High School

MRS. PRINGLE: The Prince of Wales! Oh! What wouldn’t I give to have the Prince of Wales in my house! New York has lost its heart to him. I was just telling Mr. Farnsworth yesterday that I’d give anything to have the Prince here. I would establish my social position for life! And I’ve such a reputation for being a wonderful hostess.

[The telephone rings.]

Dear me! — the phone — Hello — Mrs. Sedgwick — Yes — this is Mrs. Pringle — What? No — Oh! Caught in a snow drift — can’t get another car?

[She puts her hand over the telephone and speaks delightedly to ELAINE.]

Good! The widow can’t come — that leaves us twelve — remove two plates, Dunham.

[DUNHAM removes two plates, and ELAINE changes the table-cards. MRS. PRINGLE continues into the telephone.]

Oh! That’s a shame! I’m heartbroken. Oh! My dear, how can we get along without you! But have you really tried? Oh, I’m reduced to tears. Good-bye, dear.

[She hangs up the receiver, and takes it down again.]

Well, I’m glad she dropped out — Central — give me Lakeview 5971 — Dunham, with two less, you can save two cocktails and at least four glasses of champagne.

[Into the telephone.]

Has Mr. Morgan come in yet? Well, don’t give him the message I telephoned before about crossing the street to Mrs. Pringle’s for dinner. It’s too late — you understand?

[She hangs up the receiver.]

Well, anyway, I’ve invited Clem, returned my indebtedness and saved my champagne besides —

How do the stage directions impact the way the actors perform this scene?

Answer :

Stage directions guide actors in their performances, instructing them on the emotional tone, physical movement, and interaction with other characters and the set, thereby enriching the storytelling and clarifying character dynamics.

The stage directions in a play are essential as they guide actors on how to deliver their lines, move, and interact with props, other actors, and the set. For instance, in the excerpts provided, actions like Mrs. Pringle being delighted that the widow can't come and removing two plates, or Mrs. Hale arranging pans and examining a skirt, or Mrs. Peters reacting to the coldness of a room are specified in the stage directions. These instructions help actors understand the context of the lines, the emotional tone they should convey, and the physical actions that accompany their dialogue. They add depth to the performance by providing visual storytelling elements and also clarify characters' motivations and relationships.