Short Fiction · Chapter
VII: Rehearsal explained
The chapter details the rehearsal of Lord Byron's play 'Ruthven' on a narrow, deep stage.
What happens
The chapter details the rehearsal of Lord Byron's play 'Ruthven' on a narrow, deep stage. Varduk directs the cast, including Gilbert Connatt as Aubrey/Swithin, Sigrid Holgar as Malvina/Mary, and Martha Vining as Bridget. During a sword-fighting rehearsal, Connatt accidentally stabs Varduk, but Varduk reveals it was a trick with false blood. The rehearsal continues until a dispute arises over a scriptural error in the Lord's Prayer, leading to tension between Connatt and Varduk, which Varduk diffuses by ending the rehearsal early.
Themes in this chapter
The Power of Belief and Ritual
The rehearsal of 'Ruthven' involves ritualistic performance and the superstition about not speaking the last line, highlighting the power of theatrical and superstitious beliefs.
Evil and Moral Corruption
Varduk's manipulation of the rehearsal, the trick with the sword, and the disputed sacrilegious script error suggest underlying moral corruption and deceit.
Characters to notice
- Mr. Connatt
Plays Aubrey and Swithin; accidentally stabs Varduk during rehearsal; disputes the script's wording of the Lord's Prayer.
- Varduk
Director and actor playing Ruthven; reveals the stabbing was a trick; ends rehearsal after a dispute.
- Miss Holgar
Plays Malvina and Mary; performs well but notices the script error in the Lord's Prayer.
- Martha Vining
Plays Bridget; cracks her voice for the centenarian role; reacts with horror to the stabbing.
- Jake Switz
Present at rehearsal; reacts with an oath when Connatt stabs Varduk.
- Elmo Davidson
Varduk's subordinate; fetches the sword and chairs; defends Varduk against Connatt.
Key passages
“I faced them, and who seeks my face seeks death.”
I confronted them, and anyone who looks at me will die.
Ruthven's line delivered by Varduk during rehearsal, emphasizing his commanding and deadly presence.
“It does not pierce—indeed, it rather weighs, Like lead, upon the face where it is fixed.”
His gaze doesn't stab; instead, it presses down heavily like lead on the face it looks at.
Aubrey describes Ruthven's glance as heavy and oppressive, not sharp.
“I don't like sacrilegious mistakes, and I don't like being snubbed, sir.”
I dislike blasphemous errors and being treated dismissively.
Connatt's defiant response to Varduk after questioning the script's wording of the Lord's Prayer.