

  as women are

  with nothing

  .

  Still, I know

  though many don't believe

  that of the killing

  finally

  the gods will tire

  And then rises Shiva

  the young god Shiva

  comes

  I ii. Ki strikes; curtain opens; Richard alone in a dim spot in what is gradually revealed as a vast cemetery - may be the "field" to which we return in the final scene.

  .

  (Richard as a child, sitting on a mound of ashes [the ashes may be crouched Koken who emerge to dress him] He smears himself with ashes, plays with dangling bones on a necklace.)

  .

  MARGARET

  He is last born son

  of the one

  created

  to destroy me

  So I killed his father

  and they named him

  Richard

  .

  Orphan grown

  from all our wars

  bred only to haunt

  the little ground

  still unstained

  and so he became

  Shiva

  .

  (A mime-dance with the aid of Koken: Richard grows from a child, changing, brought to manhood, finally will strike a Mie pose as the God Shiva. Koken's hands and arms create the rings of fire and many arms of Shiva)

  .

  CHORUS

  There is a rhythm

  at the center

  of the world

  we cannot see

  .

  Hold still and hear it

  sink into feeling

  the whispering beat

  .

  This rhythm came

  before the Word

  before the You or I

  .

  Waken to dance

  Melt into the sky

  For something to be born

  something must die

  .

  RICHARD

  High high!

  Leaping licking fire

  twirl out a world

  spun on a snake stick

  laughing as it curls

  Fly fly!

  .

  (Richard gives a last leap and shout; quick and gleeful.. The Koken scurry away)

  .

  RICHARD

  Fly hieeee!

  I iii Drums. Music. The funeral procession of Shogun Edward enters: First the urn carried on by Hastings and Buckingham. Immediately behind, the late Shogun's widow, Elizabeth, flanked by her two brothers, Lords Rivers and Grey. Behind them Lady York and granddaughter Beth. Each person carries a white rose

  .

  RICHARD

  She comes

  The latest Shogun widow

  Lady of the North

  Look there

  her lip is dragging

  in the dust

  as well it might-

  my brother's bones

  still hot among the ash

  and she must know

  North Lady cannot stand

  alone

  .

  (Calling to her)

  Elizabeth

  .

  (Richard spins round to greet them. Procession startled, stops. Urn will be set down)

  .

  RICHARD

  My dear dead

  brother's wife

  I'm glad you went ahead

  without me

  .

  ELIZABETH: (Shocked) Richard!

  .

  RICHARD

  I see you've brothers

  of your own

  strong enough

  to take your arm

  .

  Lord brother Rivers

  (Nodding to each of them)

  Lord brother Grey />
  you inlaws so kind

  to bear our rose of white

  .

  ELIZABETH

  How did you come

  so soon?

  .

  RICHARD

  Small wonder

  I came at all

  .

  ELIZABETH: ...from so far North?

  .

  RICHARD

  ...without an invitation

  .

  But where is my angel nephew

  Where is your son

  Missing his father's last rites?

  .

  ELIZABETH

  How did you know?

  The Shogun

  died so suddenly

  .

  HASTINGS: I sent the news to Richard

  .

  ELIZABETH: (Surprised) You, Lord Hastings?

  .

  RICHARD (Gleeful)

  Aha. Lord Hastings

  That's how it was

  I asked you

  Where is the Prince?

  .

  (Elizabeth and her brothers look at each other)

  .

  Hiee hiee!

  You all look like

  roosters returned

  to find a fox

  has called

  .

  YORK

  Before the gods

  be civil, Richard!

  Pass on, pass on

  .

  (York signals the procession to begin again. As they speak, it does)

  .

  RICHARD

  Ah, Mother

  there you are behind

  .

  YORK

  Yes, here I am

  And you will

  answer to me

  .

  RICHARD

  When did vultures

  earn the right

  to wear a rose

  that's white

  Don't you know

  what those in-laws plan?

  .

  YORK

  I know my son

  the Shogun Edward

  who bore this world

  all smiling on his shoulder

  now is gone

  .

  RICHARD: I loved my brother too

  .

  YORK: Then show your knee!

  .

  RICHARD (Bowing)

  Dear Mother

  you still have me

  .

  YORK

  You in place of him!

  Can I arrange

  a trade?

  .

  BETH (Holding York)

  Grandmother please

  You cannot bring

  my father back

  by hurting Richard

  .

  RICHARD

  My angel niece

  You wear our rose

  with grace

  .

  BETH

  Please help

  Your mother has another son

  Release him

  Your brother Clarence

  still imprisoned

  in Zashiki-ro

  .

  RICHARD

  Ah, yes

  poor Clarence

  still closed up

  in Zashiki-ro

  What was the reason?

  Oh look there

  see who's coming?

  .

  Yes, I remember

  It was treason

  .

  (A second procession enters; only two women, bearing red roses: former Lady of the North [Shogun's wife], Margaret, and Anne, her daughter-in-law. They approach opposite Elizabeth, moving toward three downstage urns)

  .

  ELIZABETH: She dares come today!

  .

  (Margaret proceeds, as dialogue continues, to kneel by the three urns, of her husband, Shogun Henry, her son Edward, Anne's father, Warwick - all killed by Richard)

  .

  YORK

  The ashes of her dead

  lie already cold

  No need to visit now

  except to mock us

  .

  RICHARD: Hail, North Lady Margaret

  .

  (Margaret points her red rose at Richard as though it's her sword)

  MARGARET

  Viper!

  You strike me

  calling "Lady of the North"

  She stole that crown from me

  But now, Elizabeth

  I take my turn

  to gloat

  Now it's you

  has lost a husband Shogun

  .

  YORK (Pointing her rose)

  She-devil!

  You butchered mine!

  As well as my first born son

  Let this son die in peace

  Leave Elizabeth alone

  .

  RICHARD

  Put down your roses, Ladies!

  .

  (Richard takes York's white rose from her)

  .

  Have you not

  enough loves dead

  beneath this sign?

  .

  (Richard smiles at them all, then, with the rose extended, he moves to Anne, who has stayed aside, hiding herself)

  .

  The rose

  is potent

  beauty

  Within its power

  the warrior wilts

  his senses crazed

  his soul

  intoxicate

  with beauty

  has no will

  to war

  Beware

  the roses'

  gaze

  .

  (As he finishes the dialogue, Richard holds the rose at Anne's chin)

  .

  (Anne lifts her face to look at Richard, swiftly raises her arm, and plunges a dagger toward his neck. He catches her wrist just in time to save himself)

  .

  RICHARD

  I kiss your fingertips

  sweet Anne

  .

  (With a shriek, Anne tries to bite Richard's hand that is holding her wrist)

  .

  RICHARD

  Have you comfort, Margaret

  in this tender wife

  of your sweet son?

  .

  MARGARET

  May her teeth bear poison

  She's stripped of men

  by your blade-

  (Indicating the three urns)

  of husband

  of father

  of husband's father Shogun

  .

  RICHARD

  Then here she stands

  in need

  of all in all

  And I am he

  .

  YORK: Richard!

  .

  MARGARET (Laughs)

  Aha!

  Let her strike

  and you'll see

  .

  (Richard lets the dagger Anne holds move back to his throat)

  .

  RICHARD (Seductively)

  Tender cousin

  we two are braided

  limb on limb

  in blood

  This thing you call

  mother-in-law

  axed my father

  with the father of yours

  raised their two comrade heads

  on posts atop a wall

  .

  (Anne shrinks away, nauseated)

  .

  MARGARET

  Look-

  steeped in ashes

  he still prowls

  running women mad

  .

  (Richard forces Anne's dagger against his own throat)

  .

  RICHARD

  Hold your blade steady

  Let it breathe

  against my flesh

  .Your father raised me

  from a boy

  .

  ANNE (Growling)

  And you

  you killed?!

  .

  RICHARDr />
  Now!

  Sink your blade deep!

  I killed him

  all for you

  .

  ANNE: Ahhhh?!

  .

  (Anne cries out, staggers away from Richard)

  .

  RICHARD

  You cannot do me in?

  I'll do it for you

  If you want me to

  .

  (Richard places himself formally, kneels, his sword laid out before him, preparing to commit seppuku [to disembowel himself]. The others back away. Anne prowls, watching him. When Richard is ready, he looks up for Anne's answer)

  .

  ANNE: I do

  .

  RICHARD

  Then sit where

  I can see myself

  die

  in your eyes

  .

  (Anne stands still, refusing to accommodate Richard)

  .

  RICHARD

  In exchange

  for my death

  that much you must do

  .

  (Anne moves to kneel opposite Richard. He gazes at her, then tips his head back)

  .

  RICHARD

  Those eyes

  before me

  in every battle

  blazed

  I let no man

  who claimed you

  live

  .

  None lives

  but by devouring

  life

  and you

  belong only

  to me

  .

  Goodbye my Anne

  We two

  are no more

  than orphans

  teethed on war

  .

  (Richard breathes, gazes at Anne, then, in the instant he reaches for the knife, she lunges, falling forward, and covers the knife with her body, preventing him from using it)

  .

  (As Anne lies face down, Richard flings himself into a Shiva-pose over her, triumphant)

  .

  RICHARD: What have I done!

  .

  (KI strikes. Mie pose. Formal movement of procession resumes)

  .

  RICHARD

  As we two wed

  tonight

  the roses blend

  the white with the red

  befriending

  all bleeding lovers

  Those who still breathe

  above this earth

  must warm each other

  .

  Mother?

  .

  (York moves numbly forward to take Anne from Richard. The others, watching amazed now line both sides of the stage, forming an up and downstage corridor)

  .

  (Anne straightens, pulls free from York, looks back at Richard. Richard bows to her. Anne turns regally and exits upstage through the corridor of onlookers. It is a mysterious transformation, as though she has already become his wife, Lady of the North)

  .

  (Both sides, Elizabeth, Margaret, and their parties, fall in line to follow Anne. Only Buckingham remains. He slaps a fan in slow applause, punctuating his speech to Richard, who is motionless facing the audience)

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  And she...

  will be...

  North Lady

  .

  (Hastings has hesitated, now turns out of the exiting procession, and comes toward them)

  .

  HASTINGS: Richard...

  .

  RICHARD: Eager Lord Hastings

  .

  HASTINGS (Moving to him)

  Brilliant entrance!

  You unraveled

  their whole scheme

  with just one pull

  on a string

  Elizabeth

  with her brothers

  intends to rule

  the Prince

  .

  RICHARD: You are faithful, Hastings?

  .

  HASTINGS

  To the Shogun

  always

  who, as your most loving brother

  named you alone

  Protector of his son

  .

  RICHARD

  The Shogun-

  may his rest bring him peace-

  his Prince

  and I

  all thank you, Hastings

  .

  (Hastings bows, and scurries away to catch the procession)

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  He is faithful

  to himself

  as we all are

  Lord Hastings expects more

  from you

  than he'll ever get

  from Elizabeth

  .

  RICHARD: And you? Lord Buckingham

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  Humble Buckingham

  serves the Shogun

  you mean

  to be

  .

  (Richard laughs loud, and draws a white cloth out into his hand)

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  Anne

  who was wife

  to a red-rose Prince

  before you killed him

  this time will not miss

  the crown

  .

  RICHARD (Drawing his dagger)

  Astute of you

  And you expect??

  .

  (Richard slices his palm, and holds it, bloody, toward Buckingham. Buckingham, startled, then answers Richard's gesture by holding out his own hand)

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  Would the land of...

  Kyushu

  be too grand a prize?

  .

  (Richard swiftly slices Buckingham's palm)

  .

  RICHARD

  Not if I hear

  my favorite brother Clarence

  who's been closed up tight

  in Zashiki-ro

  these many lonely nights

  is dead

  ,

  (Buckingham startled, holds his bloody palm's wrist, looks at Richard)

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: You want Clarence dead?

  .

  RICHARD

  Blood into blood

  hand passes hand

  All comes to those

  who understand

  a cunning partner

  is worth

  unmeasured land

  .

  (Richard smacks his palm into Buckingham's. Mie pose)

  I iv Dark night. Field (same set, no urns) Riders entering, will cross stage (may be mimed). It is Rivers and Grey, the two brothers of Elizabeth, with a boy, the Prince.

  .

  PRINCE: When will I be Shogun?

  .

  RIVERS

  As soon

  as soon can be

  .

  PRINCE

  That answer's for a child

  which I no longer am

  Uncle Rivers

  .

  GREY: You certainly are not

  .

  PRINCE

  Then tell me, Uncle Grey

  Who is my enemy?

  Who must I hate?

  .

  (As though on cue, a spear with a banner drops in front of them. All are startled, on guard, draw their weapons)

  .

  RIVERS: Who's there?

  .

  HASTINGS (Entering)

  No one

  you should challenge

  Lord Rivers

  .

  GREY: Hastings?

  .

  HASTINGS

  Not if you're doing

  the Shogun's business

  .

  RIVERS

  What do you mean?

  The Shogun...died

  .

  HASTINGS

  But you know

  he named a Protector

  before

  .

  B
UCKINGHAM: (Entering) Release the Prince

  .

  RIVERS: I will not. No!

  .

  (They fight - Rivers, Hastings, Grey, Buckingham, Ninja guards who attend)

  .

  PRINCE: Uncles, Uncles...!

  .

  (Richard comes like a whirlwind, wheeling through, knocking all to the ground. Buckingham and Hastings scuttle aside)

  .

  PRINCE: Uncle?Richard!

  .

  (Richard comes easily to rest in a Shiva pose)

  .

  RICHARD: Secure them!

  .

  (Richard's ninjas brutally secure and exit with Rivers and Grey)

  .

  PRINCE

  Richard...

  What are you doing

  with my other uncles?

  My mother will be angry

  with you

  .

  RICHARD

  Good

  You know politics

  already

  .

  (Buckingham and Hastings laugh, and fall in formation behind Richard and the Prince, and the interrupted journey continues)

  .

  RICHARD

  It is true

  my tender Prince

  her brothers

  have position

  through your mother

  Your mother-

  you may be glad, child-

  is a woman

  And a woman

  must get position

  through a man

  For your mother

  that man is your father

  and he is dead

  .

  PRINCE

  And so...

  what will you do

  with them?

  .

  RICHARD (Chuckles)

  Quick learner you are

  my budding young man

  .

  PRINCE: Where are we coming to?

  .

  RICHARD

  Ah, see-

  your sweet sister Beth

  coming to greet you

  .

  PRINCE

  This is Zashiki-ro

  I don't like it here

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: (Exiting) But here you'll be safe

  .

  HASTINGS: Till you are safely Shogun

  .

  RICHARD

  Call your sister

  She's turning aside

  .

  PRINCE

  Are you sure

  I should speak to her?

  She's only a woman

  .

  HASTINGS: Come in now, my Prince

  .

  (Hastings ushers the Prince off as Buckingham runs on. Beth stands at a distance, staring. Richard puts a hand up to welcome her - but she turns swiftly, and leaves)

  .

  RICHARD: What happened to Beth?

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: Not good

  .

  RICHARD: Go bid her come back

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  She came to visit

  Her Uncle Clarence

  .

  RICHARD: Ahhh, yes, Clarence

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  And so

  she found him-

  already dead

  .

  (KI strikes. Double Mie Pose. Then Richard flips his hand; Buckingham hurries away.)

  .

  (Richard alone, to audience. He begins humorously, ironic, but winds into a frenzy)

  .

  RICHARD

  Not good at all

  So impolite

  .

  What should I do

  with these Uncles?

  Uncles everywhere

  Tell me when

  has any

  ever nurtured

  the ambition

  to be Uncle!

  But here we land

  dumped side by side

  none preferred

  none granted any rank

  but equal - Uncle!

  .

  I'll sweep us clean

  of Uncles

  One by one

  remove them swiftly

  saving mess

  and futile screams

  I sweep us clean

  Stepping lightly

  as I can

  on every neck

  Such sweet relief

  in each fresh "crack"

  I sweep us clean!

  .

  Poor country mine-

  mute with your longing

  drooping

  wasted

  weeping for one

  strong enough to lead

  So from out

  this festering stew

  I simplify

  distill the finest

  "He"

  The last surviving

  Uncle

  must be me!

  .

  (KI strikes. Mie pose)

  I v. Palace, raised floor in palace garden. Hastings enters, enjoying sun, birds

  .

  HASTINGS

  Tender petals

  will at last unfold

  Soon all is well

  in every tattered world

  The morning

  however long coming

  must finally answer

  the warbling bird

  .

  (A Lord enters swiftly. [Rivers or Grey actor doubling])

  .

  LORD

  Lord Hastings...

  you must not meet

  The signs

  Are bad today

  Great turtle in the west

  means danger

  .

  HASTINGS (Laughs)

  Go away

  If I worried

  over every sign

  nothing would ever get done

  It's a beautiful morning

  The Prince must be crowned

  .

  LORD

  But North Lady's brothers

  the Lords Rivers and Grey

  both so swiftly killed?

  Both done away

  .

  HASTINGS

  These are swift times

  my friend

  Look within?

  Only in quiet

  decision

  will balance be found

  .

  (Buckingham enters. Another Lord follows. They all proceed onto the floor and place themselves formally, nervously, for a meeting)

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: A bright day, Lords

  .

  LORD

  Buckingham, tell us

  how feels the Protector today?

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  Richard?

  Sparkling as ever

  though matters of state

  concern him

  naturally

  .

  HASTINGS

  How did North Lady

  take the news

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: The...who?

  .

  HASTINGS

  The Lady of the North - Elizabeth -

  of her brothers sudden deaths?

  .

  BUCKINGHAM (Refusing Elizabeth's title)

  Ah, you mean

  Elizabeth

  the last Shogun's wife!

  .

  HASTINGS (Uneasy)

  You stayed

  too long abed

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  In bed or out

  the world does roll

  .

  (They are seated. Richard enters regally)

  .

  RICHARD

  Good morning, Lords

  You all look fresh as dew

  .

  (Lords all salute him. He takes the head place)

  .

  LORDS: Richard. Protector of the Prince

  .

  RICHARD (Cheerfully)

  Tod
ay we set the coronation

  Yes?

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  We all know this

  Lord Protector

  But of who?

  .

  HASTINGS: Who? The Prince!

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  I see

  you haven't heard

  the rumors

  .

  HASTINGS: What rumors

  .

  LORD: From Elizabeth's party?

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: Rumors that our candidate...

  .

  HASTINGS: Candidate!

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  does not have blood

  that's pure

  .

  HASTINGS: You're speaking treason!

  .

  RICHARD (Soothingly)

  Peace, peace

  Buckingham has merely heard

  Elizabeth's marriage is not clear

  and by that slip - so sad-

  the Prince is illegitimate

  .

  (Uproar in protest)

  .

  LORD

  Above a whisper

  that speech

  Is full of danger

  .

  HASTINGS: Ridiculous!

  .

  RICHARD

  Peace, gentle Lords

  Our decision

  is a grave one

  .

  HASTINGS

  The Shogun would not name

  a son whose title wasn't clear!

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  Perhaps

  a slippery marriage

  needed cover

  .

  HASTINGS: By all my honor - No!

  .

  (Buckingham turns abruptly to Richard to draw him aside)

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  Most honorable Richard-

  a circumstance

  I must relate

  to you alone

  .

  RICHARD (Leaving them)

  Consider calmly

  Councilors

  .

  (Buckingham and Richard move away, say nothing, but circle slowly on opposite sides, while watching the others. Lords buzz to each other, nervously)

  .

  LORD: (Low) Strange...was Richard angry?

  .

  HASTINGS: Has any of you seen Elizabeth?

  .

  LORD: I sent him apricots today

  .

  (As Buckingham and Richard join two Ninja follow them)

  .

  RICHARD

  I am grieved

  in my soul

  to hear it

  Seize the traitor

  Now

  .

  (Ninja move swiftly and take rough hold of Hastings. Lords are thrown off guard)

  .

  RICHARD

  Hastings-

  whom I trusted-

  has betrayed the state

  by keeping secrets

  .

  HASTINGS: What secrets?

  .

  RICHARD

  Be glad that I

  preserve my calm

  .

  HASTINGS: What secrets!

  .

  RICHARD

  Though you are stained

  by such deep treason

  in light of former service

  I allow you now the honor

  to take your life

  by seppuku ["hari kari"]

  .

  (KI strike. Mie pose. All exit quickly in different directions)

  I vi. Zashiki-ro. Palace floor tipped to make a wall. Still in a garden, but outside the prison. Elizabeth enters, supported by York. She carries a small red bundle.

  .

  ELIZABETH

  Did they say

  that I was

  Lady of the North?

  If I were Lady of the North

  I'd say

  "Send in my son"

  and he would come

  Ahah. It is not so

  .

  YORK

  Did you never look ahead?

  And now you know...

  Oh - fine primed ambition

  and a cloudless day

  think they

  can sail forever

  imagining

  no touch of fog

  can raze the line

  where earth meets sky

  High High

  .

  See - this battered hulk

  (Referring to herself)

  that bobs afloat

  through ages of raging wind

  still nosing scraps

  of family

  borne to shore

  Build womanhood on them

  .

  (They have arrived where a Ninja stands guard, and steps forward to block their way. Anne is entering from another direction)

  .

  NINJA: You cannot pass beyond

  .

  ELIZABETH

  Of course I may pass

  Is this not Zashiki-ro

  and do you not know me?

  .

  YORK: Too well he knows

  .

  ELIZABETH: I've come to see my son

  .

  YORK: My grandson, I

  .

  ANNE: And I, my nephew Prince

  .

  (Holding out her red bundle)

  .

  ELIZABETH

  I have the royal garment

  for him here

  .

  (The Ninja does not move)

  .

  YORK: We may not visit-why?

  .

  NINJA: No one may pass

  .

  ELIZABETH: (Startled) I hear a laugh!

  .

  NINJA: What?

  .

  ELIZABETH

  A touch of music

  I think I hear his laugh

  .

  Whose order

  can deny me

  my own child!

  .

  NINJA

  Only the highest

  Protector of the Prince

  .

  (Anne crumbles, as though struck by a blow to the stomach)

  .

  YORK: Almighty Richard

  .

  ANNE: My husband

  .

  YORK

  My last born son

  What a blessing

  .

  ANNE

  Stretch up here, Elizabeth

  It may be you can

  see him play

  .

  ELIZABETH: (Bewildered) The garment...

  .

  YORK: ?for the Prince to wear

  .

  ELIZABETH

  So none

  who have the joy

  to see him

  can forget

  they are in presence

  of the royal heir

  .

  ANNE

  This man-

  in kindness-

  will take it in

  .

  YORK: Hah. What kindness

  .

  ELIZABETH: Will you take it?

  .

  NINJA: That much I can

  .

  (As Elizabeth kisses the bundle and hands it to the Ninja, another Ninja comes running. We seem to hear the cry of a child "Mother!" but it may not be real)

  .

  NINJA 2: The Lady Anne

  .

  ELIZABETH: I hear him calling me!

  .

  (Ninja 2 bows in front of Anne)

  .

  NINJA 2

  You're called to be

  Lady of the North

  .

  YORK

  North Lady - she?

  Elizabeth-

  you must hide

  Take sanctuary

  .

  NINJA

  Richard command
s

  your presence

  instantly

  The coronation will proceed

  .

  ANNE: The coronation...how?

  .

  NINJA

  You and he

  are to be crowned

  He the Shogun

  and you his Lady

  .

  ANNE: Nooo!

  .

  (Anne gives a gutteral cry, collapses. Mie of all)

  END ACT I

  ACT TWO

  II i Anne wanders out. It becomes gradually clear that she is dying.

  .

  ANNE

  I know it could

  have been a dream

  but still

  I hear him calling

  softly

  "Lady Lady...Lady...

  Why do I hear it

  What is the voice

  Oh let me rest

  Aiieee

  .

  Lady of the North

  she filled my life-

  haunting promise

  beckoning grin

  "You're meant to be

  that Lady of all women"

  But now I see

  that I was only meant

  to cradle agonies-

  again again

  and should I

  finally be she

  I die

  .

  I married Richard

  Since he touched me

  I no longer

  touch the ground

  but walk some world

  between

  the one I know

  and one I cannot know-

  unknown forever-

  a creature

  made to move

  inside of twilight

  never laying down my head

  but still

  awaking never

  .

  No longer am I one

  with those

  who taste their food

  I cannot say with others

  "What a lovely breeze"

  as though

  my eyes can only see

  disaster

  that I always knew

  was there

  .

  Richard needs me

  that I know

  He reaches toward me

  suctioning my self

  and soul

  full off my bones

  to nourish him

  Each time he wakes

  I know

  my step is lighter

  on the earth

  My step is dim

  .

  (Anne collapses; engulfed by the next scene, she'll drag herself away)

  II ii Raised floor full of dancers, celebrating the coronation. All the women may be used, except Anne, and all the men.

  .

  CHORUS

  There is a rhythm

  at the center

  of the world

  we cannot see

  .

  Hold still and hear it

  sink into feeling

  the whispering beat

  .

  MARGARET (Moves apart)

  When all was still

  within

  your breast still

  moved

  out and in

  flowing on the stream

  of all

  plunging to the sea

  knowing - nothing is

  that does not

  move

  with you

  .

  (Richard, gloriously dressed as Shogun, enters through the center. Dancers yield space to him, but his presence makes them dance more furiously. He strikes a Shiva pose)

  .

  CHORUS

  Dance it down

  Pound again

  Push the veins

  .

  RICHARD

  Your pulse explodes

  like shot in crystal air

  a spattered shriek

  of bowels

  ripped raw from sleep

  There is nothing

  that I would not dare

  When horror floods

  your brain

  then push it higher

  beat the beat

  my sweet ones

  dance the dream

  .

  CHORUS

  This rhythm came

  before the Word

  before the You or I

  .

  RICHARD

  Kaleidoscoping

  beauty out of

  terror's brutal scream

  High High!

  .

  Leaping licking fire

  twirl out a world

  spun on a snake stick

  laughing as it curls

  .

  MARGARET

  Waken to dance

  Melt into the sky

  For something to be born

  something must die

  .

  (All fall into a bow to Richard, their faces to the floor)

  .

  CHORUS

  High high

  Shogun Richard!

  .

  (Procession, with each coming to bow before Richard individually, begins)

  .

  RICHARD

  You're choosing well

  to do me grace

  cleaning my footpath

  with your face

  Hee Hee

  Now let me see

  How many did I chase

  as far as Hell

  to get this place

  .

  (First to bow to him is his mother, York)

  .

  RICHARD

  Is this your blessing?

  Spittle under breath

  How ungrateful when

  I've made you once again

  a Shogun's mother

  .

  You don't begrudge

  poor Clarence' death

  Between us family

  what's another brother

  .

  (Other Lords bow low to Richard as he continues)

  .

  RICHARD

  Why don't they up

  and butcher me?!

  Because they love me

  They adore?

  The more

  atrocities I do

  the more their admiration

  grows

  If now I make my stool

  in this one's face

  he'll swear he sniffs

  a rose

  To find the evil

  men can do

  don't search in books

  Try bedrooms

  backyards

  chambers of the church

  The worst among you

  faint in disbelief

  at what grotesque inhuman horrors

  simple hearts have worked

  .

  (Elizabeth comes forward to bow. Her daughter Beth behind, won't move to Richard)

  .

  RICHARD

  Ah Elizabeth

  come out from hiding

  to wish me...

  what?

  Happiness and wealth?

  My Anne declines

  to share

  and fades away (so sad)

  I require a North Lady in health

  Whatever will I do

  for heirs?

  .

  Is that my tender niece

  back there

  shying so

  denying her wares?

  .

  BETH

  I see you, Uncle

  clear

  .

  RICHARD

  Beth dear Beth

  you risk my temper

  Will not bend for me?

  Well, well...

  I owe you

  so you take your fee

  .

  (Buckingham, the last to approach, bows ostentatiously)

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: Great Shogun

  .

  RICHARD (Rises menacing)

&nb
sp; Buckingham

  my very closest

  friend

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  All we have achieved

  will remind you

  of the day

  our two bloods kissed

  in this...

  .

  (Buckingham draws out the white cloth bloodied with their pledge)

  .

  RICHARD: (Furious) All?

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  Great Lord

  you remember

  the title you promised

  was mine:

  Master of all lands

  of Kyushu

  .

  RICHARD

  I am Shogun

  And foul whisperings say

  my closest friend

  has wantonly betrayed me

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: My Lord?how!

  .

  RICHARD

  You didn't think

  I'd sniff your trap?

  What cleverness you show

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: (Frightened) What trap?

  .

  (But Richard instantly flips his mood as though it's forgotten, speaking casually)

  .

  RICHARD

  I have a tickle

  just here...

  .

  (Gestures down his throat)

  .

  Can you scratch it?

  No?

  Just so

  there's a tiny bit

  of something

  catches those

  who raise their voice

  to cheer me

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: Do you refuse me my land?

  .

  RICHARD

  A niggling bit

  You left it there

  to rattle in the dark-

  this stone

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  You are Shogun

  and we pledged:

  my title

  for the Shogunate

  .

  RICHARD

  Annoying!

  How it tugs me by the neck

  chokes up the throat

  of my acclaim-

  this little stone

  .

  BUCKINGHAM (Heavily)

  What stone...

  is in your way

  .

  RICHARD (Charming)

  A mite

  for someone of the skill

  you show

  Just one small prince

  inside Zashiki-ro

  .

  BUCKINGHAM: (Backing away) Great Shogun...

  .

  RICHARD

  We are not

  such great friends

  then?

  .

  BUCKINGHAM (Turning aside)

  Excuse me please

  I must consider

  .

  RICHARD

  Consider

  Hah

  A heart

  that wavers once

  is next day

  mute

  as stone

  .

  Secure him

  .

  (Ninja moves, takes hold of Buckingham. Richard rises, draws his sword)

  .

  RICHARD

  The deepest

  deeds in service to all

  a leader does

  alone

  .

  (KI strikes. Mie pose. Then darkness. Lights cross stage as Ninja drag an unwilling Buckingham. Behind them the palace is dismantled down to the bare prison)

  .

  NINJA

  Come then

  You must come

  .

  BUCKINGHAM

  Give me time

  This man we serve

  must be a devil

  Let me speak to him

  again

  .

  NINJA 2

  You're misled

  most honorable

  cheating friend

  .

  NINJA

  Even children know-

  a devil

  is no more real

  than an angel

  .

  (They disappear with their lights)

  II iii Richard sits alone in a dim spot in a pose of meditation.

  .

  (The Prince, with a short sword, approaches stealthily behind him. He's wearing his long red royal garment, and holds his sword high, pointing at Richard's neck)

  .

  PRINCE

  Your business here!

  Or I will stop your life

  .

  (Richard startled, then breathes, drawing himself taller)

  .

  RICHARD (Quietly)

  You imagine

  you can stop my life?

  .

  PRINCE

  Uncle Richard?

  Why are you sitting here

  cold

  and alone

  You've come to release me?

  .

  RICHARD: In time. In time

  .

  PRINCE: What were you doing

  .

  RICHARD: Remembering

  .

  PRINCE

  Excuse

  my interruption then

  I must be on guard

  for assassins

  .

  RICHARD

  Will you escape them

  when they come?

  .

  PRINCE

  I will

  I'm a true Shogun

  .

  (Richard laughs)

  .

  PRINCE: What were you remembering?

  .

  RICHARD

  When your grandfather

  was young as you...

  there was a baby Shogun

  left to reign

  and round him grew

  a swirl of blood

  that has not stopped

  since then

  .

  When your father was

  as young as you

  his father

  who was also mine

  fighting

  in that endless tide of blood

  came next in line

  for Shogun

  but then was born

  a baby Prince

  .

  When I

  was young as you

  our father in all that blood

  was four years drowned

  I served your father

  in the fight

  and so

  the flowing blood still grew

  into a mighty undertow

  and then you see

  we slew that Shogun

  and his Prince

  who was

  as young as me

  .

  (Silence. The Prince watches Richard eagerly, but Richard sits stony, morose)

  .

  PRINCE: I'll be good as you

  .

  (Prince stands, making a flourish with his sword)

  .

  RICHARD You will

  .

  PRINCE I wear the rose

  .

  RICHARD

  The rose

  is potent

  beauty

  Beware...

  .

  PRINCE

  I am the worthy heir

  of my father

  and of you

  .

  RICHARD (Laughs)

  I see

  Another baby Shogun

  .

  PRINCE (Angry)

  I'm no baby

  Do you have your sword?

  .

  (Richard draws his sword)

  .

  RICHARD: Oh yes

  .

  PRINCE: Come then

  .

  (They fight - the boy against the warrior. They play)

  .

  RICHARD

  This is the dance

  my fine young Pri
nce

  .

  PRINCE: I'll be Shogun!

  .

  (When Richard finally takes him, it may be surprising, but it is clear, neat murder)

  .

  RICHARD

  A life at war

  is no more

  sport

  than this

  .

  (Richard kills the Prince. Mie pose)

  II iv The instant the Prince is killed, a scream and howling begins and builds into a hurricane. Lights flash bright, then sudden darkness.

  .

  (Set collapses, and we are in the field [cemetery] again. Richard has stayed center. The Prince is gone. The impression is of a great swirl of wind. Howl continues. Margaret appears in a spot. York and Elizabeth, from other spots, howl-)

  .

  ELIZABETH / YORK

  My son...The child...

  My son...The child...

  .

  (Howling continues behind her as Margaret speaks)

  .

  MARGARET

  That's all

  That's all

  No more

  .

  RICHARD: You think so?

  .

  MARGARET

  They gather against you

  They come from all sides

  The dance will destroy-

  end the fire, water, wind

  end the man that dares to murder

  end the man that kills

  .

  RICHARD

  Stupid women

  It's you that set me on

  .

  ELIZABETH

  I prepared a sweet life

  set it free

  but thirsty fangs

  lay waiting

  Kill him

  Kill!

  .

  RICHARD

  When you all drop still-borns

  death is coming soon

  Death starts in the womb

  .

  YORK

  My jagged nails

  would scrape this womb

  to strips of skin

  rather than give birth to you

  again

  Kill him

  Kill!

  .

  RICHARD

  Be one

  Take part

  Together bend

  and share your fall

  I am the order

  all in all

  .

  MARGARET

  Abortive last dregs

  of your mother's

  worn-out sack

  Vomiting precious wine...

  .

  RICHARD

  See the exquisite pattern

  snowflake...

  .

  MARGARET: ?you mutilate your line

  .

  RICHARD

  ...follow to where it falls

  soft

  on the fresh torn

  belly of a doe

  Crimson splatter

  on the snow

  I didn't start these wars

  .

  (York turns on Margaret, grabs her, circles)

  .

  YORK

  No...

  It's you

  usurping outsider

  You

  you foreign worm!

  .

  MARGARET

  I had a son

  died so

  And so did she

  and so...

  I say no more

  .

  YORK

  You butchered mine before!

  .

  (Elizabeth grabs York, circling)

  .

  ELIZABETH

  You disdained me

  as mate

  for your son

  and so this other

  snake-spawn of yours has...

  .

  YORK (To Elizabeth)

  You common

  glutinous fly

  You shoved in

  your own family

  .

  RICHARD (Delighted)

  How!

  Rabid dames

  carry on the war

  How strange

  that only women

  stand alive?

  Full-grown females

  impotence complete

  Except to howl

  your consequence

  is nil

  Off-cast would-be

  Ladies of the North

  you're much too

  insignificant

  to kill

  .

  (Yowl, as women fly to attack Richard, then yowl stops abruptly at appearance of Beth.)

  .

  (Beth stands at a distance, looking young, innocent, holding out her arms. Draped across them is the red royal garment of the Prince. Seeing it, Elizabeth and York drop to kneel face down, keening for the dead Prince. Richard, too, is stunned by the image. Margaret backs away)

  .

  MARGARET

  The forces

  gather against you

  Richard

  It won't be long

  .

  RICHARD

  My angel niece

  Elizabeth?

  .

  (Richard turns his attention from gazing at Beth to her mother, who still kneels. As Richard approaches her to make his move, Margaret, aside, moans for them all)

  .

  MARGARET

  The center of faith

  is a desert now

  The lord of the animals

  roams

  extinguishing our forms

  all illusions into ash

  laughing as we weep

  behind his mask

  .

  (Beth backing off)

  .

  RICHARD

  We must take good care

  of your daughter

  .

  (Elizabeth looks up at Richard, frightened)

  .

  ELIZABETH: I have no daughter

  .

  RICHARD: Do not mock me

  .

  ELIZABETH: None

  .

  RICHARD: Now that she has no father...

  .

  ELIZABETH: None!

  .

  RICHARD

  ?and I have always been

  her loving Uncle

  .

  ELIZABETH

  Loving...

  as you were Uncle

  to her baby brother?

  .

  RICHARD (Seductively)

  Elizabeth-

  you feel the life

  that surges new

  within

  Its essence

  is not in myself alone

  but centered

  in a spark

  that flies...between

  .

  Where should it fly?

  Into another house?

  .

  Sensual contact

  is the human's path

  into a holy life

  Ecstasy

  is next to being

  God

  I must have a wife

  .

  ELIZABETH

  You mean...

  You want me to...

  .

  RICHARD

  Not you

  Your daughter

  .

  ELIZABETH: My daughter

  .

  RICHARD

  I want her

  for my wife

  .

  ELIZABETH

  You!

  Killer of her brother?

  Of her uncle?

  .

  RICHARD: Dear Uncle Clarence

  .

  ELIZABETH: Killer of her aunt!

  .

  RICHARD: The Aunt I deny

  .

  ELIZABETH

  You killed your wife Anne

  as surely

  as you killed my son

  .

  RICHARD

  And I

  dear one

&n
bsp; am Shogun

  .

  So my wife

  however blushing

  she may be

  will still be

  Lady of the North

  (Close to her)

  You labored all your life

  to have that place

  Why not let it stay

  with one of yours?

  Rejoice!

  You have a daughter

  She may have a son

  and he may be

  another day

  Shogun

  .

  (Pause. Then Elizabeth turns primly, and gives Richard her hand)

  .

  ELIZABETH (Summoning)

  My daughter-

  Beth?

  .

  (The instant Elizabeth turns to the place where Beth stood, with a flash, instead of Beth, there stands the Prince - turning into place, perhaps bloody)

  .

  ELIZABETH

  My son-

  his ghost!

  .

  (Behind the Prince, comes a procession of ghosts - first Anne, then Buckingham, Hastings, Lords, all the company. The Prince speaks as ghosts swirl in behind him)

  .

  PRINCE

  We gasp between

  two ages

  both cast back to shore

  The last - not dead

  is dying

  The next-

  without strength

  to be born

  .

  RICHARD

  No!

  You breathe no more

  Stay there

  .

  PRINCE: None else is left alive

  .

  (The ghosts drift swiftly to surround Richard. He counters, terrified)

  .

  RICHARD

  I needed you

  and you obliged

  dissolving

  each after each

  into me

  thus

  molding my career

  So now

  you cannot hold

  this course

  The world ends here!

  .

  PRINCE: There always comes another

  .

  RICHARD

  No!

  I've no remorse

  There is no turning back

  .

  PRINCE: Then why do you fear?

  .

  (Lightning. The ghosts attack Richard. Movement of battle - synthesizer ghost battle. Ghosts create ring of fire. Richard is killed. Total silence. Richard, dead in the center, will slowly revive, to finally appear as Shiva. Anne, Margaret and company softly in chorus speak as the transformation begins to take place- )

  .

  ANNE

  Our native earth

  may stain all red

  but still

  life will renew itself

  from clay

  Destruction and creation

  from earth's core

  will rise and flow forth

  come what may

  .

  CHORUS

  Take part

  in that of which you are

  a part

  A whisper

  in the wind between

  the howl of birth and death

  Kaleidoscoping beauty

  out of terror's brutal scream

  .

  ANNE

  Cold sun slides

  without a sound

  behind dark mountain

  but strikes its flame

  again

  at dawn

  .

  (Richard, now become Shiva, begins to dance)

  .

  CHORUS

  There is a rhythm

  at the center

  of the world

  we cannot see

  Hold still and hear it

  sink into feeling

  the whispering beat

  .

  MARGARET

  When all was still

  within

  your breast still moved

  out and in

  .

  CHORUS

  ...flowing on the stream

  of all

  plunging back to sea

  .

  MARGARET

  ...knowing

  nothing is

  that does not move

  with you and me

  .

  ANNE

  You need not weep forever

  You can find relief

  when you learn you are the source

  of all your grief

  Your demon loses his force

  when you remove your belief

  You create every evil

  you see

  .

  PRINCE

  Believe in joy

  and joy is yours

  All will be as you see it to be

  Evil cannot survive

  when you don't keep it alive

  with your fear

  .

  CHORUS

  This rhythm came

  before the Word

  before the You or I

  .

  PRINCE

  Banish fear

  and you will fly

  Your way is clear

  .

  ANNE

  Dance your dance as lightly

  as any girl or boy

  Beat your beat in perfect time

  marking only joy

  .

  CHORUS

  Waken to dance

  melt into the sky

  For something to be born

  something must die

  Waken to dance

  Melt into the skies

  .

  PRINCE

  Wherever joy is born

  evil dies

  .

  (Richard, dancing in full splendor, strikes Shiva pose. Final company MIE)

  END OF PLAY

 

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