Jim Cartwright, Study Guides, Projects, Research of English Literature

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Bed

Jim Cartwright

Bed was first performed at the National Theatre on 8 March 1989 with the following cast: Captain John Boswell Charles Charles Simon Sermon Head Graham Crowden The Couple Donald Bisset and Joan White Marjorie Margery Withers Spinster Vivienne Burgess Bosom Lady Ruth Kettlewell Director Julia Bardsley Designer Peter J. Davison Lighting Christopher Toulmin Music John Winfield Jim Cartwright In the half light we see a bedroom with a big bed, 30ft wide or more, almost covering the stage. Up one side of the room a mountain of armchairs and a massive window and curtains. Up the other side a chest of drawers mountain and, high on the wall, a little wooden cabinet upside down. Directly over the bed is a shelf, on which are many bedtime things covered in dust: books, bottle and spoon, broken alarm clock etc. and a thing which looks like a head or bust but is not too clear in the half dark. We hear breathing. Lights come up further and we are aware of seven elderly people lying in bed. Bosom Lady I’m too warm. Captain I’m boiling. Charles I’m boiled. Spinster We've all got our aches and pains. Marjorie On the edge of sleep. Bosom Lady Toffee eyes. Captain I love sleeping but I can never get deep like the old days. The Couple We share it. Charles I suck on sleep like a boiled sweet. Spinster Speaking of boiled, I am. Marjorie Moon-calf. Moon-calf. Bosom Lady Asleep in the ooze. Bosom Lady pulls a biscuit out of her cleavage, nibbles it. Charles Pass the biscuit. Spinster Gum the crumbs. Marjorie Mattress of bread. Bosom Lady Well, we're all toasting it then.