The Maids' Diary


New member Claire Lane, playing Madame, tells us about her first show for the Tower ...


7 November - Claire was nearly sick on Madame. Claire is sick of Madame. Solange is sick of Madame. Madame managed to get out of the way though, she escaped. Madame is good at escaping. For now, rehearsals, rehearsals and more rehearsal ... one week to go til curtain up!

6 November - Madame is happy. Alexa, our faithful stage manager brought us a little gift today during rehearsal. Madame likes little gifts. It was a smell no less, a scent, a perfume specially designed by Scent Air! Such pomp, such elegance! And what timing; after all Madame is in dire need of a little soothing to soften the shame of Monsieur's incarceration. Given the choice, she would have kept it for herself, for moments of doleful private contemplation but it was agreed that everyone should experience its allure. She is kind. So the scent will pervade the apartment in full, le théâtre entier. Though Monsieur has reached rock-bottom, audience and production team alike shall go forth surrounded by the delicate scent of flowers ... ha, ha, ha, ha ...

2 November - I went to my fitting today with my designer to find Solange there. How odd! I mean she did look very smart, chic almost but then so she should. After all, I only buy the very best for my little city apartment and that includes my maids' uniforms. I am generous. But I really must have a word with the designer. Really it's too much, to be second in line. Second! Even worse, Claire came in for her appointment a few minutes later and there we were, all together in the same room at the same time! Still, I managed to regain a morsel of dignity when I saw the dresses the designer has specially selected for me. Some for day, some for later but naturally I had to go for the most fabulous. I must try to maintain some semblance of normality while Monsieur is in prison. I'd do anything for him; I'd follow him to Devil's Island if need be.

1 November - Madame came to rehearsals after a singing lesson yesterday, full of joyful song to find the maids up to their tricks again. I know they have to rehearse their game, practice their ritual but they seem almost violent. I'm sure I saw a whip. They really are too much for me!

30 October - We had a publicity meeting today. The job in hand; to get a full house every night. I'm not sure Claire and Solange will be as successful in garnering attention and/or notoriety as the Papin sisters (on whom the play is based) but I expect they'll give them a good run for their money. In fact I know they will; those maids mean business. And Madame will help too. Of course. I am nice. Sometimes. We also had our first run-through. Madame was a bit shocked to see what the maids get up to in her absence but no doubt she'll recover. A few parties and a bit of champagne and she'll be fine. Ignorance is bliss. She tried on a dress today too. It's fabulous. And fits so well, like it was made for her. Madame is used to having dresses made for her of course. But she's still seeing the designer on Wednesday to see what he thinks; she only takes the very best advice, especially where fashion is concerned.

29 October - OK...so we have dark bobbed wigs, gloves, peep-toe shoes, black wool tights and Doreen bras from John Lewis. Yes it turns out Triumph still make them 44 years on. We have silk curtains and a very ornate marble phone which befits Madame's apartment. Unlike the alarm clock. But what we don't have is a dress for Madame. Yet. She's trying one on tomorrow. Meanwhile the maids work continues; they are tired of being maids. Only 3 pages to work out til the (or their) end though ...!

27 October - Madame finally knows her lines! Well sort of. They're on the way though and fortunately she, I, whoever, has what is essentially a monologue which I'm prompted and led through by my maids. Quite right! Why else would I have maids? Madame's job is tiny compared to the maids though (replicating real life I'm sure) so their job continues way after Madame has left the scene. Still loads to work on for the second half of the play. Learning lines is a miracle - it really is. And a relief when it happens. But Madame's not sitting pretty though, loads of detail still to work out and somehow absorb. And of course all brilliantly commandeered by Ruth and Alexa and Aaron, our production designer. I am served by the most faithful servants. 2 weeks and 4 days to go ... !

23 October - two weeks into rehearsal and all good so far but the preliminaries are very much over. That or they're just gaining momentum. The job now, to carry on picking through Genet's text and make some sense of its absurdity. Or in the case of the maids and their changing identities, finding out who's saying what and when! As a Tower Theatre newcomer, I'm in good hands though with Meryl, Phillippa and Ruth. They've been company members for years. And they're completely on fire. Course its Madame's job to quell some of that fire and regain order mid-play. To no avail as the play reveals but the end is a bit of a way off yet ... 3 weeks til kick off!


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