Between The Acts

A villager named Mrs. Lynn Jones says she loved the Victorian-era play, while another named Ette Springett says she found it unpleasant and looks judgmentally at William. Mrs. Swithin asks if the others understand what Miss La Trobe’s pageant means and they all shake their heads, meaning they do not. Mrs. Manresa says she understands it and suggests Shakespeare’s writing was once considered difficult to understand, as well.

Giles looks at the group—Mrs. Manresa, William, Mrs. Swithin, and Isa—but Isa does not look at him. Giles says he feels “damnably unhappy,” and William and Isa say they feel the same way, too. Isa is exasperated by how long the pageant is going on. There is one more scene left, titled “Present Time. Ourselves” (89). Giles hopes that scene will be the last one; he is grumpy and tired. Mrs. Manresa teases him playfully. Bart asks what the purpose of the pageant is, and Isa replies that the money from the pageant will go toward installing electrical lights in the village church. As the group waits for the final scene to start, Isa recites poetry to herself. The audience begins to grow impatient and ask why Miss La Trobe is taking so long to finish the pageant. Some of the villagers spot her hiding behind a tree.

Behind the tree, Miss La Trobe feels frustrated and angry at the audience for not understanding her work. Then, a brief shower falls, ending as soon and as quickly as it began. After the drizzle, Miss La Trobe decides to take initiative with the script in the final scene, and it begins.

Miss La Trobe begins the present-day scene with the nursery rhyme “Sing a Song of Sixpence.” However, the voice that it is sung in keeps changing, and the tune, too, changes—first, it changes to a waltz, then to a lesser-known tune to which villagers in bird costumes dance, and then to a jazzy tune. Isa notices that a reporter named Mr. Page is taking notes about Miss La Trobe’s work in the pageant, which conveys the destruction and recreation of a civilization. Actors appear in costumes and jump and dance. Many of the villagers seem either excited or uncomfortable by this scene. Even the animals around appear to be interested, including Bart’s Afghan hound Sohrab.

Then, every actor from the previous scenes emerges on stage. They repeat fragments of their quotes and phrases from the previous acts. The actors then hold up silver mirrors and other reflective items to the audience so that the audience members can see themselves. Most of the villagers, including Bart and Mrs. Swithin, are horrified by this and look away from the mirrors. Mrs. Manresa, however, unapologetically looks at herself, even using the mirrors to powder her nose, adjust her hair, and reapply her lipstick. Some of the villagers are offended and angered by Miss La Trobe’s use of the mirrors.

Soon, a voice on the speaker addresses the audience, inviting them to reflect on themselves and think about their traits. The speaker tells the audience not to hide behind their clothing or in activities such as reading, playing instruments, and painting. The speaker also states that childhood does not make a person innocent, saying that people are essentially the same and they all possess varying degrees of darkness; however, everyone can introspect and improve themselves. The speaker then encourages the audience to listen to the gramophone. The gramophone then plays the previously heard tunes as well as other songs. The audience tries to seek the meaning behind the speaker’s words; eventually, many audience members begin to relax.

Then, the reverend Mr. Streatfield comes onto the stage. He says a prayer and then contemplates the meaning of the pageant. He praises Miss La Trobe’s writing and directing talents and gives his interpretation of the pageant: He says that while it showed there were different groups of people throughout England’s history, separated by time and differing experiences, they are all nevertheless connected to each other. He then happily announces that the pageant has raised a respectable amount of money toward getting electricity in the village church. Because there is still a deficit, however, Reverend Streatfield invites the villagers to donate more money. Even as he is speaking, he is interrupted by 12 loud planes flying over the audience. The audience is uncomfortable at the sound and sight of the planes passing over the village. Mr. Streatfield then thanks the audience and Miss La Trobe again before concluding his speech. The actors sing “God Save the King” before bowing before the audience. The audience applauds, and the gramophone repeats its call for the audience to disperse. The audience members begin to leave, discussing the pageant as they do so.