This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:02] Gather by the Ghost Light presents Romeo and her sister, starring Anna Demetriou and Charlotte McBurney.

[0:10] Written by Jillian Blevins.

[0:12] For a more immersive listening experience, please enjoy the show with headphones.

[0:22] Stagehand 1: Didn't we just finish building this set?

[0:25] Stagehand 2: Aye.

[0:26] Stagehand 1: The other day, we did.

[0:28] Stagehand 2: So usually between build and strike, there's a performance, ain't there?

[0:34] Stagehand 1: Don't ask no questions.

[0:36] Stagehand 2: Long as there's money in your pocket.

[0:38] Stagehand 1: It's just odd, isn't it?

[0:40] Stagehand 2: They didn't even open.

[0:42] Stagehand 1: A beautiful set it was.

[0:44] Stagehand 2: It took us weeks to build that arch.

[0:46] Stagehand 1: I say don't ask no questions.

[0:48] Stagehand 2: Act if I don't like it.

[0:49] Stagehand 1: And I ain't gonna give it to you honest anyway.

[0:52] Stagehand 2: Sets need to be built and they need to come down.

[0:56] Stagehand 1: What happens in between's none of our business.

[0:59] Stagehand 2: All right now, you grab that in.

[1:01] Stagehand 1: One, two, three.

[1:25] Benjamin Webster: It is that. Just give me a day to get it cleared up. We'll have retractions printed just as we did for Susan.

[1:31] Benjamin Webster: I'm afraid, Miss Cushman, that this is far too grave an accusation for the Haymarket to continue your engagement.

[1:38] Benjamin Webster: We are cancelling. Immediately. Before we lose any more money on this fiasco.

[1:44] Charlotte Cushman: But it isn't true.

[1:46] Benjamin Webster: It doesn't matter if it's true. No one in London will buy tickets to your play.

[1:51] Benjamin Webster: And if we don't cancel, they may not buy tickets to any more plays here again.

[1:56] Benjamin Webster: Coward. We can't be associated with this kind of degeneracy, true or not.

[2:01] Charlotte Cushman: But we open tomorrow night.

[2:03] Benjamin Webster: Not any longer, you don't.

[2:06] Benjamin Webster: Since the moment you arrived here, you've done nothing but strut and bully and throw your weight around.

[2:13] Benjamin Webster: Typical American.

[2:14] Charlotte Cushman: How dare you?

[2:15] Benjamin Webster: You should count yourself lucky.

[2:17] Benjamin Webster: Enough! Bonburst won't work on me anymore.

[2:21] Benjamin Webster: Nor anyone else in London, I should think. Your reputation is going in the bin, along with these playbills.

[2:28] Benjamin Webster: You're through here.

[2:29] Charlotte Cushman: We'll see about that. I can take Romeo to any other stage in town.

[2:33] Benjamin Webster: You can't.

[2:36] Benjamin Webster: I take no pleasure in this, Miss Cushman. Truly I don't. It's just business. Pounds and pence.

[2:45] Benjamin Webster: It might be best for you to return to America. See your family. Enjoy a hiatus.

[2:54] Charlotte Cushman: You know. I've had quite a storied career myself, Miss Cushman. I've performed on this very stage hundreds of times, maybe thousands.

[3:05] Charlotte Cushman: Well, I used to anyway. Before I was elevated to manager, and it stopped being any fun.

[3:13] Benjamin Webster: I was funny. Did you know that? Funniest actor in London, they said. I had them rolling in the aisles six nights a week.

[3:24] Benjamin Webster: But now it's just pounds and pence. Twenty years managing the Haymarket, and now I'm lucky to get on stage once a year.

[3:36] Charlotte Cushman: Well, that won't be me.

[3:39] Benjamin Webster: You're right. When this story follows you home, you won't be allowed anywhere near a theater ever again.

[3:47] Benjamin Webster: On stage or off. You can regret this, Webster.

[3:54] Benjamin Webster: On that, Miss Cushman, we agree. Luckily, I'm used to regrets.

[4:02] Benjamin Webster: In the meantime. Take my advice and leave London. For good.

[4:13] Charlotte Cushman: Ha. Banishment. Be merciful, say death. My empire. Fame. The walls that I have built.

[4:26] Charlotte Cushman: Now crumble down around me into dust. They know, and now I will be punished for what? My crime to love.

[4:40] Charlotte Cushman: My crime to lie. My crime to hide my secrets in plain sight. I was adored once. That's all finished now.

[4:51] Charlotte Cushman: My public's love will loathing soon become. And Susan will renounce me as her kin. My little lover's ardor shall dissolve.

[5:04] Charlotte Cushman: So Sally too shall purge me from her life. No hope. No future. Nothing left to do. But Tilda's vengeance for my callousness.

[5:20] Charlotte Cushman: Here ends Cushmania. I am undone. God damn it.

[5:36] Charlotte Cushman: Is it really over? Where's Sally?

[5:40] Susan Cushman: Cleaning out the dressing rooms. You can fight this, you know. It's libelous, hideous that Miss Hayes would spread such lies.

[5:48] Charlotte Cushman: Get out, Susan. Rumors like this are terrible, but they fade. You should have heard the way people talked in Boston when I married Nelson.

[5:56] Susan Cushman: You don't know anything.

[5:58] Charlotte Cushman: Send Sally in.

[5:59] Susan Cushman: You're right. I don't know anything. Because you never tell me.

[6:03] Charlotte Cushman: Go home.

[6:04] Susan Cushman: This again? You're gonna send me away, leave me behind? Back on the shelf until I'm a convenient prop again?

[6:10] Susan Cushman: I've done nothing but care for you your whole pampered life.

[6:13] Charlotte Cushman: Care for me? You've gone years without visiting.

[6:17] Susan Cushman: I once had to read in the paper that you were coming to Boston and sit in the audience to see you at all.

[6:22] Charlotte Cushman: Oh, for when I was carrying Ned and that horrible old man abandoned me, just as father abandoned us as girls.

[6:28] Susan Cushman: How is any of that my fault?

[6:30] Charlotte Cushman: You didn't come to see me. Not once.

[6:33] Susan Cushman: I was all alone.

[6:35] Charlotte Cushman: Because I was working twice as much so I could send you more money.

[6:39] Susan Cushman: Oh, you're really that stupid. I didn't need money. I needed my sister.

[6:44] Charlotte Cushman: Oh, you didn't need the money? You certainly spent it.

[6:47] Susan Cushman: Don't you dare throw that in my face. All I've ever been to you is a bank.

[6:51] Charlotte Cushman: You were always happy to collect, weren't you? Well, time to find another hustle. The bank is closing.

[6:57] Susan Cushman: Charlotte Cushman is done.

[7:00] Charlotte Cushman: Done with what?

[7:03] Susan Cushman: Charlotte. I want Sally.

[7:07] Charlotte Cushman: You can talk to me.

[7:08] Susan Cushman: Since when? I don't understand. Why don't you fight?

[7:11] Charlotte Cushman: Why don't you mind your business?

[7:13] Susan Cushman: You made this my business when you brought me here. When you put me on stage, when you made me play Juliet.

[7:18] Charlotte Cushman: Well, you've finally gotten what you wanted. You're free of Juliet.

[7:21] Susan Cushman: Free of the play? And free of me. I want to do the play, Charlotte. I need to.

[7:30] Charlotte Cushman: Then you had better go and get yourself another Romeo.

[7:32] Susan Cushman: I'm box office poison. No stage in London will have me. I can't do it without you.

[7:35] Charlotte Cushman: I won't.

[7:38] Susan Cushman: What about this? Are you not understanding?

[7:41] Charlotte Cushman: It's over for me. I can't beat this.

[7:43] Susan Cushman: How can you say that? How is this any different from...

[7:44] Charlotte Cushman: It's completely different. It's just more gossip.

[7:48] Susan Cushman: You can—

[7:49] Charlotte Cushman: I can't!

[7:50] Susan Cushman: But why?

[7:52] Charlotte Cushman: Because Matilda has my goddamn letters.

[7:52] Susan Cushman: Matilda has... You mean what she wrote in the paper is true?

[8:04] Charlotte Cushman: You with other ladies.

[8:08] Susan Cushman: Now will you leave?

[8:11] Charlotte Cushman: I never knew.

[8:16] Susan Cushman: But are you sure? How does it even work without a man?

[8:21] Charlotte Cushman: Fine, I'll leave.

[8:22] Susan Cushman: No, wait, please. I'm sorry. Just let me catch up.

[8:28] Charlotte Cushman: The other day, the balcony. Something happened. You let me see you.

[8:34] Charlotte Cushman: You as I remember you before you left home. Before you became our Charlotte.

[8:43] Susan Cushman: I haven't seen that person since I was a girl. I've missed her.

[8:50] Charlotte Cushman: You don't know me.

[8:52] Susan Cushman: I'd like to.

[8:54] Charlotte Cushman: Why?

[8:56] Susan Cushman: Because we're sisters.

[8:58] Charlotte Cushman: You say that as if it means something. As if something as arbitrary as blood could bind us together.

[9:04] Charlotte Cushman: Could allow you to see me as I am, as I truly am, and not turn away from me.

[9:10] Susan Cushman: So show me.

[9:14] Susan Cushman: You should come home to Boston. There's room for you at the house.

[9:19] Charlotte Cushman: I can't think of anything more wretched.

[9:22] Susan Cushman: Thanks. Besides, Forrest will come back to America soon and it will start all over again.

[9:28] Susan Cushman: Even if I'm not acting anymore, he'll see that the truth gets out. That this follows me wherever I go.

[9:36] Charlotte Cushman: Better for me to disappear. And never act again. Only in the role I'm worst at.

[9:43] Susan Cushman: Lady. There has to be another way.

[9:45] Charlotte Cushman: There's not. It's best for you and mother if I don't come home.

[9:50] Charlotte Cushman: You can tell her that I fell ill. I'll keep sending money for as long as I can, and when it stops, she'll just believe that I succumbed.

[9:57] Susan Cushman: You can't possibly think that mother would prefer you were dead than a lover of women.

[10:02] Charlotte Cushman: Wake up, Susan. Please, if you'll just let me help you. Stop pretending as if you could bear treating me as your sister when I'm not famous anymore.

[10:10] Charlotte Cushman: When I'm not wealthy, when I'm just a liability.

[10:13] Susan Cushman: You are my sister.

[10:14] Susan Cushman: You won't have me anywhere near you, embarrassing you and ruining your prospects.

[10:19] Charlotte Cushman: Is that what you think of me?

[10:21] Susan Cushman: I think you are a shallow, selfish, spoiled baby.

[10:24] Susan Cushman: You always have been, and you always will be.

[10:27] Charlotte Cushman: You don't mean that.

[10:28] Charlotte Cushman: Take my advice.

[10:29] Charlotte Cushman: Find a new Romeo.

[10:30] Charlotte Cushman: I would never. Or just quit and get married again.

[10:32] Charlotte Cushman: I don't care what you do, as long as you forget that I exist.

[10:35] Susan Cushman: I'm not the one you're angry at.

[10:37] Susan Cushman: Not this time.

[10:38] Susan Cushman: You know that I know who you really are.

[10:41] Susan Cushman: You fooled Sally by playing being a grown-up at caring about the play, about me.

[10:46] Susan Cushman: But I know better.

[10:47] Susan Cushman: And I feel sorry for Ned to have a mother who can't love anything but herself.

[10:53] Charlotte Cushman: You're right, Charlotte.

[10:56] Susan Cushman: I don't know you at all.

[10:59] Charlotte Cushman: And you certainly don't know me.

[11:11] Susan Cushman: It serves her right.

[11:13] Susan Cushman: It serves her right.

[11:14] Susan Cushman: It serves her right.

[11:18] Benjamin Webster: Finally.

[11:19] Benjamin Webster: You're still hanging about?

[11:20] Benjamin Webster: Oh.

[11:21] Benjamin Webster: Big admirer of Mr. Forrest?

[11:22] Charlotte Cushman: I have business with him.

[11:24] Benjamin Webster: Oh, I'm sure you do.

[11:25] Benjamin Webster: I mean he's expecting me.

[11:27] Benjamin Webster: I'm sure he is.

[11:28] Benjamin Webster: You're impertinent.

[11:30] Charlotte Cushman: Just observant.

[11:31] Charlotte Cushman: You think you're the first fan I found waiting around Mr. Forrest's dressing room?

[11:34] Benjamin Webster: Hardly a flutter.

[11:36] Charlotte Cushman: I'm not a fan.

[11:38] Charlotte Cushman: I'm an actress.

[11:40] Charlotte Cushman: I'm going to be in the play.

[11:42] Benjamin Webster: Oh, is that right?

[11:43] Benjamin Webster: Well, I'll look forward to it.

[11:45] Charlotte Cushman: Would you please give this letter to him when he gets here?

[11:48] Charlotte Cushman: Left by the stage door this morning.

[11:52] Benjamin Webster: Well, I've been mistaken for a fan.

[11:54] Benjamin Webster: Why not a mail carrier, I suppose?

[11:56] Benjamin Webster: Appreciate it, miss.

[11:57] Benjamin Webster: Apologies for the misunderstanding.

[11:59] Charlotte Cushman: Is he?

[12:00] Benjamin Webster: He is coming.

[12:02] Benjamin Webster: Nice to meet you, miss.

[12:06] Benjamin Webster: Theatre people.

[12:09] Benjamin Webster: He is coming.

[12:10] Benjamin Webster: Exchange me for a goat before I turn the business of my soul to just exufflicate and bloat surmises.

[12:17] Charlotte Cushman: Jesus Christ.

[12:20] Charlotte Cushman: What are you doing here?

[12:22] Charlotte Cushman: It's been cancelled.

[12:23] Charlotte Cushman: The Romeo and Juliet.

[12:25] Charlotte Cushman: Last night.

[12:26] Benjamin Webster: Right.

[12:27] Benjamin Webster: Well done.

[12:28] Benjamin Webster: So?

[12:29] Charlotte Cushman: Well, so we're supposed to meet today?

[12:33] Charlotte Cushman: To put me in as Amelia?

[12:35] Benjamin Webster: Oh, were we?

[12:37] Benjamin Webster: Yes.

[12:38] Benjamin Webster: Three hours ago.

[12:40] Benjamin Webster: Damnedest thing.

[12:42] Benjamin Webster: Apparently the manager is rather attached to the scenery chewer.

[12:47] Benjamin Webster: He says we can't replace her.

[12:49] Charlotte Cushman: Uh but you said that if Charlotte cancelled, then I'd next time, Miss Hayes.

[12:49] Benjamin Webster: Next time.

[12:56] Charlotte Cushman: I don't understand.

[12:58] Charlotte Cushman: We made a bargain.

[13:00] Charlotte Cushman: I released a gossip item that closed Charlotte Cushman's play.

[13:05] Charlotte Cushman: I held at my end.

[13:07] Charlotte Cushman: Now it's time for you to make good on yours.

[13:09] Benjamin Webster: Alas, the theatre is a fickle mistress, and some promises simply can't be kept.

[13:15] Charlotte Cushman: Well, then it's not a promise.

[13:17] Benjamin Webster: Oh, don't be so dreary.

[13:19] Benjamin Webster: We've won.

[13:20] Benjamin Webster: The Amazon has lost.

[13:22] Benjamin Webster: We should celebrate.

[13:23] Charlotte Cushman: Brandy?

[13:24] Benjamin Webster: This early in the day.

[13:26] Benjamin Webster: Special occasion.

[13:27] Charlotte Cushman: Well.

[13:30] Charlotte Cushman: All right.

[13:33] Benjamin Webster: Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.

[13:35] Benjamin Webster: There's a letter for you on your dressing table.

[13:37] Benjamin Webster: The manager said it was left at the stage door early this morning.

[13:40] Charlotte Cushman: Ah, ha ha.

[13:40] Charlotte Cushman: Fan mail.

[13:42] Charlotte Cushman: Oh, it does get tiresome.

[13:43] Charlotte Cushman: But that's the price of stardom.

[13:45] Benjamin Webster: There's also the matter of my letters.

[13:47] Benjamin Webster: What's that?

[13:48] Benjamin Webster: Or uh Mish Cushman's.

[13:50] Benjamin Webster: Uh the ones I bought here yesterday.

[13:53] Charlotte Cushman: You kept them to review.

[13:54] Charlotte Cushman: I should like them back.

[13:55] Benjamin Webster: Oh, I'm afraid I can't do that either.

[13:58] Charlotte Cushman: More brandy?

[13:59] Charlotte Cushman: I must insist that you return my letters.

[14:02] Charlotte Cushman: You see, here's the thing, Miss Hayes.

[14:04] Charlotte Cushman: I couldn't figure out why exactly that you wanted to delay the publication of these sapphic missives.

[14:11] Charlotte Cushman: I told you yesterday.

[14:12] Charlotte Cushman: Hang them over her head, yes.

[14:14] Charlotte Cushman: Let them control her without completely destroying her.

[14:18] Charlotte Cushman: But then I got to thinking.

[14:21] Charlotte Cushman: Did you?

[14:22] Charlotte Cushman: Why wait?

[14:23] Charlotte Cushman: I want to be rid of her.

[14:24] Charlotte Cushman: Permanently.

[14:25] Charlotte Cushman: And these letters?

[14:27] Charlotte Cushman: They are a killing blow.

[14:30] Charlotte Cushman: Mr. Forrest, with all due respect.

[14:32] Charlotte Cushman: So I contacted a friend at the Illustrated London News, and I arranged to have them published in tonight's evening press.

[14:41] Benjamin Webster: But we agreed that it would be best.

[14:43] Charlotte Cushman: Oh, don't worry.

[14:44] Charlotte Cushman: I'm not gonna reveal who the letters are written to.

[14:47] Charlotte Cushman: As long as you don't cross me.

[14:50] Benjamin Webster: What?

[14:51] Benjamin Webster: Oh, you English.

[14:53] Benjamin Webster: You think you're so much smarter than us big, dumb Americans.

[14:57] Benjamin Webster: You thought you could come in here, into my dressing room, manipulate me, get everything you wanted.

[15:05] Benjamin Webster: A role in my play, a little control over Charlotte Cushman, and that I'd be too stupid to catch on.

[15:12] Benjamin Webster: You thought wrong.

[15:14] Benjamin Webster: I know what you are.

[15:16] Charlotte Cushman: I you are quite mistaken.

[15:20] Benjamin Webster: Oh, I think not.

[15:22] Benjamin Webster: Now, if you value your own reputation, Miss Hayes, I'd make a point of staying out of my way.

[15:30] Benjamin Webster: Don't come here again.

[15:32] Benjamin Webster: Don't ask for anything from me.

[15:34] Benjamin Webster: Don't even mention me to anyone.

[15:37] Benjamin Webster: I don't want to see my name anywhere near your byline.

[15:41] Benjamin Webster: I'll make an exception for a glowing review, of course.

[15:45] Charlotte Cushman: Those letters belong to me.

[15:47] Charlotte Cushman: I demand that you give them back at once.

[15:51] Benjamin Webster: Or what?

[15:53] Benjamin Webster: Uh, look at you.

[15:55] Benjamin Webster: Females have forgotten the natural order of things.

[15:59] Benjamin Webster: We let you write in our papers and perform on our stages, even study in our universities.

[16:05] Benjamin Webster: And you think that makes you equal.

[16:09] Benjamin Webster: But in any real confrontation, a match of wits or of stamina, of grit, of character or physical strength.

[16:18] Benjamin Webster: It's obvious who's the dominant sex.

[16:21] Benjamin Webster: Who's in charge?

[16:23] Benjamin Webster: Oh, go on making believe you're equal, Miss Hayes.

[16:27] Benjamin Webster: Don't be surprised if it gets you into trouble.

[16:31] Charlotte Cushman: Whatever it is you imagine you know about me.

[16:35] Charlotte Cushman: You're wrong.

[16:36] Benjamin Webster: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[16:37] Benjamin Webster: Whatever you need to tell yourself.

[16:40] Benjamin Webster: Oh.

[16:41] Benjamin Webster: Oh.

[16:43] Benjamin Webster: This is quite a development.

[16:44] Benjamin Webster: Every bit as despicable as Charlotte said you were.

[16:48] Benjamin Webster: Oh, this is even better than I could have dreamed.

[16:50] Benjamin Webster: What?

[16:51] Benjamin Webster: Your fan mail.

[16:52] Benjamin Webster: Not quite.

[16:53] Benjamin Webster: Dear Mr. Forrest.

[16:55] Benjamin Webster: Due to recent revelations, and out of concern for my own reputation, my future, and my immortal soul.

[17:04] Benjamin Webster: I have made the decision to separate myself from my sister.

[17:08] Benjamin Webster: I would like to ally myself professionally with the most gifted American actor in London.

[17:14] Benjamin Webster: And remote.

[17:18] Benjamin Webster: No.

[17:19] Benjamin Webster: If this agrees with you, I shall be very pleased.

[17:23] Benjamin Webster: I will call today at midday to discuss the possibility of our partnership.

[17:27] Benjamin Webster: Kindly Miss Susan Cushman.

[17:30] Benjamin Webster: How could she?

[17:32] Benjamin Webster: Everyone's out for themselves, Miss Hayes.

[17:34] Benjamin Webster: I'll give you that bit of show business advice for free.

[17:37] Benjamin Webster: Now, get out of my dressing room.

[17:40] Benjamin Webster: I have a lunch date.

[17:42] Benjamin Webster: You're right to hate Charlotte.

[17:44] Benjamin Webster: She's arrogant and vain and self-important.

[17:49] Benjamin Webster: But she's a better actor than you will ever be.

[17:52] Benjamin Webster: And you'll have to live with knowing that, even if she never performs again.

[17:55] Benjamin Webster: Pip pip, cheerio, Miss Hayes.

[17:57] Benjamin Webster: Don't let the door hit your ass on the way out.

[18:05] Susan Cushman: So sorry for the late notice.

[18:06] Susan Cushman: I hope it's all right that I came.

[18:08] Charlotte Cushman: Miss Cushman.

[18:09] Charlotte Cushman: Of course it is.

[18:11] Charlotte Cushman: Welcome.

[18:12] Charlotte Cushman: Do sit down.

[18:13] Charlotte Cushman: Miss Hayes was just leaving.

[18:15] Charlotte Cushman: Weren't you, Miss Hayes?

[18:18] Susan Cushman: Quite right.

[18:20] Susan Cushman: Goodbye, Mr. Forrest.

[18:21] Susan Cushman: Miss Cushman.

[18:28] Charlotte Cushman: Well, beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear indeed.

[18:34] Charlotte Cushman: Brandy?

[18:49] Benjamin Webster: Romeo and Her Sister is a Gather by the Ghost Light production, produced by Jonathan Cook and Devin McSherry.

[18:56] Benjamin Webster: Written by Jillian Blevins.

[18:59] Benjamin Webster: Directed, edited, and sound designed by Jonathan Cook.

[19:03] Benjamin Webster: This episode features the voice talents of Anna Demetrio as Charlotte Cushman.

[19:08] Benjamin Webster: Charlotte McBurney as Susan Cushman.

[19:11] Benjamin Webster: Jonathan Cook as Edwin Forrest.

[19:13] Benjamin Webster: Kaziah Burroughs as Matilda Hays.

[19:16] Benjamin Webster: Neil Hellegers as Benjamin Webster.

[19:24] Benjamin Webster: Mark Bartholomew as the Theatre Manager.

[19:27] Benjamin Webster: This program is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.

[19:35] Benjamin Webster: We'd also like to give our deepest thanks to all of those who supported our Kickstarter campaign to help get this production made.