Charles Hannan

“ A loud cry and two thumps, then the cupboard door slowly opens, Automaton puts head out—the actor having had time to change into the black coat before entering as the automaton. It creeps out, not opening the door more than necessary—business, tries to re-open door by hitting it. ”

“ Walter and the automaton are never upon the stage together, so that throughout the play Walter takes the figure’s place by entering the cupboard “off.” A super is required, however, to play “dummy,” but when this happens the figure is seated in the cupboard with its back to audience.
Costume for Walter and for the automaton: Walter wears a brown coat or jacket and trousers of the same, with a white waistcoat. The automaton is dressed exactly the same as to trousers and waistcoat, etc., but wears a black frock coat, and as they both usually keep the coat buttoned, the waistcoat is seldom seen. ”

“ Walter. Hush, hush! all of you. It’s coming out to die!
(Stella hides on floor front of sofa L. Mrs. Anderson hides on knees front of table R. Jobbins stands by clock against wall up L. Jack sets cupboard door open with chair against it and then goes and stands in recess to R., side of same, and Walter goes off to hide behind the curtain of recess L., side where there is a secret exit, so that he at once comes on as Automaton from the china cupboard.) ”

“ Jack (with pin from waistcoat) . I want to see what it will do when I stick this pin in it. (Groan.)
Stella. No, no!
Jack. In its leg, you can nip its arms and legs. (Does so—groan.)
Stella. It doesn’t seem to like being nipped.
Jack. In the interests of science I’m going to bleed it. (Loud groans.) Give me a carving knife. (Groans.)
(Mrs. Anderson has entered and come down—sees Walter, screams. They start.)
Mrs. Anderson. The gent I does for came down the other stair from the bedroom (pointing L.) and is in the kitchen premises at this here identical period of time.
Jack. What! Is he? ”

“ Jerky business, frightens Jobbins who crouches back from it, then goes C., stoops and grows faint, has a spasm of strength and hurries to table R., frightening Mrs. Anderson, who gets under table. It then leans dying against table, then has a [Pg 27] fresh spasm, hurrying across to Stella, who lies away from it on floor to avoid it.)
(Then up to cupboard door, which Jack set open with a chair. Automaton dies with back to inside of door, pushing the chair clear of it in his spasm, business, finally shutting himself in as he collapses by letting the door close after him.) ”

“ Jack. Exactly.
Walter. And are you going to keep this up?
Jack. Decidedly.
Walter. I can’t see much sense in it myself; however, if it pleases you—I’m going to have some lunch. (Goes up to table in recess.)
Jack (calls up) . Mr. Davidson! (No answer.) I’ve made it angry. (Calls.) Mr. Davidson—I say, Davidson—Mr. Cyril Davidson—sir,—oh, it’s in a pet and declines to answer me.
(Stella enters D. in F.)
Stella. Jack, a boy brought this. (Gives note.)
Jack (tears it open) . Jobbins is something like a detective. “Just seen Mr. Everest, he is running. Jobbins.”
Stella. Running? ”

“ Stop! Stella must stay in case Mrs. Everest comes. (Calls.) Mrs. Anderson! I want a cab!
(He and Jack rush out D. in F.)
Stella. I’m so excited I think I’ll play the piano in the other room.
(Exit R. to drawing-room and immediately plays and sings “Caressante.”)
(Automaton enters D. in F., in black frock-coat, but now hatless, goes to cupboard, paws at the door, goes and knocks over chair, then to table up L. and takes up a tumbler, brings it down mechanically to front C., half raises it, then lets it fall on the floor and sits by table R., facing audience and says:)
Automaton. ”

“ The three act successful farcical comedy, “The Electric Man,” which may be obtained in manuscript from Messrs. Samuel French, Ltd., was first presented at the King’s Theatre, Hammersmith, with Mr. Harcourt Beatty in the leading rôle, and was subsequently put on for a West End run at the Royalty Theatre on November 10, 1906, with Mr. Harry Nicholls as the Electric Man, the piece being transferred to the Shaftesbury Theatre on Boxing Day of the same year. ”

“ Jobbins. Missed him! (Sits L. of R. table) . I’ll just make out my little bill.
(As he is doing this, Automaton enters D. in F., comes down and has a spasm with his hands, knocking off Jobbins’ hat. Jobbins with a loud yell rushes out D. in F. Automaton knocks furniture about, etc., and goes into china cupboard. (He may throw a chair out of window first.) Stella comes in L. to see his final [Pg 26] exit. She then goes up, looks into china cupboard after him—then comes downstage, calling in fright:)
Stella. ”