Prima Donna

«a vertical line of **** indicates areas of the text where there is a substantial overlapping of different voices)
ANDRÉ
Your public needs you!
FIRMIN
We need you, too!
CARLOTTA
Would you not
rather have your
precious little
ingenue?
ANDRÉ/FIRMIN
Signora, no!
The world wants you!
ANDRÉ/FIRMIN
Prima donna,
first lady of the stage!
Your devotees
are on their knees
to implore you!
ANDRÉ
Can you bow out
when they’re shouting
your name?
FIRMIN
Think of how they all
adore you!
BOTH
Prima donna,
enchant us once again!
ANDRÉ
Think of your muse…
FIRMIN
And of the queues
round the theatre!
BOTH
Can you deny us the triumph
in store?
Sing, prima donna,
your song shall live again!
ALL
Light up the stage
with that age-old
rapport!
Sing, prima donna,
once more!
PHANTOM
(spoken)
So, it is to be war between us! If these
demands are not met, a disaster beyond
your imagination will occur!
ALL
Once more