The Private and Intimate Life of the House - The Great Comet Original Cast

BOLKONSKY: I’ve aged

I’ve aged so very much

I fall asleep at the table

My napkin drops to the floor

I’m full of childish vanities

I forget things

And I live in the past

I’ve aged so very much

People enjoy me though

I come in for tea in my old-fashioned coat

and powered wig

And I tell stories

And utter scathing critiques

This old-fashioned house

With its gigantic mirrors and powered footmen

And this stern, shrewd old man

A relic of the past century

With his gentle daughter

Is a majestic and agreeable spectacle

MARY: But besides the couple hours during which we have guests

There are also twenty-two hours in the day

During which the private and intimate life of the house continues

BOLKONSKY: Bring me my slippers

MARY: Yes father yes father

BOLKONSKY: Bring me my wine

MARY: Yes father yes father

Oh father

And I never go anywhere

Never invited

For who would take care of him

Who would take care

MARY & BOLKONSKY: And I have no friends

No no no

BOLKONSKY: Girl, all my friends are dead

MARY: No one

BOLKONSKY: All my friends are dead

MARY: Time is moving

It’s now or never

My fate is slipping past me

BOLKONSKY: Silence!

Silence!

MARY: Yes father yes father

BOLKONSKY: You shut your damn mouth girl

Shut your damn mouth

I can hurt you

MARY & BOLKONSKY: I can hurt you

MARY: But I never ever ever ever would

This is just how it is

It’s just how he is

I’m always to blame

He could beat me

Or treat me like a dog

Make me fetch wood or water

And that’s just how it is

Oh father

I love you father

Time is moving

It’s now or never

I’ve abandoned the hope of getting married

BOLKONSKY: Ah!

What’s this, a young suitor?

Ah, come in come in

But don’t sit down

Don’t sit down

I’m cold to you

Yes I’m mean to you

Now be gone be gone be gone

And don’t come back!

Maybe I’ll marry someone myself

Some cheap French thing

Oh that offends you does it?

Ah, come in my dear, come in my dear, come in

MARY: And he draws her to him

And he kisses her hand

Embraces her affectionately

And I flush and run out of the room

BOLKONSKY: Come back here

Let an old man have his fun

Wipe away your tears girl

I don’t want your tears

MARY: On that horrible woman

Vile and inhuman

She’s using you, Papa

Wants your money Papa

To take advantage of your weakness like that

It’s disgusting

My voice breaks

BOLKONSKY: It’s my money

And I’ll throw it where I want

Not at you!

And not at Andrey’s harlot!

It’s my money, my money,

Mine all mine!

Insolent girl!

Insolent girl!

Where-?

Where-?

Where, Where are my glasses?

Where, where are they?!

Where are my glasses?!

Oh God-

Oh God I’m frightened

Oh God I’ve aged,

I’ve aged so very much

Where are my glasses?!

where are they?!

where?!

Where are my glasses?

where are they?

where?

Where are my glasses?!

MARY: They’re there upon his head

They’re there upon his head

The pride of sacrifice

Gathers in my soul

They’re there upon his head

And he forgets things

He lives in the past

He falls asleep at the table

His napkin drops to the floor

His shaking head

Sinks over his plate

He is old and feeble

And I dare to judge him

I disgust myself

I disgust myself