Scene 10- The Banquet -- 15 mins.

Scene Summary :

At the Imperial banquet for the Cretan Council -- Theseus is invited to a

'friendly debate' on 'the shape of social order.' And though he makes a

worthy argument for the populist viewpoint - the senators insist that the

aggressive northern peoples will always be a threat to Crete and the Southern

nations. And to emphasize the point, they challenge him to present a song from

his homeland exemplifyng "noble social purpose"--(the troubadour's riddle)-- to support his arguments.

Though at a loss at first, Theseus performs the song ‘Memory-the riddle’--

"assisted" by the 'banquet dancers' --- probably hoping that the spirit of the

song, and his arguments, will catch the attention of rebel sympathizers

somewhere in the crowd -- who are known to prefer a former time of peace -- “the days before Empire”.

 Afterwards, Rhadamanthos and the senators dismiss the song as

meaningless, except as relating to a bulldancer, who has "seen better days."

But as the Banquet resumes, the lights focus on two discreet figures joining

Theseus who say they liked the song for its connecting of "past and future" --

and that there are "people who would agree." As the three exit, the lighting

shifts again to conversation at Rhadmanthos's table -- and the plan to

bankrupt the remaining opposing senators on the Council. Scene closes with

a toast to "the future of the Cretan Empire."

 

Setting:  The curtain opens on the colorful, richly appointed splendor of the Imperial Banquet Hall -- a wide array of well-heeled, aristocratic guests -- lords and ladies alike -- populating the low, crowded sumptuous tables or circulating

in standing, stately conversation while a group of musicians play softly from

a raised dais between the pillars of the back wall; impressively bannered

with symbols of the Cretan Empire --

At center stage, attired in a rich, floor-length mantle of shimmering blue

velvet -- one of the guests -- a Persian diplomat -- thoughtfully strums a lyre;

apparently concluding the performance of a song for the banqueters around

him.

Immediately members of the audience begin to offer ‘ guesses’ -- as if in a

game of charades ....

 

Melichor: Order occurs from the top down –by force -- throughout history -

Exeter: Undeniably -- [assent by others]

Theseus: [sarcastic] Yes, Senators -- so it has... but only in the short term ...

[bitter] ... only for a short time .......

Solomaine: I don’t like his tone, Consul --

Lady Noble: What an insolent young man !!

Exeter: [ angry ] So what then is your answer ?? [ reaction ]

Melichor: [ pressing ] What -- is -- the Shape of Order ??

Theseus Real power flows from Outside - to Center -- and back again !--

Exeter: Answer the question !! [others assent]

Theseus:  Those at the Core -- investing throughout ---  [gesture ]

                 those on the Edge -- included Within ...

Exeter:  Then what -- IS -- the Shape of Order ?? [ assenting reaction ]

Theseus:  [louder, over them ] The Shape of Social Order -- is like ...a Circle....

a Great -- WHEEL --- [ arms extended, turning now ]   Driven by opportunity !!

 

 [loud, protesting reaction -- general hub-bub-- specific comments, charges: ]

Exeter : Preposterous-- where is the evidence ?!

Solomaine: Simply makes it up as he goes along --!

Arragon: There is nowhere in history --

Theseus: I believe there was a time --

Melichor: Utterly ridiculous -- [ rising hub-bub from the others ]

Solomaine: Obvious propaganda !

Exeter: He must think us all peasants here, Consul--

Rhad: [ raising hand for quiet ] Yes, yes-- Gentlemen, I quite agree-- listen to

the words : ‘driven by opportunity’ ... And by Ambition !! -- [ starting to pace]

No doubt this ..’ theory’ would play very well -- with the peasant

classes of the Mainland -- maybe enough to unify .. a Country ?? [ to Theseus ]

Theseus: ….. Maybe….

Rhad: Well -- and what then, Theseus .... what next for this ... strong, new,

Northern country ??....

Theseus: We seek a fair place... in a World of Balance....--

Rhad: Balance??

Exeter: Balance-- there’s that term again---

Melichor: They would balance us right out of the Asian Trade ! -- [ reaction ]

Rhad: [ orchestrating now ] Yes, gentlemen.... and I seem to sense... another..

Grand Circle forming -- perhaps--- a Circle of Nations, Theseus?  In the Mediterranean ?

Theseus: If it were possible-- yes... we would support that--

Rhad: Well, what a great relief to hear you say that ... [ sophisticated laughter ]

I must say you had me worried there for a moment -- [ even more laughter]

But would there be no conflicts of interest here ?- No possibility of war ??

Theseus: --- Only to safeguard the circle --

 

[ reaction to this -- hub-bub --quite skeptical]

Rhad: [expanding] And - what about Racial--Regional--Religous differences --

            would they all just.... disappear ??

Theseus: Differences ??   Differences, yes -- there would always be -- have to be --- have to be -But overall one common, guiding principle-- above all others--- the Higher Law--

Exeter: The Higher Law?? What is he referring to ?

Solomaine: And by what Authority ??

 

[ echoing reaction ” What authority? What Law? How dare he? Such insolence! ]

Rhad: And just what -- exactly --would this ‘ Higher Law ‘ be ??

[now silence from aristocrats]

 

Theseus: The Highest Law... ..... is the Value of People … all people...

[ very serious now ] Every nation ... every village.....

.. EVERY.... ..... SINGLE .......... LIFE !-- [ now facing theater audience ]

 

…. BE--LIEF ! … in THIS !!  [turning back to Rhad & senators-with a bow]

 

SILENCE -- THEN BLISTERING CHORUS OF LAUGHTER FROM ALL

Theseus turns back to audience -- obvious pain /disappointment on face

THEN :

Andreas: [grandly joking] .. Shall we not all flock to his banner -- !!

Other Noble:  Sweepingly inspirational !! [more laughter]

Noble 3:   I confess I could almost believe him myself !!

 

Then -- Shifting to specific comments, accusations and demands --- :

Exeter: I think we’ve had quite enough, Consul --

Solomaine: I submit the young man be removed---

Melichor: As an obvious manipulator and LIAR !!

[ laughter fades to loud, assenting reaction: ‘agreed’- ‘seconded’-- ‘so ordered’ ]

 

Rhad: [ restoring order ] Gentlemen--- gentlemen, please -- I see no threat here -- and after all, we did invite him....[quieting down]...Theseus, .. there is a game here on Crete, you might enjoy --

Exeter: What do you mean, Consul?

Rhad: The Troubadour’s Riddle---- if he cannot convince us with words-- then possibly with music.. a song....

Theseus: I.... I’ve never heard of it---

Solomaine: Simple game, really-- player describes an idea, concept,

even a person --- in a song -- and the audience tries to guess the true meaning.....

 

Exeter: Ah, yes Consul -- well thought --- But I think the Northern songs

deal mostly with conquest .... victory  .... the attainment of Gold -- self-empowerment --

Solomaine: OR A Woman !! [ laughter from All ]

Melichor: Which would not support his arguments -- very well ....

 

Rhad: Well -- I don’t know, gentlemen -- what do you say, Theseus---

Are there any songs about .. noble social purpose  ….social compassion ... from your homeland ??

Exeter:  From your talk --surely, there must be many ---

Theseus: . . . I . . . (ah) . . . I ...

Rhad: Well then -- everyone -- (graciously) -- It seems that "Theseus" -- would like to share some of his compassionate culture with us -- He will present ---

"The Troubadour's Riddle" --  [Crowd: light applause --]

Rhadamanthos: Ladies, if you please -- The Robe of the Troubadour (very genteel)  The timeless symbol of civilized Wisdom --

Exeter :  IF one has the Wisdom to wield it ...

 

( Banquet Dancers graciously sweep out with the large,

shimmering blue robe, seen before. Placing it on Theseus' shoulders with smiles and nods --Crowd murmuring with anticipation -)

(Rhadamanthos gestures to maidens again -- who bring the lyre out to Theseus ---- Placing it in his hands -- Theseus confused -- trying to keep his bearings:)

Exeter: Is there a problem, Theseus ??

Theseus: (all eyes on him -- stubborn) No, I --uh . . . there’s no problem --

Lady Aristocrat: Oh -- I think the poor boy is embarrassed --

(Theseus strums 3 notes tentatively -- murmuring increases)

[ opening notes to ‘ Memory: the Riddle’ start here ]

 

Melichor: Trouble thinking, Theseus ?!

Exeter: Appears to be at a loss, Consul---

Rhad: Only the Pretender is afraid to speak  -- either something is Real -- or it is not!

         maybe it isn’t your time, Theseus...…

Theseus: [quietly, to himself]........ But there is a time of Balance in the World ...[shimmer]

And there is always a time ... to remember..... [ softer: ] ....to remember ....

 

( Song/lyric kicks in -- Big Sound -- Lights change automatically to eerie semi-darkness -- Now all banqueters are in silhouette. Theseus/Dancers at center)

 

Song: Memory - the Riddle Track 10 - CD

Choreographic Tone/Pattern for "presentation" during Banquet Scene -- During first half of song -- before instrumental: Banquet Dancers apparently carrying out function assigned to them by Rhadamanthos: (3-4 on each side of Theseus) obviously trying to cheapen, dampen or even subtly ridicule his attempt at a "cultured" presentation --

But by the end of the song the tone of their choreography will turn full circle to the

beautiful, sweeping classic mode perfectly in time with Theseus -- almost as if the spirit of the song has touched some deeper chord of value and inherent respect within themselves -- something much bigger than the banquet itself.

CHOREO : Key Transition Point -- just before the instrumental, dancers crowd out Theseus with silk-waving banner interlude—thru the instrumental bridge.

When he returns , they part in 2 angled lines, some on steps – [like a ‘pyramid’] – with the banners down. Something about the way he kneels to the audience --almost in prayer --  catches their curiosity – quickly surrounding him in a circle of intense interest as he makes the ‘heart-mind- soul gesture’, to each side -- just as the evening breeze sweeps in –  they seem visibly affected by this --

And from this point, they will follow his lead to the end, often repeating the move in sweeping , dramatic spins– perfectly in time…..….

After song: Smattering of applause (ironic). Theseus gets up slowly -- Maidens also get up -- apparently realizing they may have totally blown their original assignment at this point -- now fluttering back with obvious trepidation before Rhadamanthos -- who dismisses them with a curt, angry gesture --- to which the maidens obediently dispatch themselves to stage right --

Quickly -- the banqueters offer possible solutions to "The Troubadours' Riddle" --

Theseus at center stage, politely-- waving off the inquiries much as 'the Persian' did

before -- :

 

( All raise glasses in salute -- ‘here,here’- ‘to the future’ etc. -- as lights go down

 on Banquet -- curtain closes-- MUSIC rises -- Emperor’s Theme- ‘Imperator’ )