When the Rain Stops Falling - Almeida Theatre

Lisa Dillon and Jonathan CullenPhoto: John HaynesIt wasn’t meant to happen,was it? Perhaps ten yearsago. When I was ready. Butnot now Henry. Because I’vegot on. I’ve made a lifewithout it and to be frank, tobe perfectly honest I’m justnot sure I want it.coming for lunch. The atmosphere is uncomfortable and theirconversation terse. Gabriel notices that something in the room haschanged, and Elizabeth tells him she has painted it. Gabriel issurprised: he could have helped his mother, if she had asked. Theyounger Elizabeth Law enters; as in the previous scene, she hangsup her coat and umbrella, and looks, lost in thought, out of thewindow. The older Elizabeth and Gabriel continue their scene.Elizabeth talks about Gabriel’s fussy eating habits as a child, andhow she came to buy the fish for the soup they are eating – from anew fishmonger on the high street. The younger Elizabeth sits andeats soup. Gabriel asks (older) Elizabeth how she is – Elizabeth tellshim she has had a fall.ELIZABETH LAW’S ROOM, THE SAME ROOMLondon, England, 1959Henry Law enters from the rain, hangs up his coat and umbrella.Elizabeth, the younger, sat at the table with soup, offers him some.Henry talks about the extreme weather outside, comparing it to1816, ‘The Year Without A Summer’. They discuss history and Henrymarvels at Elizabeth’s mind, her intelligence. Henry then recountsa story of a woman following him home all the way from the station.She was calling him, with a hat she supposed was his – although hedoes not have a hat. Finally when she has caught up with him, he istoo embarrassed to tell her that the hat was not his, so he acceptsit. Henry tries the hat on for size. Elizabeth tells Henry that she ispregnant. It is unexpected, and she does not seem to want thechild, not now. Henry assures her that they will manage.JOE RYAN’S AND GABRIELLE YORK’S ROOMAdelaide, Australia, 2013The older Gabrielle York enters, and hangs up her coat andumbrella. Her husband Joe Ryan is there. He tells Gabrielle that hehas lost his hat. Gabrielle has been out for a walk in the rain. Joeoffers her some fish soup. He pours a bowl and she sits to eat,asking if her son has called. Gabrielle asks Joe what is happening toher – he gently reassures her that she is ok, but her mind is justwandering a bit, and it is: she repeats herself and seems detached.Joe leaves to try and find his hat. We move to…Plot SummaryElizabeth Law (younger)I hate nights like this. WhenI was kid they wouldfrighten me. Still do... Onnights like this ships are lostat sea.Gabrielle York (older)A ROADHOUSEThe Coorong, Australia,1988The younger Gabrielle York is staring out of the window. GabrielLaw enters and sees her standing there. She is startled andsurprised – there are not many tourists visiting at this time of year,when the weather is bad. Gabrielle asks if he wants food, she hasfish soup. He does not like fish soup – the last time he ate it at hismother’s, he was violently ill. Gabriel asks for a toasted sandwich –with no ham. Gabrielle is intrigued by Gabriel. He asks if there is aroom free: he would like to stay for a couple of days. Gabrielledoesn’t know why – she thinks the Coorong is the ugliest place inthe world. Gabriel disagrees – he thinks London is the ugliest placein the world. They discover they share the same name, and tell eachother how they were given it. Gabrielle tells him that her parents areboth dead – they killed themselves. Gabriel takes a seat and we areback in…ELIZABETH LAW’S ROOMLondon, England, 1988Elizabeth tells Gabriel that she fell in the street, getting the fish forthe soup. Gabriel says he is sorry that she fell. Elizabeth rebuts hisapology, as he didn’t push her; Gabriel tells her it feels like he did.Elizabeth talks of the fear of falling, as she gets older, and she isalone. She asks Gabriel if he likes the colour of the walls (“off white.Pure white being too stark”). Gabriel starts to bring up the past butAlmeida Projects: When the Rain Stops Falling by Andrew Bovell7