Malory Towers (2020–…): Season 2, Episode 4 - The Auditions - full transcript

I've tried, sweetheart, but he's not
going to budge on this one.

But mother, I've worked awfully hard
this term.

Please ask Daddy not to stop
my pocket money.

I'm sorry. Imagine what it will look
like to the other girls

if I can't afford to buy
treats in the village.

He says I'm too soft on you and he's
taking matters into his own hands.

Mother, I must dash.

Please tell Daddy I intend to do
all I can to make him proud of me.

That's right, darling. Make us
proud.

Bye, mother. Bye-bye.

Studious young ladies do not have
time for morning telephone calls,
Gwendoline.



I'm sorry, Mademoiselle, but
it was an important family matter.

Hm.

The Summit of Love.

A play about Lady Jane Malory.

How exciting.

You're Georgina Thomas, aren't you?

I'm Gwendoline Mary Lacey.

Pleased to meet you. Charmed.

Are you acting in this? Directing,
actually.

Oh, of course,

a far more important role for
a sixth former, like yourself.

Miss Grayling practically begged me
to put this on for open day.

It's going to be spectacular.

Georgina, could I read for a part?



I'd really love to work with you,
and I'd do anything to help.

Auditions are at 2:00
this afternoon.

Be a darling and put one of these up
for me in your common room, please.

GIRLS CHATTER

Is this what Mr Parker was talking
about?

Anyone know who's directing?

Georgina Thomas.

I heard she's quite the talent.

It says here to audition in pairs.

One is Lady Jane and the other's
Highwayman Jack.

What fun.

So who wants to be my Jack?

Alicia, would you like to pair up?

Why I'd love to, Jean. Thank you!

Irene?

Oh, as it happens, Georgina asked me
to do the music, so not me. Sorry.

How about it, Helen?

You're better off with someone else.

I've never acted before.

Sorry, Gwen.

Sally, will you audition with me?

I get stage fright, sorry.

Darrell, you'd make
a smashing highway man.

You're already so boyish.

Things are so difficult for me
at home at the moment.

I'm desperate to impress my parents.
This is such a great opportunity.

All right. All right, I'll do it.
Marvellous.

Auditions are at two.
We'll have to practise beforehand.

So see you in the dorm at break.

"I love you, my dearest,
with all of my heart.

"I bury our future too soon,
we must part.

"My wealth, I'll abandon,
my father, I'll cross.

"It's you that I win,
so I count it no loss."

Goodness, Mr Parker, did you really
write that?

I wrote the play,

but that is the poem Lady Jane sent
to her lover, Highwayman Jack.

It's from her diary, only discovered
last year.

Miss Grayling kindly allowed me
access.

What happened to Jack, Mr Parker?
It's rather tragic, actually.

Lady Jane was to elope with Jack
and planned to live off the proceeds

of her precious jewels.

However, they both perished
on the cliff one fateful night.

And what's happened to
Lady Jane's jewels?

Well, legend has it she hid them in
the grounds of Malory Towers,

she and Jack were to collect them
the night they eloped.

But when their bodies were
discovered,

there was no sign of the jewels.

So they're still here,
hidden on the grounds?

Don't get any ideas, Darrell.

I understand numerous searches
have been made over the years.

It always ends in failure.

Erm, Sally and I have some prep
to finish.

Can we be excused, Mr Parker?

Er, I have work to catch up on too.

Ellen, I'd like you to make some
copies of the script, please.

Of course, Mr Parker.

Oh, Irene, I'd like you to compose
some music to these lyrics

I've written for the play.

A love song, Mr Parker?

Well, yes.

These lyrics express how Jack feels
about Lady Jane.

Anyway, I've written this note
to excuse you from French later,

so you can work on the song.

"My love, you're wild like the vast
crashing sea.

"My love, you're strong,
like the stone towers over me."

THEY LAUGH

BOTH: How romantic!

If only she could tell us
where the jewels were hidden.

Do you really think they're worth
enough to save the school from
closing? Definitely.

We're not the first to look, though.

If they existed, surely they'd be
found by now.

But Mr Parker said that the diary
was only discovered last year.

So there must be lots of new clues.

It's our new mission.
We are treasure seekers.

Did someone say treasure?

Oh...

We... Let's do it, a proper
treasure hunt.

Oh, mother would be chuffed
if we found it.

She searched for years when she was
here.

To be honest...

..we're snowed under with prep and
auditions.

I'm not. I could go read the diary
right away.

Come on, Darrell, what happened
to you?

We used to have such a jolly time.
I want to, but I can't.

You can. You're not head of form.

You'd have so much more fun with me.

Can we really not tell her? I feel
awful.

So do I, but we can't,

because we have to tell her about
the school closing,

and as much as I love Alicia,
she can't keep a secret.

And it's not our secret to tell.
I know.

Ah, bonjour, Irene. You're early.

It's good to see you so eager.

Sorry, Mademoiselle, Mr Parker
excused me from your lesson later.

Oh, he asked me to give you this.

Au revoir, Mademoiselle.

"If our plans go 'a-ree'."

For the 100th time Darrell,
it's 'awry', rhyming with sky.

Meaning to go off course
or go wrong.

Remember? Sorry, Gwen, it's just
we've been practising for ages now.

All right.

I could do with a break, too.
Let's resume after lunch.

You have to read Lady Jane's diary.
Come here.

It's amazing and chock full
of letters from Lady Jane to Jack.

In fact, I swiped this.

I can't make sense of it,
but perhaps you girls will.

"To Jack, in the event of
my demise...

"From where I sit up on my stool,
I cast my gaze upon the school.

"The close it is not I that hides,
the gem you seek just look inside.

"My ancient father's wooden frame,

"the path towards your prize
to claim."

Is this one of Lady Jane's poems?

Whatever it is, it's definitely
a clue. Thank you so much, Alicia.

Keep it safe, though.

We'll have to return it to the diary
before Miss Grayling finds out it's
gone.

Alicia's being so helpful.

If we find the treasure, we can
confess to her later.

Oh, no, no, no.

This is Mr Parker's note
to mademoiselle.

So? So I gave her his song lyrics
instead.

Is that a problem? It's just a song.

"My love, you are wild,
like the vast crashing sea.

"My love..."

Jean, it rather reads like
a declaration of love.

She probably hasn't even read it
yet.

And if she does, I'm sure she won't
take it like that.

Make a start on the music and
collect the song lyrics

from Mademoiselle at the end of
the class.

It'll be fine.

Erm, Mademoiselle, the note I gave
you from Mr Parker...

Oh, wait, I have my reply waiting.

Perhaps you could give him this?

Erm, the thing is,
I think it might be...

Might be what?

It might be a beautiful day out
there.

I'll deliver this and go
straight out and enjoy it.

We're not getting anywhere, are we?

"Look close, it is not I that hides

"the gems you seek, just look inside
my ancient father's wooden frame."

An ancient father might be what?

A grandfather.

How about a grandfather clock?

THEY LAUGH

"My ancient father's wooden frame,

"the path towards your prize
to claim."

No.

Darrell...

It's a map of the school grounds!

Come on, let's go! Wait, wait, don't
you have an audition?

Oh, curses. Never mind.

I'll go as soon as it's over.

We'll run through your lines.

Jean, Mademoiselle already read
the note.

She gave me this to give to
Mr Parker personally.

Oh, dear. What if she's written
a love note back.

Maybe I should read it just to make
certain.

You can't do that, it's private.
I know, but...

Just the first sentence.

We'll know right away if it's a love
note or not.

"At last, we can finally express
our true feelings for one another."

I think we've read enough.

He's going to be here any minute.

What do I do, Jean?
Do I give him this or...?

So, let's hear what you've done
then, Irene.

IRENE PLAYS A TUNE

Irene, I'm fairly certain
this is Greensleeves.

Erm, no, it isn't.

HE HUMS GREENSLEEVES TUNE

Ah, right. So it is. Sorry.

Irene, can you explain why you
haven't managed to come up

with anything when you've had
the whole morning?

I'm so sorry, Mr Parker.

I couldn't think straight earlier
because I made a...

SHE SIGHS

How do I put this?

Spit it out?

Never mind. Mademoiselle gave me
this to give to you.

Heavens to Betsy.

GIRLS GIGGLE

APPLAUSE

Thank you.

Well done.

Up next is our last pair,
Gwen and Darrell.

Break a leg, Gwen.

Where is she?

Where is Darrell?

I saw them going off with
the script.

I...

Wait, I'm here. Sorry. Sorry.

Sorry, Gwen, I lost track of time.

All you have to do is say your line.

Then I'll do my part.

Jack, must it be tonight?

We cannot delay a moment too long.

But if the worst should happen,
if our plans go wrong...

GEORGINA SIGHS

..that's not my cue, remember.

Now I've lost my place.

WHISPERS: "We are to fail and
tonight is our last on this Earth."

Even if we are to fail,

and tonight is our last
on this Earth,

I shall go to my grave knowing
what it meant to be loved.

Gwen, very good,
except where you lost track.

It wasn't me... Darrell, please
don't prompt unless directed to do
so.

But could you read that last line
again for me, please?

But they're Lady Jane's lines.

I know. I'd like you to read
Lady Jane.

Even if we are to fail,

and tonight is our last
on this Earth,

I shall go to my grave knowing
what it meant to be loved.

CHEERING

Well done, Darrell!

Thank you, Darrell. And thank you,
everyone, for your efforts.

I'll be announcing the roles
later today.

You're sure this is where they went?
Definitely.

They're probably in there
talking about the notes now.

CHATTER AND LAUGHTER BEHIND DOOR

What can you see?

Er, Mr Parker's at Mademoiselle's
desk.

She looks a little... What?

A little what?

Well, I don't know. She's laughing
and he looks embarrassed.

She just nudged him.
What does that mean?

Oh, no!

MADEMOISELLE SPEAKS FRENCH

SHE SIGHS
There's nothing here, Darrell.

We should be getting back. Just a
couple more minutes.

But we'll be in awful trouble.

LOUD CLANK

Oh, my goodness. This could be it!

Oh, it is! It's the treasure!

Well, open it, then.

Maybe it's one of Lady Jane's poems
or another riddle.

"The rose is red,
the violet is blue

"There is no treasure
and the joke is on you."

Got ya!

This has to go down in Malory Towers
history as the best prank ever.

A prank? But what about the riddle?

"From where I sit up on my stool,
I cast my gaze upon the school."

There was no school back then.

But the treasure map?

My handiwork.

And that chest you're holding
is from the drama cupboard!

SHE LAUGHS

What's the matter with you two?
Why are you being such bad sports?

I'm sorry. I suppose it is rather
funny.

THEY LAUGH

Doing a spot of gardening, girls?

Er, not exactly. We were just...

May I?

Oh, very good.

Who made this?

Alicia, you may now add
cartography

to your extracurricular
achievements.

You know, when I lived here on
the grounds as a girl,

I too spent many days looking for
Lady Jane's jewels.

I was most tenacious.

I'm sorry to disappoint,
but there is no treasure

and you certainly won't find
anything in that diary.

Trust me, I've studied it
thoroughly.

Now, please fill in these holes
before you come in for tea.

I can do this. Catch you up later.

You two girls are in terrible
trouble.

Terrible.

I'm so sorry, Mademoiselle,
it was all the most awful mistake.

The thing is, Irene misplaced
the note and gave Mademoiselle

the song lyrics instead.

We were worried that you thought
he meant it.

Why would you imagine that
I thought he meant it?

Er, well...

The confusion with the song lyrics
is not the reason you're in trouble.

You read my private letter
to Mr Parker, did you not?

Yes. No.

I did. It wasn't Jean.

Well, at least we know you only read
the opening sentence.

What do you mean?

HE CLEARS THROAT

"At last, we can finally express
our true feelings for one another.

"Pardon Moi, Monsieur Parker. I'm
having some fun with these girls.

"Let us see if they read my letter."

It was a trick?

I can't believe you teachers pranked
us.

You should never, ever read
a person's private correspondence.

I'm so sorry, Mr Parker.
No, Mr Parker.

You're dismissed.

Well, I think they learnt
a very serious lesson today.

MADEMOISELLE LAUGHS

Their little faces when they walked
in here.

And now I understand why the girls
they play these tricks,

it's the feeling it is...

It is...extraordinaire!

Gwen.

Gwen.

If you've come to gloat,
Darrell Rivers...

About what? Why would I?

"The Summits Of Love cast
Lady Jane Malory to...

"..be played by Darrell Rivers."

But I was only auditioning
to help you out.

I didn't mean to get any part,
let alone Lady Jane.

What part did you get?

I'm not in it.

She didn't cast me at all.
It's just a play, Gwen.

It might just be a play to you,

but I needed Mother to see me
as Lady Jane.

If you knew what it was like for me
at home right now...

Mother's really tense because of
Daddy

and they're both taking it out
on me.

What's up with your father?

I know when my mother was very ill,
it affected Daddy.

He even got short tempered with me.

Is your father not very well?

What? What do you mean?

You said your mother was tense
because of your father.

Yes. Yes, she is.

You can confide in me, Gwen.
It's good to share. It helps.

Well, it's what you just said.

Dad isn't very well at all.

Oh, you poor thing.

This must be awful for you.

Maybe there's a way I can help.

Well, if it isn't the star
of my show.

Yes, erm, about that.

I'm afraid I can't accept the role.

Oh, that's terribly disappointing.

Can I ask why?

It clashes with my other
school commitments.

It is disappointing
and I'm really torn,

but I do know someone perfect for
the role.

Gwen. Gwen?

Gwen couldn't remember her line for
one scene, let alone the whole play.

Well, I know she stumbled in her
audition, but that was my fault.

I fed her the wrong line.

She's good, really she is,
and she does so look the part.

Would you reconsider?

Well, she does have some
stage presence.

Sally.

I'm sorry, you didn't find
the prank terribly funny.

I just wanted to cheer you both up.

You're so stuffy and serious
these days.

It feels like the pair of you are
keeping things from me.

We're not.

Don't worry, Alicia, it's all fine.

It doesn't feel fine.

Why can't you just be honest
with me?

You two never include me any more.

Ah, you're both here.

Obviously, as you know,

Darrell isn't able to be involved in
the play, Gwen.

Due to other school commitments,
I didn't have a choice.

So I had to decide, at short notice,
on another actress for the part.

Lady Jane will now be played by...

..me.

But how can you play the lead role
and direct?

Oh, it's very fashionable.

Look at Larry Olivier in Henry V.

But Darrell isn't the only girl
to have a change of heart,

so there is another part
going begging.

Gwen, I've been thinking,
you'd make a rather splendid Jack.

Are you interested?

Jack? But...but he's a man.

Mother would have palpitations
at my wearing trousers.

Well, you can tell Mother
it's also a plum role.

You'll shine in that part.

So are you in?

Of course.

So here's your script and at the
bottom is your rehearsal schedule.

Rehearsals every day for the next
two weeks. Hm-mm.

See you at rehearsal.

I had no idea Georgina would do
that. I'm so sorry.

But I'm sure it would still make
your father happy

seeing you up on stage when he's not
feeling well.

Just don't say a word to anyone
about my father's illness.

It's a very sensitive matter.

Of course, Gwen,
I won't tell a soul.