Youth: A Play in Three Acts

Whilst the greatest effort has been made to ensure the quality of this text, due to the historical nature of this content, in some rare cases there may be minor issues with legibility. N. B. Left and Right always from the point of view of the audience.<br><br>The Curtain rises upon the stage of a provincial Repertory Theatre, disclosing it bare of scenery and lighting effects; in fact, just as the stage of any professional theatre appears at eleven o'clock in the morning. But, in the middle of the bare stage, a man and a woman; their arms about one another, their lips meeting in a long, passionate kiss.<br><br>Nina Geoffreys. (When her lips are free; low and passionate. I love you... Oh, my dear, I do love you.<br><br>Douglas Hetherly... My dear.<br><br>(For a moment they gaze deep into one another's eyes, then they come together in another great embrace... They part a little.)<br><br>Douglas. Don't you think we'd better try that bit over again.<br><br>(It is an enormously sudden change into an utter matter-of-factness - they were rehearsing.)<br><br>Nina. This is the biggest part I've ever had, so the more I rehearse the better.<br><br>Douglas. Splendid. What time was your rehearsal called?<br><br>Nina. Eleven.<br><br>Douglas. We've just got time to go through the whole love-scene. I'll read Cecil's part. (He urges a type-written play from his pocket.) Where are we - Act I... Act II... Act III...