The Seal of Roses
Playwright/Director: Koike Shuichiro
Composer: Yoshida Yuuko
Translated
to English by Jen.
Editing
help by Estefania, Utena,
and others.
Note: This translation is from
Le Cinq #62,
and includes some improvisations from the actual stage performance of the
commercial version.
Please do not reproduce this translation
or use it for anything other than personal use. Thank you.
Rika: Everyone, welcome this evening to the Takarazuka Revue. This is Moon Troupe’s Shibuki Jun. The musical about to begin is written and directed by Koike Shuuichirou, a NTT Western Japan and NTT Eastern Japan Flets production. A gothic musical: The Seal of Roses ~ Vampire Requiem. Act one will be conducted by Sasada Aichirou.
Act 1
Scene 1 Prologue (
M1 “Overture”
With a crack of thunder, we
see a vampire menacing a wilting woman. However, suddenly it seems more like a
dance, and the “vampire” looses his balance and nearly drops his partner. More
people appear on stage, wearing modern clothing.
Cassandra: Could you perhaps support me properly? I’m Cassandra, the best prima donna in this Balkan country.
Clifford: I am not a dancer. I am a member of the original cast of “Dracula of the Opera House”!
Cassandra: Robert! You’re the producer, aren’t you? What is this “Vampire Requiem”?!
Robert: Now, now. Don’t get so fired up, you two. It’s
because this is a charity event to mark the rebuilding of the temple in the
Cassandra: Mr. President of Balkan Aviation, you said my art was necessary for this.
Rilski: Yes, these ruins have been acknowledged by the World Heritage Foundation.
Clifford: In short, it’s a plot to lure in the tourists with a legend that “a vampire was here”.
Cassandra: I can’t dance with this third-rate actor as my partner. I’m leaving!
Cassandra storms off the
stage.
Robert: Cassandra! Wait, please!
Clifford: I am a musical star!
Rilski: Hey, you! What about the event!
Clifford storms off in the
opposite direction, just as two new people appear.
Peter: Oh, how difficult.
Rilski: You are?
Peter: I’m Peter Hunt. I’m an author here for the vampire symposium.
Maria: Oh! “Vampires vs. Godzilla”?
Rilski: This is my wife.
Maria: Nice to meet you.
Sarah: I’m Sarah, a vampire researcher.
Rilski: Hello. But, just between you and me, do you really think there were vampires?
Maria: I don’t believe it. It’s only a legend, right?
Peter: We’ve gathered from all over the world to shed light on that.
A huge suit of armor in a
glass case is wheeled past them, followed by an official-looking gentleman and
a young lady.
Rennfield: Hey, you, be more careful carrying that!
Man: Yessir!
M2 “Jennifer Arrives”
Rilski: Where on earth did this come from…?
Jennifer: It was excavated from this temple after World War II.
Peter: This is Ms. Jennifer McCartney, from the
Jennifer: My grandfather brought it back with him to
Rilski: Wonderful! I thank you on behalf of the Balkan people.
Sarah: Jennifer, aren’t you jet-lagged?
Jennifer: A little.
Peter: She’s another participant in the symposium.
Jennifer: Is everyone gathered?
Rilski: We were partway through rehearsals, but we ran into some trouble.
Rennfield: There are drinks in that waiting room over there.
Maria: Shall we go have some?
Rennfield begins herding the crowd toward the refreshments,
but Jennifer hangs back.
Jennifer: Sarah, can I look around the ruins? There won’t be much more of an opportunity today.
Sarah: We’ll go on ahead.
Rilski: So, how do you all intend to prove the existence of vampires?
Peter: With this book. I got it in a flea market in Milano.
Maria: What’s written in it?
Peter: It’s a journal written in Medieval Latin.
As everyone exits chattering
about the book, Jennifer becomes strangely tired and lies down on a convenient
sofa. She dreams….
A vampire appears,
surrounded by others in red velvet capes. He carries a rose, which he plucks
the petals from one by one as he sings.
M3 “Vampire Requiem”
Francis:
A rose showered with
drops of moonlight
Glistening with tears from the stars
Damp with the secret haze of night
Woo Woo Woo
All living things in this world
Hold their life dear
If you are destined to lose your life,
Who will you love?
Aaa, vampire
Aaa,
requiem
Eternal life
Drifting in the sea of time
Aaa, vampire
Aaa, requiem
The burden of unending time
Wandering in search of love
Jennifer wakes up screaming,
and everyone comes running.
Scene 2 Looking For the Vampire
Peter: What happened?
Sarah: Are you alright?
Jennifer: Ah, I wonder if I was dreaming?
Rilski: Did one of my company planes crash?
Jennifer: A vampire appeared.
Maria: Oh my. Were there fangs? Were they sharp?
Jennifer: No. He was as beautiful as he was frightening…
Robert: Did something happen?
Clifford: I heard a scream.
Peter: There was a vampire!
Clifford: What?! Did he look like me?
Jennifer: Not at all….
Robert: Was it an illusion?
Sarah: Maybe it was déjà vu.
All: Eh?
Sarah: A prescient dream. You’ll meet him soon. The vampire.
M4: “Looking For the Vampire”
Sarah:
I wonder where they
could be? The vampires?
I’ve looked all over the world
Peter:
In novels and comics
In movies, musicals, and plays
Both:
Although they should
be dreadful blood-sucking demons
Everyone is fascinated by them
All:
Looking for vampire
Clifford: The king of
Robert: But Dracula was only one. There are many vampire legends from all over the world.
Sarah:
Do they really drink
blood?
All:
Looking for vampire
Peter:
Do they sleep in coffins?
All:
Looking for vampire
Jennifer:
Does the day make them weak?
All:
Looking for vampire
Clifford & Robert:
Are they scared of garlic and crosses?
All:
Looking for vampire
Rilski:
If you meet one, do
you yearn for it, eternal life?
Maria:
And eternal youth
All:
Oh! Oh! I wonder where
they could be?
I want to meet one,
but I don’t want to be attacked
Like in a horror or a
mystery
An attractive zombie
I wonder where the
vampires could be?
Let’s go and search
Looking for vampire
Let’s go and look
Looking for vampire
Looking for vampire
Eternal life, Ah-
Rilski: And what’s written in that journal or whatever it is?
Peter: The writer is Francis de Valois. He was a knight attached to the Templar Order.
Clifford: The Templar Order, that’s the one that was oppressed and wiped out?
Peter: Yes. He was the last survivor, and he managed to wind
his way deep into these
Peter’s voice fades out,
overlapped by a voice from the past as Francis takes over the narration.
Francis: … my pursuers finally followed me into this Valley of the Roses…
The First Tale: The Knight Francis (The Valley of the
Roses 1314)
Scene 3 The Balkans
M5 “Sword Dance”
A lone knight in armor desperately
fights off a horde of soldiers.
Captain: After him! Fire the poisoned arrows!
The archers come up and fire.
One bites deep into the fleeing knight’s armor just as he disappears into a
rose briar.
M6 “The Rose-Picking Song A”
Chorus:
The roses which
protect our livelihoods
The roses which protect our lives
Captain: Find him! Don’t let him get away! Damn.
Soldier: Captain, he’s nowhere.
Captain: Yes. From here on, there is no map! For today, we go back. Retreat!
Francis (voice-over): A beautiful young girl saved me, and I returned to my senses.
Francis is lying in the lap
of a young girl, unconscious. She draws back from his neck just as a monk comes
rushing up.
Mikhail: Lady
Mikhail: Have you healed his wound?
Francis groans and wakes up.
Francis: Uu… mm. You are…?
Francis: Someone sucked the poison from my neck…
Mikhail: An angel. God has given you your life, and sent an angel after you. I am Brother Mikhail of the Valley of the Roses.
Francis: Francis de Valois. A knight of the Templar Order.
Mikhail: This is Princess Lydia, daughter of the lord of this valley.
Francis:
Mikhail:
Francis gingerly attempts to
stand, then rises with more confidence and a puzzled expression.
Francis: How strange. My wound is healed.
Mikhail: A miracle has occurred.
Scene 4 The Valley of the Roses
M7 “The Rose-Picking Song B”
Francis (voice-over): I passed many days after that in the Valley of the Roses.
Young ladies-in-waiting and
monks are dancing in the gardens, while the monks pass out roses from baskets
they are carrying.
Wrapped in the
fragrance of roses
From dawn to dusk
Day by day, time
passes
Maidens:
Spring, summer, fall, winter, in this valley
The roses never wither
This village is hidden
by the roses
Without the roses,
nothing can begin
Monk 1:
For cooking, we have rose oil
Monk 2:
For drinking, we have
rose wine
Monk 3:
For washing, we have rose soap
Monk 4:
For healing, we have rose medicine
Mikhail: Outsiders can rarely enter this valley through the briars. The village people cultivate the roses, and live off of the perfumed oil.
Francis: Like the Greek olive, so to speak.
Monks:
So long as there are roses in the village
Maidens:
People’s hearts are
calm
All:
The roses which
protect our livelihoods
The roses which protect our lives
Scene 5 Lord Gabriel’s House
Inside, Francis is greeted
by a richly clothed court.
Gabriel: I sent out word and gathered my household here. I am Lord Gabriel. To be able to meet one of the brave men of the lordly Templar Order is a unique honor. Please relax and enjoy yourself.
Francis: Thank you.
Maya: Ah, this man-
Gabriel: What is it, Maya? She is our astrologist.
Maya: He is the one who will shoulder the fate of our household.
Francis: I will?
Mikhail: Don’t let it bother you. It’s a faith from before Christianity spread wide over this land.
Francis: I have been declared anathema by the Church. A little thing like this doesn’t astonish me.
Gabriel: You are a broad-minded man. Tonight is the night when my people celebrate the harvest of the roses which have been handed around. Please join us. Come, everyone, sing! Dance!
All: Yes, my lord!
M 8 “The Rose Love Song”
As music begins in the
background, Mikhail moves to slip away.
Mikhail: You’ll have to excuse me now.
Francis: You’re leaving so soon?
Francis: If he was one of the corrupt priests of the Church, he would be cheerfully joining the banquet. His dedication is admirable.
Maya steps in front of
Mikhail as he leaves.
Maya: Mikhail, I can see the fires of jealousy burning your heart.
Mikhail: Don’t say such sinister things! Excuse me.
Mikhail goes around her and
hurries away. Francis watches him depart with a slightly troubled frown.
Francis:
Gabriel:
Minstrel:
Lovers’ eyes burn
hotly
Glowing like a bonfire
Chests thumping,
cheeks the color of roses
From seething blood
Which dyes them scarlet
M 9 “Dance Song” (quadrille)
After everyone finishes
dancing, Gabriel speaks with Francis once more.
Gabriel: Francis, where do you intend to go from here?
Francis: Honestly, I haven’t considered yet. The French king and the church think I know of some secret Templar fortune, and so they follow me. But I don’t know anything hidden by the gods of heaven and earth. A great many of my innocent comrades were executed for no profit. If I’m found, my life will be forfeit as well.
Gabriel: If so, then can you see yourself remaining in this Valley of the Roses? The briars which surround the valley are stronger than a thoughtless rampart, and protect us. You can live in this house.
Francis: This is… I am extremely grateful.
Gabriel: One more thing, a favor.
Francis: Yes?
Gabriel: Won’t you take my daughter
Francis:
Gabriel: Please, take some time to consider.
Francis: I will.
Francis (voice-over): The next day I ventured forth from the house in search of the temple to ask God in Heaven what my fate was to be. The head of the temple, High Priest Raphael, sought me out.
Scene 6 The
Raphael: A knights order which serves god at war with the Church. A truly deplorable state of affairs.
Francis: I’ve always wondered why must people always compete? If we could erase the war-like heart, the wild soul deep within people’s hearts, won’t war disappear from the earth? Won’t everyone be able to lead peaceful lives like the people of this valley?
Raphael: Mikhail, have you told him?
Mikhail: No, nothing.
Raphael: I see. You, who have been pursued, body and soul, have realized the foolishness of fighting. It is well done. To you I will give advice in turn. Leave this place as soon as you may.
Francis: What do you mean?
Raphael: I will explain to you the truth.
M 10 “The Seal of Roses”
Raphael:
Look please. At that cross.
Francis: It’s unusual. There are five roses entwined about it.
Raphael:
Let’s reveal them.
Those roses are seals for violent souls.
Francis: Seals?
Raphael:
This Valley of the
Roses, everyone is of vampire blood here.
Francis: Vampire blood?
Raphael:
Long ago, when the
There was one race
that would not bend, even at the end
They were very strong,
and never lost
Why? Because they
couldn’t die
Francis: Couldn’t die?
Raphael:
An
undying race.
Francis: There’s no such thing.
Monks:
HAHAHA
HAHAHA
Raphael:
They only had one
weapon:
Sucking the blood from
the nape of their enemy’s neck
Francis: That’s dreadful! Mikhail, is this true?
Mikhail:
They’re not human,
they’re a different race
One taste of violence,
And they are as brutal
as a demon
Francis: I can’t—I can’t believe it.
Raphael:
A thousand years ago,
the Church intervened
Pope Julius appeased
the wild souls
The wild vampire souls
were brought
And sealed beneath the cross entwined with five roses
Francis: What do the five roses mean?
Mikhail: Pope Julius set five jewels into the cores of the roses. White is a diamond, and affection. Blue is a sapphire, for intelligence.
Raphael: Red is a ruby, for courage. Green is an emerald, for justice. And purple is an amethyst, for tolerance.
Francis: What if someone destroys the seal?
Mikhail: It’s said that person will house those violent souls and turn into an evil vampire.
Raphael: This is why we all protect this rose cross.
Francis: Has the vampire race died out?
Raphael: They will not die. Forever.
Francis: Meaning, they’re living?
Mikhail: But they no longer have violent souls.
Francis: My wound healing so suddenly, was that a vampire power as well?
Raphael: Ah, who can say? I implore you, leave before you join their ranks.
Francis: Mikhail, the one who drew the poison from my neck
wasn’t an angel. It was
Mikhail: Francis…
Mikhail watches Francis
leave, obviously troubled.
M 12 “The Burden of Love”
Francis:
In the Valley of the
Roses I met a beautiful vision
Prettier than flower
petals
Cheeks the color of
roses
No matter how I look
at her, she’s like an angel
Filled with purity
Her singing voice
echoes refreshingly throughout the valley
Aa, that you
are not human
That you are from a
race that can never die
Anyone could believe
it
I have been awaiting
A fate I never knew
was approaching
At last we have met,
lovely flower bud
My beloved is a
vampire
The burden of loving
Clamps down on my
chest
To go on living
To go on living
Scene 7 The Rose Garden
Francis: I went to the temple. I wanted to hear God’s voice.
Francis:
Francis: You were the one to draw out the poison, weren’t you?
Francis: But it didn’t cause you any pain at all.
Francis: Once that poison enters your mouth, it remains. And then there is the fact that my wound closed immediately. As if by magic.
Francis: You, your people are vampires?
Francis: But, I love you, and that doesn’t bind me to become a vampire.
Gabriel: True. Which is why we have the rite.
Francis: Gabriel!
Gabriel: We may be immortal, but that doesn’t mean we don’t feel all the years. A hundred years may accumulate slowly, but we weaken. If the seal should be broken, the one who absorbs the violent souls will take the world in his hand and the slaughter will begin again. Your power will be vital.
Francis: I wish you’d told me everything from the beginning.
Gabriel: If you knew, would you have come to love
Francis: What is this rite you spoke of?
Francis: I like you. Whether you are a vampire or not continues to trouble me, but I can’t hate you.
Gabriel: The rite is the one with the youngest blood giving a soul to the new applicant.
Francis: How?
Gabriel: By taking blood from his neck.
Francis: Then, that time you sucked out the poison—
Gabriel: We will postpone the engagement until your heart is
settled. Think on it carefully.
Francis stops them from
leaving.
Francis: My heart is settled! I love
Gabriel: Good. As expected of the man I anticipated. Maya, gather everyone in the hall.
Maya: Yes.
Francis:
Mikhail appears and moves as
if to go towards
Maya: Mikhail! Where are you going?
Mikhail: That man, he’s being added to the family?
Maya: He’s been deemed suitable to be the successor.
Mikhail: Why not me?
Maya: You are given to God. You cannot have a wife.
Mikhail: But I have always loved
Maya: Give her up.
Mikhail: No!
Mikhail flees.
Scene 8 The
M 13 “Betrothal Ceremony”
Raphael: Is this really all right?
Francis: I decided it for myself.
Raphael: I understand. As God wills.
Gabriel: We’re going to hold the ceremony for Sir Francis
and
Mikhail shoves forward out
of the crowd and grabs Raphael, holding a knife to his throat.
Mikhail: Stop!
Raphael: Mikhail!
Mikhail: This ceremony is over. That man is shadowed by a crime of heresy against the Church of Rome!
Raphael: You have violated the precepts! You will fall into hell!
Mikhail: Letting another man have the woman I love – that is hell!
Gabriel: Even if you weren’t a priest, you couldn’t be my successor.
Mikhail: Why?
Gabriel: Because you are weak.
Mikhail: What?!
Gabriel: Not just your body. Your heart is weak as well!
Mikhail: What did you say…? How should I become strong, then?
Mikhail shoves Raphael away
and begins to go up the steps to the cross.
Raphael: Wait! Don’t go near it!
Mikhail: I wonder… what will happen if I release the seal?
Raphael: Stop!
Mikhail rips the cross out
of its mooring and lifts it into the air. He disappears.
Mikhail: There is no God in this world! Francis, now I am a god!
Gabriel: Mikhail, stop!
Gabriel: He’s opened the seal….
Raphael: Mikhail has disappeared!
Gabriel: No, he’ll be back. With the violent souls absorbed.
Francis: We must seal them again.
Gabriel: But that requires power.
Francis: There’s not a second to spare! We must do the rite.
Francis: Bring me into the family. Give me the soul, now. Quickly!
Francis: What do I have to hesitate over? I’m just taking on the same destiny as the one I love.
They kiss.
Francis: My last kiss as a human. Now, give me the soul!
Francis kneels and
Gabriel: The rite is finished without hindrance. When he opens his eyes, Francis will be the true successor of the vampire race.
M 15 “Mikhail’s Counterattack ~
With another crash of
thunder, Mikhail has returned. His cassock is gone, and now he wears armor and
carries a sword. The soldiers who were chasing Francis follow him into the
temple.
Mikhail: Where is Francis?
Raphael: Mikhail! You…
Mikhail: I summoned his pursuers.
Mikhail: Gabriel, only a vampire can win over a vampire, right?
Gabriel: Be quiet!
Mikhail: The wild souls are inside me. Shall we test them? Go!
Mikhail:
Mikhail lifts his sword, but
Mikhail: If you don’t move, you’ll lose your life.
Mikhail: You love Francis that much?!
Mikhail: It’s a lie!
Mikhail cuts her down, then turns to plunge his sword into Francis.
Mikhail: There is no such thing as love. Remember that, Francis.
But Francis wakes up in time
to grab the sword. The two wrestle for a short time, and then Francis stands
up. He has the sword now. Mikhail picks up the broken cross.
Mikhail: Come!
Francis: Mikhail, give back the cross.
Mikhail: No.
The two wrestle for it, and
then Mikhail disappears in a cloud of smoke and thunder. Francis begins
searching for
Francis:
M 16 “The Burden of Love” (Reprise)
Francis:
Francis:
Francis:
Francis:
A fate I never knew
was approaching
At last we have met,
lovely flower bud
My beloved has ceased
to breath
The burden of loving
Clamps down on my
chest
To go on living
To go on living
Scene 9 The
M 17 “The River of Time”
Chorus:
Ah~…
To go on living for
longer
Than there are stars
in the heavens
It doesn’t stop
You can’t perish with
the hours
Alone, you continue
crossing the River of Time
Birth and death
Love and hate
Peace and violence
The life of one who
does nothing but continue
Repeating, gazing into
the distance
Having enough of the
things you have
Letting the time which
passes
Pass
Ah~…
To play with eternal
life
Crossing to the end in
search of the roses
Returning grasping
only emptiness
Your memory of love
seems to be fading
It doesn’t stop
You can’t perish with
the hours
Alone, you continue
crossing the
The Second Tale: The Sun King (Paris, Saint Germain Palace 1666)
Scene 10 Inside the Saint Germain Palace
Several ladies in giant ball
gowns with wide hoops come out on the stage in front of the curtain. They catch
us up on the court gossip.
M 18 “He Is the Sun”
Ladies:
Ah Ah
Ah
Ah Ah
Ah
Ah Ah
Ah
Ah Ah
Ah
Montespan:
In this palace in
There will never be a
day when the sun fails to rise
This is because we
have his majesty, the king
Therese:
His majesty – he is
the sun. A god.
Harriet:
To receive the love of
a god
This would make any
woman happy
Ladies:
To receive the
blessing of the sun
Simone:
To bear a child of the
sun
Ladies:
This, too, is a
woman’s highest honor
Juliet:
For me
Simone:
For me
Margaret:
For only me
Ladies:
It’s appropriate to
accept his love,
After all, he is the
sun
He is His Royal
Majesty, King Louis XIV
Montespan:
In this palace
Two powers are
competing
Ladies:
Oui, Madame Montespan
Montespan:
The queen, Marie Therese
Queen:
Lately, the king
hasn’t come to me at all
I’m queen in name only
Just a decorative
antique doll
Montespan: And the wife of Philippe, younger brother of the new king, Henriette.
Henriette:
I’m the wife of his younger
brother,
But
from the night of our wedding…
(HAHAHAHAHAHA)
I’ve been attending
the king every night
My husband feigns ignorance and pretends not to know
Montespan:
However, lately, the
king has been engrossed with creating a ballet (Oui)
Even his dalliances
are hurried
All his days are taken
up with dancing
Montespan: To mourn the queen dowager, the king will dance to a new work “Apollon and the Muse” at a bright banquet. It’s just been announced that the muse will be chosen at an audition.
Queen:
I won’t let this
chance slip by
One of my
ladies-in-waiting will be the one to dance
Henriette:
I won’t miss this
chance
One of my
ladies-in-waiting will partner with him
Both:
Only I am the
appropriate one
All:
After all, he is the
sun
He is His Royal Majesty,
King Louis XIV
Scene 11 The Sun King’s Entrance
Attendant: The king comes~!
King Louis XIV enters and
strikes a pose. He is no stranger to his self importance.
M 19 “We Are the Nation”
King:
We are the nation
All:
He is the nation
King:
Our word is the word
of God
All:
The word of God
King:
Our thoughts are the
thoughts of France
All:
The thoughts of
King:
Our pleasure is…
All:
King: Non!
It belongs only to us.
Our enjoyment is
dancing
Ballet, which came
from
Found a perfect home
in our chest
Our
King: We will begin today’s lesson.
The king begins to dance,
and several gentleman attempt to copy him. They only
manage to fall over their own feet.
Ministers: Your majesty!
Your majesty! How is this?
King: Deplorable! Is there no dancer in
King:
We have hired the
playwright Moriel
To make ballet a thing
of
Moriel:
As you wish,
immediately.
King:
The
composer Lully.
Lully:
As you wish,
immediately.
King:
What we have seen of
this new work you created, “Apollon and the Muse”
Every time the same
thing, one pattern
We are sick of it
Moriel: Your Majesty?
King:
Can you not imagine a
new way of doing things?
Is there not an
interesting dance expert?
Somewhere,
someone?
Cabinet Minister #1:
There didn’t seem to
be within
Cabinet Minister #2:
We sent out searchers
all over the world
Cabinet Minister #3:
We’re taking
applicants now
King: Good!
King
We are the nation
Loved by our country
and the women
But there is one thing
which we cannot have our way with
That is the creation
of a ballet!
Chorus:
The Sun King
He is Louis XIV
Cabinet Minister #1: Three dance envoys from other countries have arrived.
King: What? They traveled quickly.
Cabinet Ministers: Yes.
Cabinet Minister #1: Entry number one, from
M 20 “Belly Dance”
The court erupts in uproar
when the scantily clad female belly dancers arrive. The men move for a closer
look. The king merely looks bored.
King: Next!
Cabinet Minister #2: Entry number
two, from
M21 “Cossack Dance”
This slightly intrigues the
king. He gets out of his throne to get a closer look and nearly gets tripped by
one of the dancers. That is the end of that.
King: Non!
Cabinet Minister #3: Entry number three… no nationality? Gypsy dance.
M22 “Gypsy Dance”
A group of woman and one man
appear. The man’s dance is seductive and flirty, and the court ladies faint
away one by one.
King: Quiet down! Have just the man stay!
The women leave. The king
considers the dancer.
King: You there, what are you?
Francis: I am a wandering gypsy.
King: Where have you come from?
Francis: From the other side of time.
King: Don’t banter with us. You have the air of a lowborn gypsy, but where did you refine your craft?
Francis: Long, long ago, deep in the
King: It wouldn’t be suitable for us to go and learn in such a backcountry. Therefore, you will instruct us.
Moriel: I’m very uneasy, Your Majesty, for such a person of unknown lineage to be associated with the Sun King.
King: We don’t mind.
Lully: But, there are rules for this new French ballet style which we have created. Gypsy dance and other—
King: Be silent! We want to be able to make women swoon by dancing! Like this man. What is your name?
Francis: I am called Francis.
King: Good, Francis. You will instruct us.
Francis: As you wish.
King: We will dance an improvisation. Music!
M23 “Impromptu Song”
Francis begins a complicated
dance with leaps and twirls that the king first copies, and then joins him in.
They end triumphantly.
King: This is the first time that we have met a dancer of our caliber. Francis will be our dance instructor.
: You can choose your reward, so long as you never dance better than we.
Francis: As you wish.
King: Good! Moving on, we’ll have the audition for who will play the muse to dance with me at the banquet. Francis, you’ll be the judge; give them a task.
Moriel: Now, now, ladies, line up! Line up!
Moriel herds a group of young ladies together. Half wear
the colors of Henriette, half wear the colors of the
queen. Those two ladies urge them on from the sides.
M24 “Practice Song”
Queen: Everyone, try your best!
Henriette: I’ll give the winner a gift of money!
Francis: A balance check.
Francis bends over on one
leg, touches his toe, and stands up again. The girls attempt to copy him, and
most fall over.
Francis: All right, that’s the end. I’ve decided. This girl and this girl are equals.
Francis has chosen one of
the queen’s ladies, and one of Henriette’s.
King: Hmm. Then how about this one?
Henriette:
Queen: Your Majesty! I protest. Why is there only one muse?
King: For that, you’ll have to ask Moriel, who wrote the script.
Moriel: Well, doesn’t Apollon dance with one muse…?
Queen: No! It is not strange that the god of music, Apollon, like our king, should have more than one woman!
King: Marie Therese!
Queen: I am astonished -- You still remember my name!
Francis: His Majesty is the sun, so there are many stars which circle him without parting. Every star needs the sun to shine.
Moriel: Glibly said.
King: Moriel. How about it? Why not have two muses?
Moriel: As you wish.
Henriette: Eeh? It’s not like you, Your Majesty, to change your mind because of a woman’s opinion!
King: Henriette!
The king suddenly notices a
new arrival and calls out to his brother.
King: Oh, Philippe, you come at a good time. Your wife is being troublesome. Do something with her.
Philippe: My wife? Ah, that woman who follows the sun like a sunflower? What’s she called…?
Henriette: Oooh! Did you forget my name?!
Philippe: It’s been a long time since I’ve heard it.
King: Gambling till dawn again?
Philippe: I have nothing else to do.
King: There are women enough here. Have some fun with them.
Philippe: As you wish.
King: It’s time to celebrate. Francis, you’ll stay in the palace. We’ll put a page at your disposal. Henry!
Henry: Yes, Your Majesty.
King: You’re responsible for this man.
Henry: Certainly.
Henry bows and leads Francis
away.
Henry: Please let me know your wishes.
Francis: This place seems extremely complex.
Henry: I’ll show you around.
M25 “Sun and Moon”
Philippe: If the king is the sun, then is his brother the moon...?
When he was born, the older brother's first cry rang out
And they say it resounded throughout the palace
The younger brother's first cry was like the whine of a mosquito
And they thought "Is he dead?"
The older brother is the sun, the younger the moon
Everyone else is a planet,
And they all revolve around the sun
Flowers bloom in the sun
Trees bask in its rays and grow tall
If there were no moon
The night would be so dark
But people worship the sun
If the sun sank
If it never rose again
The world would be in shadow
Then people would realize
That the moon is king
Secret Messenger: Your highness, a message from Madame Noir. She says to bring someone who can make direct contact with the king.
Philippe: Understood.
Scene 12 Here and There Around the Palace
Night has come, and men and
women are pairing off in the gardens of the palace. Henry leads Francis through
them.
M26 “A Different Face at Night”
Henry: Do you know? In this Saint Germain
Palace in
At night, people show
a different face
No matter the man or
the woman
They are reborn in the
night
A friend during the
day is a rival in love at night
A friend at night is
someone’s wife during the day
Everyone knows
Everyone understands
Where is this? It’s
Saint Germain of Paris
When the sun sets, we transform into hunters of love
Henry: Please, enjoy yourself with love.
Francis: Love… That’s a word I’ve forgotten.
Henry: It can’t be due to your looks.
Francis: How many years has it been since I’ve held a woman?
Henry: Why? Are you unwell?
Francis: Yes. An illness of long life.
Henry: What’s that supposed to mean? Eh?
Francis: And do you not have a lover either?
Henry’s entire face crumples
and he looks like he is about to cry.
Henry: Well, that is~!
Francis: What’s wrong?
Henry: Because my
Francis: That sharp-chinned girl?
Henry: A woman’s promotion is based on her bearing the king’s child. For the sake of the woman I love, I-!
Francis: You’ll give her up?
Henry: I ca~n’t!
The queen interrupts them.
Francis: Your Majesty.
Queen: Please leave us. (She waits for Henry to depart.) I have a favor to ask of you.
Francis: Anything.
Queen: I want you to instruct my lady-in-waiting, Mireille, ahead of time in the dance steps. She must be
able to dance them better than
Francis: And my recompense?
The queen gabs
Francis’s hand and places it on her bosom.
Queen: My love.
Francis: That’s too extravagant!
Francis tries to back away,
and the queen grabs his arm instead. She peers at the tattoo on the back of his
wrist.
Queen: A rose tattoo!
Francis: Just something I got to break up the tedium of my travels. (He covers it up once more with the lace of his cuff.) Please have Mireille come and see me personally.
Queen: I’m depending on you.
The queen departs, and Henry
reappears.
Henry: Is that tattoo the mark of an oath to a lover?
Francis: If so it would have come too late…
M27 “People Fall in Love”
Francis: Love… I’ve forgotten how it feels.
I’ve passed countless
nights with women
Held more women than I
can recall
But to call any of
those memories “love,” with the pounding that entails
None
It was buried long,
long ago
The painful, sweet
beating
My chest was filled
with heat
Where did I leave it
behind?
Because I threw away
my humanity
Does this mean I can
no longer love?
Because I stopped
being human
Does this mean I lost
my human heart?
Ah, can I fall in love
With
someone again?
If I do, will I snatch
their life away?
Could I endure myself
if I did?
I’ve forgotten love
Scene 13 Madame Noir
A veiled woman in dark
violet greets her nervous visitors.
Philippe: Madame Noir, this is
Madame: Hm. And what do you want me to do with this little girl?
Philippe: You already know, don’t you? I am barred without exception from all of the affairs of state, and I’ve spent my whole life like this in shadow. Even my wife has been snatched away, thanks to him. I want to triumph over those who have looked down on me.
Madame: And to do that, you want the king dead.
Philippe: I’m not thinking of going so far as to take his life. I just want to be king. To do that, my brother needs first to fall…
Minister 1: While the king spends all of his time on ballet, the affairs of the state are neglected.
Minister 2: And this time he’s started building an enormous
palace in
Minister 3: If things go on like this the treasury will fail and the country will go bankrupt.
Madame: (Under her breath) That would be more interesting, but…
All: Eh?
Madame: I, Madame Noir, am the foremost alchemist of the
day, and I shall put all of my secret formulas to work. Let us see if we can
change the future of
The sit at a long table and
comply, but Philippe peeks.
Philippe: Ah! She’s floating!
All: What?!
Madame: Close your eyes! (everyone obeys) Now, make your wish. Spirit of Satan, move into this girl!
Ministers: Elohim essaim, elohim essaim, elohim essaim…
Philippe: Ekoeko azarak, ekoeko azarak…
Madame Noir raises her veil,
revealing herself to be Mikhail. Mikhail leans over
and bites
Philippe: What happened?
Madame: Satan’s spirit has entered her. Later she will take in your thoughts and be able to attack the king.
All: Oh!
Philippe: Madame, your reward?
Madame: Nothing! I did this for the sake of
Philippe: What?
Madame: When you are ruling over the entire country, I want to be a shadow minister.
Philippe attempts to lift
her veil, but she stops him. He kisses her hand instead.
Philippe: You have my promise, madame.
Madame: You mustn’t! Now,
Scene 14 Midnight in the Garden
M29 “Vampire
Choras:
Ahhhh
Then Francis arrives and
takes in the damage.
Francis: Charlotte, you…
M30 “Adaggio”
The two dance. As they reach
the end, Francis bites her, returning her to herself. Henry wakes up to find
her unconscious in his lap.
Henry:
Francis: I returned her. For your sake.
Henry: Wha?
Henry:
Henry: What’s wrong?
Francis: Madame Noir?
Henry: An alchemist.
Francis: I see. Things have become interesting. Henry, when the night brightens, please go to see the queen. Tell her I’ll give Mireille a special lesson.
Henry: All right.
Scene 15 Celebration
The day of the ballet has
arrived. The court is in their finest glitter, and King Louis arrives to
outshine them all.
M31A “Celebration”
Montespan:
To mourn the queen
dowager
Tonight at the Sun
King’s banquet
The king will dance a new ballet
Moriel:
Apollon and
Lully:
The two muses
All Three:
Watch carefully
M31B “Apollon and the Two Muses”
The king dances with
Charlotte and Mireille. Philippe becomes frustrated
and tries to pull
Philippe:
Suddenly Mireille
begins acting strangely and bites Francis!
Francis: Mireille!
King: Stop! Seize that woman!
There is a fracas as women
scream and the guards seize Mireille.
Henriette: This woman is a vampire!
All: Whaa?
Queen: Don’t be ridiculous!
King: Mireille was the same as always at practice yesterday. Did something happen last night?
Queen: Nothing at all! She just had a special lesson from Francis!
All: Francis?
Francis makes his entrance.
Francis: Here.
King: Francis, is this true?
Francis: I taught her dance.
Madame: Your Majesty, there is no doubt, that is a blood sucking demon, a vampire!
King: Who are you?
Madame: Madame Noir, Prince Philippe’s alchemist.
Francis: No, Your Majesty, that creature is a madame in name only, and is certainly a vampire.
King: What?
Francis: Lift up the veil, Mikhail.
King: Make certain of that woman.
Moriel: Yes, Your Majesty.
When the guards come towards
him, Mikhail rips off the veil and pulls a gun from the front of his dress.
Madame: Well, come on. I’ll open up a hole in your chest!
King: A man!
Madame: Your Majesty, watch carefully! Although he takes a bullet, he is a demon that isn’t perturbed at all.
Francis: Mikhail, you have an amethyst rose on your chest. You found it?
Mikhail strokes the fl