Then there is a break in the play and it opens with Eddie and Beatrice discussing Catherine and Rodolfo. Eddie is getting agitated when they arrive late. When Catherine does arrive home she has really enjoyed herself “…what a picture we saw!” We get the impression this is one of her first dates because Eddie becomes very protective. Eddie has a quiet word with Catherine about Rodolfo. Catherine is not sure what Eddie is talking about, she is being naïve because she is trying to make Rodolfo seem like an innocent guy. Catherine is shocked. The actress should portray this by appearing to believe the allegation is preposterous and she should not look at Eddie. As the verbal conflict ensues Catherine begins to sob. The actress should cry and run away, overcome with emotion. Catherine is sad because Eddie is suggesting something that could burst her bubble of joy.
Catherine looks up to Eddie and when he doesn’t approve of her dating Rodolfo it feels uncomfortable for her to go against Eddie’s wishes. When Beatrice tells her to be her “…own self…” she is not sure how to accept it. “Yeah but how I am I going to do that?” Beatrice tells her to have more self privacy around Eddie, “You still walk around in your slip!” Beatrice encourages Catherine to go against Eddie’s wishes and to do what she wants to do. Catherine should act unsure of this advice by looking pensive and afraid. It is the first time anyone has suggested to her to be herself. She should be shocked when Beatrice suggests that he could be jealous.
In the next part involving Catherine she is telling Beatrice how Rodolfo and Marco have travelled around. The actress should make this statement in a loud voice to make sure Eddie hears it. She is trying to make it clear that they are exciting people who interest her “They went to Africa once. On a fishing boat. It’s true Eddie!” She genuinely impressed with them. Eddie begins to hint to everyone that he is scornful of the relationship of Catherine and Rodolfo. When Beatrice sides with Rodolfo against Eddie, to prove he is not jealous Eddie says it is because they are “…taking more of a chance..” Throughout this encounter Catherine should be quiet and nervous. When argument ends she should begin to look relieved as she walks over to the record player. She is about to make the first step towards defying Eddie. She says, “You wanna dance Rodolfo?” As they dance Eddie stars to make fun of Rodolfo very subtley “It’s wonderful. He sings, he cooks, he could make dresses…” Catherine then makes a comment very naively because she doesn’t know Eddie is being sarcastic “They get some high pay them guys…” The actress should say it very cheerfully and with bright eyes. When Eddies says that “The water front is no place for him…” Catherine should be very angry because Eddie is questioning Rodolfo’s masculinity. When Eddie becomes more and more angry she should be afraid and maybe stand in front of Rodolfo. When she offers to “…make some coffee…” She should be nervous but trying to defuse the situation.
Catherine enters from the kitchen to see Eddie and Rodolfo sparring. She should act inquisitive but at the same time nervous. When Eddie lands a punch Catherine rushes to Rodolfo to check he is alright. Catherine should be very concerned. Then Rodolfo asks Catherine to dance. Catherine is a little apprehensive to do so but agrees with some uncertainty. She is afraid of enraging Eddie.
Act two opens with Catherine and Rodolfo. Catherine asks Rodolfo if he is hungry. He replies “Not for anything to eat.” Catherine is embarrassed by the sexual innuendo and should turn away from him. When she comes to ask Rodolfo something she is unsure of herself and unsure of what he’ll say. Once she has asked him she becomes more confident and is faster with the following questions. Catherine is trying to work Rodolfo out. She makes up excuses. She is disappointed when he rejects her ideas. She then tells Rodolfo that she is “…afraid of Eddie [there]” She would be quiet and maybe look down when she says it feeling ashamed of her fear of Eddie. This could be the truth or just a ploy to get Rodolfo’s true feelings out in the open. When she sees his concern she would play on it. When she asks him if he would still marry her if they “..had to go [and] live in Italy?” she is trying to be sure that Rodolfo is not simply using her to gain entry to live in America permanently. When he says no she would be shocked and angry and look him straight in the eye. Her plan has backfired when Rodolfo unleashes a torrent of words. She should be worried when he gets angry, she didn’t mean to offend him “I didn’t mean that…” She becomes tearful and answers “…I don’t know…” when Rodolfo asks if she is scared of Eddie. She tells Rodolfo how she feels trapped is a cascading waterfall of emotions. The actress should be crying as she speaks she should be stood apart from Rodolfo and have a handkerchief in her hand that she uses for security. She becomes annoyed when Rodolfo tries to make a joke “Don’t laugh at me!” She turns to Rodolfo and says “Hold me!” very softly and child-like.
In the next scene Eddie is very drunk. He grabs Catherine and she trembles and looks away. She is very afraid of him because she has never seen Eddie out of control before. She tells him she’s leaving and she sees tears in his eyes. She becomes sad when he is so miserable and she begins to sob because she has never left anyone especially Eddie. When Eddie tries to kiss her she should pull away in shock and disgust. Catherine is scared and should have her arms crossed over her chest. Catherine gets angry when Eddie kisses Rodolfo. She is sad and shocked into fighting him off Rodolfo. She knows Eddie is not like this normally and she afraid. When Eddie tells them what he will do if Rodolfo doesn’t “…leave..” Catherine becomes even more afraid and looks to Rodolfo for reassurance.
The wedding is arranged and Catherine comes to tell Eddie. She is very off hand with him but really wants Eddie to come. When she knows he will not come she turns to leave. She is very assertive and tells Eddie straight. When she speaks she should not look him in the eye because she knows that will upset her so she stares straight ahead. When Eddie gets even more anxious Catherine wonders why. When the officer knocks she has worked out what is happening. Catherine is furious and stands very erect. As the officers lead Rodolfo and Marco out Catherine becomes hysterical and tries to help them. She should speak really quickly. Catherine should be bamboozled as to what to do. When they take them to the car Catherine says “He was born in Philadelphia!” She trying desperately to save them. She should be kneeling on the ground, distraught, pleading with them.
Catherine goes to tell Beatrice about the wedding because Rodolfo and Marco have made bail. When she speaks she is nervously confident. Then as Eddie tell Beatrice not to go Catherine is enraged because she is tired of Eddie’s control “…who the hell do you think you are?” She should show this by squaring up to Eddie and putting her face directly in front of his. She needs to show she is no longer afraid of him. She cries to show how much it pains her.
When Catherine hears Marco is coming she should act nervous and pace the room with worry. Later, Beatrice suggests that Eddie “…wants something else…” (Catherine). Catherine is shocked that Beatrice has said this. She looks at her Auntie with disgust at the suggestion.
When Marco arrives he starts fighting with Eddie. Catherine and Beatrice hold on to each other alarmed by the violence. Eddie gets stabbed. Catherine is distraught and blames herself. She feels responsible “I never meant anything bad to happen to you!” She should weep and fall, defeated, to her knees. She is shocked when, with his dying breath, Eddie professes his love for his wife, Beatrice.
In my essay I believe I have expressed the changes that Catherine endures. She begins as an insecure and naïve girl and becomes a strong passionate young woman. I prefer the play to the performance I saw because we were able to put our own interpretation on the story, which differed from the production at Coventry.
By Dominic Penney 10AW
