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The Lulu Plays by Frank Wedekind

The Lulu Plays

Steve Gooch’s crafty adaptation keeps a firm grip on the play’s snake-like changes of style and mood. A demanding but revelatory evening.

Lyn Gardner, City Limits

An adaptation into one evening of Frank Wedekind’s two Lulu Plays, best-known to English audiences through Louise Brooks’ star performance in GW Pabst’s film Pandora’s Box. Lulu begins as a plaything to a married man’s hypocrisy but then charms and teases her own way through a succession of untrustworthy men, ending with the most untrustworthy of them all. Published by Oberon Books.

Photos

Script Excerpt

Schoen: I want you to stop calling on me.

Lulu: Can I offer you–

Schoen: Thank-you, no Elixir. D’you understand me?

(Lulu shakes her head.)

Schoen: Very well, you have the choice. Either you behave as befits your position–

Lulu: Or?

Schoen: Or I shall be forced to turn to the person responsible for the way you behave.

Lulu: How d’you see yourself managing that!

Schoen: I shall ask your husband to supervise your movements himself.

(Lulu gets up and goes to the stairs.)

Schoen: Where are you going?

Lulu: Walter!

Schoen: (Jumps up) Are you mad?

Lulu: (Turning back) Aha!

(Comes down the stairs and puts Schoen’s arm round her neck.)

Lulu: Why are you so afraid when you’re so close to fulfilling your heart’s desire?

Schoen: Don’t fool about. I’m engaged – at last. My only desire is to admit my wife to a respectable home.

Lulu: (Sitting) We can meet wherever you think fit.

Schoen: We will meet nowhere except in the presence of your husband.

Lulu: You don’t even believe that yourself.

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