Play: The Masked Choir

Play: The Masked Choir Michael McClure A Masque in the Shape of an Enquiry into the Treena and Sheena Myth THE PLAYERS in order of appearance: TREENA SHEENA THEFIVE MASKED PERSONS OFTHE CHOIR BUFFALO ONE BUFFALO TWO GIANTPANDA ONE GIANT PANDA TWO FIRST VOICE OFGIANT BAT SECOND VOICE OFGIANT BAT MACHINEGUNNERS There are also several musicians. THE SCENE: A shining, brass bed with curling, winglike ornamentation stands on the peak of a tiny hill. The hill is covered with long, green grass. There are gauzy silver veils with the large full moon showing through. The lighting is simple and romantic. AT CURTAIN: On the brass bed are two girls-TREENA and SHEENA. They are bare-breasted and have large mouse ears. They wear long formal black skirts. They have slender mouse tails. The tails are springy and sometimes TREENA and SHEENA whisk them. SHEENA has her elbow on a pillow at the foot of the bed. She is looking up at TREENA. Stage right is the MASKED CHOIR-a choir of five naked, bare-footed persons in diaphanous robes. Their eyes and faces are covered by black blindfolds. The MASKED CHOIR consists of a child, a pretty girl, a middle-aged woman, and an old man and old woman. 106 The MASKED CHOIR is well lit. Small spotlights blink off and on on them. When they sing they are accompanied by a bowed instrument. Bubbles occasionally float over their heads. There is a tinkling of several kinds of tiny bells and the MASKED CHOIR hums a prolonged and melodious "M-M-M-M-m-m-m-m-m..." There is a brief pause and another "M-M-M-M-m-m-m-m-m..." The child in the MASKED CHOIR takes out a pitch pipe and blows it. The CHOIR sings. CHOIR: (Singing with voices high.) ANGELS OF LIGHT-LIVE LIKE THEM! BE LIKE THE ANGELS OF LIGHT WHETHER THE SENSES ARE BRIGHT OR THE FINGERS ARE OLD AND DIM, LIVE LIKE THEM... LIVE LIKE THEM... BE LIKE THE ANGELS OF LIGHT. FREE THE PRESENT FROM THE PAST TILL AT LAST, TILL AT LAST, WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE ONE! FREE THE PRESENT FROM THE PAST. BE LIKE THE ANGELS OF LIGHT. HERE WE ARE IN POOR, DUMB BEING, FROZEN SOLID WITH ALL THOUGHTS FLEEING LIKE FAIRIES WITH CANNONBALLS ON THEIR BACKS. ANGELS OF LIGHT! ANGELS OF LIGHT! CHOIRS IN MASKS CAUGHT IN THEIR TASKS OF THE DAILY DOING, OF THE DAILY DOING, WITH CONSTELLATIONS RENEWING THE THOUGHTS OF WHAT THEY ARE. NEBULAE AND STAR. NEBULAE AND STAR! AND I MUST SEE, AND I MUST SEE, CLEARLY AND FREE, CLEARLY AND FREE, AND BE PROUD, AND BE PROUD... BE PROUD THAT I AM MEAT! (Humming.) MMMMMM-m-m-m-m-m-m ... MMMMMM-m-m-m-m-m-m ... (The bowed instrument becomes uneven in its melody. There is the sound ofa herd of buffalo stampeding. Two BUFFALOS with beautiful qirls' faces dart from each wing to the center of the stage. The BUFFALOS pull swirling bright veils like comet tails. Theyv circle around each other on the centerof the stage with the sound of buffalo hellowings and snorts. The BUFFALOS shout "Free!" and "Liberty!"' as they dance together. The BUFFALOS stomp their feet as they 107 shout the words. ) BUFFALOS: Free! Liberty! Free! Liberty! Free! Free! Liberty! (There is the sound of heavy tanks, machine guns, and helicopters above the din of the stampede. The BUFFALOS with beautiful girls' faces prance off stage throuith the wing opposite that which they entered. Durin' the BUFFALO dance the MASKED CHOIR continues humming. As the sounds die out there are two quick hums.) CHOIR: MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm... MMMMMMMMmmmmmmmm... (Spotlight to SHEENA andTREENA.) SHEENA: There are the buffalos again. TREENA: Yes, they're eternally returning. SHEENA: Curving and swerving... TREENA: Through the dawn of space .. CHOIR: MMMmmmmmmmm... SHEENA: Like breath knitted into lace .. TREENA: Or the joy of comprehension on a being's face. CHOIR: MMMmmmmmmmmMMM... SHEENA: The best metempsychosis is for us to appear again in other creatures. TREENA: (Stretches imaginary talons and scowls fiercely.) It's time for a FIGHT TO THE FINISH - A DUEL THAT ONLY ONE OF US CAN SURVIVE!! SHEENA...