The Swan

About the show

The source for this synopsis is a translation of The Swan made by Benjamin Glazer and published in 1922, while the translation used for the Broadway production was by Melville Baker. One scholar has pointed out while both men adapted multiple Hungarian plays into English, that Baker had been known to work from a French translation, and that such French adaptations were often made from Molnár's own translations of the original Hungarian into German. Act I (Pavilion by the rose garden of Princess Beatrice's Castle. Afternoon.) Dr. Agi has finished a lesson on Napoleon for Princes George and Arsene, who remind their tutor of their mother's antipathy for the Usurper. Princess Beatrice and the boy's uncle, Father Hyacinth, speak with the tutor. Hyacinth is impressed with the tutor's knowledge and athleticism, as he also instructs the boys in rowing and fencing. Princess Alexandra comes in from her daily ride, and Father Hyancinth perceives Agi's suppressed feelings for her. Symphorosa continually updates Princess Beatrice about the castle's guest, Prince Albert, who is still sleeping. Beatrice tells Father Hyancinth about her plans for Alexandra and Albert, and how the Prince so far has seemed indifferent to her. Albert now appears, trailed by his attendants. He too is impressed with Dr. Agi, especially his knowledge of astronomy. While Agi leads the boys away to don their fencing gear, Beatrice suggests Albert may wish to inspect Alexandra's rose garden. But Albert is distracted by Col Wunderlich's talk of a modern dairy farm, and sets off with him and Count Luzen to inspect it. Beatrice is now anguished, for the Prince is scheduled to leave tomorrow. She determines to precipitate his jealousy by having Alexandra invite the tutor to attend that night's ball. Father Hyacinth is alarmed, thinking the scheme unwise and unfair to the tutor. Beatrice is adamant; nothing is more important than the family regaining influence. Alexandra is frozen-faced as she grasps what her mother is asking her to do. But she obeys, and the startled Agi is suffused with unexpected emotion as he realizes the Princess Alexandra is asking him personally to attend the ball. (Curtain) Act II (Reception room of the castle, that evening.) Caesar instructs Alfred on how to serve the private dinner following the public ball. Beatrice hears from Caesar that all courses will be cold, as Prince Albert prefers. Beatrice asks she be served hot tea instead of the cold consommé the others will get. Her nerves are stretched taut, both over the uncertainty of the scheme and the local notables seeing Alexandra associate with the tutor in the ballroom. Princess Alexandra enters, followed closely by Dr. Agi, talking to her of astronomy. She gently chides him for his constant attention, confusing him. Prince Albert and the others come in for the dinner party. Albert tells Beatrice that he has telegraphed his mother, Princess Maria Dominica, to come at once to the castle. Beatrice is overjoyed, for it means the Prince will propose to Alexandra through his formidable mother. It is clear Albert is now aware of Alexandra as a woman, for he begins to patronize the tutor in conversation. Agi, who has never tasted wine nor dined with aristocracy, empties his glass of Tokay in one gulp. To cover up the faux pas, Alexandra does the same. The effects of the heady vintage hit Agi hard, and he soon rises to the bait of Albert's patronizing tone, responding with words that verge on insult. Albert admires Agi's frankness, but his temper is clearly slipping. Beatrice, seeing victory vanishing, becomes overwrought and falls ill. Albert takes her to her room, followed by many others. Agi and Alexandra are left behind with Father Hyancinth, who tries to advise them. Agi knows his position has been lost, but felt intolerably put upon. Albert returns with his attendants; no longer in a mood for tolerance, he berates Agi. Alexandra, in sympathy with Agi's hopeless position, suddenly kisses him. At once, everyone's mood changes; Albert apologises to Agi and withdraws. (Curtain) Act III (Drawing room of the castle, the next morning.) Beatrice encounters Father Hyacinth. She is agitated, both by Alexandra's late night confession to her, and the imminent arrival of Albert's mother by motorcar. Hyacinth reminds her of his warning about trifling with the tutor's emotions. She sends for the tutor but learns he is already packing to go. She goes to greet Princess Maria, as Alexandra enters. When Agi arrives she confesses the scheme to him, but he has already guessed. He will still leave despite her plea to stay, for what was intolerable to him was her kiss, which was plainly from sympathy not affection. Her brothers now come to say good-bye to their tutor. He departs the room with them, as Maria and Beatrice enter. Maria has not yet spoken with her son, so Father Hyacinth informs her of the previous night's doing, in such a way as to secure her sympathy for Alexandra. But it proves unnecessary, for Albert too has interpreted the kiss as did Agi, and still wants to marry Alexandra. He assures Alexandra that their marriage will be one in which love will come in time. (Curtain)