Julie Read online

  POLLY STENHAM

  Julie

  after

  STRINDBERG

  For

  4 The Grove

  Author’s Note

  In this version Kristina and Jean are originally from Brazil and Ghana respectively. Their countries of birth may change with casting but their status as first-generation economic or political immigrants is important. Any references to their origins may be changed accordingly.

  Julie was first performed on the Lyttelton stage of the National Theatre, London, on 31 May 2018. The cast, in order of speaking, was as follows:

  Jean Eric Kofi Abrefa

  Kristina Thalissa Teixeira

  Julie Vanessa Kirby

  Partygoers Temitope Ajose-Cutting,

  El Anthony, Thomasin Gülgeç,

  Francesca Knight, Dak Mashava,

  Michela Meazza, Beatriz Meireles,

  Ashley Morgan-Davies, Rebecca Omogbehin,

  Yuyu Rau, Petra Söör

  Supernumeraries Subika Anwar-Khan, Steven Bush,

  Holly Rose Hawgood, Tom Kelsey, Olivia Leat,

  Tucker McDougall, Josefine Reich, Elliott Rogers,

  Sophie Spreadbury, Miyuki Watanabe

  Director Carrie Cracknell

  Designer Tom Scutt

  Lighting Designer Guy Hoare

  Movement Director Ann Yee

  Music Stuart Earl

  Sound Designer Christopher Shutt

  Fight Director Owain Gwynn

  Illusions Chris Fisher

  Video Designer Mogzi Bromley-Morgans

  Company Voice Work Jeannette Nelson

  Staff Director Jo Tyabji

  Associate Movement Director Michela Meazza

  Characters

  Julie

  thirty-three

  Jean

  thirty-one

  Kristina

  thirty

  Partygoers

  Contents

  Title Page

  Dedication

  Author’s Note

  Premiere Production

  Characters

  Julie

  About the Authors

  Also by Polly Stenham

  Copyright

  JULIE

  A birthday party rages throughout a large London townhouse. Julie whirls through the middle of chaos, greeting some guests, dancing with others. As the night progresses her actions start to become more manic, there’s a harder edge to her pleasure seeking. People start to peel away, leaving the more darkly hedonistic guests and hangers-on. It’s getting late. Julie doesn’t want the party to end.

  The kitchen. Kristina washes glasses. The party continues upstairs.

  Jean enters. He carries a tray of empty glasses.

  Jean That woman is wild tonight.

  He sets the tray next to the sink.

  Wild.

  Kristina unloads the tray.

  Kristina You don’t need to help.

  Jean I might as well. If I’m here.

  He checks his phone, Kristina watches. He puts it back in his pocket.

  Kristina Nothing?

  Jean shakes his head.

  He should be here. He should have been here hours ago.

  Jean It’s not his fault.

  Kristina Even just for the toast. He could have left after that. She wouldn’t have minded –

  Jean The timing is unfortunate but these deals take as long as they take. Besides, it’s the Chinese who drag it out. Different etiquette.

  Kristina (dry) Is that so?

  Jean Can’t she have more fun without her father here anyway? She certainly seems to be.

  The door slams. A few more guests leave.

  Kristina I don’t think …

  Jean What?

  Kristina That’s true.

  Jean She was dancing with that man again.

  Kristina The bartender?

  He nods.

  Jean Dragging him around the room. As he was trying to leave.

  Beat.

  It’s embarrassing.

  Kristina Have you paid him?

  He nods.

  Jean When she saw me she begged me to dance with her too. Then she danced like a … I’ve never seen anything like it.

  Kristina How many people are left?

  Jean Ten. Maybe fifteen.

  Sound of Julie cheering and turning up the music.

  Kristina She’s always been … Technicolor … But …

  Jean But?

  Kristina I think it’s hit harder then she lets on.

  Jean What happened? I thought he’d proposed.

  Kristina I don’t know.

  Another whoop from upstairs.

  Jean She doesn’t exactly seem heartbroken.

  Kristina She’s ashamed.

  Jean I don’t believe that.

  Kristina You wouldn’t.

  Jean What do you mean?

  Kristina You know exactly what I mean.

  Jean No, I don’t.

  Kristina You’re a man.

  Jean You’re saying women feel more shame than men? That’s a bold statement.

  Kristina Yes. No. I don’t know. Yes.

  Jean Why?

  Kristina The world’s been built that way.

  Jean I saw what happened. Between her and him.

  She turns.

  Kristina Why ask me then? If you already knew?

  Jean I wasn’t meant to see. That’s why I didn’t say. I thought if you already knew, we could discuss it –

  Kristina Except I don’t and we’re discussing it anyway –

  Jean It was a stab at being a gentleman.

  Kristina A stab?

  Jean Fine. If you don’t want to know.

  Kristina Tell me.

  Jean He broke it off. Not nicely. Then she begged him to take her back.

  Kristina Really?

  He nods.

  Poor girl.

  Where were they?

  Jean The garden.

  Kristina And you don’t think she’s ashamed?

  Jean If she were ashamed she wouldn’t have begged. Shame stops you doing things like that. That’s the point of it.

  Kristina runs her hand along the back of Jean’s head.

  Kristina It’s a bit uneven.

  He feels for her hand. Holds it.

  Jean (playful) Is that so?

  Kristina smiles.

  Kristina That is so.

  Jean So …

  He pulls her closer. Close.

  What did you save me?

  Kristina holds the tension, then slips away and opens the fridge. She takes out a plate of food from the party. It is covered in foil.

  Thank you.

  He peels the foil off.

  It’s cold.

  Kristina You’re getting comfortable, aren’t you?

  He’s hurt.

  Jean I didn’t mean it like that –

  Kristina I was joking.

  She strokes his head affectionately.

  I love you. Amorzinho.

  Jean says nothing but smiles.

  He eats. Kristina opens a bottle of beer for him.

  Jean looks at it then puts his fingers to his lips. He takes out a bottle of red wine.

  Kristina No. No. No.

  Jean He won’t notice. Even if he does he’ll think it was one of them –

  Kristina He’ll notice.

  Jean He won’t.

  Kristina Do you know how much it costs? He will.

  Jean I’m driving. I can only have one drink. If I can only have one drink I want it to be a good one. Life’s short don’t you know?

  He tastes the wine.

  Kristina You’re crazy.

  Jean Beautiful. Wrong temperature though.

  He heats the glass in his hand.

  Krist
ina starts making a bowl of leftovers. She adds some drops to the bowl. He takes a sip of the wine and smiles. He comes over.

  What’s that?

  Kristina offers him a spoonful.

  Kristina Want some?

  Jean What is it?

  Kristina She’s trying to give Diana an abortion.

  He makes a face.

  Jean With that?

  Kristina It’s some homeopathic. I don’t know. Expensive though.

  She holds the bottle up to the light.

  For coloured water.

  She looks at it more closely.

  Those people are taking her for a ride. I wonder how much they sell it for …

  She poses with the bottle.

  Would you buy this from me? If I looked very, very serious?

  Jean I’d buy air from you.

  Kristina blows her breath at him, slowly.

  Poor dog. She should just take her to the vet.

  Kristina Not when ‘western medicine’ is the root of all evil. And if it’s too evil for Julie it’s too evil for Diana. She loves her animals like babies. That insane bird –

  Jean She doesn’t take medicine at all? Even if she’s sick?

  Kristina Not any more. Although she still likes a Xanax or two. I’ve seen them hidden in her red make-up bag. She thinks she’s being discreet. But she forgets.

  Jean What?

  Kristina I clean up after her. I know everything.

  Jean Everything?

  Kristina Everything.

  He comes closer.

  Jean (flirtatiously) Do you need to do it now?

  Closer.

  Kristina Yes. She wants it done now.

  Closer. They are about to kiss when there is another thump from upstairs. Something has been knocked over.

  Jean Should I check?

  Kristina shakes her head.

  That sounded like furniture.

  Kristina So?

  Jean The way she was dancing I wouldn’t be surprised if something got …

  Kristina What?

  Jean Broken.

  Kristina I like to dance.

  Jean I know.

  Kristina steps closer.

  I remember.

  Kristina Dance with me. When I’m finished.

  Jean I’d love to.

  Julie (in the doorway, speaking offstage) I’m coming back. Stay there.

  Jean hides the bottle in the drawer; gets up respectfullly.

  Julie enters. She wears a crown of flowers. She takes it off to adjust it. She doesn’t notice Jean.

  (To Kristina.) Have you done it? How is she?

  Kristina Not yet.

  Jean Has she done what?

  Julie turns. She bats him with the crown of flowers.

  Julie Stop it.

  She stirs the mixture herself.

  No peeping. Go away.

  Jean Why? Are you scared I’ll learn your magic spells? What are you trying to conjure?

  Julie (sharply) Another lover. (To Kristina.) Actually, can you give it to her in the morning?

  Kristina Sure.

  Julie Thank you thank you thank you. I just can’t bear to see it. You know. Happen. I don’t think. Sorry.

  She hugs Kristina and waltzes her around the room.

  I’d be lost without you. Do you know that? Lost.

  She kisses her cheek and rests her head on her shoulder. She squeezes her hand. Kristina squeezes back. The affection is genuine.

  You’re a star. Isn’t she a star, Jean?

  Jean She is.

  Julie releases Kristina.

  She notices a bouquet of flowers on the counter.

  Julie Let me guess. Couriered from the office?

  Kristina nods.

  When?

  Kristina A few hours ago.

  Julie comes closer to the gift.

  She picks them up and sniffs dramatically.

  Julie Delicious. They smell like … (Harder.) Guilt.

  She hands them to Kristina.

  You have them.

  Kristina But –

  Julie They’ll look nice in your room.

  Music is turned up. Julie gestures to Jean.

  Jean, come and dance.

  Jean I should stay here.

  Julie Lend me him, won’t you, darling? It’s the wild west out there.

  Kristina It’s not up to me.

  Julie Come on then.

  Jean I don’t think I should.

  Julie Why?

  Slight pause.

  If I’m going back up I want you to come with me. Perhaps that’s vanity. In fact I’m sure it is. I want to look. I need to look …

  Jean What?

  Julie Wanted.

  Jean looks uncomfortable. He’s about to say something, then doesn’t.

  Don’t look so serious.

  Did you believe me? He believed me. I was teasing. Come on. Come and dance. It’s my birthday, it’s the solstice. Let’s get pagan.

  She takes his arm and leads him out of the room.

  Don’t worry. I won’t steal him.

  Julie and Jean exit to the party.

  Kristina watches them go. She is still for a moment. She tidies Jean’s plate and glass, then continues clearing up. She scoops the limes from the empty glasses. Empties glasses that have been used as ashtrays. Picks gum out of a real ashtray. Once she’s cleared most of the kitchen she sits exhausted. She goes to the door and listens to the party. She spots a flower from Julie’s flower crown on the floor. She picks it up. She puts it on the table. She looks at it pensively.

  Jean enters alone.

  Jean She’s out of control.

  Kristina She’s fine. It’s just late –

  Jean People are laughing at her.

  Kristina Laughing?

  Jean They’re not her friends. The people who are still here are not her friends.

  Kristina What do you know?

  Jean I see people coming and going, I have a rough idea.

  She doesn’t reply.

  Are you angry with me?

  Kristina shakes her head.

  Wordlessly he pulls her to him. He wraps his arms around her. They kiss.

  Julie enters. She watches them for a moment before speaking.

  Julie What a charming man you are, abandoning your partner like that.

  Jean puts his arm around Kristina.

  Jean This is my partner.

  Julie Why are you still wearing your suit? You look like you’re going to court. Take the jacket off at least.

  Jean Why?

  Julie It’s my birthday party. There’s a theme. That suit is spoiling the salubrious atmosphere.

  Beat.

  I said take it off.

  Beat.

  Jean exits.

  Where’s he going?

  Kristina To hang it in the car.

  Julie pours them both a drink.

  Julie (suddenly serious) How are you?

  Kristina I’m fine.

  Julie Are you really?

  Kristina Yes.

  Julie Good. Good. You seem it. You seem well.

  She finishes her drink. Kristina doesn’t touch hers.

  Kristina Are you having fun?

  Julie (light, as if joking) It’s absolute hell.

  Kristina keeps clearing up.

  Please don’t. Honestly. I’ll do it before bed.

  Kristina pauses. Julie takes her in.

  Julie You look happy.

  Kristina Do I?

  Julie There’s a sort of low-level eye twinkle. You’re shinier somehow.

  Beat.

  So’s he.

  Beat.

  I think he was miserable before he met you, you know. At least now he smiles. Once or twice a month.

  She spies a textbook in the corner of the kitchen. She picks it up.

  Brilliant! You’re actually doing it! I’m so proud of you.

  She flicks through it.

  Looks hard. All that maths.

  Is it
math? Or maths?

  She hands it back to her.

  Is it hard?

  Kristina It’s okay so far.

  Julie Do you like the teacher person?

  Kristina He’s nice. I think.

  Julie Hot?

  Kristina laughs.

  Kristina No. Old.

  Julie Old can be hot. Old can be golden.

  Kristina I don’t know. Not this guy.

  Julie Do you have a picture?

  Kristina That would be weird.

  Julie Not these days. Everyone has pictures of everyone. Just put in a name and you can get a picture. Let’s look him up.

  Kristina No!

  She pulls Julie’s phone from her hand playfully.

  You’re an animal.

  Julie Fine.

  Spoilsport.

  Kristina gives it back. Julie holds on to her hand when she does.

  I admire you, you know.

  Kristina Why?

  Julie You get on with things. You’re good at it.

  She offers Kristina a cigarette. Kristina shakes her head.

  Kristina I quit.

  Julie You saids that last time.

  Kristina I’ve really quit.

  Julie (genuine) Well done.

  On an impulse she takes Kristina’s face in her hands.

  See. Good.

  Julie lights hers.

  Have you set a date?

  Kristina No. Not yet.

  Julie You should use our country place. There’s a chapel there. I could even help you arrange it all. I’d love that. So would Father. In fact, he’d love it so much he might even turn up.