Samuel Beckett
Digital Manuscript ProjectFootfalls / Pas

MS-UoR-1552-6

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Segment 1

[0001] May (M), dishevelled grey hair, worn grey wrap
hiding feet, trailing.

[0002] Woman's voice (V) from dark upstage.

[0003] Strip: downstage, parallel with front, length
nine steps, width one metre, a little off centre
audience right.


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Segment 2

[0004] Pacing: starting with right foot (r) from audience
right (R) to left (L), with left foot (l) from L
to R.

[0005] Turn: rightabout at L, leftabout at R.

[0006] Steps: clearly audible rhythmic tread.

[0007] Lighting: dim, strongest at floor level, less on
body, least on head.

[0008] Voices: both low and slow throughout.

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Segment 3

[0009] Curtain. [0010] Stage in darkness.

[0011] Faint single chime. [0012] Pause as echoes die.

[0013] Fade up to dim on strip. [0014] Rest in darkness.

[0015] M discovered pacing towards L. [0016] Turns at L, paces
three more lengths, halts facing front at R.

[0017] Pause.

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Segment 4

M

[0018] Mother. [0019] (Pause. [0020] No louder.) [0021] Mother.

[0022] Pause.

V

[0023] Yes, May.

M

[0024] Were you asleep?

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Segment 5

V

[0025] Deep asleep. [0026] (Pause.) [0027] I heard you in my deep sleep.
[0028] (Pause.) [0029] There is no sleep so deep I would not hear
you there. [0030] (Pause. [0031] M resumes pacing. [0032] Four lengths.
[0033] After first length, synchronous with steps.) [0034] One
two three four five six seven eight nine wheel one
two three four five six seven eight nine wheel.
[0035] (Free.) [0036] Will you not try to snatch a little sleep?

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Segment 6

[0037] M halts facing front at R. [0038] Pause.

M

[0039] Would you like me to inject you again?

V

[0040] Yes, but it is too soon.

[0041] Pause.

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Diagram 1
Beckett included a diagram of the strip.
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Title 1
FOOTFALLS
Transcription
  • Segments
  • Diagrams
    • Diagram 1
  • Titles

Footfalls / Pas © 2022 Samuel Beckett Digital Manuscript Project.
Editors: James Little and Vincent Neyt