Top
Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
The Button Moulder
a fantasy opera in two acts
by
Edward Lambert
libretto by the composer
after Ibsen's Peer Gynt
The Button Moulder was
composed in 1989 - 1990
in response to a commission from the Education Department of the Royal Opera
House, Covent Garden
with funds made available by Coutts Career Consultants
and was first performed in 1990
by the pupils of Prince William School, Oundle, Northamptonshire
CAST overview
Major singing roles:
The Button Moulder, a collector of souls tenor/soprano
Peer Gynt 1 as a young lad treble/soprano
Peer Gynt 3 as a young
man soprano/treble
Peer Gynt 4 as a middle
aged business man baritone
Peer Gynt 6 as an old
man baritone
Aase, Peer's mother soprano
Solveig, a young girl,
later an old lady soprano
Anitra, a beautiful
native soprano and dancer
Smaller singing roles:
Mads, the village wimp baritone
Aslak, the village
blacksmith baritone
Matron of the Madhouse contralto
Spoken &/or dancing roles:
Peer Gynt 2 in the Troll Kingdom spoken /[dancer]
Peer Gynt 5 in a
madhouse silent/dancer
Ingrid, Mads' bride silent/dancer
The Troll King spoken
Warden of the Madhouse spoken
Voice of the Great Boyg spoken [off]
The following can be cast from the Chorus:
Mad's father baritone
Mad's mother mezzo-soprano
Solveig's father, a priest baritone
Solveig's mother
mezzo-soprano
Groups from within the Chorus:
Villagers [women, men, girls, lads]
Business men
Thieves
Slaves & Overseers
Nurses
Chorus of villagers, trolls, dancing girls, soldiers and inmates
Dancers: villagers, trolls, Ugly Brat, dancing girls
Top
Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
Vocally, the scenes are fairly self-contained: Peer was designed, for
example, to be taken by up to six performers (including an actor and a dancer.
Similarly, the chorus in different scenes could be taken by different groups.
Act One
Prologue: a crossroads
The Button Moulder, a collector of souls
Peer Gynt [6] as
an old man
Scene One: a village in the mountains
Peer Gynt [1] as a young lad
Aase, Peer's
mother
Mads, the village wimp
Ingrid, Mads'
bride
A steward
Mads' father and mother
Aslak, the village blacksmith
Solveig, a young
girl new to the village
Solveig's father, a
priest, & mother
Chorus of Villagers: women, men, lads, girls
Dancers: Villagers
Scene Two: the Hall of the Troll King
Peer Gynt [2] as a Troll groom-
The Troll King
Ingrid, as the Troll King's daughter
Voice of the Great Boyg & Birds' cries
Chorus Of Trolls: malignant creatures
Dancers: Trolls, Troll priests, maidens, Ugly
Brat
Scene Three: Aase's hut
Peer Gynt [3] as a young man
Aase
Solveig
Voice of the Great Boyg
Act Two
Interlude: another crossroads
The Button Moulder
Peer Gynt [6]
Scene Four: an exotic island
Peer Gynt [4] as
a middle aged business man
A group of business men
Slaves and their Overseer[s]
Thieves
Voice of Peer [1]
Anitra, an exotic temptress
Chorus of soldiers
Chorus of [dancing] girls
Scene Five: a madhouse
Matron of the Madhouse
Warden of the
Madhouse
Group of Nurses
Peer Gynt [5] in the madhouse
Chorus of Drop-outs, Scientists & Artists: inmates
Scene Six: a crossroads near the village
Peer Gynt [1]
Peer Gynt [2]
Peer Gynt [3]
Peer Gynt [4]
Peer Gynt [5]
Peer Gynt [6]
Mads, as in scene
one, grown older
Aslak, as in scene one, grown older
Ingrid, as in scene one, grown older
The Troll King, as in scene two, grown older
Solveig, now an old lady
The ButtonMoulder
Chorus of Villagers: men, women, youths as in
Scene One
Top
Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
Peer Gynt, with its
mixture of reality and fantasy, is a work young people can appreciate on many
different levels. It is notoriously hard to put on the stage ("Do it on
the radio" says the heroine in Educating Rita) and Ibsen recognized the need for music
to play an important role in underlining its mythical atmosphere. Here much of
the play has been followed quite closely, although it has been cut to provide a
simple dramatic shape and there has been some updating. The music, intended as
an odyssey in itself,
draws on a wide variety of styles ranging from medieval music to that of the
present day, and from different parts of the world, and some of it originates
from projects the composer has undertaken in schools.
Prologue
The Button Moulder meets Peer Gynt in his old age and
tells him he has come to collect his soul: he is neither good enough for heaven
nor bad enough for hell, and so he will be melted down and recycled. After all
he has never been himself and so his fate is of little consequence. Peer
protests at this ignominious treatment and promises to produce some witnesses
to prove his self-hood. Until the next cross-roads, then...
Scene One
Young Peer enters with his mother, Aase. He swags
about a recent hunting exploit in a dangerous ravine, but when she realises he's
making it all up she scolds him for being a good-for-nothing. Why doesn't Peer
settle down and do something worthwhile? He could have married Ingrid and got a
good dowry if only he had put his mind to it but at this very moment she's
getting married to Mads Mohen, the village whimp! On hearing this Peer decides
it's never too late and resolves to carry off the bride. In high spirits he
carries his mother on his shoulders and dumps her on the mill-house roof. The
villagers enter and celebrate the wedding. As the dancing starts Ingrid bursts
into tears and runs off, leaving the pathetic Mads at a loss. He re-enters a
few moments later to complain to his parents that she has locked herself in the
storehouse. They tell him to try again, and as he does so Peer arrives at the
party. Aslak the Blacklsmith conspires against Peer and when the dancing starts
up again all the girls ignore him. His attention is drawn to the arrival of
Solveig, an innocent young girl new to the village, and he asks her to dance
with him. It is clear she would like to but when she hears his name she too
runs away terrified. Mads tries to enlist Peer's help in getting Ingrid out of
the storehouse, but Peer is preoccupied with Solveig, and, when goaded into
drinking by a group of teasers, with boastful predictions of his future as
Emperor of the World. Solveig now refuses him because he is drunk, and so Peer
finally goes off with Mads to break into the storehouse. Aslak enters with the
crowd, by now eager for Peer's blood - but he is nowhere to be seen. Mads
rushes in and tells everyone that Peer has absconded with Ingrid. Astonished
and angry, yet insensible with drink, all see the couple in the distance
disappearing up the mountainside.
Scene Two
In Peer's fantasies he has arrived at the Hall of
the Mountain King where a large crowd of trolls, gnomes, elves, goblins and
other malignant creatures (who curiously resemble the villagers back home)
taunt him with a tremendous din. He is accused of seducing the Troll King's
daughter (Ingrid). The King tells Peer that ne may marry his daughter and share
the kingdom provided be becomes a troll. This neccessitates fitting a tail on
him, and a grotesque ritual dance follows in which a tail is taken from a dead
troll and fastened on Peer. He and the Princess are married and she gives birth
to an Ugly Brat. At the sight of this monster Peer's fascination for the
Princess suddenly wears thin; to cure him the King suggests that his eyes be
scratched for he will then see things the way trolls do. This is too much for
Peer and he attempts to escape. The trolls are about to flay him when the voice
of the Great Boyg suddenly booms out and the trolls freeze in panic. 'Go round
about', says the Boyg, but Peer finds there is no way forward. Peer is about to
expire when a bell rings in the distance; the Boyg gasps and shrinks to nothing
and the trolls flee in disarray as the Hall vanishes. Solveig passes by,
ringing a handbell, as Peer lies unconscious on the mountainside.
Scene Three
In her hut Aase sings of how the little time left
her drags slowly by in the hope of seeing her son once more. Peer enters and
Aase is overcome with joy, but she fears for his safety since Peer is now an
outcast. They sing of the past and in their imaginations ride a charger across their
beloved mountains. As Aase lies back exhausted, Peer arrives at the gates of
heaven and demands that she be allowed in. He turns to her to find that, in
truth, she has died. He bids her a fond farewell. Solveig enters and explains
she has left home to be with him for ever. For a moment they are happy to be
alone but Peer remembers the advice of the Boyg to go round about. 'Be patient'
he says, as he disappears into the night. Solveig says she will wait for him.
Interval
Interlude
The Button Moulder appears once more to the Old
Peer - he has already arrived at the next crossroads, and it is time to go. In
photography, he explains, it is possible to work on a negative but Peer's
image, so to speak, has faded altogether. Peer once more plays for time - until
the next crossroads.
Scene Four
Peer, now middle-aged, is entertaining some
business acquaintances on a beautiful far-flung island. He tells them of his
cunning in obtaining his wealth - and of his imminent operation to back the Facists
and to become Emperor himself. Overcome by moral outrage and then by greed the
Businessmen steal his private plane. Peer's despair changes to delight when it
blows up after take-off. A hue and cry is heard: the Emperor's clothes have
been stolen. Soldiers and slaves are frantically searching for the thieves -
who then enter and drop their booty in fright. Peer, fancying himself in such
lavish attire, tries the garments on and is immediately hailed as a prophet by
a throng of adoring girls whose chief attraction to Peer is the seductive
Anitra. But the slaves re-enter and he is arrested for impersonating the
Emperor.
Scene Five
The prison into which Peer is subsequently thrown
is an asylum known as the Black Hole situated somewhere beyond the fringes of
humanity. A group of nurses are presided over by a sado-masochistic Warden who
holds a showcase trial in the manner of a TV game show: the Improbability
Contest. The first 'contestants' are inmates of the madhouse who are there
because they are drop-outs. The Warden tells them to shoot themselves, which
they do. Scientists follow - they have discovered life's secrets but have
received no rewards. If they hang themselves, the Warden says, they will gain
immortality. Delighted, they do so. Then a group of Artists, Writers and
Composers come forward; they address themselves to Peer since they are the
deeds, the thoughts and the songs that he might have accomplished. They have
lived in vain and in despair cut their throats. Peer is subsumed by his
distress and the inmates rise from their graves to peel him like an onion.
Scene Six
Now a very old man, Peer has returned to his
village where he finds he has become something of a legend in his own lifetime.
He meets figures from the past, but is stunned when he hears Solveig's voice in
the distance. The Button Moulder comes for him a third time, but Peer knows
that his best witness is to hand. She will testify to his true self. The Button
Moulder has to wait until the last cross-roads, while Solveig, now a blind old lady,
enters, joyous that her wait is over. Peer's self has been with her all the
time, she tells him. As day breaks the chorus pass by singing a carol.
Top
Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
ACT ONE
Prologue
A crossroads. Night.
BUTTON MOULDER
You are the man I was sent to collect:
I'm a moulder of buttons.
You have to go into my ladle.
PEER GYNT AS AN OLD MAN
Into your ladle?
BUTTON MOULDER
To be melted down.
PEER
To be melted down?
BUTTON MOULDER
Your grave is dug and your coffin ready.
I'm ordered by my master to fetch your soul now.
PEER
I see. So this is the end of my journey then?
I'm sure I deserve to be treated more regally -
at the worst I have possibly been quite a fool:
I'm certainly not an exceptional sinner.
BUTTON MOULDER
That's just the point:
you're no sinner at all,
and so you escape the terrors of torment
and are cast like the others to the whims of my ladle.
You were designed as a brilliant button
but now might be useful as new raw material!
PEER
Let me be judged in the time honoured way:
sent down to hell for a year or more.
That kind of punishment man could put up with.
Recycled as scrap -
the end of my self-hood -
that fills my soul with great horror.
BUTTON MOULDER
There's really no need to take it so badly.
What does it matter if you disappear
since you've never been yourself at all?
PEER
Never myself? You make me laugh!
If you could see into my soul
there you'd find Peer Gynt and nobody else!
BUTTON MOULDER
I have it in writing: 'collect Peer Gynt,
he has utterly failed in his purpose in life'.
PEER
No! Just give me time!
BUTTON MOULDER
What good would it do you?
PEER
I'll prove that I've been for the whole of my life
myself.
BUTTON MOULDER
You'll prove it?
PEER
I'll find some good witnesses.
Is it agreed?
BUTTON MOULDER
Very well. So be it.
We'll meet at the last cross-roads, remember.
Top
Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
Scene One
A village in the mountains; Peer rushes in
pursued by his mother. Morning.
AASE
Peer, you're lying!
PEER AS A YOUNG LAD
No, I'm not!
AASE
Swear it's true!
PEER
You never saw such a buck
so sleek and fat! Bang! I shot him!
The moment he had fallen
I was up astride his back,
when the giant creature bellowed,
leaping to his feet at once,
pinned poor me between his antlers
as in leaps and bounds he rushed
right along the Gjendin ridge!
AASE
Heaven help us!
PEER
Fully half a mile it stretches
sheer and narrow as a knife-edge:
either side you see the water
past the grey ravines and gullies
quite a thousand feet below.
Suddenly the reindeer swerving
gave a bound sky-high that sent us
plunging over, ever downwards
hitting water mighty hard!
I held tightly as he struggled
swimming to the distant shore.
AASE
Thanks to God Almighty! When you think
how such a leap as that might harm you!
(realising)
Christ above us! What a liar!
All that nonsence you've come out with:
it's just a tale I've heard before!
I wonder you can face me!
When the work is hardest
you leave me, you're off for weeks,
return in rags and empty-handed,
and then try to make me swallow
such a pack of lies.
Would to God that I were dead
and buried in the cold, black earth!
Prayers and tears have no effect.
PEER
That's enough of dismal wailing!
Often when our luck gave out
it returned as strong as ever.
AASE
You're a great, strong strapping fellow!
You should work the farm for profit,
look after what your father left.
PEER
Dearest, pretty little mother,
all the town shall do you honour:
only wait till I have done something really great!
AASE
Something might have come of you
if you'd thought of settling down:
that girl Ingrid - she quite liked you;
you'd have won a handsome dowry
if you'd really wanted to.
PEER
Very well, I'll go and ask her!
AASE
You're too late - you've missed your chance:
she's married to Mads Mohen.
PEER
What? The man the girls all laugh at!
VILLAGERS (heard in the distance)
Love's the softest, sweetest thing
that in the heart may sleep.
Love is craft and for its woes
is well equipped to weep.
AASE
Where are you going?
PEER
To find your future daughter!
AASE
Oh no you don't! I'd better come with you!
PEER (picking her up)
Oh no you won't - you'll stay right here!
AASE
Put me down!
PEER
Do stop wriggling
AASE
You beast! I'll give you a thrashing!
PEER (putting her on the roof)
Be patient, mother, I shan't be long!
VILLAGERS (getting nearer)
Love is weal and love is woe,
in gladness can maintain us.
Love is life and love is death,
and love can well sustain us.
(Villagers enter making preparations for the Wedding)
SOME VILLAGERS
What's that screaming?
AASE
Me!
VILLAGERS
Aase, you've come up in the world!
OTHER VILLAGERS
You're half way to heaven!
AASE
Fetch a ladder! Get me down!
VILLAGERS (laughing)
She's half way to heaven!
MORE VILLAGERS (entering)
What's going on?
ALL
Peer Gynt's mother's on the mill house roof!
The Wedding Party and onlookers enter
Love is false and love is eager,
forces folk to long.
Love is foolish, love is firm
and love is comfort strong:
Love's a marvel to the man
who treats of it in song!
(the bride and groom are received by their parents; suddenly Ingrid, faced
with the prospect of life with Mads, screams and bursts into tears; she runs
off, with Mads following. Everyone laughs.)
SOME WOMEN
The bride? Yes, of course, she's crying a lot,
but who'd take any notice of that?
THE STEWARD (coming forward)
Now then, one and all, fill up your mugs.
SOME MEN
Thank you, we will, they empty so quickly!
SOME LADS (to the band)
Go to it, you lot, give it some wellie!
SOME GIRLS (observing the dancers)
Hey, what a leap!
MADS (re-entering,
distressed)
Father, she won't! She's being unkind to me!
MAD'S FATHER
What won't she do?
MADS
She's locked herself in!
MAD'S FATHER
Well, find the key then!
MADS
I don't know how!
MAD'S FATHER (sending him away)
Oh, you're a nuisance!
LADS (looking out)
Now things are going to get lively, I'm sure:
Peer Gynt has arrived!
ASLAK THE BLACKSMITH
Who asked him along?
THE STEWARD
No-one.
ASLAK THE BLACKSMITH
If he speaks to you, girls, pretend not to notice.
GIRLS
No, no! Let's pretend that he doesn't exist!
(as the dance finishes, everyone disperses)
PEER (entering)
I wonder if Ingrid will be here alone.
No, thousands of neighbours are swarming like flies.
I'd do rather better to go back again:
they snigger and whisper behind your back.
If only I had a good, strong drink,
or could walk around invisible!
MEN AND WOMEN (passing by)
His father drank and his mother's half-crazy!
Small wonder the boy has turned out so stupid!
PEER
Could it be me they were talking about?
Oh! Well let them gossip,
it's not likelly to kill me!
ASLAK (coming up behind Peer, and kicking
him)
Why look! There's that young drunkard, Peer Gynt!
Up on your feet lad!
PEER
The devil! The blacksmith!
ASLAK
What have you done with yourself these past weeks?
Been up with the trolls have you?
PEER
Adventures galore! But none of your business!
ASLAK
Gossip is: it was Ingrid you fancied.
PEER
Go to hell!
ASLAK
Now then, don't lose your temper,
there'll be plenty of others!
You're sure to find someone
who'll have you some day!
I'll give your love to the bride. Good-bye! (goes off)
PEER (shouting after him)
Ingrid can have whom she likes: I don't care!
(the music starts up again)
PEER (seeing the dancers)
What a swarm of young beauties!
How music inspires me!
Yes, hell and damnation, I'll join the party!
Now, which girl's the fastest?
FIRST GIRL
Not me!
SECOND GIRL
Nor me!
THIRD GIRL
I'm sure I'm not either!
PEER
What about you?
FOURTH GIRL
I'm going home! Good-bye!
ALL GIRLS
We haven't got time!
Just who do you think you are? We're off!
LADS
See, they prefer to dance with old men!
PEER
Hey, where are the free ones?
LADS
Find them yourself! There's some widows around!
(Peer is downcast; but then Solveig enters with her parents; she is very
prim and carries a Bible in her hand. They catch each others' eye. Her father
is a priest, and Peer goes up to him)
PEER
May I dance with your daughter?
SOLVEIG'S FATHER
Certainly. First though, we must go and greet our kind hosts.
(they pass by)
STEWARD
Since you're here, you might as well drink!
PEER
No thanks, I'm waiting to dance!
I've never seen anyone so lovely before.
So shy and so innocent!
I must have a dance with her!
(he tries to find Solveig,
but some youths bar the way)
LADS
Are you leaving already?
PEER
No!
LADS
Are you frightened of Aslak?
PEER
Me, frightened?
LADS
Yes, you!
SOLVEIG ( timidly approaching Peer)
Is it you who wanted to dance with me?
PEER
Yes, come along!
SOLVEIG
No, I mustn't go far, mother told me.
PEER
Mother told you?
Were you only born yesterday?
SOLVEIG
Don't laugh!
PEER
You're only a child! What's your name?
SOLVEIG
Solvieg. And what are you called?
PEER
I'm the famous Peer Gynt!
SOLVEIG (recognising the name,
and running off, terrified)
Oh. heavens!
(the dancing stops)
MADS (re-entering)
Mother, she won't!
MAD'S MOTHER
Won't what?
MADS
Unlock the door!
MAD'S FATHER
You should be locked away yourself!
MAD'S MOTHER
Poor darling! Don't scold him, he'll soon be fine!
LADS
Let's have a drink, Peer!
PEER
No.
LADS
Come on, join in the fun!
PEER
All right, I'll try it.
LADS
Try this, it's stronger!
PEER (drinking)
Yes, that's more like it!
LADS
Why are you scared of it?
PEER
Why are you scared of me?
LADS
Who isn't! Tell what you can do, Peer!
PEER
Lot's of fine things, I can tell you!
LADS
Ride through the air?
PEER (becoming tipsy)
Of course!
One day I'll ride overseas in glory!
Here comes Peer Gynt at the head of his army,
his charger gold-shod,
silver-crested his harness,
splendid the men in his retenue following!
People in groups by the wayside are gathered,
lifting their hats as they stare up in wonder;
women are curtseying:
everyone knows it is Emperor Peer Gynt
and his Thousand Retainers!
(everyone has gathered round to listen,
bemused, astonished or angry.
Mads has taken it all in, and slowly goes up to Peer)
LADS AND GIRLS
He's gone out of his mind!
The braggart! You liar!
PEER
Just wait and you'll see!
LADS AND GIRLS
He's out of his mind!
Raving and mad!
Big mouth! Liar!
He needs two black eyes!
(all depart, as the dancing starts up again)
MADS
Is it true you can ride through the air, Peer?
PEER
I can do anything, believe me!
MADS
You can be invisible, then?
PEER
Of course! That's easy!
PEER (seeing Solveig)
At last you've come back to me!
Now let me swing you round and round!
SOLVEIG
Let me go! You're so wild and free!
PEER
Like a stag in springtime! Come on, don't be shy!
SOLVEIG
I can't!
PEER
Why not?
SOLVEIG (leaving him)
Because you've been drinking!
MADS
Can you help me then to get at the bride?
PEER
Why? Where is she?
MADS
In the store house.
PEER
Well now...
MADS
Oh listen, Peer, please try.
PEER
You'll have to manage without me now.
Wait! Ingrid in the store house...
(sees Solveig again; pleading, earnestly at first,
but becoming violent)
It's true that I've had too much to drink,
but that's because I love you so. Please come!
MADS
Please come!
SOLVEIG
I'm afraid of father.
PEER
Strait-laced is he?
SOLVEIG
Leave me alone!
PEER
No! I'll turn myself into a troll!
I'll be by your bed at midnight,
then I'll turn myself into a were-wolf,
and nibble and bite you all over!
SOLVEIG (screaming, and running off)
Now you've been horrid!
(the Lads have heard this, and go to fetch Aslak.
The dancing has stopped)
MADS
I'll give you an ox if you help me!
PEER
Come on then!
(Peer and Mads rush off, just as Aslak and the Crowd enter threateningly)
STEWARD (trying to hold them back)
Now, go easy!
ASLAK
Either Peer Gynt or I must bite the dust!
I'll murder the beggar! Where is he?
Let's have a duel!
LADS
Aslak will thrash him!
GIRLS
No, let them settle it! We'd like Peer alive!
Where is he?
WOMEN
Drunk, I expect!
MEN
Telling lies!
WOMEN
The scoundrel!
MEN
But he'll be in for it now!
SOLVEIG'S FATHER AND MOTHER
Control yourselves, people!
Lord, give us peace!
(to Solveig) Now you can see
what they think of Peer Gynt!
SOLVEIG (to her parents)
Will they beat him? Kill him?
THE CROWD
Peer Gynt's in trouble!
Where is he? Where is Peer?
AASE (entering, sore from her sojourn on the
roof)
Is that son of mine here?
I'll teach him a lesson!
I'm going to beat him!
ASLAK
I'll kill him for sure!
AASE
What, harm my Peer?
Just see if you dare!
He's got a mother who'll fight tooth and nail!
Where is he, though? (calling) Peer!
MADS (rushing in)
Oh God in heaven! Mother, it's terrible!
MADS' FATHER AND MOTHER
Now what's the matter?
THE CROWD
What has happened now?
MADS
Peer Gynt...
AASE
Ah, have they killed him?
MADS
...look on the hill-side!
THE CROWD
Peer! He's made off with the bride!
AASE
The devil!
ASLAK
He's scrambling up steeply, just like a goat!
AASE
Carrying Ingrid like a pig on his back!
I hope you fall over! Oh! Mind where you're going!
THE CROWD
We'll have his life for the rape of a bride!
AASE
Oh, no you don't! Or may God strike me dead!
Top
Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
The Crowd has become violent: Aase tries in vain to hold them back; there is
an instant transformation to...
Scene
Two
The Hall of a subterranean palace which is full of pulsating creatures that
curiously resemble the Crowd of the previous scene, transformed into Trolls:
malignant punks, thugs, gnomes, goblins or elves; on a throne surrounded by
courtiers sits the Troll King, whose ugly daughter, dressed in green, resembles
Ingrid.
TROLLS
Kill him! The dog has seduced
the Troll King's fairest daughter!
(in groups)
Let us cut off his fingers! Cut him!
Let us tear out his hair! Tear him!
Let us bite his bot-tom! Bite him!
Let's reduce him to soup! Boil him!
Let us roast him in the oven! Roast him!
Let us toast him on the grill! Toast him!
Let us cook him in the pot! Cook him!
(all)
Eat him!
TROLL KING
Calm yourselves!
The lad is well-built, though he has only one head!
But so has my daughter - the fashion has changed.
Do you want her for life, my lad?
PEER AS A TROLL GROOM
With your kingdom as dowry!
TROLL KING
Half while I live: half when I'm done.
First, you must promise to wipe from your mind
all but the realm of these mountains.
Shun noble words, shun brave deeds,
and anything tainted by goodness.
Outside amongst men where the skies are bright
there's a saying which goes:
"Man, to thyself be true!"
But here in the mountains the saying runs:
"Hell! Every Troll for himself!"
PEER
Once I'm a king that shouldn't be hard!
TROLL KING
Next, you must throw off your human clothes -
it's their outward appearance that
Trolls are known by!
Customs and clothes are all that matter!
See that my best tail is fastened on him!
Since you're so fond of telling tales
you had better get used to wearing one!
Music, ho! Let the band play!
Dancing girls, hi! Tread the hallfloor!
Troll Dance
A grotesque ritual follows: procession of Troll Priests, bearing in their
midst a sacrificial victim from which Troll Maidens ceremoniously lop off the
tail; this is blessed by all and fastened on Peer.
Peer and Ingrid are married and coupled and she gives birth to an Ugly Brat
with monster-like features.
TROLL KING (as the dance finishes)
Tell me now what you saw!
PEER
A sight that was hugely ugly!
TROLL KING
It's a curious thing about human nature
how it clings to men for so long a time!
Well, my son, we must give you some treatment!
TROLLS (with increasing menace)
We'll scratch your eyes so that you see askew,
and you'll think what you see is perfection itself:
your progeny lovely -
your troubles and woes you'll be rid of forever
since the eyes are the source of nothing but tears.
PEER
Thanks very much! I must be off!
TROLL KING
Where are you going?
PEER
Open the gates! Let me go out!
TROLLS
Kill him! The dog has seduced
the Troll King's fairest daughter!
Let us cut off his fingers! Cut him!
Let us tear out his hair! Tear him!
Let us bite his bottom! Bite him!
Let's reduce him to soup! Boil him!
Let us roast him in the oven! Roast him!
Let us toast him on the grill! Toast him!
Let us cook him in the pot! Cook him!
Eat him!
The Trolls are about to tear Peer apart, when the Voice of the Great Boyg
booms out, and the Trolls freeze, petrified.
BOYG
Cease your play!
[Peer tries to run out, but every exit is barred to him]
Go round about, Peer!
PEER
Who are you?
BOYG
The Boyg, Peer Gynt! The one and only!
PEER (struggling in the dark)
Get out of my way!
BOYG
Go round or straight through - it's just as far.
Outside or inside - you can't tell the difference.
As soon as you're free - you're caught up again
The beatings of wings is heard.
BIRDS' CRIES
Boyg, he has fallen!
Seize him! Seize him!
BOYG
He's ours!
PEER
Save me, mother!
Solveig, save me!
Suddenly bells are heard in the distance; the Trolls disperse in turmoil and
the Hall disintegrates; Peer lies scarcely conscious on the mountainside;
Solveig passes by, ringing a hand bell to scare the Trolls away; she is looking
for Peer but does not see him.
BOYG (gasping, dwindling away)
He was too strong;
women have saved him!
(nothing remains)
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Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
Scene Three
Aase's hut stripped bare. She is in bed,
waiting.
Evening.
AASE
Oh, how poor creatures like us must suffer!
Merciful God, the whole house is empty!
The baillif has taken my clothes,
the clothes off my back.
The farm's gone now, and so is our land.
With Peer away there's no-one to help me.
The devil's to blame, he took my boy!
Why won't he come?
There's no time to lose:
to think that my end might happen without him!
PEER AS A YOUNG MAN (entering)
Mother!
AASE
God bless you my son!
But how dare you come here?
Your life is in danger you know.
PEER
My life doesn't matter!
AASE
Mine's near its end: you'll be done with me soon.
Then you must get me a coffin
and see that it's handsome and fine!
PEER
Time enough for that later, not now.
Let's talk of lovely things,
not what's horrid
and painful and sore -
what news is there here?
AASE
They say there's a girl who longs for the mountains -
it's said she ignores her folk's tears -
shall I tell you her name?
PEER
Why look, this is surely the bed I had as a boy!
AASE
Yes, we'd play sledges, ride over the fjord!
We had some white horses,
high up and low down we'd fly!
PEER
As we galloped you'd turn round to ask was I cold?
Stir yourself, Grane! Now we are speeding!
AASE
I hear something ringing!
PEER
The sleigh bells, dear mother!
AASE
What is it that's sighing?
PEER
The trees on the hill-side.
AASE
What is it that's glistening?
PEER
The lights in the castle.
Outside stands St. Peter inviting you in!
AASE
Oh Peer, you are taking your mother
to a splendid party!
But don't drive so fast, I'm so old and tired now.
PEER
The drive is soon over.
AASE
I'll lie back with my eyes shut
and trust in you, Peer.
(Aase has died in Peer's arms, but he has yet to notice)
PEER (continuing his journey)
The excitement is huge! They all come to greet us!
What's that St. Peter, you won't let her in?
My, my good Sir, you'll find no-one better than her!
You must respect and revere her,
make her feel truly at home!
Aha! Here comes the Father - God Almighty!
St. Peter, you're in for it now!
There, just as I told you -
"Now let Mother Aase come through!"
Why so silent Mother?
Don't stare so, it's me!
So that's it. Our journey is over.
Thanks for your beatings and kisses,
thank you for all your days.
(He bids her a tender farewell. The sun is setting. Solveig enters)
PEER
Solveig, you here?
SOLVEIG
Lonely days and empty nights
bore me the message that I must come.
PEER
But your parents?
SOLVEIG
I've left them forever.
PEER
Solveig, my fairest, you're all to me.
SOLVEIG
My friend, you're all to me.
BOTH
Here, where we hear
the whispers of trees,
in silence and song,
here we shall live and be happy.
SOLVEIG
How soundly she's sleeping.
PEER
Hush, she is dead.
(Peer hears the Voice of the Boyg once more)
VOICE OF THE BOYG
Go round about, Peer.
There's no way straight to her.
Go round about,
so that, if you gain nothing,
at least you'll have nothing to lose.
SOLVEIG
Where are you going?
PEER
Just round about.
It's dark and I've something to carry.
SOLVEIG
Wait and I'll help you,
we'll share the burden.
PEER
No, stay where you are,
I must bear it alone.
SOLVEIG
Don't go too far, Peer.
PEER (going off)
Be patient, wait for me.
SOLVEIG
Yes, I will wait.
(Solveig remains in the hut as the Curtain falls)
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Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
ACT TWO
Interlude
Another crossroads. Night.
BUTTON MOULDER
Well, Peer Gynt, have you found your witnesses?
PEER AS AN OLD MAN
A crossroads, already?
That didn't take long!
BUTTON MOULDER
We must be off!
PEER
But I've been myself!
BUTTON MOULDER
Not so!
A man can be completely himself
in two different ways:
negative, positive,
one the reverse of the other.
When a human soul turns out to be negative,
the original image is still quite intact,
they just send it below
where they purge it in sulphur
'till the image appears
that its maker had wanted.
But if a soul has not been true,
has never been itself,
nothing above or below
can restore that picture to life.
There's nothing for it -
my ladle and I have to cast that picture again.
PEER
But surely I'm a very great sinner?
BUTTON MOULDER
Again I must ask for proof.
PEER
Just give me time!
I'll find one more witness.
BUTTON MOULDER
But Peer, I have orders.
PEER
They're so out of date!
BUTTON MOULDER
But...
PEER
Please!
BUTTON MOULDER
'till the next crossroads, then,
but not further!
Top
Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
An exotic island in far-off climes. Bright
sunshine. Peer, now a wealthy middle-aged business man, is lavishly
entertaining some associates at a party. His private jet is parked nearby.
PEER IN MIDDLE AGE
Drink, gentlemen! Man was made for pleasure!
BUSINESS MEN
Herr Gynt, you make a splendid host!
PEER
The credit's due to my banker,
my cook, my butler...
BUSINESS MEN
Very well, we'll toast all four!
Cheers!
BUSINESS MEN (SOME)
Monsieur, you have taste
such as one sedom finds today,
a certain...
BUSINESS MEN (OTHERS)
Air of enlightenment, an ability
to grasp the truth in all its finer aspects!
BUSINESS MEN
The cause of this phenomenon?
PEER
Is easy... I've never married.
A man must live for himself alone,
not carry the woes of others!
When I was young and dashing
a royal beauty almost hooked me!
But when the lady's father hinted
that I change my way of life
I gracefully withdrew myself
and renounced my youthful bride.
BUSINESS MEN
Ah!
PEER
Since when my motto for life has been:
whatever snares may come your way
go round about, stay free to chose!
Let's drink to freedom!
BUSINESS MEN
To freedom!
BUSINESS MEN (SOME)
But, my dear, good Sir,
we're curious to know...
what is your goal?
BUSINESS MEN (OTHERS)
Yes, tell us! What is your goal?
PEER
To be myself!
BUSINESS MEN
Yourself?
PEER
Myself!
BUSINESS MEN
But how?
PEER (by now the centre of attention, he
takes a microphone and sings; the BUSINESS MEN join in)
The Gyntian self, it is a mass
of wishes, wants and needs.
The Gyntian self - a hoard
of cravings, fancies and demands.
It's all that stirs within my breast
and makes me live as what I am.
(taking his colleagues aside)
But just as God has need of man
to make a world he can be God in,
so I, in turn, require God's gold
to make myself Earth's Emperor!
BUSINESS MEN
Emperor?
PEER
Emperor!
BUSINESS MEN
Of what? Where?
PEER
Of the whole world!
BUSINESS MEN
But how my friend?
PEER
By the power of gold!
BUSINESS MEN
But you have gold!
PEER
But not enough!
Which is why we're gathered here.
I have good news:
God helps those who help themselves!
BUSINESS MEN
Well, tell us!
PEER
The People are in revolt!
BUSINESS MEN
What!
PEER
Yes, they have risen!
BUSINESS MEN
Hurrah!
PEER
And the Facists are in trouble!
BUSINESS MEN
The People! The path to freedom opens!
Those who help - their's the glory!
PEER
I think you miss my meaning, sirs;
he who owns nothing, he may take chances.
A rich man's stake, however, is greater:
You fight for the People and I'll provide you
with weapons free,
(if you fan the flames
all the better for me).
I'll back the stronger side:
I'll lend my wealth to the Facists!
(he goes off)
BUSINESS MEN
(astounded)
Never! A joke?
The villain! The swine!
No sense of honour!
(jealous)
Think of his profit if the Facists should win!
(ebullient)
What are we waiting for?
His Empire lies within our grasp:
we'll bribe the crew! Seize his jet!
(conscience-stricken, then gleeful)
Dastardly deed! Villainous behaviour!
Wicked idea!
(resolved)
What a great scheme! A masterly plan!
We'll seize Peer Gynt's wealth
and rescue the People!
All on board!
(they go off to seize the jet)
SOLDIERS (in the distance)
The Emperor's charger's stolen! Woe!
The Emperor's sacred robes are gone! Woe!
SOME SLAVES (running in)
The Emperor's white charger is stolen!
The Emperor's most sacred robes are gone!
THEIR OVERSEER[s] (chasing them)
A hundred lashes unless the thieves are caught!
(they run off; the noise of a jet taking off is heard; Peer rushes on,
distraught)
PEER
A dream! A night-mare!
My jet's been hijacked: it's taken off!
Infamous treachery's abandoned me here!
I'm sure I'm not meant to perish like this!
(praying)
Lord pay attention, protect Peer Gynt!
Help me to...
(there is a tremendous explosion in the distance)
The sword of vengeance! Blown from the sky!
I singled out safely, they destined to die!
(with a deep breath)
What a wonderful feeling
of safety and comfort
it gives one to know that one's
specially watched over!
(he hides, as two thieves run on with the Emperor's booty)
THIEVES
Spear points gleaming, flashing, flickering...
Woe! Woe!
I see my life-blood flow in the sand!
Woe! Woe!
My father stole, his son must steal!
My father took and so must I!
SOLDIERS (in the distance)
The Emperor's charger's stolen! Woe!
The Emperor's sacred robes are gone! Woe!
(hearing the soldiers, the Thieves panic)
THIEVES
Fly! But where?
The desert is wide and the Prophet great!
(they flee leaving their booty; Peer sees the
Emperor's clothes and tries them on)
VOICE OF PEER AS A YOUNG LAD (off-stage)
One day I'll ride overseas in glory!
His charger gold-shod, silver crested his...
(Beautiful native girls enter, and seeing Peer so finely dressed, hail him
as Emperor and Prophet, showering him with presents and affection)
GIRLS
The Prophet is come!
The Prophet, the Master, to us he is come,
to us he is come!
Riding over the sea of sand,
the Prophet, the Master, to us he is come!
Sailing over the sea of sand,
the Prophet, the Master is come!
Sound flute and drum, sound flute and drum!
Ah! The Glorious One has come to us!
ANITRA
His charger is white as the milk
that flows in the streams of Paradise!
Bend every knee, bow every head!
His eyes are shining stars,
no human can endure their gaze.
Bend every knee, bow every head!
Across the desert he came
bedecked with gold and jewels,
arrayed as a mortal
light shone round about him.
Ah! The Glorious One has come!
PEER
Ah! A prophet! Yes, that's the position for me!
ANITRA
My prophet and master!
PEER
Dance for me, children, banish my cares!
(Anitra and the Girls dance)
DANCING GIRLS
The Prophet is good.
The Prophet is grieved by the sins of men.
The Prophet is gentle.
All praise to his mercy.
The portals of Paradise he opens to sinners.
Peer is captivated by the girls, and by Anitra in particular, but he is too
old; the slaves enter, take him for the
thief, and restrain him. There is an instant transformation to
Top
Characters
Breakdown by scene
Story
Act One
Scene One
Scene Two
Scene Three
Act Two
Scene Four
Scene Five
Scene Six
Instrumentation
Scene Five,
a Madhouse into which Peer has been thrown for his sins and which has, until
this moment, been abandoned beyond the fringes of humanity. The media has just
discovered it, however, and Peer finds himself in the midst of a showcase trial
surrounded by reporters, cameramen and the trappings of an outside broadcast
conducted in the manner of a TV game show: the Improbability Contest. It is
compèred by the half-crazy Warden wearing
a stethoscope around his neck. The semi-chorus from the previous scene have
become Nurses in white overalls who
teasingly dance and sing tasteless jingles to the cameras. The remainder of the
chorus appear as impoverished Inmates,
innocent victims of a tyrannical regime.
NURSES
It's the greatest, the latest,
the very up-to-datest,
it's the Improbability Contest that's best!
Anything you want to be
can be yours from A to Zee!
We'll fill your life with fantasee!
Doo ah! Doo ah!
It's the fastest, the mostest,
the hottest from Coast to Coastest,
it's the Improbability Contest that's best!
(canned applause)
WARDEN
Thank you! Thank you!
Welcome to the Black Hole Lunar Asylum
out here on the Fringes of Humanity!
Our guest tonight is the famous Peer Gynt!
(Peer enters to loud applause, still dressed in his Emperor's clothes)
Glad to have you with us, Peer!
As you all know, Sense and Reason
dropped dead here last night.
Until then this place was considered a madhouse!
But now all persons formerly held to be crazy
have become normal, if you follow me,
while the Intelligent have gone raving mad!
We're going to explore this issue tonight
with the help of our dear friend Peer
and - my pretty companions here!
NURSES
It's the greatest, the latest,
the very-up-to-datest,
it's the Improbability Contest that's best!
WARDEN (attempting to sing)
Here man's himself as much as can be,
himself and nothing but himself,
self-igniting, self-propelling,
each contained within himself!
Here man's himself as much as can be,
himself and nothing but himself,
self-up-winding, self-inflating,
himself in thought and word and deed!
Since you, dear Peer, say you have been yourself,
it's obvious that
if Ourselves are to appoint an Emperor
Yourself is the very best man!
The Emperor is come!
Long live Peer Gynt!
And now: fix it time!
Let the Emperor's subjects appear before him!
NURSES (slowly and sarcastically)
Are you feeling sad and blue?
We can bring a smile to you!
Do the things you want to do!
We'll make your wildest dreams come true!
WARDEN
So let's have our first Contestants, please!
A chorus of Drop-Outs enter; they are
very 'cool'.
DROP-OUTS
We are the Dropouts of Infinity,
collapsing under our own gravity.
Once as bright as any star
White Giants of pulsating power,
in this Black Hole gave out dimmer light,
turned inwards, courted inner night:
now Time stands still.
In this state
we await our Fate,
Time-weary travellers.
NURSES
It's the neatest, the sweetest,
the give-yourself-a-treatest,
it's the Improbability Contest
that's best!
WARDEN
Well now, Peer! What advice
can we give these poor unfortunates?
How can they escape the Black Hole of Misery?
the Nurses hand out guns; Peer is silent; as the scene progresses he ages
visibly.
WARDEN
To flee the confinement of fate
shoot straight through beyond!
Exit in Hope! Abandon Fear!
Shoot! Shoot!
NURSES
Bang!
Doo-ah! Doo-ah!
The Drop-Outs shoot themselves.
WARDEN
Full marks!
So let's have our next Contestants, please!
A chorus of Scientists enter; their
speech is very rapid and they display nervous 'ticks' which become more violent
as they go on.
SCIENTISTS
You see this spectrum of delights:
it shows how life began,
so many rays of particles
were formed in the Big Bang.
And we, great men of learning,
probed the past to prove
that all the matter in the world
was energy on the move.
We saw that quarks exist,
have charm, while some are strange,
yield beauty, up and down, they do:
so wide their properties range.
This research we carried further:
we saw how god's creation
was hardly to be wondered at -
it's only radiation!
Furhermore, we saw life's answers
are not Nature's own concepts -
it's simply that our questions
reflect our human intellect.
So is it not a scandal
that we aren't hailed as kings?
Though we have known life's secrets
we're kept here, lowly things.
Oh sir, won't you advise us?
Help us restore our fate!
And make these damned fools realize
that we are very great!
WARDEN (joining in their patter,
as the Nurses give out ropes)
Suppose you all now hanged yourselves
immortality would be yours!
You would travel back and forth in Time,
work hard for evermore!
SCIENTISTS
We'll do it! Where's the rope?
Our death will banish doubt!
As anti-things we'll travel back
and sort the matter out!
(they hang themselves)
Knowledge seen in new light!
Prestige now ours by right!
DROP-OUTS (from their graves)
Here no one choses but loses
the light of guidance
and remains in our domains of lust!
No thrust is enough to escape us!
NURSES
It's the greatest, the latest,
the very up-to-datest,
it's the Improbability