The story of Catherine Lawrence is in 15 parts and I apologise for such a long story but it got out of hand. All 15 parts are completed and for those who like to print the story so you can read it in bed, I will have all 15 parts posted soon.
Carmenica

  

Catherine Lawrence

by Carmenica Diaz

Part 8

  

We peeked through the curtain as the audience for the open dress rehearsal gradually filled the theatre. I think because of our performance at the factory, we were confident and keen to get on with it.

'There's Laura Wood from The Times,' Humpy whispered, pointing to a tall woman in black-rimmed glasses.

'Will she write her review based on tonight?' I whispered and Humpy shook his head.

'Tonight will help her form an opinion but she will write it based on the first public performance on Thursday.'

Richard walked onto the stage to make a few introductory comments and introduced Sarah who spoke for a moment of two.

Then we started.

I tuned the audience completely out and focused on Simone. I added an edge to the confrontation scene with Humpy and when he responded, the scene was electric.

At the last moments of the play, when Simone watches Tom leave and the lights go down, I stood proudly as Simone faced her life alone.

The applause was thundering and I was surprised to see a few people standing and Laura glasses off, wiping her eyes.

Humpy hugged me backstage and then we all held hands to take another bow. When the curtain came up, the applause was renewed.

Bel was helping me change when there was a knock on the door and Lucy barged in. 'Fantastic! Bloody brilliant!'

Richard was going from dressing room to dressing room to compliment every one and to suggest minor changes for Thursday night.

Sarah poked her head in after Humpy and Richard had left and said she had quickly chatted with Laura Wood. 'She thought you were great.'

 

We didn't rehearse during the next two days, just tried to relax as much as possible. I knew we were all conscious that Thursday, the official opening, was the make or break of Silken Memories.

On Thursday night, we arrived at the theatre early and settled in to the dressing room. A vase full of roses was on the dressing table with a card from Humpy.

Tonight will be the start of a wonderful career. I'm privileged to have the opportunity to work with you.

'Isn't that sweet?' I showed Bel the card.

'I always heard he was a spiteful old ogre but, you're right, that's very nice of him.' Bel hung our dresses for the party and then rummaged in her handbag, retrieving a small gift-wrapped box. 'For you,' she said with a smile, handing it to me.

'Bel! You shouldn't have.'

She shrugged my protests aside. 'I wanted you to have something to remember this night by.'

I opened the box and found an exquisite fine gold chain necklace. 'Bel, it's beautiful,' I whispered and I hugged her fiercely. 'Thank you so much but you really shouldn't.'

'Well, I'll take it back if you don't want it,' she grinned.

'Don't you dare! I love it.' I kissed her cheek. 'Thank you, thank you for everything.'

 

I had changed into my clothes for the first scene and was seated at the dressing table, face done and Bel finishing my hair when Sarah popped her head in.

'Hi you two.'

'Come in Sarah, hows the champagne in the foyer going?'

'Good, there's a real interest in the play and a real interest in you. The rumours have started.'

'Rumours?' I quickly asked, worriedly glancing at Bel's reflection but she shook her head slightly as she styled my hair.

'Laura Wood has told everyone you're brilliant and the story about the factory performance has got out, probably through Lucy so everyone is curious. Of course, it also doesn't help that Sir Humphrey Barton, noted Shakespearean actor has been raving about you at every dinner party he's attended.'

'I think he's in love with her,' Bel said with a wink and stood back. 'All done.'

'Probably is. I'll see you at the party, if I can get near you that is,' Sarah said with a smile.

Bel and I sat in the dressing room waiting in silence. 'You'll be fantastic,' Bel said quietly. 'Don't worry.'

I shrugged. 'Whatever will be, will be,' I said, more calmly than I felt.

There was a tap on the door and Rodney popped his head in. 'Five minutes, Miss Lawrence.'

Bel kissed my cheek and we walked down the hall up to backstage. There were many smiles and thumbs up from the backstage crew as I passed by.

Richard was incredibly superstitious and refrained from saying anything to the actors before curtain up on opening night. The play was underway and the audience was hanging on every word.

Finally, I made my entrance and I was immediately Simone, I didn't care there was an audience watching, I was alive as Simone, ready to tell her story.

Humpy was brilliant, a steely arrogant edge to his performance of David and pushed me a little further, our scenes were on fire.

And then, the final moment, the last words and the performance was over.

Tom: I don't think you understand my difficulties, Simone.

Simone (sharply): Don't you Tom? I think I've had enough difficulties of my own, I think I've had experience! Don't you? Don't you Tom?

Tom: Simone, don't…

Simone (anguished): Don't what Tom? Don't embarrass you, or is it you don't want to remind you? Remind you of what you've done, done to me?

Tom: Simone, can't we try again. Can't we…

Simone (harshly): Try again, after what you and your friends and family have done to me? You're pathetic.

Tom: Simone…

Simone: I've changed, Tom! You changed me and I'm stronger and I'm happy being me! This is who I am, me!

Tom turns and walks away, a beaten man.

House lights down, single spot on Simone.

Simone: This is who I am, this is me!

Fade to black, curtain down.

 

The applause was like a wall that suddenly loomed out of the darkness as I stood behind the lowered curtain. The others rushed out and we hugged, waiting for the curtain to rise again.

The curtain came up and we walked slowly forward, basking in the audience's response, bowing low in a line.

We dropped hands and the other stood back, leaving me in the front and, blushing I accepted the wave of applause. Suddenly, as one, the audience were on their feet, applauding wildly, Wade, Humpy and the others were also applauding me.

Henri appeared carrying a bouquet of roses, which he presented to me and as I took them, I felt my eyes fill. This was what I had always dreamt of, this moment of fulfilment and pure appreciation of my efforts by an audience.

Of course, in my dreams, I hadn't been wearing a skirt.

Humpy came forward, took my hand and with a courtly bow, kissed my hand. The applause increased at that

How I got off the stage and back to the dressing room was a blur, the sound of the audience like the overpowering roar of ocean waves.

I was shaking when I sat at the dressing table and Bel gently prised my fingers away from the roses. 'Clean your face,' she said gently and like a robot I did.

Bel had already changed into her dress for the party and she laid out mine and I glanced at the black lace and swore silently I would wear something better at the end of season party in three months.

Richard and Sarah bustled in and hugged and kissed me until Bel shooed them out.

Lucy was next with Mark in tow and they suddenly could see I was flat and their smiles faded.

'You ok?' Lucy asked quietly.

'Yes,' I whispered. 'It's just that…'

'I know,' Lucy said gently, 'it's what you've dreamed of and you're exhausted as you put everything into that performance, I could tell.'

'You liked it?'

She nodded. 'You even had me in tears and I've seen you do it so many times. You're brilliant, love, absolutely brilliant. But now you have to give another performance, perhaps just as important. Everyone at that party is waiting for you, you have to knock them dead.'

I nodded, smiled and looked up, seeing Mark smiling down at me.

'Mark,' I squealed, jumping up and hugging him. 'He was dressed in a black dinner suit and his dark hair was slicked back. 'Very nice,' I said, looking him up and down, 'quite dishy, actually.'

'You were brilliant, Cate,' Mark said gently. 'And Lucy is right. We'll see you at the party.'

I nodded and Bel pushed them out. 'She has to get dressed. Tell them she's coming.'

Bel insisted on the corset and I groaned but stood still while she pulled it closed. The dress looked fantastic, emphasising my large breasts without disclosing too much information, if you know what I mean. Black stockings, high heels and the necklace Bel gave me finished the picture. Bel had styled my hair differently from Simone and my face was perfect.

'Wow,' Bel said as we looked at my reflection in the mirror, 'sometimes I outdo myself.'

'Will I do?' I asked with a smile.

'You know every one at that party will be floored, you cheeky tart. Let's go.'

The party was being held in the anteroom alongside the foyer. It was a large room and people entered down a small flight of steps to large room with wood panelled floor.

Bel squeezed my hand for good luck and stood back, allowing me to walk through the door and then down the stairs. Please, I thought to myself, don't let me trip or something.

Henri and Monica had been waiting at the top of the stairs and they smiled broadly when they saw me, hugging and air kissing. 'You were superb,' Henri whispered. 'They love you darling, and so they should.'

Monica was about to say something when we were aware that the room had fallen into silence and I turned around to see hundreds of faces staring up at me.

Henri stepped forward. 'Lades and gentlemen, Miss Catherine Lawrence.'

Applause burst around the room and I waved as I slowly walked down the stairs, Bel slowly following behind as cameras flashed. Mark and Lucy were waiting at the bottom and I hugged them both. A photographer approached and I pulled Bel, Mark and Lucy around me. He took the picture and pulled out his notebook, scribbling and I loudly gave him Bel, Mark and Lucy's names adding, ' My dearest friends.'

Other photographers appeared and their camera's flashed. In a moment Richard, Humpy, Wade and I were posing. Then the photographers wanted one of just Wade and I, followed by one of me with Humpy.

'Circulate, darling,' Lucy commanded and I nodded.

I took Mark's hand and tugged it. 'Do you mind coming?'

'Try to keep me away,' he smiled. I moved through the crowd, accepting congratulations with Mark slightly behind and I didn't let go of his hand.

At last we found Helen standing in a corner in a white dress with a tall man beside her, I assumed was her husband. 'Congratulations, Cate,' Helen beamed and kissed my cheek. 'You were great and you had me in tears. I was,' she glanced at her husband, 'a complete mess.'

'She was,' he said with a grin and I immediately liked him, 'but I was on the verge myself.'

'I saw you wipe your eyes.' She hugged him affectionately. 'Cate, Mark, this is George, my husband. And you look fantastic, Cate,' Helen said, looking be up and down. 'The dress is beautiful. You don't look so bad either, Mark,' she said with a wink.

'I think I'm far more attractive than Wade Thompson, don't you?' Mark posed.

'Don't get carried away,' Helen said and we laughed. 'Thanks for the tickets, Cate and we'll read the reviews in the morning but we have to go, we have a babysitter who has a plan to be a millionaire by the time she's seventeen and she charges if we're a minute late.'

They left, Mark slipped away to get a drink for us and I was surrounded by well-wishers. Laura Wood stepped forward, hand outstretched like a man. 'Laura Wood,' she announced. 'I have to go and write a review and it won't be easy.'

'Oh?' I asked, worried.

'Words may fail me,' she said simply, 'you were outstanding and you'll enjoy reading the review.'

'Thank you so much,' I said.

Another quick smile and she was gone. Suddenly Bill O'Connell was offering his congratulations and I told him I thought the program books were excellent. John Stamford offered his best wishes and said the staff at the factory was still talking about the performance.

I managed to escape to a corner and looked around for Mark. He was in deep conversation with a young man I didn't know and I thought I wasn't going to get a drink after all.

'Congratulations Miss Lawrence,' a deep voice said and I slipped my smile on and turned to greet another well wisher but gasped in surprise.

'Oh,' was all I could say when I saw Stephen Edwardes standing before me, a large smile across his face and two glasses of champagne in his hands.

'Your friend,' he nodded in Mark's direction, 'asked me to ferry your champagne across the room. Of course, I was delighted. Do you remember me? I'm…'

'Of course, Stephen Edwardes, isn't it? Who kindly gave us champagne when we were celebrating rather nosily in that restaurant?'

He bowed slightly and offered a champagne flute. 'More champagne?' he asked with a twinkle in his eye and added, 'I think you lit up the restaurant.' He raised his glass in a toast. 'Here's to an extraordinary woman who is as talented as she is beautiful.'

I flushed and sipped the champagne. 'Thank you.'

'I thoroughly enjoyed the performance, my companion was very teary but was first to her feet when applauding.'

Companion, I wondered, who is he with? 'Thank you, but I think you're being extremely flattering.'

'Do you mind if I introduce you to my companion? I know she'd enjoy to meet you?'

He wants to introduce me to his date? 'Of course,' I said coolly and for some reason, I felt a little miffed at the idea.

Stephen disappeared into the crowd and was quickly back with an elderly woman in a floor length evening gown and an embroidered shawl around her shoulders.

'Miss Lawrence, I would like you to meet my mother Mary Edwardes.'

His mother? Why did I feel relieved at that?

Mrs Edwardes smiled and took my hand. 'An extraordinary performance, Miss Lawrence, really extraordinary but I enjoyed it thoroughly, even though it was quite an emotional journey.'

'Thank you,' I said, smiling. 'But please call me Cate,' I said, glancing under my lashes at Stephen, 'both of you.'

'When I saw you walk onto the stage, I could see why Stephen has spoken about nothing else since meeting you but close up, you're even more beautiful.' My face was burning but I could see that Stephen's face was also red at his mother's comments.

'Mother, really!' he said and tried to smile.

'I'm glad he met you, Cate,' she said with a wink, 'I don't think he would have bothered getting tickets to the opening night of a play without meeting you.'

'Oh,' I said to Stephen, eyebrow raised, 'you don't enjoy the theatre?'

'I do now,' he said simply and his mother laughed.

'Stephen, we must let Cate greet her other guests. 'It's a pleasure to meet you.'

'And you, Mrs Edwardes.'

'No, please, Mary,' she said with a wave. As Stephen escorted her away, he grinned and nodded.

'I see he came back,' Bel said.

'Yes,' I said dreamily, 'he did, didn't he?'

She tugged my elbow and joked. 'Steady on, young lady, lets not get all tarty here, it wouldn't do.'

The party ended and the cast, supporting crew, family and friends adjourned to a private room in a restaurant to await the reviews. It was there I gave Mark the wrist chain I had purchased weeks earlier.

'Thank you,' I said simply, handing it to him. 'Thank you for, well, you know.'

He was really taken aback and then smiled. 'You're welcome.'

I noticed that Rodney was seated next to Bel and talking animatedly. When I looked closer, she was obviously enjoying his attention. So much for having a crush on me, I thought with a grin and was glad for Bel. Lucy was in deep discussion with Wade so I looked around for a seat and began to sit down at the lower side of the table with some of the backstage crew. The crew were surprised but grinned.

'Hello Billy,' I said as I sat down and nodded to the others. Billy was head of lighting and had many seasons under his belt.

'Hello, love. cracker job out there, you were just perfect. Me and the lads were saying just that.'

I leaned forward and they all leaned in. 'That's nice of you,' I said in my Liverpuddlian accent, 'but I'm tired of hearing all that. Where can a girl get a drink?'

They laughed and poured some white wine and I sipped it. 'Hey Billy,' I said, still in the Liver accent, 'about the lights at the end.'

'What?' he turned to look, forehead wrinkled, and the other members of the crew stoped talking.

'They were perfect, cracker job, love.'

They burst into loud laughter and Billy chuckled. 'You're a breath of fresh air, love, you really are but,' he nodded towards the head of the table, 'I think they want you up there.'

Henri was gesturing madly at the empty chair at the end of the table as Monica appeared at my elbow. 'I know this is where the fun is,' she said with a smile and a wink at the crew, 'but the star belongs up there.'

'Go on, love,' Billy said, 'do us proud.'

I sighed and allowed Monica to steer me to the end of the table. As I sat, the cast and company applauded. 'I get applause for just sitting down?' I said with exaggerated surprise. 'This acting lark's easier than I thought.'

More laughter and everyone relaxed, sliding into conversation as the first course was brought out. Henri sat on my right and Sarah on my left with Monica next to her.

Bel was giggling at something Rodney was saying and Mark was deep in conversation with Lucy when Henri stood and tapped his knife against a glass. 'Ladies and gentlemen, just a few words before the reviews come. Frankly, I don't care what the critics say, I think we all know we were part of something special tonight.'

'Hear, hear,' Humpy said and Wade nodded.

'I would like to thank Sarah Wright for allowing our company to present her new stunning work.' Applause flowed around the table and Sarah nodded and smiled. 'And I would like to thank all of you for the outstanding contribution that has ensured that tonight will have a place in theatrical history.'

Henri sat down to applause and Hump stood, glass raised high. 'A toast, ladies and gentleman,' he called in his best Henry VIII voice. 'To our small company.'

'To our small company,' everyone echoed and there was silence for moment until the conversations resumed.

 

After the second course, Henri appeared with newspapers in his hand, passing them around the table. 'Cate?' Henri offered me a copy and I shook my head, suddenly I was sick to my stomach.

Lucy went straight to Laura Wood's review and cleared her throat. 'First one,' she called and everyone grew silent, ready to listen.

I looked around, suddenly desperate to get out of the room when Sarah took my hand and squeezed it. 'This is the worst moment,' she said softly, 'but it'll be ok.'

I smiled gratefully as Lucy began to read.

'A few nights ago, I was fortunate enough to attend the dress rehearsal for the new Sarah Wright play, Silken Memories. I believe it is Miss Wrights best work but it is a difficult play, the actor that portrays Simone, the leading role, has the thorny task of taking the audience through an emotional and deeply psychological journey.

To say that Catherine's Lawrence performance as Simone at that rehearsal was outstanding would be a terrible understatement. I thought I had seen perfection but I was wrong.

Last night, I attended the opening performance of Silken Memories and Miss Lawrence was spectacular, delivering a performance that had me in tears by the second act and deeply moved and cheering for Simone by the final words.

I will say it first. Tonight, a new star as risen in British Theatre and I am sure she will shine for a long time to come.'

At those words Lucy lowered the newspaper and everyone applauded for a moment before she continued. 'Sir Humphrey Barton gave an enlightened performance, I personally think it was one of his best in contemporary theatre, and the confrontational scenes between Sir Humphrey and Miss Lawrence were electric. Wade Thompson showed a depth of acting that has not been evident before, using his physicality to display the despair and defeat of Tom, the estranged husband.'

She went on and I sat quietly, head down toying with my glass and only half listening. I realised that I really didn't care what they said; the joy for me was the performance, the connection with the audience and helping them to experience something new.

Suddenly, I was aware they had stopped reading and were staring at me, huge smiles on their faces. Sir Humphrey leapt to his feet again. 'Ladies and gentlemen, please fill your glasses and be upstanding. A toast to the newest star, a great actor and friend to many, Miss Catherine Lawrence.'

'Miss Catherine Lawrence,' they echoed and I smiled weakly, blinking, as I knew the tears were a flicker away.

'Speech, speech,' they chanted, clapping and I climbed unsteadily to my feet.

'It's all rather nice, isn't it?' I said in the Liverpool accent and they burst into laughter. 'But, I'm terribly embarrassed by it all,' I said in my refined accent once the laughter finished, 'I really am.'

'You deserve it, gel,' one of the crew called out and everyone nodded.

'I think we all deserve it actually because it wouldn't have happened with just one person. Billy and the boys who always made sure of the props, kept putting marks down for me and of course the cracker job with the lights.' More laughter for a moment. 'Beth May who made the wonderful costumes, everybody, I could go on and on but,' I said with a wink, 'that's Richard's job.' Everyone laughed and Wade jabbed Richard in the ribs.

'I would like to thank Belinda and my friend Mark. We have known each other since school and helped each other through whatever we have attempted. I couldn't have got here without them.' Applause as Bel and Mark grinned, raised their glasses to me. 'And the formidable Lucy Richards who keeps me in line…'

'She keeps everyone in line,' Wade said, pretending to be miserable.

'I could thank Humpy, Wade, and Richard but we have three months to go in the season and I'm sure I'll annoy them some time along the way so I'll wait until the end of season.'

I waited for the laughter to die. 'And lastly, I would thank the audience, without them we have no purpose.'

I sat down and Henri whispered, 'Have you considered politics?'

'Cheeky sod,' I murmured and he laughed.

They read more reviews and showed passed around the pages with the photographs. The one of Bel, Mark, Lucy and I was in most of the pages with the title – Star celebrates with friends.

There was a photograph of Mark and I moving through the crowd, holding hands with the title – Star's Childhood Sweetheart. Mark laughed loudly at that.

 

Bel, Mark, Lucy and I were strangely silent in the cab and when we arrived at Bel's flat. 'What's wrong?'

They looked at me. 'Well you did it,' Bel said.

'Yes,' I sighed, slumping in to the sofa and kicking my heels off, 'I did.'

'So,' Lucy prompted, 'now what?'

'What do you mean?'

'Is that it? Does Cate Lawrence retire from acting?' Lucy, Bel and Mark exchanged glances. 'We thought you might give it up after you achieved your dream.'

'Hmm,' I said with a sly smile, 'I did say that or hinted at it, didn't I?'

'You did,' Mark said seriously.

'Can't a girl change her mind?'

Lucy grinned. 'You're going on with the season?'

'Too late to stop now,' I murmured, leaning back, eyes closed.

And, of course, I also knew, I didn't want to stop.

 

End of Catherine Lawrence Part 8 by Carmenica Diaz

  

  

  

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