Scene Summary :
An injured Theseus awakens to a grim update from from his comrades who
are now locked in the Bullcourt by Rhadamanthos on the eve of his
coronation -- apparently fully aware of their plans -- as the rebels launch a
hopeless attack on the city – with no one to open the gates.
The Athenians and FreeThinkers lead all of the Bull-dancers in a final chorus [SONG: One Way Home] before the palace army inevitably arrives in what will be a hopeless last stand.
Theseus' final, desperate prayer is interrupted by a massive earthquake --
opening the huge, stone 'curfew' doors -- as the Bull-dancers escape. The
curtain closes,[while ‘Earthquake Overture’ plays --- then reopens on the coronation chamber and a final sword confrontation between Theseus and Rhadamanthos.
Setting : Dark Stage -- painful moaning can be heard in the darkness -- dim cone of light over Theseus on stretcher, center stage -- friends gathered:
Deirdre: We’re sorry, Theseus -- we have to change the bandage --
Theseus: What . . . (breathless) . . . What day is it?
Archime: Two days after the Bulldance, Theseus -- It was fixed, just like we thought --
Ajax: We’ve gotten word over the pipes -- Five Senators -- bankrupt --
Cassie: They’re holding an emergency council meeting -- after the murder of Minos -
Theseus: But -- Minos wasn’t murdered!
Sam: But that’s what they’re saying --
Cassie: Must’ve had a spy in the Emperor’s guard --
Archime: Doesn’t matter, Theseus -- He has the 40 votes -- he’s to be sworn in today -
Deirdre: He’s to marry the princess --
Theseus: The Princess ? What about the Rebels?
Archimedes: They couldn’t wait --
Ajax: We’ve been getting reports over the pipes all day -- There’s a large force
coming up from the middle valley -- headed for the city --
Theseus: Then somebody’s got to open the gates -- (trying to rise up)
Ajax: (holds gently) Can’t, Theseus -- We’re locked in -- they must’ve known
we’re involved -- from their spies -- All the doors are sealed --
Cassie: The whole garrison’s up on the walls -- waiting for the rebels --
Theseus: But with no one to open the gates -- they won’t have a chance -- they’ll be
slaughtered . . . (friends heads go down) -- and then they’ll come for us --
.........looking for conspirators --
( friends attitude -- have already accepted situation-- but sympathetic to Theseus )
Ajax: They said they’re gonna hold public trials --
Cassie: Promising a lifetime of gold to anyone who testifies -- against the rest --
Sam: Trying to split us up --
Perius: But it won’t work --
Tarku: .... Because it’s not enough --
Theseus: Not enough?
Boca: Because we’re worth more than that --
Slade: More than gold --
Reeba: All of us --
Perius: Right down to the last one --
Theseus: (ominous) The last one -- ??
Boca: And that’s what they’ll have to remember --
Slade: From here …. all the way to the Mainland ---
Perius: Only one regret, Theseus -- I would’ve liked to see your city --
(Maice’s friends now proceed to backstage darkness)
Cassie: We gave out all the copper weapons, Theseus --
Sam: The ones in the catacombs --
Ajax: And we can jam the doors when they come, Theseus -- to slow them down -- So it’ll cost them, Theseus -- Cost them alot---
(Ajax now withdraws after hand to shoulder)
(now audience can hear banging of the chisel bar -- against the door]
Archimedes: Progress on the main door, Theseus --
Theseus: The Main door?
Archime: We‘ve chiseled out 3” so far -- since morning --
Theseus: (still in shock) 3”? . . . Out of how much?
Archimedes: About 36 -- But Ajax has a theory -- Sometimes you hit a place in the stone --where all the different veins come together -- and everything shatters --
everything falls apart ....... Do you think he could be right for once ?
Theseus: (devastated, very poignant) Yes . . . Yes, I think he could be .....
Archime: Ha --I knew you’d say that ...uh ... don’t ever change, Theseus....[ironic]
[ DEEP LOW CHORDS can now be heard for upcoming SONG [
Cassie: Theseus, Deirdre made up a final prayer for everybody ..... for the battle
......whenever you’re ready --
(Now the lights change -- Theseus slumps to kneel, head resting on one knee -- lights off of Theseus but now they come up behind him -- Misty Blue-ish glow on all dancers 40-50 -- arranged like “tabernacle choir”on platform steps leading
to the large Stone ‘Kurfew Door’ at center top.
Deirdre clearly visible at lower front-- like ‘choir-director’ -- back to audience ---
strikes pose --raises hands dramatically with the Indo-European phrase:
“ MANNA-BAE ....E-tu … NEDT-ZEA .. [then translated]: .. “ JOIN HANDS” ....
ALL Dancers join hands-- as MUSIC CHORDS rise -- but Deirdre stops -- turns to audience - and repeats request with a wide, inclusive gesture -- “ Manna-bae.. etu.. Nedzea”
then turns back as “CHOIR” begins the climbing chant- lyrics to peak of SONG –
SONG : One Way Home - Track 17 – CD
At the end of the Song --- all come to stop as lights shift to Theseus at centerstage :
Low Music Chords only—supported by chorus with hum only :
[ background now changes]
Theseus: [ slumps to one knee -- low voice :] To You who watch … from your great distances... from your faraway reaches ---
this is what you hoped for … This is what you’re looking for .. Only See Them !
.... Please . . . do not let them die like this -- like animals … in a cage--
my brothers and sisters !! -- (shiver, glance behind]
...... Whatever I am -- it was never enough .....
But -- Show them a way -- Give them a chance --
(desperate whisper) ..... Show them a way -- .....PLEASE ..
[pause-- then hoarse, final-- hands out, horizontal]
..... SHOW THEM A WAY !!!
( looks up, then down -- hands slowly drop -- Resignation --Silence - 2 SECS --THEN --
EXPLOSION !!!
(Theseus knocked flat as dancers are seemingly hurled from steps -- 2-3 more Big Sound Effects - Pillars Fall -- ‘Kurfew Doors’ lean in -- totter - Screams)
SONG : Tremors - Track 18 – CD Cont’d thru dialogue
(after 1st crash)
Ajax: Earthquake --!!!
Archimedes: It’s under the city --!!
(then 2nd & 3rd crash -- screams)
Cassie: The door’s cracked --
Sam: It’s coming down!
(Dancers getting up -- Theseus also -- Door totters and fall -- orchestral MUSIC
continues here -- Rumbling continues -- blaring shining light from behind doors)
Deirdre: It’s open! It’s open --
Ajax: Get your weapons --
Theseus: Through the door -- head for the upper hall --
Ajax: (next to door, waving on) Come on -- Come on --
Cassie/Sam: NOW -- NOW -- Go! Go! --
Theseus: Head for the South gate! South gate -- Through the Royal Wing --
Reeba: Don’t stop for anything --!!
Perius: Don’t stop for anything !!! ... Come on – Come on –Come on
(Lights fading -- Music and Rumble come up -- Stage goes Black -- Curtains closing --Dancers get ready to re-enter from front-- Sound effects of battle -- cheering, etc.
Set change must occur in approximately 30 seconds -- Convert to Coronation room --
Curtains now re-open ---Then lights up on Rhadamanthos at Coronation, center stage --Ariadne next to Priests and Guards -- Golden Taurus Crown being put on
Rhadamanthos -- he stands up and turns --
Now bulldancers heard entering from wings entrance)
Guard: Force approaching, Consul --
Rhadaman: Call every guard in the wing! --- Send to the walls -- Cut them off --
(Dancers now on or entering stage, from each side – but encountering guards )
Ajax: Take the perimeter --
Cassie: Drive ‘em back --
Sam: Set ‘em back --
Rhad: Guards -- Seal off the exit -- Send to the walls --
Theseus: Keep the perimeter -- Open the South exit --
(Dancer/Guard confrontation happens on each side of Stage -- mostly out of view)
(Rhadamanthos now taking off helmet -- to use as shield -also has ceremonial axe )
(Music shifts to lower-subdued-version -- Low pads of melody --string accents)
Rhadama: Well, Theseus -- we meet again -- Have you come to help us celebrate --
to raise your voice in song .... once more?
Theseus: It seems I’m too late Consul -- (points to helmet --Taurean) “ The man becomes a Beast “ who would raise his voice above all the others....”
(both squaring off now)
Rhad: Only the Pretender is afraid to speak, Theseus -- to see the world as it really is-- my voice will never be silent --
Theseus: Then you will never hear the Truth --!!
Rhadama: (moving in with attack) ... Ha .. and you shall hear it soon --
(Two or three blows traded)
Rhadaman: You shouldn’t have stolen copper weapons, Theseus -- [2 blows axe]
Theseus: Why not?! (clang --)
Rhadaman: You’ll never build a world -- on Copper -- (knocks sword from Theseus]
Theseus: And you’ll never build one on Gold! (Kicks golden helmet- shield away
from Rhad )
Rhadaman: (re-attack; clang) You’ll never get the world you wish for, Theseus --
(clang) But I’ll give you something else -- (clang)
Theseus: Ajax !! [losing ground-- only has copper shield] .. AJAX!! (clang)
(Ajax now in view on right, engaged in sword fight)
Ajax: Theseus --?!
Rhadamanthos: (clang) I give you the world as it really -- (clang)
Theseus: AJAX !
Rhadaman: As it really -- (clang--Theseus loses shield -- Rhad up on step)
Theseus: Ajax!
Rhadamanthos:(raising axe high over Theseus slumping on floor, clutching ribs )
“I GIVE YOU THE WORLD AS IT REALLY “--- --
(Now Ajax fends off soldier -- grabs sword and throws it into Rhadamanthos)
Ajax: “THESEUS!”
Rhadamanthos: AS IT REALLY --[sword hits]-- A-AH -- (cough)
As it really . . . (backs up to window ledge) -- I-- I-- I-- SS-- !! (falls out of view)
(Ariadne runs in from side now to hug Theseus, slumping)
Ariadne: Theseus!
Theseus: Princess!
Ajax: (running over) I was there, Theseus -- I was really [both say it] THERE !! -- [high-5]
Archimedes: Exit is open, Theseus --
Cassie: They’re retreating --
Ajax: Abandoning the whole wing --
Theseus: Head for the South gate- go with the Rebels --Don’t stop for anything! --
(Dancers all converging from perimeter, rushing off stage left -- waving them on --)
Perius: It’s all open -- it’s all open --
Reeba: Don’t stop for anything --!! [ echoing by others]
(Lights out before stage is empty -- Music reaches crescendo in darkness, then fades)