THE STAGE OF THE PARIS OPERA, 1905

(The contents of the opera house is being

auctioned off. An AUCTIONEER, PORTERS,

BIDDERS, and RAOUL, seventy now, but still

bright of eye. The action commences with a

blow from the AUCTlONEER's gavel)

AUCTIONEER

Sold. Your number, sir? Thank you.

Lot 663, then, ladies and gentlemen: a poster

for this house's production of "Hannibal" by

Chalumeau.

PORTER

Showing here.

AUCTIONEER

Do I have ten francs? Five then. Five I am bid.

Six, seven. Against you, sir, seven. Eight.

Eight once. Selling twice. Sold, to Raoul,

Vicomte de Chagny.

Lot 664: a wooden pistol and three human

skulls from the 1831 production of "Robert le

Diable" by Meyerbeer. Ten francs for this. Ten,

thank you. Ten francs still. Fifteen, thank you,

sir Fifteen I am bid. Going at fifteen. Your

number, sir?

665, ladies and gentlemen: a papier-mache

musical box, in the shape of a barrel-organ.

Attached, the figure of a monkey in Persian

robes playing the cymbals. This item,

discovered in the vaults of the theatre, still in

working order.

PORTER (holding it up)

Showing here. (He sets it in motion)

AUCTIONEER

My I start at twenty francs? Fifteen, then?

Fifteen I am bid.

(the bidding continues. RAOUL. eventually

buys the box for thirty francs)

Sold, for thirty francs to the Vicomte de

Chagny. Thank you, sir.

(The box is handed across to RAOUL. He studies it, as

attention focuses on him for a moment)

RAOUL (quietly, half to himself, half to the

box)

A collector's piece indeed . . .

every detail exactly as she said . . .

She often spoke of you, my friend ....

Your velvet lining, and your figurine of lead...

Will you still play,

when all the rest of us are dead?

(Attention returns to the AUCTIONEER, as he

resumes)

AUCTIONEER





Lot 666, then: a chandelier in pieces. Some of

you may recall the strange affair of the

Phantom of the Opera: a mystery never fully

explained. We are told ladies and gentlemen,

that this is the very chandelier which figures in

the famous disaster. Our workshops have

restored it and fitted up parts of it with wiring

for the new electric light, so that we may get a

hint of what it may look like when re-

assembled. Perhaps we may frighten away the

ghost of so many years ago with a little

illumination, gentlemen?

(The AUCTIONEER switches on the chandelier

There is an enormous flash, and the OVERTURE

begins. During the overture the opera house is

restored to its earlier grandeur. The chandelier

immense and glittering, rises magically from

the stage, finally hovering high above the

stalls