The Iron Lady Page #4

MARIA:

Nelly, look-

MARIA beaming, eyes searching the poster, at last finding Mrs

Frances Ternan, Miss Maria Ternan, Miss Ellen Ternan. NELLY,

MARIA and MRS TERNAN peering at the poster with quiet awe.

NELLY:

Yes, there we are.

MRS TERNAN:

The print is a little small, but no

matter.

CHARLEY beyond waiting. MRS TERNAN ushering MARIA and

NELLY inside. Their bonnets and skirts a flash of

colour against the grey of Manchester life all around

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 9.

9 INT. CORRIDOR. FREE TRADE HALL. MANCHESTER. 1857. DAY. 9

CHARLEY leading the trio of women along an impressive wood

lined corridor. Chairs stacked either side.

He leads them through into-

10 INT. MAIN HALL. FREE TRADE HALL. MANCHESTER. 1857. DAY 10

The opulent and magnificent interior of the Free Trade

Hall-

Paintings of the Kings and Queens of England flank one side

of the wall as CHARLEY leads them towards-

A beautiful theatre in the final moments of construction at

the far end of the vast hall. CARPENTERS, STAGE MANAGEMENT,

GASLIGHT ENGINEERS working around the distant figure of

CHARLES DICKENS [mid 40’s] lost in directing the STAGE HANDS

and STAGE MANAGEMENT in placing the scenery on the stage.

DICKENS:

Yes..Yes..If we could have the flat

over there..We need to create as

much space as possible..We’ll

probably have to bring everyting to

the left..What worked at Tavistock

house will seem lost here..Our set

looks like a toy theatre if we do

not-

CHARLEY leading NELLY, MRS TERNAN and MARIA towards the stage-

CHARLEY:

Father-

DICKENS turns and at once he is lost behind a huge flat of

painted rocks being manoeuvered into place on the stage. Once

the scenery has past, he is revealed. He jumps down from the

stage, springing across the hall, smiling, arms outstretched

delighting in their arrival-

DICKENS:

At last we have a full company! Mrs

Ternan welcome.

MRS TERNAN:

Mr Dickens.

(surveying theatre)

What a beautiful theatre you have

built for us.

DICKENS:

We have tried. I am glad. Welcome

Miss Maria..A good journey I hope?

Blue Revisions dated 11th June 2012 10.

MARIA:

Yes..Yes..Mr Dickens. Thank you.

MRS TERNAN:

It was quite comfortable.

DICKENS:

Good. Good. And you must be Miss

Ellen Ternan.

DICKENS stops, mid way through shaking their hands, pausing

on NELLY, with a smile.

DICKENS (CONT’D)

You’ve met my eldest son Charley of

course.

NELLY:

Yes..yes..He very kindly rescued my

glove.

DICKENS:

Ah, the gallant chevalier!

DICKENS grips CHARLEY’s shoulder in passing, turning to

present them to the MEMBERS of the COMPANY

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