The Marquis of Keith by Frank Wedekind
The Marquis of Keith
Steve Gooch’s translation catches particularly well the gamey flavour of Wedekind’s eroticism
Michael Billington, The Guardian
Originally commissioned and produced by Stephen Daldry at The Gate Theatre, Notting Hill. This less well-known but beautifully crafted play tells the story of a powerfully persuasive impresario who turns his back on his long-suffering wife, teams up with a stunning singer and attempts to persuade the town worthies to finance his dream of an arts palace called the ‘Hall of Wonders’. Published with The Lulu Plays.
Script Excerpt
Molly: Here you are, dear. Cold meat, tea and a little caviar.
Keith: (Not moving) Thank you, my dear.
Molly: Have you heard any more about your Hall of Wonders idea?
Keith: Can’t you see I’m working?
Molly: You always are when I come in to see you. I have to find about your projects from your lady-friends.
Keith: (Turning in his seat) I knew a woman once who refused to listen when I talked about my plans. She’d say ‘Come and tell me when you’ve actually done something.’
Molly: I suppose I just have to put up with your knowing so many different women. (The doorbell rings) Dear me, who on earth can that be?
(She goes out into the hall.)
Keith: (To himself) Poor thing.
Molly: (Returning with a card) There’s a young man wants to speak to you. I said you were working.
Keith: (Having read the card) Perfect timing!
(Molly brings in Hermann Kasimir, a fifteen-year-old schoolboy in extremely stylish cycling costume, and goes into the living room.)
Hermann: Good morning, Herr Baron.
Keith: What have you got for me?
Hermann: I suppose it’s best if I come straight to the point. I was with Sanarieff and Samrjaki last night, in the Café Leopold. I was telling them how I badly needed a hundred marks. Saranieff said I should come to you.
Keith: The whole of Munich seems to take me for some sort of American railway magnate!
Hermann: Samrjaki said you always had money.
Keith: I supported Samrjaki because he’s the greatest musical genius since Wagner. But these bandits aren’t proper company for a young man like you.
Hermann: I find these ‘bandits’ interesting. I got to know them at an anarchists’ meeting I went to.
Keith: That must be a pleasant surprise for your father –