17 Set play: The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams Synopsis Time and place: Sydney, Australia , 1787–1789 Act 1 Scene 1: The Voyage Out In 1787, on the deck of a convict ship bound for Australia from England, Robert Sideway, a convict, is ogged and then dumped with the other prisoners in the hold. They remember England and its comforts. Scene 2: A Lone Aboriginal Australian Describes the Arrival of the First Convict Fleet in Botany Bay on 20 January 1788 The Aborigine describes his wonder and fear at seeing the ships arriving. Scene 3: Punishment In Sydney Cove, Governor Arthur Phillip, Judge David Collins, Captain Watkin Tench and Midshipman Harry Brewer are bird-shooting while debating whether to hang the men convicted of stealing from the colony’s stores. Collins and Tench argue for, while Phillip is against. Eventually, Phillip agrees, telling Harry to organise the hangings and nd a hangman. Scene 4: The Loneliness of Men Second Lieutenant Ralph Clark is writing in his diary, daydreaming of his beloved wife Alicia and re ecting on the hardships of life in Australia. Harry interrupts and comments on how much he has in common with the convicts. Harry imagines that a man he hung a month ago returned and spoke to him. He says that Duckling, one of the convict women, isn’t speaking to him because he hanged Handy Baker, a rival for Duckling’s affections. Wanting to earn the approval of Captain Phillip, Ralph decides to put on a play and asks Harry to talk to Phillip about it. Scene 5: An Audition Meg Long, a lthy old woman, puts herself forward as she understands Ralph is looking for women. He explains that he wants four young women for parts in the play The Recruiting Of cer. Meg is convinced that he wants sex. Robert Sideway, once a London pickpocket, claims to be knowledgeable about the theatre and asks to perform in the play. Dabby Bryant, one of the convict women, brings on another, Mary Brenham. Mary, who is reticent but can read, is cast as Silvia, while Dabby is cast as Rose. Liz Morden, whom Dabby says is ‘going to be hanged’ (page 18), is cast as Melinda. Scene 6: The Authorities Discuss the Merits of the Theatre There is a heated argument among the authority gures of the colony, including Reverend Johnson, about the purpose of putting on a play. Ralph suggests that it is to honour the king’s birthday, while Major Robbie Ross argues strongly against it, saying that the women convicts should be punished, not outing their ‘ itty wares on the stage’ (page 19). Phillip argues that their exile is punishment enough and the theatre could contribute to their reform. The Reverend supports the play if it ‘sanctions Holy Matrimony.’ Ralph passionately defends staging the play, saying that he has already seen the positive effect on women like Mary. Collins sums up that the play can do no harm and may do good. Ross is furious and exits, claiming he will write to the Admiralty. Phillip announces that there ‘will be a play’ (page 27). Tip Scene 3 is helpful for understanding the rest of the play, such as the of cers’ different ideas about punishment, the rst mention of characters like Ketch and the idea of the prisoners having something to watch besides hangings. Tip Approximately a month passes between Scenes 3 and 4, as Ralph says that Handy Baker, mentioned in Scene 3, was hung ‘a month ago.’ Tip The rst three scenes take place in distinctly different locations: onboard ship; Botany Bay (the rst landing place for the Fleet, which was rejected) and then Sydney Cove, where they settled. Tip The historic Ralph Clark was married to Betsy Alicia Trevern. In the play, she is referred to as both ‘Alicia’ and ‘Betsey’. Key terms Hold: An area of a ship beneath the deck used to carry cargo, or prisoners. It is usually accessible from the deck by a hatch. Copyright: Sample material
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