Props that maybe needed include the following:
- A leather bound table with an elaborate lamp on the table, and 2 chairs either side (Frank’s chair must be a swivel chair).
- A bottle of whiskey on a side table (in the corner) with a few crystal glasses, which would be on a silver tray.
- An ornate pen stand with a pen in it.
- Coat/hat stand in the corner.
- A bin beside Frank’s desk.
- Frank’s framed qualifications on the wall.
- Erotic, religious picture on the wall directly behind Frank’s swivel chair.
- A distinctive packet of cigarettes in Rita’s pocket, with a lighter.
- A large bookstand filled with books.
- A very old wallpaper and carpet.
- A large, old radio.
- A briefcase, positioned next to the table.
- A larger than normal handbag for Rita with contents (such as books and folders, and a fury, maybe pink pencil case.
The mood of Frank and Rita are very important, but very different in Act 1, Scene 7.
Frank’s mood and motivation seems to make him semi drunk. This makes Frank not seem to be very bothered with Rita not turning up at the dinner party the night before. At the start of the scene, Frank seems to be angry (though he really is not), however as the scene goes on, he starts to get calmer, and maybe start to sympathise with her, as he knows the reason for her not turning up at the dinner party.
Rita’s mood in Act 1, Scene 7 seems to make her feel very regretful. She is putting on a brave face when she goes to meet Frank as she is questioning the fact of whether she wants to be educated or not. By the end of the scene, she does choose to be educated after what her mother had said.
At the start of the scene, Rita seems to be very regretful, but still quite calm. As the scene progresses, Rita starts to get angry as Frank says some things which make her get angry, for example,
Frank: … They would have seen someone who’s funny, delightful, charming…
Rita: (angrily) But I don’t want to be charming and delightful: funny…
Rita’s motivation for acting like this is also due to the above reasons. She is feeling weary, because she is also about to move out with Denny.
The general mood in this scene is that of a solemn and down mood. The whole “can’t be asked” phenomenon takes charge at times. This solemn, down mood can be reflected by long pauses from time to time – this shows that Rita feels regretful.
At the start of the scene, Frank has his feet up on his desk; he is slumped in his chair, he has a glass of whiskey in his hand, and he is humming and listening to the radio whilst he is just relaxing his eyes. As Rita enters, he jumps up to turn the radio off, and straighten himself out.
Dramatic tension could be created in Act 1, Scene 7 by saying some lines quickly and some lines slowly. For example you could say these lines quickly,
Frank: Yes, but…
Rita: Well?
Frank: Well what?
Rita: Well you wouldn’t take sweet sparkling wine, would y’?
This creates the feeling of suspense. And, you could say these lines quite slowly,
Frank: Why couldn’t you relax? It wasn’t a fancy dress party. You could have come as yourself. Don’t you realise how people would have seen you if you’d just – just breezed in? Mm? They would have seen someone who’s funny, delightful, charming…
This creates the feeling of calmness. Humour could be created in Act 1, Scene 2 by Rita smiling (and maybe cracking up laughing) when Frank says,
Frank: ‘Sorry couldn’t come’, scribbled on the back of you essay…
This way, the whole of the scene does not seem to be down.
The stage directions and where the props will be are shown in the stage map on the next page.
Frank will come on from stage right and he will go and slump down in his swivel chair as soon as he comes on.
Rita will come on from stage left after a knock on the door. She will go to the bin and she will start to sharpen her pencils.
