Samuel Beckett
Digital Manuscript ProjectFootfalls / Pas

MS-UoR-1552-7

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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 seven steps, width one
metre, a little off centre audience right.

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Segment 2

[0004] Pacing: starting with right foot (r) from 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 pad.

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

[0008] Voices: both low 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 approaching 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
wheel one two three four five six seven wheel. [0035] (Free.) [0036] Will
you not try to snatch a little sleep?

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Diagram 1
There is a diagram of the strip.
Transcription
  • Segments
  • Diagrams
    • Diagram 1

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