What I've written so far, a work in progress.
The script contains phrases that are used throughout the film.
The Servant Script
Director: Right everyone, as you know we are here to perform a short theatre piece as an introduction to the film The Servant. I have an idea of what performance we shall show to the audience and I’d like your full co-operation. I think the best way for us to get on is if you do exactly what I say. First, you over there get me a drink, now Steve I want you to play sophisticated and Jenny, you’re stuck up!
Jenny: (Quietly) Stuck up? He’s stuck up like the Savoy sign at The Strand! (Jenny immediately sticks up her forefinger without the director seeing and Steve grins, the other actors are quietly disgusted by his manner)
Steve: Oh ‘ave a banana!
Director: Where’s my drink? I want my drink now.
Steve: (quietly) There’s plenty of water over there, just go to the harbour and take a long dip. (Peter rushes back with the water)
Director: Now you stand over to the right, that’s the left not right. Stage left! Stage right! (pointing)
Rita: What would you like me to do?
Director: Just stand there and look pretty for now.
Peter: Where would you like me?
Director: Wait till you’re spoken to.
Craig: Look, he may be your sidekick but he’s still a human being.
Director: Sophia and Sarah, you two both work together and share the same views. Harry I want you to run after Denise and express your true feelings for her.
Harry: I can’t run; I’ve got an injury.
Director: I don’t care if you’re injured, battered, splattered or butchered! You’re an actor so just do it!
Jenny: Who does he think he is? You’re a classic director.
Craig: Yeah and prehistoric.
Steve: I’ve got an idea.
Director: I’m not interested in your ideas, just do as I say and this will work out fine.
Steve: Yeah but I’ve got a really good idea.
Director: Didn’t you hear me the first time? You’re not listening. I don’t care what you think!
Steve: Yeah but you might like it.
Director: One more word and you’re out.
Harry: Would be a bastard if he leaves.
Joe: You’ve got the whole thing like a Pufferfish
Director: What?
Joe: Blown out of proportion.
Director: Did I ask for your opinion?
Joe: No, but...
Director: Shush then.
Peter: You really shouldn’t speak to the Director like this.
Director: Sophia and Sarah, don’t just stand there, make out...
Sarah: Make out what (giggling)
Director: That you’re having a conversation, about work, you’re both hairdressers. Rita, looking lovely darling; splendid.
Rita: I’m not doing anything though.
Director: Look they’re a film club, they’re not going to expect very much from us.
Steve: You’re puffing up like a well done soufflé now
Jenny: Soufflé? What’s this 'about a soufflé'?
(Sophia is bored so picks up her guitar and starts to play softy)
Director: Peter, pop over to Holland and Barratt for me, I need some more tablets. Not you! Where are you creeping off to?
Joe: To the toilet.
Director: Is that so?
Director: Now Harry I want you to tell Denise all that she means to you, go on.
(Sophia starts to drum on the guitar with a slow steady beat as if unaware of her surroundings)
Harry: Denise, I’m trying to tell you something
Denise: Tell me what? The weather forecast?
Harry: No, I’ve known you a long time and things are strained between us.
(Sophia’s guitar drumming is grating on the ears and disturbing the intense and romantic situation)
Harry: I know how you feel and I think it’s time we should be honest with each other.
(Fire alarm suddenly sounds and breaks the scene)
Peter: Sorry I forgot to mention they’re testing the alarms today.
Script notes
The director swaps roles with the actors so the actors become the director leaving the director feeling downtrodden and worthless. Initially insults are made to the actors about not researching the film properly. The director is direct with slight arrogance and becomes agitated by the actors’ lack of knowledge and confidence. As the rehearsal progresses the actors gain confidence and have their own ideas about the performance that contradict the director’s visions. The director has a dim-witted assistant director/pa who is obedient and loyal to the director but is easily persuaded by the actors. The piece reveals the psychological outcomes from the exchange between the characters.
The basic theme of the performance is the swapping of roles that reflect the characters in the film. Other main themes include class and status, wealth, sarcasm, insult, seduction, betrayal, deceit, pretence, disgust and foolishness. The actors make fun of the Director which adds humour into the piece. The theme content includes issues with class, servitude and ennui. The most important note from the film is the association between the varied relationships.
The above may reveal too much about the film so to show the Director being arrogant and some actors being obedient, some quietly angry and some fighting the power. There are short scenes with the actors portraying, mimicking or relating to scenes within the film, so there is no actual plot with a beginning, middle and end.
One part shows the lads are being lads talking in a mildly vulgar way while a girl looks on in disgust.
The director is smart and upper class, so is his sidekick Peter and another couple of actors. The rest of the actors including Steve and Jenny are common and casual. The director looks down on common people but at the same time he seeks reassurance from them.
The director is gradually ground down throughout.
Steve, although he gets on well with women and flirts with them, he doesn’t actually like them. He doesn’t notice them even when they look very attractive. He can be quite rude to women.
The director is appalled to find someone using his property but has to accept it and then further liberties are taken.
Sophia apologises for having her guitar on stage and makes a fuss about it. Secretly the Director is happy to have the guitar but must show dissatisfaction.
Stuck up girl pretends to be interested in the director’s opinions and is quite blunt about it.
Seems like all is going well towards the end but underlying issues show in the body language.
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