Turkish Delight the Opera

Giles Howe and Katy Lipson's

TURKISH DELIGHT

A new musical-opera in two acts

Libretto

Act I

SONG: FOLLY OF YOUTH

The curtain rises to show Betsy and Ohad asleep in bed. Waking up slowly, Betsy procures a cigarette from the bedside table. In silence, she lights it. Blowing smoke at the audience and yawning morosely, she begins to sing.

Wife I'll give you one more week

'till the folly of youth has passed me by.

Then I will give you up; give you up for good,

Like I've known I should!

I'll give you one more week,

Till the folly of youth has passed me by…

Aaaaaaaaah….

On the bottom note, she extinguishes the cigarette (opt: on her hand) then lights another.

I like the burn in my lungs; I've liked it since I was young

Who says it's easy to quit, simply is full of shit!

Gesturing at the audience to keep a secret, she extinguishes her cigarette, sprays perfume into the air to mask the smoke, then climbs back into bed.

SONG: PASSPORTS READY

The British woman is waiting in an airport.

Woman I've got my passport, money, hand luggage, magazine?

By now he ought to be here,

Why is he always late?

Spoken What time do you call this?

The Brit arrives, wielding her passport. She hugs him.

Brit Such awful traffic in the city

Such a crime, such a pity

At least I'm here to wave goodbye

I'll try my hardest not to cry!

I hope for your sake the sun will have his hat on!

Woman The weather's perfect, I just checked on my iPhone!

Brit A lot of luggage for one week of sunshine!

Woman Hats, shoes...

Brit Kitchen sink?

Tannoy Check in desk 45 now open!

(Simultaneously)

Woman I really like my trips abroad

Brit She often goes on trips abroad

Woman I'm very rarely ever bored

Brit Me on my lonesome getting bored

Woman Who does he think I'm there to see?

Brit Who is she going there to see?

Woman One day he might catch on to me!

Brit It's much more fun right here with me!

Woman I really hope the brochure was kosher.

I really hope the sun will have his hat on!

Brit Have you got your passports ready?

Would you like a magazine?

I'll wish you 'bon voyage' then, it's time to board the plane!

Both We'd better say goodbye now, it's time to board the plane!

The Brit almost tries to kiss her, it's awkward, but they laugh it off.

SONG: I SEE YOU THROUGH THE WINDOW

Brit I see you through the window getting on the plane

I heave a sigh as you glide off into the rain

Although we're just good friends, and friends we shall remain

I nearly tried to kiss you… Have I just gone insane?!

Something I'd regret, though something I would not forget!

When I see her next, I'll maybe kiss her;

I'll seduce her when she comes back home!

Woman In just two hours I will see my love again! My tall dark Turkish lover; how I like my men!

Brit Greet her off the plane, with flowers

A nice big bunch of flowers!

W&B I don't know why I always play this silly game

Should I worry I could break my heart again?

Like they always say, one should live with no regrets

Brit Home won't be the same without you!

B&W&T One long week 'till you/I return!

The British woman fantasises her Turkish lover

T/W Soaring to new heights of pretension

You and I in our own dimension

You lay me down on the white sand

Woman You take my hand

Turk I kiss your hand

T/W You kiss me...

Soaring to new heights of pretension

I'm only yearning your attention

You lay me down on the white sand

Turk You take my hand

Woman You kiss my hand

T/W You kiss me, just me

T/W Soaring to new heights of pretension

Bleeding you dry of all affection

You lay me down on the white sand

Brit I wave my hand and wave my hand

The plane ascends you leave this land

Woman You take my hand

Turk It feels grand

B/T/W Kiss just me

B/T/W A charming gesture to be greeted on/from the plane

Woman After one week away

B/T Will things remain the same?

B/T/W Am I a fool to always play this silly game?

I don't worry that my heart could break again

SONG: OUT OF THE HORSE'S MOUTH

Betsy prepares for the day at her dresser and histrionically laments her middle age.

Wife I take daily sage but still I age

Turn not the chapter, just the page!!

I can see time ravaging me!

Please stop the ride I want to break free!!

Oh, it's oh so unfair.

She drinks a shot

Am I to blame that the milk has turned sour?

It's not my fault my expression is dour!

I wish I had just a little more time.

I may not look fine, but I'm still in my prime!

But that's all about to change!!

I've eaten my crusts still my hair hasn't curled.

This revelation won't change the world!

I've asked myself time and time again:

"How many more eggs will come out of this hen?"

Oh it's oh so unfair!

Out of the horse's mouth came the confession

That I don't like the girl I have turned into.

Watch her skip over the hill…

Choices I made, and also decisions I took

Didn't necessarily go by the book.

How was I to know any better?

She stands again and begins pacing

I think that youth is wasted on the young

The tall, the blonde, the stacked or well-hung

Inside I am playing dancing games!

Outside almost trapped in a Zimmer frame…

Oh it's so unfair!!

She leans over her sleeping husband.

Ahhhhhh…

Her last note wakes him up who gets out of bed and begins to dress.

SONG: ARGUMENT

Wife Good morning darling!!

It's a glorious morning…

She attempts to seduce him, but he dismisses her. She is incensed.

Wife Why won't you fuck me like you used to?

What am I doing wrong?

Nothing I do seems to impress you anymore!

Turk It's all in your head!

You know I'll still love you even after your dead

Wife Still, I could not ever get used to this!

It's not what I married you for.

This has gone on for years and years

I will not take it anymore!

Turk Now you're just being silly!

Wife It disgusts me how you watch so much porn!

I will not tolerate it anymore.

I still love you, although you're hurting me;

Who'd ever thought this situation would happen to me?!

She helps him knot his tie

I'll still love you come rain or come shine.

I'll still love you even when you're no longer mine!

Though I'm bitter, I still want to hold your hand…

Maybe I just need a little cardioscopy?

In love you win some you loose some you learn some things:

Real love lasts longer than eternity times infinity!

Though that's not to guarantee it won't be unrequited!!

He leaves.

Wife Romance is dead

He returns

Turk I forgot to tell you that tonight I'm out on business

…Two hundred pounds

Go and buy yourself a nice hat.

He leaves

Wife Romance is dead! Romance is dead!

He's forgotten that tomorrow is my birthday

Romance is dead.

SONG: ONLY HUMAN

The Turk is stood in an airport arrivals lounge, nervously fiddling with a bunch of flowers.

Turk Flowers are the most romantic way to show someone you care;

Definitely the best way to show someone that you care.

This is maybe the fifth time we have met if I'm correct?

Certainly the fifth time we have met, yes, I am correct.

I got married a long time ago, she doesn't know that

She doesn't know that this is an extra marital affair!

She doesn't know she inspires music of the spheres

She's magnificent. In every way!

It fell to pieces very long ago.

A long time ago, my marriage died.

Lest I only had the infinite patience of Buddha

Or the omnipotent nature of Hashem

Oy vey iz mir!!!

She wouldn't know that my wife's favourite flowers were lilies

She doesn't know the lengths my wife would go to suffocate me

Even the way she looks at me can break my heart in two

Once her smile made it seem as if all of your dreams had just come true.

I couldn't know that when I married her I'd feel this way!

She's a good woman. I'm an honest man!

I swear to you, I wouldn't hurt my wife -

On purpose, of course!

This one is my very first affair, and after all, I'm only human!!

SONG: DOES HE KNOW I'M HERE?

Poised to meet each other, the Turk and the British Woman walk slowly towards each other.

Woman Does he know I'm here? Does he know that I've arrived?

Ironically, to the audience

Turk When she looks into my eyes will it catch me by surprise

I really hope so!

Woman When I walk his way, should I look away or at him?

Turk When she first crossed my path

Did she know that her impression would last?

Both Enchanted is how I'm feeling

I may as well be dreaming!

Woman If it all goes wrong, well, at least we'd have loved each other

Turk If it all goes wrong, we can just call it

Both A day

Turk Don't know where we're going

Woman It doesn't really matter.

Do you think that should scare me?

Both Carpe Diem

SONG: SIXTEEN BARS OUT OF THE HORSES MOUTH

The Turk and the British Woman bump into each other.

Turk I didn't know if you'd be here

Woman How could I miss this even?

SONG: ANGEL DELIGHT

The British man is in his bedroom, eating a bowl of angel delight.

Brit How has this woman become such a temptress?

When did this woman come steal my heart?

I need her in the morning and throughout the night

She is my angel delight!

In spite of these feelings I still cannot find

The words to express the way that I feel

I need her in the morning

And throughout the night

She is my angel delight

I always thought that I was gay until of course today

And now she's gone away to my dismay

Why did I wait so long to declare my love?

I'll have to go to Turkey and declare my love!

I wish that I was better spoken than I am

And maybe I would write a poem, or suchlike.

Now you've crossed continents on an aeroplane

And I know that my heart will never be the same

In spite of these feelings I still cannot find

The words to express the way that I feel

I need her in the morning

And throughout the night

She is my angel delight

The Brit puts his hands down his trousers

All Ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh

Aah-ah-ah-aaah

Ooh-ooh-ooh-oooh

Aah-ah-ah-aaah

The Brit starts to pack a bag, mainly of musicals t-shirts

Brit For years we've been together I have had more than

One opportunity to tell her how I feel

Why did I wait so long to declare my love?

I'll have to go to Turkey to declare my love

I wish that I was more eloquent than I am

And maybe I would write a letter or something

Now you've crossed continents on an aeroplane

And I know that my heart will never be the same

Brit I could love you!!

SONG: ALLEGORY

Turk After a prolonged spell of solitude and self-sufficiency

My heart once cold and frozen now has gone so far as to melt away

Inspired, perhaps, by the fire you started in my belly?

All I feel dangerous, reckless as hell!

I feel marvellous, sound as a bell!!

My heart-rate's beginning to swell!!!

Turk It's not inappropriate to

Necessarily rue

The moments I let you escape

Brit Like a bird, return to me please

Just like in the allegory

Woman I rather hope reality will in fact fulfil my great expectations

All I wonder if reality can in fact fulfil all my expectations?

Brit Trying to find her is like trying to find

A needle in a haystack

Maybe not quite so hard? Still hard!

Sometimes

When it is in the morning, soon bird song will indicate dawn

I think of her fondly and wonder what she does next door

Is she dreaming

Of me?

Aaah…

Woman We met in high-school

I was his first girlfriend

It didn't last long but we stayed friends in spite of that since

Brit She was my girlfriend

She was my first girlfriend

That's not how it worked out…

But, life still goes on, c'est la vie!

All Some tend to agree

Tonight may only serve

To encourage my neuroses!

All Hmmm mmm

(Simultaneously)

Wife I married my husband when I was nineteen; seemed like a good idea

Woman I like excitement in my life

Turk Look how you've reduced me to staring out of windows and into French doors

Brit I like being irrational, I like being different

to other people in my peer group, but that does not make me crazy!

Wife But after ten long years his lust for me began to wear away

Woman Significant not only to me, I bear a child it's a miracle

Turk Significant not only to me, look what you have reduced me to

Brit Uniquity is paramount to creating eccentricities

Wife So blatantly true, but I can't bring myself to accept it

Woman Imagine perhaps how delighted he'll be when I tell him!

Turk Imagine how I would be different if I'd never met you?

Brit Imagine perhaps if I'd kissed her before she got on the plane?

Turk There's still time for reality to help me achieve all my expectations

Wife I wonder why reality has cheated me out of my expectations?

All Tonight will only serve to encourage my neuroses!!

SONG: BRITURKEY

The Brit holds up placards explaining his journey. (Optional)

Placards: I've begun an arduous search // To find my flatmate // I got a cheap flight // And a window seat // I chose the chicken // It was fowl // Look, there she is…

Brit Searching high and searching low

Where to look next, I am not sure if I know

It was foolish to come here

I don't even know where she's staying

And I can't speak a word of Turkish

I'm in out of my depth

This is frustrating I feel like a fool

I've searched high and I've searched low

I've not found her, and there's no where else to go

This has been a wild goose chase

I was a fool to think I'd find her here

I may as well head to the airport

Wait, look, there she is!

SONG: CAN WE GO DANCING?

The Brit hides behind some bushes. The Turk and the British Woman are eating a picnic.

Woman Can we go dancing?

Turk I'll take you out tonight!

Let me spin you around

Just let me spin you around

I'll take you dancing

We will hit the town tonight

Woman Where did you learn to tango like that?

Turk Never you mind about that!

Both Just let me spin you around

And let me spin you around

We'll hit the town and have the best night of our lives

They dance a tango

Just let me spin you around

We'll hit the town

And we'll go dancing tonight!

Things get progressively steamy and hot under the collar during MY HEART BLEEDS

SONG: MY HEART BLEEDS

Woman I'm a simple person in comparison to you

I think it goes without saying that you have secrets to hide

It only adds to your intrigue…

When I'm without you my heart bleeds!

Woman Opposites attract, I hear, and that's exactly what I fear

Turk I'm a simple person in comparison to you

Woman I'm a good girl, I am!

Turk I think it goes without saying we both have secrets to hide

Both You make me so hot, its hard to breathe!

Turk Catch your breath!

Both When I'm without you my heart bleeds!

Woman Mis'rable realities and melancholic atmospheres

Turk Sinister dimensions and an overwhelming grief enclose me

Woman When I am back in England and you're not around

Turk I miss you when you're not here

Turk I want you always in my life

The British Woman finds the wedding ring in his pocket

Woman Too fucking bad you've got a wife!!

SONG: DO YOU REMEMBER?

The Turk begins to reminisce through their relationship in a bid to pacify her.

Turk Do you remember the time walking down the street last September?

Our eyes met, held, and then parted

Thoughts of bad things gone, you turned around and walked away

Woman Do you remember the days becoming nights last November?

You took me out to a restaurant

The evening was divine

It was clear that you'd be mine

Both You treated me so well

It's no wonder that I fell for you,

Your beauty takes my breath away.

You fill my soul with passion and you make me feel alive!

You make it easier to survive.

Aaah, aaaah

Do you remember our holiday romance that October?

Did you think that we still might be here?

You supplement my sense of individuality.

Aaah, aah!

Aaah, aah.

SONG: BELIEVE WHAT I SEE

Brit I can't believe what I see with my eyes

This could not have come as more of a surprise!

B/W I cannot believe this is happening to me

Woman There's something you should see!

She shows him her baby bump

W/T Maybe a baby could make all of our dreams come true?

Brit I'm in love with you

B/T/W Oh, I could just die!

SONG: WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?

Turk Who the hell are you, watching from the bushes?

Maybe some kind of perv!?

What is your perversion?

Brit You'd be so lucky! I'm not here for you - I'm here for your girlfriend!

Turk You have some nerve boy…

Brit Don't talk to me like that!

You have no right to do so!!

Woman Just let him have his say!

Brit I'm so in love with you, didn't know until you left me

Woman Don't being this up now please

Brit Let me have my say!

Woman There's a time and there's a place

Brit Would you kindly let me finish!

Turk You have some nerve boy…

Brit I'm not a boy, I am a man!!

In light of these feelings, I think now I've found

The words to express the way that I feel

Without you, I'm in mourning - a sadness beyond compare.

Passion too intense to bear!

Woman You have to understand, I love another man

Brit There's nothing wrong with me

Woman I bear his child, can't you see?

Brit I came here to Turkey to declare my love

Please come back home and we'll start a fresh new life!!

Woman Aspiring to feelings you should never feel

Is never a good way to get the real deal!

Brit I wish I was less spontaneous than I am, and

Maybe I'd have thought this through a little more…

Coming here was stupid; I can see that now,

Building myself up to only be let down!!

B/T/W Your/my chance was never tonight.

Your/my chance was never tonight!!

Turk Who the fuck are you, just a stupid faggot!

Brit Who the fuck are you to talk to me that way indeed!

Turk Maybe some kind of perv?

T/W You deserve this aspersion!!

Brit I should be so lucky!

Turk I'd be so lucky

Turk Why would she want you, when she could have me??

SONG: THE MURDER

Brit Totally unprepared for an event like this.

Totally unprepared to have my heart broken!!

W/T Stop this madness, I implore you

Stop this chaos, oh please wont you!

B/T/W Tension building, anger rising

It's not under my control

Brit It's too late now

You've broke my heart!

He stabs the Turk and leaves

SONG: TURKISH DELIGHT

The British Woman sings this whilst cradling the dying Turk

Woman I want to envelop and develop you

I want to adorn and embellish you

I'll miss how it used to be

And miss you inside of me

I need you to do this with me! I can't cope alone!

Don't leave us here on my own!

I just cannot do it alone.

(To Brit) I want to admonish and abolish you

I want to humiliate and scold you

(To Turk) I want you to have and to hold me

I want you to beat and control me

I need you in the morning and throughout my life

You are my Turkish Delight!

End of Act I

Act II

SONG: THE LETTER

It's Betsy's birthday, she's reading a newspaper..

Wife Dear Mrs Lady, blah blah blah

My husband's been killed, blah blah blah, blah blah blah!

He was with a woman half his age...

Which set her flatmate off in a rage...

He'd just met her off an aeroplane

The murder was most inhumane?

Who's this other woman he was with?

What was her flatmate's motive?

I'll get retribution for his death before I take my next breath

Crikey, there's so much to organize if he's to have a funeral

The shit will really hit the fan when I meet you!

Spoken You little whore!! (Opt)

She will die a thousand deaths if what the letter says is true!

I always thought that we would grow into old people together.

In our vows we swore "'till death do us part"

But this has truly broken my heart

Sinister dimensions and an overwhelming grief enclose me!

Why would this of course happen to me, and not someone more worthy?

What a nasty thing to say… but that's not my concern today!

I've so much love to give and no one to give it to

It's just my luck that something like this would happen to me today

She dons a birthday crown. She takes a candle from the cake and holds it underneath her face.

I can't believe this is happening to me

Especially not today!!

She blows out the candle.

SONG: GOING POTTY

The wife searches for her funeral hat.

Wife Left on my own…

How do you think that makes me feel?

I have been moonstruck!

I'm really going potty!

Don't try to apprehend me!

For nothing now can stop me!

Oh, I loved him so

It's not very easy for me to let go

It's not very easy being a woman

Especially not a woman like me

I thought make believe was pretend…

But this nightmare won't seem to end!

I'm extremely fragile

Don't you see?

Which means that I break easily

So highly strung, I can easily reach a high C.

So highly strung, I could easily reach a high C!

SONG: INFINITE SADNESS

The Wife and Woman mourn the Turk's death

Both Filled with an infinite sadness that cannot be compromised

Filled with an ancient desire to alight his funeral pyre

Lilies gilded with sorrow won't help me forget

Heartfelt condolences just cannot make me forget

Eloquent prayers from the heart have not helped much yet!

Both What have I got left in me to prove, now there is nothing I have to lose?

Woman Let us not forget to genuflect

Wife And lament

Betsy dons her funeral hat

SONG: GOOD MAN

At the funeral service.

Rabbi He was a good man

He died far too early

He'll be at peace now

Shema Israel

B,W,W He was a good man

We mourn his departure

He'll be at peace now

Shema Israel

SONG: KADDISH

Wife Yis gadal

V'yit gadash sh'mey raba

B'alma divra hirutey

Rabbi May the great name of G-d

Be exalted and sanctified

W/W/R Throughout

The world

Which he created according to his will

W/W/R He who makes peace in his high holy places

May he bring peace upon us

And upon all Israel

And say

Amen

SONG: OVER YOU

Woman I am so foolish, I knew you would break my heart.

I'd known it from the start!

Now I'm falling apart.

Fun whilst it lasted but I still want more!

Don't you?

Who profits from my misery?

Why did I let myself do it?

I swore I'd not love again

Then along came you to challenge my resolve

My heart is in the palm of your dead hand!

It's what I wished for as I recall; adventure, spontaneity

I idolised you like a deity

I'm just not used to that kind of attention

Easily I fell in over my head

I must have scared you with romantic intentions

Still I cannot get you out of my head!

You made me so happy; now I'm beyond sad.

The first one I expected, the second I could not anticipate

I'll look back fondly, but not for a while

First, I must deal with the pain.

Forget and get over myself, forget and get over you

SONG: JEREMIAD

The Woman sings to the Turk's casket

Woman Sometimes things seem right

But then they change again

Sometimes things seem wrong

But they just stay the same

Why is it that when you feel that things can only get better

Hope just seems to fall away?

You may just think you should have the chance

To live your life without a second glance

To love and hold each passing day

To strive for things, to have your say.

Why is it that when your hopes and dreams become clear

They just disappear before your eyes?

We may have no control of where we are lead

Can there be no other way instead?

Should one not live without the fear?

Of losing ones so dear?

To die in vain to cause such pain

Is it part of a game?

And now seems like the perfect time to say a prayer

Even though at times we are somehow unaware

So should we just sit back and watch

The future unfold before our eyes?

Even if it turns out to be full of lies?

SONG: YOU THINK I'M STUPID

Spotting the Woman crying over his casket, the Wife confronts her.

Wife You think I'm stupid, don't you?

You're really something, aren't you?

How dare you deign to cross me

You should fear for your safety!!

The mistress gives a eulogy

What does she want, an Emmy?

You'd better hope and also pray

That I don't lose my temper!

Woman I never meant to hurt you

This I swear!

Wife You have quite some nerve to be here,

You have quite some nerve to be here!

Woman On my life, I swear that I did not know you even existed!

Wife That does not change anything you know!

Wife It's in such bad taste that you came; you should entirely take the blame…

Woman I never meant to hurt you, I never knew he had a wife!

Wife …for what happened to my man. Watch as I hatch an evil plan!

Woman What has happened to my man has almost broken my frail heart!

Wife Stupid don't you think? I need a drink to help me think.

Woman It's kind of stupid, don't you think? He was a vegan and you wear mink!

Wife It is so strange to meet you, just wait and see what shall ensue!

Woman Strange to meet you, I am enchanted, I am sure!

Woman I never meant to hurt you…

Wife I am going to hurt you! I'll maybe even kill you!!

Woman I never mean to hurt you, I'm as confused by this as you!

Wife I am beside myself with grief - In one week's time there'll be a crime!

Woman This couldn't come at a worse time

I'm three month's gone, it's such a crime!

Wife I am beside myself with grief… truly beside myself with grief!

Woman Nothing I say can appease you; don't you understand he was mine, too?

Wife Do you see why I'm angry? Ready to lose my temper?

Woman He loved me, you know… he was in love with me, not you!!

Wife You won't like me when I'm angry…

Woman I'm as overcome with grief as you are, just please try to remember!

Rabbi Ladies, settle down! You are in a house of Ha'shem!

Wife You think I'm stupid, don't you? You're really something, aren't you?

Woman I never meant to hurt you! I am as confused by this as you!

Rabbi Ladies, please! Sort out this dispute!

Wife How dare you deign to come here, he was my husband, cant you see?

Woman It took steel nerves to be here, I loved him too or can't you see?

Rabbi Won't you reconcile your differences for his sake?

Wife I guess I always knew of you

Woman I've opened a can of worms with you

Rabbi Wrath and fury burn inside of you

Wife Pleasure's all mine, I'm charmed, I'm sure.

Woman I feel your wrath from way over here!

Rabbi I feel your wrath from way over here!

Wife I never thought that we would meet. Shortly I'll lose my temper!

Woman I don't understand, he never mentioned you at all!

Rabbi I understand you're angry but shortly I'll lose my temper!

Wife My love for him is tantamount to

The hatred that I feel for you

Understand my point of view?

Eschew and

Excuse me!!

SONG: THE TRIAL

Wo & Brit I see you across the courtroom

After what you've done that's hard to do

Brit I see you through barred windows

Knowing how I feel that's hard to do

Wi & Wo All rise for the judge who'll find the truth in any given situation

Judge Please bring to the stand your first witness who'll testify

Sworn on the word of your chosen G-d

Brit It's in strange situations that decisions are made

Wi & Wo Incisions don't you mean, incisions, incisions!

Brit We surprise ourselves every day

Judge But don't cry for the hour you lose

When it turns to British summertime!!

Wife Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty!

Woman Guilty, guilty, guilty!

Brit You'd have done the same in my shoes!

Wife You should be stoned to death

Aren't you glad that it has been abolished?

Wi & Wo You should be stoned to death but I

Bet you're glad it's now abolished

Judge No stoning to death for I assure you that is long abolished

Brit Thank heavens for small mercies like that one there… I owe you one!

Betsy bribes the Judge with money

Wife Send him down!

Judge Maybe I'll sentence you to life in jail?

Wi & Wo He's guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty!

Brit Not guilty, not guilty, guilty, guilty, not so, I'm not, guilty!

Wife May I say a word?

I don't know if I'll cope!

You've taken away all hope

Don't know if I can survive

Alone

Brit Not guilty, not guilty, not guilty, not guilty! Guilty, guilty, guilty!

J/W/W Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty!

J/W/W Look how many lives you

Ruined with your anger

And with your hatred

All Although you/I didn't mean to, you/I must still pay the price for his sacrifice.

You cannot get away with anything Scott free!

Brit This could be my last chance to say goodbye!

Back in Betsy's townhouse, she feels forlorn in her marital abode - but not for long.

SONG: BLUE EYES TO BOOT

Wife Had I long blonde hair and had I blue eyes to boot

Life for me would have been more than a hoot!!

SONG: THEN IT ALL STOPPED

Wife Then it all stopped!

All those years of devotion wasted away.

No more a delicate flower left to wither.

I'm now full of life; consumed by actions of pain.

And retribution!

Metal torn into

Human flesh

Or by poisoning?

Or maybe I'll break her bones?

And maybe

I'll break her soul!

I am fantastic. Can't you see?

When you sense that burning feeling cast aside the putrid tears

Of one whose hands are still grasping the valentine's of a lost lover

Can you only then truly appreciate the throbbing feeling in my chest

And how it has not stopped.

It does not stop!

She grabs her keys and leaves.

SONG: THE DRUG DEAL

The Turk, playing a drug dealer, sells the Wife a bottle of poison.

SONG: THE POISONING

The scene is in a bar. The Turk and the Brit are dressed as waiters. The Brit is holding a tray; the Turk is polishing a glass.

Wife After a while, I started to smile

I'd had an idea!

Wife She'll pay the price for his sacrifice

What a good idea!

Wi & Wo She/I'll pay the price for his sacrifice

Wife What a good idea

W/T Not a good idea

Brit What an idea

Wife So I bought this after court

Br & Wo So she bought this after court

Turk She bought post court

Wife Thought it might come in handy

T,B & Wo She bought poison from an

Turk Ill repute

Brit Criminal

Wife Old friend of mine!

The Wife administers the poison to a glass on a tray held by the Turk (waiter).

Wife Five! Drops! In! Her! Drink!

Woman Get me a drink!

The Turk puts the glass on the Brit's tray

Wife Will make her think!

The Brit passes her the drink on the tray

Brit Who'd ever think?

B&T That it could come to this

Wife About why it came to this

The Woman drinks from the glass

Wife Out of your head, you'll be glad when you're dead!

Woman I feel dead inside my head

Brit You will feel dead inside your head

Wife This little drink will knock you out flat!

Woman Give me a drink, barman

Brit Please have a drink on the house

Turk Please have a drink from us on the house

Playoff

Brit Who'd ever thought?

Turk Who'd have ever thought it

B&T That it would come to this

SONG: WIFE'S DOUBT

Wife You've made your bed, so now lie in it!

And put yourself into my shoes!

Sleep in your bed

Or fly out of your head

It's nobody's fault but your own!

Choices like this one aren't easy to make

This whole thing could have been a big mistake!

Do you think that it's fun being me?

I'll have as much fun thinking its fun being you…

But then on the other hand…

You always had it coming to you!
I'll see you again when you're burning in Hell!

Gosh it can't be any fun being you.

SONG: INSULT TO INJURY

B&T Hell hath no fury

Like a woman scorned

Woman Life…

Did his life even matter?

What a start for our baby?

What will fate hold in store?

Am I to blame for this drama?

This unforeseen sad situation?

I'll never see my dear friend again

Extradited and G-d knows what then

What a cruel twist of fate.

But seriously though, will I have a home to go back to?

Or are we also homeless, not to mention forlorn and alone?

And to add insult to injury

I bleed!

SONG: INSIDE MY DREAMS

Woman Lain on a bed

Out of my head

Suff'ring hallucinations

I cannot articulate what I see!

All of my head is filling with dread

My body is trembling!

Inside my dreams

I'm still awake

Calling to you

Lover

In my breath I feel winter

Summer and spring

Animals start barking when I start to sing!

Aaaaaaah!

Lain on my bed

Out of my head

Madness replaced by insanity!

In my last breath, I embrace death

Seems like a good idea

SONG: THROUGH THE YEARS

Back in her house, Betsy sits on a rocking chair, lost in her own head.

Wife Through the years

I've watched the flowers grow

I've seen the ebb and flow

Of the tide

Through the tears

I've watched the passing of the years

I saw it on my own

Just so you know

Barren now and past my prime

How will I see the days and nights through?

How can life go on without you?

Still we will have loved each other

We will have always loved each other

I see you through the window

Knowing you're deceased, it's hard

To see you walk right by my window

Do I really want to see you?

Headlights flashing along the highway

History repeats itself before my eyes

The rhythms of our heart are in syncopation

How can I describe to you the way it starts?

Headlights flashing along the highway

History repeats itself before my eyes

The rhythm of my heart is in syncopation

How can I describe to you the way it starts

Through the years

I watched me realise my fears

I've watched them come and go

So you know

Through the years

I've watched myself grow old

I've felt my heart grow cold

And grow mould

Grief has town my life apart

How have I seen the days and nights through?

How has life gone on with out you?

Still we will have loved each other

We will have always loved each other

Headlights flashing along the highway

History repeats itself before my eyes

The rhythm of my heart is in syncopation

How can I describe to you the way it starts?

Sometimes when I'm lonely, I talk to myself to help me get to sleep at night.

I've carried you inside of me for a very long time!

Grief has torn my life part.

The day is grey

Careering into senile confusion

Please forgive my cerebral pollution

I'll just sit here waiting for G-d

And my dead husband

Is it my fault that you never saw Marbella?

Don't you remember the plans we had were grand

I still remember the vows we made together

So many years ago, though feels like yesterday

Had it not been for me

You would not have found the little Italian on the corner!!

Why are you not by my side?

Why am I by my own side?

Slipping in and out of ultimate confusion

How has it come to this conclusion?

And why are you not here

Holding my

Hand?!

The day's so grey

Surprise its very grey

Again

Now an elderly woman, the Wife struggles to stand up.

SONG: ANOTHER DAY GOES BY

The Wife frailly runs a bath and strips off her clothes, until she is stood a naked silhouette

Wife Another day goes by

In this lonely solitude

Vengeance is avowed

But who am I

All on my own?

SONG: ALWAYS AT MY SIDE

She climbs into the bath a bottle of gin, and a large bowl of Turkish delight. The spirit of the Turk pays the Wife a visit sat on the edge of the bath as spasmodically and manically washes herself. As he leaves at the end of the song, he passes her a large knife.

Turk I want you to know

You should now let go

Wife You've not quite understood, I only wish I could!

Both We married very young, through no fault of our own.

I've no bones to pick with you

A thousand times before

Or maybe even more

I've wished we could start again

Looking back, I'm not sure if I can determine when it began to all go wrong

Wife Do you put the blame on me?

Turk You're a good woman

I should probably apologise for my

Selfish indiscretions, my abhorrent bad behaviour!

I'm so sorry that it transpired like this!

SONG: TURKISH DELIGHT (REPRISE)

The Wife sings this, flanked by hallucinations of the other four characters from her memory. She nibbles squares of lukomi before throwing them feebly at the apparitions and at audience members. During the instrumental break, the other characters beat and kick her. At the end of the song, she stabs herself in the heart.

Wife I want to amuse and abuse you

I want to both find and to lose you

I'd cut my nose

To spite my face

But I'd still be here

In this lonesome place

I needed you in the morning and throughout the night

You are my Turkish delight

Wo & Wi I want to admonish and abolish you

I want to humiliate and scold you

Wo, B, Wi I want you to have and to hold me

Turk I want to hold

Wo, B, Wi I want you to beat and control me!

Turk I want! Beat! Scold!

All I've needed you

In the morning

And throughout the night

Wife You were my Turkish delight

All You are my Turkish

Delight!!

Fin

Libretto © 2005-2008 by Giles Howe (with Katy Lipson). All rights reserved. Revised in 2006 & 2007 and 2009 by Giles Howe, and in 2008 by Giles Howe and Katy Lipson. NB: 'Jeremiad' by Katy Lipson, 'Then It All Stopped' adapted from a poem by Xanthia, 'Another Day Goes By' based on a theme by Jane Garratt.

Genre : Musical Opera / Contemporary Chamber Opera

Principals : 2 x contrasting sopranos, 1 x Tenor, 1 x Baritone

Duration :1 hour 40 minutes

Acts : Two

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