Sample of the interlude - Griboyedov A.S.
(1818)

Interlude in one act
 
 ACTORS
Fekolkov |
Alegrin |
Rezvushkov |
Pripryzhkin |
Svistalova } actors
Bemolskaya |
The driver |
Prompter |
Actors and actresses |
The action takes place in a provincial theater. - The theater
presents the stage in disarray,
Fekolkov
A lot of you, actors and actresses.
Dear me, I need a benefit!
Mothers, I need a benefit!
Other actors and actresses
Tell me,
What do you want
Are you from us?
Fekolkov
That's just it:
You won't leave me at the benefit,
To me so as not to get into a mess,
You amuse the audience
Something and somehow.
Other
Can I help you
We are not ready.
Fekolkov
There are so many of you, my friends-
Be quiet, for God's sake!
Other
However, there are many of us in number.
What's the use of that?
Fekolkov
It is necessary that it ripens sooner.
Alegrin
As soon as possible? - So let's get to work!
It should be taken wisely!
Fekolkov
There is little difficulty in this,
Do whatever you want.
Other
Well, - yes it should know,
What will we represent?
Opera?
Fekolkov
Oh, no!
Alegrin
Ballet?
Fekolkov
No! No!
Pripryzhkin
A comedy?
Fekolkov
Interlude!
Everyone (except him)
Interlude! - God forbid
Interlude! - No, from time immemorial
They got us the Solons!
And what do you want?
Only work
for the poor of us, yawning for the poor of the audience!
Fekolkov. Really, gentlemen, should I be without a benefit?
Alegrin. Give whatever you want to your benefit, but not an interlude.
Everyone (repeat)
And what do you want? -
Only work for the poor of us
, yawning for the poor of the audience,
Fekolkov. Yes, gentlemen, it's a festive affair; it will get boring, it wouldn't be bad to
start some fun, a fair.
Rezvushkov (addressing the others). Well, let's get him out of trouble; to do
so to do. Here, however, is not Petersburg, the author will not be found soon; unless our
prompter will be accepted, he is a literate person. Nootka, father, get out of your
office; you've been itching to compose something for the theater for a long time, that's the
case, distinguish yourself.
Fekolkov. Get out, dear father, I'll serve you myself at another time.
Prompter. Kindly dispose of my mind, my pen and my tongue.
Everyone (except him)
Bravo! Handicap!
The prompter
Has Everything
Prompter
Please, gentlemen,
Don't say a word!
Here is the forest and here is the water -
So the main thing is ready,
On the veil of the river ...
Let it be the same: Oka.
Done and named,
Thanks to the river:
The feast on the Oka,
Il: Beyond the Eye of the festivities;
And start with songs,
And finish dancing!
Alegrin. What should we sing?
Pripryzhkin. What kind of dances?
Prompter. Sing and jump as much as you like, but not all of a sudden.
Fekolkov. However, it is impossible without a trial.
Prompter. Well, then try it. - G[ospodin] singer, perform. What's harder,
then sing. And I ask the others to get ready for the next one; meanwhile, I
will start composing verses that our singer will sing when they are
ready. - Get to work! hurry up! Otherwise I'll stop composing.
That's it. Good, good,
Singing and dancing. (At the end, the prompter says)
Prompter. That's enough, that's enough. The verses are ready! Would it please me to do the honor
of singing them in conclusion?
Fekolkov. Is it really a conclusion?
Bemolskaya. What else do you want?
(Takes verses and sings them)
Verses
Everyone danced and sang enough!
As long as you are not bored,
The smartest thing is to disperse.
Whoever wants to, let him be angry,
Over our prank, make a joke.
And we are not with the author's mind -
At least we played pranks, but not too much.
Besides, who will condemn us,
It's not bad if he remembers,
What to have fun about
Who's going to the interludes,
He doesn't expect a lot of smart things,
and there's a lot of nonsense in this, too,
Yes, everything is not like the others.
In the world , there has always been:
How did the audience like what
No one will ask: how is it
meaningless or clever,
Or is it deplorable, or funny?
If only it were newer;
Always what's new is cute....