Finding Neverland
Jack No don’t do that.
George Ow.
Voice What’s happened?
Stagehand Oh no, oh no, no, sorry, I’m so sorry.
Jack George?
Doctor Mr Barrie, Mrs Davies would like a word with you. No, just Mr Barrie.
Sylvia Did you encourage this?
James Encourage what?
Sylvia James please. You know perfectly well what. George won’t allow them to set his arm unless I submit to an examination.
James I see, well I suppose you’ll have to then, ‘cos he’s quite a stubborn young man when he sets his mind to it.
Sylvia This is absurd. They won’t tell me anything different.
James Different? So you’ve already spoken to a doctor then.
Sylvia That is not your concern. My understanding is that my condition may be quite serious. However, my wish is that life should go on as normal. So, I’ll have the examination, and I’ll take whatever medication they advise, but I don’t want to know what they’re for. And I don’t want you enquiring into it any further.
James Wouldn’t dream of it. Mary, Mary?
Sylvia Peter will you help George to fold a pocket handkerchief please, they’re in the linen cupboard, darling.
Peter Yes mother.
Sylvia Jack, how do you manage to always come untucked? Would you check your shirt-tails in the intermission please?
Jack Yes mother.
Mrs Du Maurier You’re not planning on attending any after theatre events are you?
Sylvia Only for a short time if we do. The tickets!
Mrs Du Maurier With the children?
Sylvia George! Um, possibly. Would you see if George has the tickets please?
Jack All right.
Sylvia I’ll just check my dressing table.
Mrs Du Maurier Sylvia, those events are entirely. . .
Michael Mum!
Sylvia Mother, please see if George has the tickets. Michael, where are your socks? Erm, wait here, don’t move.
Mrs Du Maurier Take her feet George. We’ll need some more blankets. Take Michael with you, would you?
Michael She looks much worse than when we were at the cottage.
George Sshh Michael.
Charles Those 25 seats, has anyone shown up?
Ticket Seller No sir, not yet.
Charles Precisely. Have there been many people asking for seats?
Ticket Seller Yes sir.
James Charles.
Charles I suggest you start selling them.
James Charles.
Charles Yes James?
James Seen any of the Davies family yet this evening?
Charles The 25 seats, are they filled?
James It’s taken care of.
Charles Yes, yes. Who did you invite? Because obviously whoever you invited decided not to come.
James The seats will be filled, I promise.
Charles Yes, you’ve been promising me a. . .
Man Charles.
Charles Hello, Mr Stand.
James Have you seen the Davies family this evening?
Usher No sir.
Mrs Du Maurier Jack has gone to get Dr Brighton.
Sylvia Oh no mother, I don’t need a doctor.
Mrs Du Maurier Yes you do dear. I think I’ll get some camomile to help you relax. Peter will be here if you need anything.
Sylvia Peter. Peter.
Peter Can I do anything mother?
Sylvia NO darling. You must go to the play.
Peter I can’t do that.
Sylvia Yes you can. I need you to. I need you to come back tonight and tell me every bit of it. Please.
Peter It’s only a play mother. It doesn’t matter. What do you want?
Sylvia Take it out. Open it. I’ve never been so proud of you.
Usher Last call please ladies and gentlemen. Last call for the play.
Charles Yes, yes, yes. We have time to sell those 25 seats. Play’s starting.
James Charles.
Charles What?
James They’re here.
Charles Who’s here?
James You’ll forgive them being a bit late. Short legs, it’s a long walk from the orphanage.
Charles I’m not clear what they’re doing here.
James They’ve come to see the play. That’s the 25 seats.
Charles 25 seats given to orphans? Right, now my nightmare is complete.
James You can start your play now.
Charles Your play!
Peter Thank you.
Man Looks like we got one of the better dressed ones.
Smee I just want you to know, I think you’re a wonderful dog.
Nana Thanks. Woof. Woof.
Actress I won’t go to bed, I won’t. I won’t.
Nana Woof.
Actress Nana it isn’t six o’clock yet. Two minutes more? Please. One minute more? Nana I will not be barked. I tell you, I will not. . . be. . . barked.
Nana Woof.
Actress Eeeeh!
Mrs Darling Who are you? No-one there, yet I feel sure I saw a face. My children!
James How is she?
Mrs Du Maurier She’s resting.
James May I see her?
Mrs Du Maurier No Mr Barrie. I don’t think we need to include you in everything that goes on in this household.
George But she’d want to see him.
Mrs Du Maurier Be quiet George. And since, as I’ve discovered, you’ve seen fit to conceal certain facts about my daughter’s condition from me. I feel no remorse at excluding you from my home.
George But you can’t s. . .
Mrs Du Maurier Go upstairs George now.
George Stop ordering me about. This isn’t your home! It’s our home. Just ‘cos mother’s needed your help recently, doesn’t give you the right to rule over her existence. She’s not a child anymore, and neither am I. If she wants to see Uncle Jim, she can see Uncle Jim. There’s nothing you can do about it. Mother?
Sylvia Yes darling. James. No, your play! Look at all this. I’d have come tonight, it’s just. . .
