Exit the Actress by Priya Parmar Read Free Book Online Page A

the King’s Company’s first performance in its new and delightful Theatre Royal in Bridges Street (so much better than the fragrantly cramped hard-benched ex–tennis court of old). Sumptuously cushioned boxes with thick curtains
(très privé)
, a hidden musicians gallery—somewhere under the floor-boards—ingenious but a bit muffled, a veritable constellation of wax candles (
mon Dieu,
the cost!), delicious fruit sellers, and lavish curling gilt galleries gave one the feeling of being entertained inside an enormous and very pleasant golden egg. Dear Tommy Killigrew has outdone himself. Light-footed Lacy in the title role and naughty little Nan Marshall in the role of Celia only added to the entertainment. A triumph.
    In the audience: the dashing Prince Rupert (in a pink lutestring coat with silver lace), seen
tête-à-tête avec
clever Dickie Rider, the master builder of the theatre. In the centre box was the Great Mrs. Hester Davenport, old Roxelana herself (peach taffeta—rather too many ruffles, I felt); and tucked in a corner box was crafty Will Davenant, rival manager of the Duke’s Company (in his habitual black silk kerchief and low-brimmed
chapeau
—surveying the competition, no doubt). Tommy Killigrew, beware!
    À bientôt,
dearests,
    Ever your eyes and ears,
    Ambrose Pink, Esq.

Saturday, May 23—Theatre Royal (rainy)
    Titania, Bottom, Helena, Demetrius, Hermia, Lysander, Oberon, Puck. Act One: Enchanted Forest. Act Two: Titania’s Bower. These words are
beautiful.
    P ALAIS R OYAL , P ARIS
T O M Y BROTHER , K ING C HARLES II D’ A NGLETERRE
F ROM P RINCESSE H ENRIETTE -A NNE, D UCHESSE D’ O RLÉANS, THE M ADAME OF F RANCE
29 M AI 1663
    My dearest,
    For shame, my darling. I know that you have been “supplementing” your wife’s English lessons, for there are several filthy words that your queen included in her last letter that could have
only
come from you. That is terrible, Charles, to teach her such things and not tell her what they mean. However much it amuses you, you must correct this!
    Bon anniversaire,
my dear!
    Je t’embrasse,
Henriette-Anne
    Note—
The doctors say I am in good health.

Saturday, May 30 (Midsummer Night’s Dream)
    Tonight, just before the audience came in, Peg Hughes, in her costume as the honest fairy Puck (deep green hose, moss-green tunic, pale golden wings), came out from the tiring rooms and, leaning down from the stage, bought an orange from me. Meg saw it and refunded the money immediately—actors, actresses, and Mr. Killigrew get complimentary fruit.
Always.
A terrible mistake I shall not make again. Still, we spoke for a few minutes, and then Mr. Booth hurried her away for places.
    P ALAIS R OYAL , P ARIS
À MON FRÈRE, K ING C HARLES II D’ A NGLETERRE
F ROM P RINCESSE H ENRIETTE -A NNE , D UCHESSE D’ O RLÉANS, THE M ADAME OF F RANCE
3 J UIN 1663
    My dear,
    Have you listened to none of my admonishments, and not only added Lady Castlemaine to your queen’s household but also moved her apartments closer to your own? I was given to understand that her apartments faced the street on the
other
side of the Privy Garden from your own. Are they now
adjoining? Mon Dieu!
I know you care for your new wife’s feelings. Would you treat her as Philippe treats me? He is forever parading his young men before me.
    With my love,
    Henriette-Anne

Tuesday—Theatre Royal (hot and sticky and smelly)
    So, what I know:
The Actors
Charles Hart and John Lacy:
the two great leads. Hart, a man hung on an enormous frame, with thickly waved brown hair (although he often wears a periwig), has a booming voice and says he is the great nephew of Shakespeare—but then everybody says that. Lacy, a surprisingly nimble, bluff Yorkshire man was trained as a dancer before the war and never keeps still.
Theophilus (Theo) Bird and Edward (Teddy) Kynaston:
before the war, both trained in the old style to play the female parts, although Theo, withhis great drifts of snowy hair, must be at least