Enchanted Cottage

The Gulf Spring Gold Theater. The director of the Gulf Theater and your host, Roger Pryor. Our play tonight, the Enchanted Copies by Sir Arthur Wing Venero, is a modern fable in which we meet Helen Hayes as Laura Pennington, and Frederick March as Oliver Bashforth.

And now a stage manager I call for lights. Music. The curtain rises on the living room of a country cottage in England. It's mid-morning, and Mrs. Minnet, the housekeeper, is opening the door for some early visitors.

Good morning, Mrs. Perningsen. Good morning, Mrs. Minnet. I brought Major Hillgrove to call on Mr. Bashford. Mr. Bashford's not down yet. Come in. Oh, may I, sir? Huh? And Mrs. Minnet will take your hat, Major Hillgrove.

Oh, of course. Well, give me Mrs. Minnet. We're appearing stupid, but be blind to sometimes socially awkward. I'm socially awkward. Blind. I didn't know. Over here, Major Hillgirl. Thank you. How was Mr. Bashford? Not one of his good days, Miss Pennington.

You must be prepared for that. Excuse me, I'll get Miss Bex. There, you are, Major. So that was Mrs. Minnay. Yes. I say, does she look like a witch? Well, now you speak of it.

Oh, but not like a wicked witch. The townspeople say that a grandmother was seized by a mob in 1865 and burned for witchcraft. Oh, well, there's a story, yes, but surely you don't believe in witching.

Well, we blind amuse ourselves with all sorts of odd pantries. And then who knows? I think Mr. Batch was coming. I don't know him very well, so perhaps I'd better wait in the garden. You can call me when you're finished and I'll take you home.