A play of illusion versus reality

Original short story written by: Katherine Mansfield

Scriptwriters: Nur Dini Binte Mohamed Eunos (405)
Nandini Patwardhan (403)
Set Designer: Filzah Hanis Binte Osman (405)
Costume Designer: Cha Da Eun (403)
Producer: Ho Yan Yi (403)

France, 1872 (Victorian Era)

Full Ensemble Play
IN THE JARDINS PUBLIQUE
Curtains open.
Fantasy and Reality are in the Jardins Publique. They stand side to side on centre stage, the spotlight
shining on them while the rest of the stage is dark.
Fantasy dons a frilly purple tea gown and carries a fan. Reality is wearing a black top hat, spectacles, a
dark tail coat and trousers. He wields a cane.
REALITY: All the worlds a stage,
FANTASY: And all the men and women merely players,
REALITY: They have their exits and their entrances...
ILLUSION: I cant remember the next line! Oh mon dieu, there goes the dramatic effect!
REALITY sighs and rolls his eyes.
REALITY: What dramatic irony! Allow me.
This is the cautionary tale of Miss Brill,
FANTASY: Amidst the bustling activity of a small town
In France, 1872,
REALITY: Where illusion and reality merge,
FANTASY: Where the line between fantasy and reality blurs,
REALITY: The ephemeral quality of fantasy she relished,
FANTASY: The cruel nature of reality she spurned,
REALITY: An actress she believed she was,
FANTASY: And an actress in real life she became,
REALITY: Wishing to escape the cruel hand of reality,
FANTASY: But, unfortunately, her illusions became her folly.
Fantasy and Illusion pause dramatically.
REALITY: You might be wondering, what role do we play in this grand scheme of things?
FANTASY: Isnt it obvious? Were her subconscious. I am Fantasy.

Fantasy drops a curtsy to the audience.

REALITY: And I, Reality.
FANTASY & REALITY: Let the play... begin.
Fantasy exits via stage right. Reality exits via stage left.
The stage lights shine brightly. The band enters from stage left, marching and playing an uplifting tune.
Amidst the lush greenery, there is a green bench in centre stage.
Fantasy and Miss Brill, a slim, middle-aged woman who is wearing a faded purple tea gown and a
shabby piece of brown fur on her shoulders, enter from stage right, gossiping and giggling amongst
themselves.
MISS BRILL: The Sun shining brightly in the azure blue sky...
FANTASY: The light hearted tune from Bachs symphony, setting the atmosphere......the ideal
setting for a play.
Two children run past Fantasy and Miss Brill, laughing.
Miss Brill and Fantasy sit on the green bench on centre stage.
The band starts playing a dramatic tune.
The spotlight shines on a couple standing before Miss Brill and Fantasy. The young man, dignified
and tall, wears a black evening coat, a white collar shirt and trousers. The woman is wearing a shabby
grey ermine toque with a garish yellow evening gown.
FANTASY: Here comes the drama weve all been relishing! Will he ignore her? Will he reject her,
crushing her hopes and dreams? Or will he confess that he missed her and proclaim his undying
love for her?
MISS BRILL: Shush, let me listen.
Fantasy and Miss Brill stare enraptured at their exchange.
DIANA: George, what a coincidence! I am so pleased to meet you!
George shoots her an irritated look and walks away from her hurriedly but she clutches his arm tightly.
The band picks up speed.
DIANA: How I missed you! The whole time while I was at sea, I thought of you. Only you,
George.
The woman stares at George hopefully.
George lets out a mean chuckle. The music played by the band reaches its crescendo.
FANTASY: Here it comes...

Fantasy fans herself.

GEORGE: Diana, Diana, Diana. It was nothing but a game to me.
George shakes his head and lights his cigarette.
Fantasy and Miss Brill emit scandalised gasps.
DIANA: I dont understand you sometimes, George! Why, the other day, youGEORGE: Goodbye, Diana.
George blows a deep puff into her face and walks away.
The band plays a soft, mournful tune, repeating the drum beat The Brute!.
Diana smiles bravely but her chin trembles.
MISS BRILL: How cruel and harsh reality is!
Diana slowly leaves via stage right. The band plays a jovial tune.
MISS BRILL: How I enjoyed it all! The drama, the music, the setting! Its just like a play! All of
us are on stage, all of us have a role to play.
FANTASY: Even you have a part in this play, Miss Brill! No doubt somebody will notice if
youre not here every Sunday.
MISS BRILL: How strange, Ive never thought of it that way! Perhaps that is the reason why I
wear my precious fur on Sundays, reaching here at the same time.
An old man enters from stage left and shuffles past them to sit on their bench. He snores loudly,
hunched over his cane. His newspaper flutters to the ground.
Fantasy nudges Miss Brill, inclining her head towards the old man.
Miss Brill sits next to him and picks up the fallen newspaper.
MISS BRILL: Hello, Howard! Remember me from last Sunday? I always read to you the latest
news. See, in the Ladies Page of the Victorian TimesThe old man snores loudly.
MISS BRILL: Let me tell you a secret, Howard. Im an actress. Youre having your paper read to
you by an actress!
The old man wheezes, blinking sleepily at her.
HOWARD: An actress, are ye?
MISS BRILL: Yes, I have been an actress for a long time.

Reality enters from stage left.

REALITY: CUT!
Everyone freezes. Stage lights dim.
REALITY: Everyone out! No, not you two.
Everybody except Miss Brill and Fantasy grumbles and moves out.
BAND MEMBER: Hey, were paid to perform. Were still on?
Reality glares at him. The band plays a chaotic, fast song.
Reality shoves Miss Brill down to the green bench. Reality stands behind her left shoulder and Fantasy
stands behind her right. The spotlight shines on the three of them, leaving the rest of the stage dark.
REALITY: Stop making a fool of yourself and accept reality for what it is! A young actress, you
say? Youre an old woman pretending to be something shes not, with her shabby piece of fur!
Miss Brill clenches her teeth and puts her hands over her ears. Reality shouts while Fantasy looks
interested in their conversation, a smirk on her face.
REALITY: Listen to me now. Youre deluding yourself, shunning reality completely, making up
imaginary conversations between everyone. Its unhealthyMiss Brill glares at Reality.
MISS BRILL: No, I am not listening to you! Im not! I truly am an actress, a real-life actress and
you are just jealous at my success! Another one of my critics, Im sure!
REALITY: Im absolutely flabbergasted! Youre finally acknowledging my presence. How
wonderful. And how deplorable of you, Fantasy, for continually egging her on until she cant even
separate fantasy from reality!
FANTASY: Dont you dare blame this on me
Fantasy and Reality throw barbs at each other in French.
MISS BRILL: STOP! Nobody is supposed to fight in my play! Give me back my fantasy!
The band plays a sad tune. The lights are dimly lit.
FANTASY: Here comes the hero and heroine!
A couple sat down on the green bench. The girl, pretty and delicate, is dressed in a pale blue evening
gown and a blue bonnet. The boy, handsome and charming, is dressed in a white collar shirt and black
trousers. The spotlight shines on them.
MISS BRILL: They have just been on a tumulus journey, escaping from their parents, who have
forbidden their relationship. Star-crossed lovers, just like Romeo and Juliet!

Reality sighs in quiet disappointment.

REALITY: Foolish, stubborn woman. You never listen, do you?
GIRL: No, not now, not here. Lets go.
MISS BRILL: Ooh la la, he is going to propose to her, proclaim his undying devotion to her!
Youll see, Reality.
Reality shakes his head, crosses his arms.
BOY: But why? Because of that stupid old thing at the end there, muttering to herself? Why does
she even come here?
GIRL: Its her fu-fur which is so funny. Its exactly like a fried whiting.
BOY: Ah, be off with you! Tell me, ma petite cherie
The band stops playing and leaves via stage left.
Shocked and speechless, Miss Brill sits stiffly.
The couple leaves via stage left, laughing.
Thunder rumbles overhead. Stage lights dim.
Reality puts his hand on Miss Brills shoulder comfortingly.
REALITY: I tried to warn you but you never listen. You should have embraced reality sooner.
You know Im always right.
Miss Brill stares off into the distance.
REALITY: Its been three hours. Its time to go home now.
MISS BRILL: Home...
Miss Brill takes Realitys offered arm and slowly gets up from the bench.
MISS BRILL: But first...I need-I need to take this off. I need to throw this away! I hate it!
Despicable, grimy old thing!
Miss Brill quickly unclasps her fur and dashes towards the dustbin.
REALITY: Hold on a momentFANTASY [in a wispy voice]: Noo.....Miss Brill, dont....
Miss Brill viciously opens the lid of the dustbin and throws in the fur. Her face contorts in pain and a
solitary tear trails down her cheek.
MISS BRILL: Dont call me that. Miss Brill no longer exists.

Fantasy faints. Reality smiles faintly. The dustbin closes with a resounding thud.
Lights out.
Curtains close.

THE END

(1498 words)