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Harlequin and Guy Fawkes; Or The 5th of November A comic Pantomime Theatre Royal Covent-Garden Allowed. Ento (?) 16th Novbr. 1835 S.C. Theatre Royal Covent Garden December 11th 1835 Sir, With permission of the Right Honorable the Lord Chamberlain, this Pantomime will be performed at the Theatre Royal Covent Garden. I am, Sir, Your very obedt. Servt M Bophs (?) Laey,Lacy ?) Acting Manager To Geo: Colman Esqre. Etc. etc. etc. Dram. Pers: Lord Monteagle Sir Francis Moore Catesby Piercy Digby Guy Fawkes Rockwood Winter Discontent Mischef Alice Nurse Chorus Scene Ist The Palace of Discontent- with blue figures of Discontent- supporting phials of poison. Blue Devils discovered, beating ingredients in mortars, inscribed. "Prussic acid for Suicides"-"Arsenic for murderers"- "Laudanum for Lovers"- Grim looking personages, at back, grumbling. Chorus When mortals are happy we all of us growl Our discontent loudly expressing- And like the wild winter winds blow roar and scowl Or dogs over a half picked bone splutter and howl For misery to us is a blessing; So we’ll groan and howl, And grumble and growl Oh! Oh! Oh! /a rumbling noise, under the stage-Enter Mischief/ Mis: Hark! Hark! That rumbling noise beneath the earth portends Our mighty master hither this way bends- So leave your work and greet your soverign lord, And growl your discontent with one accord! /Chorus repeated, Scene Splits- Discontent descends to front—He waves his wand-Mischief falls at his feet./ Dis. How now! What means that look, that brow so cross’d- Why don’t you smile? Mis. …….I can’t, sire-all is lost! The world is getting of much better cheer, And soon all mortals will be bless’d I fear- For happier they seem to be on each new day, They’ve got more work-, and Oh! Much less to pay. Dis: Ha! Is it so? Then, Mischief, let me see- This Parliament of ours prorogued will be,-Then meet again- the day, can I remember The 1st, 3rd-5th-aye, that’s it of November. I’ll thwart their meetings, blow them to the sky, I’ve got a likely Pupil in my eye, Of whom we’ll speak anon- directly- bye and bye-A swaggering roaring boisterous invader. That came to England in the famed Armada-Who fears not for Reformers or hard knocks,A man of metal true, call’d Guido Fawkes. Away!- begone! And do not look so sad- And when I whistle, come to me, each lad! Chorus Thro’ the air and thro’ the sky, See our mighty master fly- By the bright Sun light He wings his flight- Away-away-away! Scene sinks and discovers the house of Hugh Piercy. A boat bearing Lord Monteagle is seen in the distance-Alice enters, andlooks towards the River Nurse follows, scolds and forces her into the House.- Monteagle jumps ashore and pushes off the Boat-A noise is heard and he conceals himself in the Bower. Piercy and Digby enter-Piercy elongates his telescope, and knocks down Digby, who gets up, rubbing his head- A noise in the arbour. Piercy. I heard a noise! I’m sure there’s mischief brewing- Digby ‘Tis but the cats upon the tiles a mewing /a Barge is seen upon the River / Chorus /without/ Merily row our golden Barque Over the rippling stream- While our oars keep time, hark! Hark! Hark! And the sun sheds his cheering beam, With a merry yes! So jolly we row! Yes! Yes! Yes! /Catesby, Rockwood, and Conspirators now enter, from the Barge- Boatman and Barge disappear/ Piercy. Most noble Catesby, early as the lark, Like friendly dogs, we greet you from your Barque- Tell us – how goes the plot- is all quite steady? Catesby. The powder barrels broach’d and all is ready. Digby. But who’s to fire it, and free us from alarms? Catesby. Hush! My foot stamp’d thrice, the Hero’s in your arms- /He stamps- Another Boat appears, with a single Boatman- he jumps ashore, and goes off a snore is heard/ Hush! Softly step, your silence keeping- Digby Ah! Don’t disturb the Hero!-he is sleeping! /The awning is thrown back, and Guy is discovered asleep. They place boat hooks under the chair, and drag him forward in real 5th of November style/ Catesby. Behold the future terror of the nation! Digby. His very nose a firey conflagration! Catesby. I see with pleasant smiles his face doth glow- his face is quite a picture- Guy/waking/ Oh! Oh! Oh!! /all fall on one knee to guy/ Guy. Thunder and lightning,- battles, blood and murder! I know my business- so don’t say no furder! Catesby. Then let us swear- Guy…….Pooh!-oaths were made for boys! Catesby……Oh! Swear we must- Guy……….I swear I heard a noise! Quick- Search the place- /They search/ Catesby ……..What, nought? The bower no he in- What act spy you? Guy …..A spy, in act of spying! /he drags Monteagle forward/ Catesby. You treacherous rogue, what have you overheard? Mont. Oh! Not a syllable, upon my word! Guy. Then you must swear before you go, Never to mention what you do not know- Enter Nurse. Nurse./to Piercy/ Your daughter’s gone, spite of every prudent plan— /seeing Guy/ Oh! Grandam’s buckles, what an ugly man! /Guy knocks her down-Monteagle escapes in Guy’s Boat-Scene closes in/ Scene 3rd Dwelling of Sir Francis Moore, the Almanac Maker- Enter Monteagle. Mont. What can this mean- Some mischief sure there’s brewing- Some deadly plot, that will be our undoing. /a mysterious looking person enters- and runs against him he thrusts a large letter into Monteagle’s hand and rushes off.-He reads the letter-does not know what to do; sees Moore’s name over the door, and enters. / Scene 4th Study of Sir Francis. Telescopes, Globes etc are lying about. Sir Francis is sitting reading- little Imps dance about him. Chorus/without/ The Abbey bell is tolling loud, Hark! To its solemn sound! Far, far fly from the homes of men, To the fairies haunted ground- Lazy bones- lazy bones- up and be gay, The fairies are flitting fast away- Away-away-away! /He dismisses his Imps- and comes forward/ /a golden Ball falls in a brazen vase./ Moore. Ha! Some stranger hither bends his fate to know I’ll straight admit him, be he friend or foe! /Enter Monteagle/ My Lord Monteagle!- is you that come, To ask of Francis Moore some mighty boon? Mont. This letter danger threatens- quick, read, and see- Besides, I fear some foul Conspiracy. Moore. Ha!- you it warns from Parliament to keep, And hints at acts most dire! Most dread and deep- We’ll learn what fate says; let’s consult the stars, And information gain from Venus, Meurcury, Mars. Waves his wand- Scene discovers the Stars and a Comet/ Now to my studies hard, each star discern And from their signs our fate we’ll learn. /he looks thro’ a telescope-Sings/ ‘Eer the bell shall toll right, By the old Abbey gate; Monteagle- Monteagle- Hence thither and wait- Or conspiracy dire; With powder and fire, Will blow up the King, And your much honor’d Sire- From the Abbey gate soon A strange man will speed, You must follow his steps Where’er they may lead. Thro’ darkness and terrors With courage, pursue, You’ll save Monarch, father, And your lov’d Alice, too! Exeunt.— Scene 5th -Exterior of the House of Parliament. Winter, Catesby,Digby etc enter and whisper- Catesby beckons on Guy- they give him a lanter, match etc..-The Procession of the King enters the House is seen at a distance Guy gives a letter for his wife, to Catesby-to be given in the event of his being taken.-He enters the vault- conspirators exeunt chuckling at the anticipated success of their plan./ Scene Last -The vaults- with faggots etc. Fawkes discovered, looking cautiously about-He takes a large tinder box from the Faggots- and lays a train- Monteagle appears, and exclaims, Who’s there, with the light- Guy blows it out, and conceals himself-Monteagle stumbles over faggots, and goes off The abbey bell strikes eight- Catesby appears, and exclaims, "haste"!- Guy fires the train, Monteagle re-enters- strikes it aside, and struggles with Guy- Guards enter Guy and Catesby are siezed- Alice rushes to Monteagle Mont. Bear hence those monsters to instant death- away! A voice /without/ Hold! Daring mortal, I command you, stay! /Scene changes to the Hall of Mischief- Discontent appears, from the pillar/ Dis. Rash Mortal, hold! This brave man in my care- Sir Francis-/rising/ Hold! Hold him fast! Release him if ye dare! Dis. Oh! Kind Sir Francis, have I you to thank for rendering my scheme a worthless blank? But know, my power greater is than thine- My plan tho’ thwarted, vengeance still is mine! Drive hence those Guards! /Imps appear- they release Guy/ The Lovers sieze! Tho’ I’ve not triumphed, still I’ve power to tease- Bear them away /Imps sieze the Lovers/ Sir F………………………Stay! Not so fast! Demons, begone! Your evil power is past /Strikes Imps- they yell, and rush off./ But yet I know your wish is to anoy Therefore I’ll thwart and mar your spiteful joy- This youth as Harlequin your power escapes; You Columbine, fair Alice-change your shapes! /Monteagle and Alice change/ Dis: Indeed! I’ll foil ye still-my plan destroy’d, Your worthless Lovers shall be sore anoyed- Catesby your daughter quick pursue, as Pantaloon- Come, change your shape, tho’ you like not the boon! /Catesby changes/ While you, Guy Fawkes, shall quit thy murderous frown, And follow in the chase a merry clown! /Guy changes to clown/ Sir F./to Harlequin/. This Bat receive, its necromantic power will aid you to escape, in luckless hour- A year is your’s; and if not caught before ‘tis o’er You will be safe, and nought can harm ye more. Dis /to Clown. For quick pursue, no rest e’er let ‘em know- And make their journey one of endless woe. Sir F.- Now then away, o’er land and sea, And lead the pantomimic chase right merrily Dis: Obey my orders- turn their joy to pain- Adieu, Sir Francis we may meet again! Exeunt. Source: The British Library, 558 42932. LORD CHAMBERLAIN'S PLAYS. Vol. LXVIII (ff. 849). Oct. Nov. 1835. (21) 'Harlequin and Guy Fawkes or the 5th of November'. ff. 558-564 b. (No author given however, author of work above is C. Selby) To return to
the top click here From: Mudfog & Other Sketches,Charles Dickens THE PANTOMIME OF LIFE ' I know who you mean,' says some dirty-faced patron of Mr. Osbaldistone's, laying down the Miscellany when he has got thus far, and bestowing upon vacancy a most knowing glance; 'you mean C. J. Smith as did Guy Fawkes, and George Barnwell at the Garden.' The dirty-faced gentleman has hardly uttered the words, when he is interrupted by a young gentleman in no shirt-collar and a Petersham coat. 'No, no,' says the young gentleman; 'he means Brown, King, and Gibson, at the 'Delphi.' Now, with great deference both to the first-named gentleman with the dirty face, and the last-named gentleman in the non-existing shirt-collar, we do NOT mean either the performer who so grotesquely burlesqued the Popish conspirator, or the three unchangeables who have been dancing the same dance under different imposing titles, and doing the same thing under various high-sounding names for some five or six years last past. We have no sooner made this avowal, than the public, who have hitherto been silent witnesses of the dispute, inquire what on earth it is we DO mean; and, with becoming respect, we proceed to tell them. To return to
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