Scene: The
Proudfoot home, for the most part furnished as in Act I. A body is lying on the central table, covered
in a linen sheet. The workbenches and shelves are in disarray, their items
thrown to the floor as someone searched.
Otto sits at his father’s table, examining the
tools one by one. Some are discarded, others restored carefully to their place.
Constable Henry enters, carrying a metal strongbox.
Continue reading "The Tragical History of Otto Proudfoot: Act IV" »
Scene: The bower of Mistress
Romana, owner of the bordello known as Turtle House. The left wall is occupied
by an enormous bed, covered in silken fripperies. The back wall has a single
door and a crowded vanity. The right wall is decorated with masks and sundries,
and holds a high window open to the night sky. Otto is lying down on the bed,
reading a book. Mistress Romana enters
in an outlandish dancing costume, with high boots and corset.
Continue reading "The Tragical History of Otto Proudfoot: Act III" »
Scene: An elegant sitting
room. A bookshelf covers one wall; the opposite wall holds a marble hearth
inlaid with astrological symbols in semi-precious stones. Two comfortable
leather chairs face the fire. The rear wall opens onto a hallway, as in the
Proudfoot home. An odd skeleton hangs
from the ceiling—some kind of animal, but nothing easily recognizable. As the
curtain opens we see Ebard (Applejack) in a silk dressing-gown, pacing back and
forth with an open book. His lips move, but we hear no sound. Suddenly, the
fire in the hearth turns green and a puff of foul vapour rises up. There is a
knock at the door.
Continue reading "The Tragical History of Otto Proudfoot: Act II" »
