InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "I like tigers."

Hans Ernst Varner (heil_hans) wrote in la_vie_rpg,
@ 2008-07-09 21:56:00

Current mood:

uncomfortable

A Midsummernight's Dream
Who: Hans ot Gretchen, Michel, anyone else at the theater
Where: The Théâtre de Benoit
When: July 9th, evening performance

Hans dressed formally for the occasion, impeccably well in his best suit and tie. Only his distinctly Aryan features and the fact that his clothing was in good repair (unlike many of the French who could no longer afford upkeep on their garments) distinguished him from the crowd. He lead his sister, lovely in her gown and done-up hair - but so grown up! - in through the lobby. He could not believe how adult she looked, how very much now like their mother. He was proud to have her on his arm as they walked in - and also glad that it would likely keep any admirers at bay. He wondered how he would deal with such things when she did wish to date - what boy could be good enough for Gretchen? For that matter, perhaps she already had a boyfriend and chose not to inform him. He wouldn't blame her, the way he'd been acting lately...

His fight with Benoit the other day was inexcusable. Hans, as an officer and a gentleman, should have known to hold his tongue. Though they'd made up afterward and parted as friends, he was still a bit edgy about the experience and hoped that Benoit would not bring the matter up in front of Gretchen.

"Let us find our seats," Hans said to his sister, making his way towards the interior.

(Post a new comment)

	ex_sonnensch560 2008-07-09 09:55 pm UTC (link)
	It was nice to have an excuse to dress up. Gretchen had worn her best gown for this, and she liked that she could do the upkeep herself on it still, so that it was in good repair. She had been looking forward to this since Hans had told her about it. "Yes, let us do that," she said, looking at her ticket again for the seat number. "I think we go over there." (Reply to this) (Thread)

heil_hans
2008-07-09 10:31 pm UTC (link)

Hans escorted her to their seats, and settled into his with a somewhat heavy sigh. It was good to be sitting again.

"These are good seats," he commented, pleased that Benoit had provided a nice view of the stage - a good value for his money. Plus the delight of his sister was well worth it - she seemed very glad to be at the theater.

Hans patted her hand in a fond gesture of brotherly affection. "I am glad you came with me."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_sonnensch560 2008-07-09 10:34 pm UTC (link)
	"These are very good seats. For him being strange, he certainly was generous," Gretchen said, sounding impressed with their very wonderful view of the stage. "I'm very glad that you invited me. Thank you." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

heil_hans
2008-07-09 10:46 pm UTC (link)

"Yes, he was rather..."

Hans didn't tell her that he'd invited Benoit to a party- that little bit of business seemed a bit embarrassing now that he thought of it. Not a date certainly, but a bit pathetic that he had to ask someone he'd just met to accompany him to such an affair for lack of another companion.

He was about to say more, when the house lights dimmed and the theater quieted. The play was about to begin - Hans found himself waiting with more than a little anticipation for the first lines. He hoped he remembered enough of the play that he would be able to follow along.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bonjour_benoit
2008-07-09 10:57 pm UTC (link)

Michel stood backstage, adjusting his costume for the hundredth time as dear old Adélaïde, the costumer, swatted his hands away. He had no reason to be as nervous as he was, even if he hadn't performed in well over a year and Varner was in the audience. He'd peeked out of the side curtain before the lights went down, and spotted him sitting next to a beautiful young blonde in a gorgeous gown. It seemed good looks ran in the family.

He sighed to himself. Oh, Michel, you idiot. Why are you always so weak for blue eyes?

Act One closed, and the stage lights dimmed for a moment. He had a split second to regret the choice of tights for the leg portion of the fairy costumes before he was on the stage and calling across it.

"How now, spirit! whither wander you?"

Young Clémence responded, and they were off, and Michel nearly forgot who was in the audience.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

heil_hans
2008-07-09 11:08 pm UTC (link)

Hans found himself able to figure out most of the play, from context and memory. He lost himself in the beauty of the costumes and the magical delivery of the lines- the inflection was lovely, and perhaps because he could not understand the words he paid more attention to the way things were said and the movements of the actors.

When Puck made his entrance, Hans dropped his jaw in surprise. The figure in those tights, and with those ridiculous puffy sleeves was none other than Benoit. He stared, transfixed by the man and his portrayal. "That is him..." he whispered to Gretchen. "Benoit."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_sonnensch560 2008-07-09 11:18 pm UTC (link)
	Gretchen was able to follow the play as well. She loved all of the beautiful costumes and the sets. The actors were also very good. She could tell because she could still follow everything, and might be able to even if she didn't already know the play. "That's your friend?" Gretchen asked. "I thought he was the theater owner, not a actor." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

heil_hans
2008-07-10 04:01 pm UTC (link)

"I thought this as well," Hans said, eyes still fixed on the stage and the movements of Benoit-as-Puck. "When I saw the rehearsal, there was another actor in the part. I think maybe he..."

A stout woman in the row behind them tapped Hans sharply on the shoulder with her handbag. "Shhhh!" she hissed, annoyed that he was talking during the play.

"Apologies," Hans said, and returned to silent admiration.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bonjour_benoit
2008-07-10 04:42 pm UTC (link)

Intermission comes at the end of the third act, and it could not come soon enough for Michel. He'd forgotten how exhausting this was, and he desperately needed to down a pitcher of water.

He closed the scene, so he concentrated on getting the blocking just right.

"On the ground, sleep sound: I'll apply to your eye, gentle lover, remedy." He half knelt, half laid next to Henri and dropped two drops of water on each closed eye. "When thou wak'st, thou tak'st true delight in the sight of thy former lady's eye: and the country proverb known, that every man should take his own, in your waking shall be shown," he slowly stood, and began backing away towards the wings, "Jack shall have Jill; Nought shall go ill; The man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well."

He stepped into the darkened wing and the curtain fell. He could hear Jean-Pierre announcing a ten minute intermission to the crowd as he greedily drank the water offered to him by Adélaïde's grandson, he could never remember the young boy's name, Thibaut, that was it. He turned and peeked out of the side curtains, Hans was deep in conversation with his sister, occasionally looked at the woman behind him. He shook his head. He loved Agnès, she was one of his best patrons, but she was nearly impossible to sit near during a show - absolute silence or you received the business end of her handbag. He pitied Varner.

Thibaut tapped on his shoulder. Curtain call already? He sighed, and stepped back from the curtains. Time goes awfully fast when you're distracted.

The stage lights came up, and the curtain rose on Titania, Bottom, and the queen's fairies.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

heil_hans
2008-07-10 10:34 pm UTC (link)

Hans sat literally on the edge of his seat, having leaned forward in his anticipation for the scenes to come.

He lost himself in the beauty of the play, thinking thematically that it bore a certain resemblance to things he worried of but could not put into words.

"This is lovely," he whispered to Gretchen, bracing himself for another round of pocketbook bashing.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_sonnensch560 2008-07-13 10:32 pm UTC (link)
	"It is quite lovely," Gretchen said, looking back at the woman who hit her brother with a pocket book earlier. If she did it again, she may very well get a tongue lashing for hitting her still wounded brother. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bonjour_benoit
2008-07-13 11:17 pm UTC (link)

The last scene was drawing to a close, and Michel watched Alec - Oberon - walk slowly off the stage. He paused, and turn his head to the audience.

"If we shadows have offended, think but this, and all is mended," he turned and began walking slowly towards the edge of the stage, gesturing as he spoke. "That you have but slumber'd here while these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, no more yielding but a dream, Gentles, do not reprehend," he paused a beat, and smiled a little, just a quirk of the lips. "If you pardon, we will mend. And, as I am an honest Puck, if we have unearned luck now to 'scape the serpent's tongue, we will make amends ere long; else the Puck a liar call," he paused, just inside where the curtain would fall, slid one foot back, and swept into a low bow. "So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, and Robin shall restore amends."

The curtain fell just in front of him. He stood, and hurried into one of the three lines they use for curtain calls. The curtain rose again, and one, two, three, they bowed to their audience, and the curtain fell. Michel breathed a sigh of relief.

He unbuttoned his vest as he congratulated his cast on yet another show done, and walked toward the stage door. He handed the vest to Adélaïde and opened the stage door, pulling on the strings that tied his shirt, intending to finish changing in his office, when he found himself accosted by none other than Agnès, who grabbed him by the arms and planted two kisses on either cheek.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

heil_hans
2008-07-13 11:32 pm UTC (link)

Hans applauded loudly when the time came for them to take their bows. When the curtain had closed and the house lights come up, he turned to his sister.

"Come, let us go and see if we are allowed backstage. I will introduce you to Benoit..."

He got to his feet and began to usher Gretchen towards the stage door, anxious to speak with the Frenchman and congratulate him on the excellent show.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bonjour_benoit
2008-07-13 11:40 pm UTC (link)

Michel couldn't get a word in edgewise with Agnès to tell her that he need to change so he could be home before curfew. Her attention broke when she saw someone come around the corner.

"HIM!" She said, loudly, pointing viciously with her handbag, and as Michel followed the line, he saw Varner and his sister with surprised looks on their faces. "Michel, mon cherie, this man would not stop talking during the play! I could hard-" Michel put a finger on her lips to stop her.

"Agnès, how many times do I have to explain this to you? Unless you are willing to buy the whole square of seats around you, you will simply have to deal with the occasional whisper. It is a fact of the theater - it evokes a reaction that cannot always be kept completely silent. I highly doubt that Herr Varner caused to miss any of the play, especially considering this is the third time you've seen it." He raised an eyebrow at her and crossed his arms. She sputtered for a moment before managing to get out some line about curfew, and stalked past the two Germans. Michel shook his head.

"I apologize, Herr Varner, Agnès is one of my more loyal patrons, but she can be difficult."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

heil_hans
2008-07-13 11:59 pm UTC (link)

Hans flushed at the woman's complaints, feeling the hot rush of embarrassment at his bad behavior. Guilty as charged, talking during the performance.

He was surprised, and pleased, when Benoit told the woman that she would have to deal. A small smile crept across his face.

"Ah, thank you. That woman has a very heavy pocketbook."

He had wanted to compliment the Frenchman on his performance, on the play, but now that he stood face to face no words about that would come.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bonjour_benoit 2008-07-14 12:04 am UTC (link)
	"And I have been on the receiving end of it myself. It is an unpleasant experience," he replied with a bit of a sigh, and a bit of a smile. He turned to Varner's sister. "This must be your sister. Enchanté, mademoiselle," he said with a short bow. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-07-14 12:06 am UTC (link)
	"Ah yes- Gretchen Varner, Michel Benoit." Hans made the perfunctory introduction. "Though of course she has already seen you - in tights, no less." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bonjour_benoit
2008-07-14 12:11 am UTC (link)

Michel stood up straight with a bit of a chagrined look on his face.

"Yes, well. I do not normally perform, but Jean-Pierre fell ill with what we suspect to be a mild case of food poisoning this afternoon, leaving us without a Puck for tonight. I was the only staff not otherwise engaged, so, here I am, on the stage again. I can only hope that the fact it has been well over a year since I last did such was not too obvious."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-07-14 12:15 am UTC (link)
	"You were excellent," Hans assured him. "I am sorry your actor is ill, but it was a lucky break for us to be treated to your interpretation of the character." And you made those tights work well... deliciously well. Hans glanced down at his feet, needing to look away from the Frenchman's face lest he read those thoughts in his eyes. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bonjour_benoit 2008-07-14 12:20 am UTC (link)
	Michel smiled and quirked his eyebrow as Varner averted his eyes for a moment. The German was getting curiouser and curiouser. "As for you, mademoiselle, what did you think of the play?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_sonnensch560 2008-07-14 02:16 pm UTC (link)
	"It is a pleasure to meet you, sir. I very much enjoyed your performance," Gretchen told him. "I was able to follow the play, even though my English isn't quite up to yours. All of your actors and yourself gave an excellent performance." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bonjour_benoit 2008-07-14 02:21 pm UTC (link)
	"I am very pleased to hear that you enjoyed it, mademoiselle. That is high praise for an actor. I shall pass on your sentiments to my cast." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ex_sonnensch560 2008-07-14 02:24 pm UTC (link)
	"Thank you very much," Gretchen said. "I've always loved the theater." Even if some people go insane over one person occasionally whispering to another, she added silently. Maybe the woman should buy her own area next time. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	heil_hans 2008-07-14 09:55 pm UTC (link)
	Hans smiled, and patted his sister's hand. "And it was my pleasure to bring you to the show tonight, dear." He liked to see his sister happy. (Reply to this) (Parent)