Bernard Nightingale, a flamboyant academic, attempts to charm Hannah Jarvis, a reserved author, upon their first meeting. He tries to flatter her about her book while she remains unimpressed and direct, quickly seeing through his affectations.
BERNARD Oh... hello! Miss Jarvis, of course. Such a pleasure. I was thrown for a moment — the photograph doesn't do you justice.
HANNAH Photograph?
BERNARD On the book, I'm sorry to have brought you indoors, but Lady Chichele kindly insisted she —
HANNAH No matter — you would have muddied your shoes.
BERNARD How thoughtful. And how kind of you to spare me a…
Format: Duologue · Genre: Comedy-Drama · Source: Arcadia · Author: Tom Stoppard · Characters: HANNAH, BERNARD
This engaging duologue, "Mr. Peacock?" from Tom Stoppard's acclaimed play Arcadia, introduces us to a classic comedic mismatch. It features the initial encounter between Hannah, a reserved and direct author, and Bernard, a flamboyant and somewhat self-important academic. The scene is a masterclass in witty banter and awkward social dynamics, highlighting Bernard's attempt to impress Hannah with flattery and intellectual posturing, which she largely dismisses with unimpressed precision.
Hannah is presented as intelligent, grounded, and observant, quickly disarming Bernard's theatricality with her candor. She possesses a dry wit and a no-nonsense attitude, making her a compelling foil for Bernard's effusive nature. Bernard, on the other hand, is verbose and eager to project an image of intellectual brilliance and charm. He clearly enjoys the sound of his own voice and struggles to genuinely connect, revealing a certain level of social awkwardness despite his attempts at sophistication.
This duologue is excellent for auditions because it provides clear, contrasting character objectives and strong comedic opportunities. The well-defined arc of Bernard's efforts to charm and Hannah's resistance allows actors to showcase a range of subtle reactions and vocal choices. The intelligent, witty dialogue also demonstrates an actor's ability to handle complex text with precision and comedic timing, making it particularly suitable for drama school applications or agent showcases.
This scene is ideally suited for actors in the 35-45 age range who excel at comedic-drama and can embody either a sophisticated, intellectual, or quirky casting type. It works exceptionally well for performers comfortable with articulate language and who can bring nuance to both overt comedic bluster and understated, dry humor. Its brevity also makes it a strong choice for self-tapes where concise yet impactful material is key, and it’s perfect for general practice as it offers rich textual and character exploration.
For Hannah, focus on maintaining a sense of quiet authority and directness. Her unimpressed reactions are key; less is often more to convey her perception of Bernard's affectations. For Bernard, lean into his flamboyance and his genuine, if misguided, attempts at charm. Explore the moments where his intellectualism veers into pretension and how he attempts to recover or redirect the conversation when challenged. Remember that the humor comes from the clash of their personalities, so ensure both actors are fully committed to their respective character's objective and approach.