THE GOOD DOCTOR’S FINAL CURTAIN CALL - A tribute to a special novel adapted into an exquisite musica

To honour this much-loved tale

Doctor Zhivago – A New Musical

told in exquisite musical form

and to those who brought it to life in the

final performance of this haunting production held at

The Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane on Sunday, 14 August 2011

- with sincere & heartfelt thanks always

Part I

A single black curtain hangs fully suspended –

Dark drapery embellished with a fine silhouette ... one

single panel of chairs

Veiled shadowy forms wait in readiness in pin-drop

silence...

Blackness all encompassing, where spreads a

chequered floor...

And elegant columns frame its form.

Two sustained notes emerging now –

Long-held tension spills over as actors’ eyes flit one to

another ... this is it

It’s time – there is no going back now ... one last breath

before...

That velvet cloth rises – to reveal a kneeling youth before

an open grave...

In a winter snowstorm.

Haunting bars drawn from a cello’s throat –

Dance from the fingers of an invisible musician huddled in

a recess below

Above, citizens of Moscow strut that stage ... two sets of

contrasting lives...

There in a beloved land ... soon to be hurled into turmoil

and pain...

And still the boy keeps his vigil.

An epic storyline ... passionate, poignant –

Tales of this youth now grown older – a brand new doctor

oozing grandeur, privilege

While far across this city, an exquisite beauty ... young girl

having to wrestle the advances...

Of an arrogant older man ... who should have known

better...

His constant lust overshadowing all else.

Two contrasting lives – like those earlier lyrics –

Depicting a duality of different worlds – never ever

intended to cross the other’s path

As the grandiose dreams of this medicine man ...

underpinned with strong aspirations...

Of wholeness granted to needy ones ... and a penned

passion for his country...

Forever burns within his soul.

Meanwhile, this young, tender beauty fights each long day –

Seeking new life – desired not only for beauty’s sake, also

her true worth – that intended purpose

’Til, a zealous revolutionary emerges ... grasping her heart’s

flickering flame...

Offering days, nights born of intrigue, passion ...

underpinned with promises...

Of a desperate savage war.

Part II

Perfect night for a much longed-for announcement –

Yurii’s kind patrons’ elegant ballroom – now host to a

daughter many lovingly admire

Dance Mazurka with her, beloved doctor ... dip and sway

Moscow’s society cream...

Until, a shot rings out – smoke wafting from an ugly gun ...

now dangling...

From that other beauty’s hand.

This woman ... this vision now captured –

Within his heart of hearts – a kindred spirit’s image nestled

in a new home ... a medico’s memory

Her sad countenance forever haunts wanderings, in and

through endless alone years...

To wasteland battlefields in the bleakness of frozen Mother

Russia...

That other love of his heart.

A poignant unrequited love letter –

Breaks open barriers on a simmering passion ... now at last

able unfettered to soar

Words lovingly wrenched out of like-souls, their true

heartfelt emotion...

Baring pure similar hearts with daring – aching, reaching

out ... touching another...

Its twin – its other half.

’Til, snatched away once more by war-winds –

More endless years spent apart ... battles raging around

evermore-entwined hearts

Seeking, searching how to dwell without another – that

forever-kindred spirit...

To forever wage own costly private wars – across

bloodstained fields ...

Of lost, empty – and lonely souls.

This healer, loath to risk fine reputation –

Last morsel of his in a city once and always loved ... now

lying desperate, desolate

Still those hazel eyes haunt him daily – despite a feverish

struggle to push away ... forget...

Until, unable – she’s part of him – his other half ... ever

silently seeking out...

Reaching for her comfort ... that warm shelter.

Part III

Yuriyatin – small town so far away –

Refuge for a family torn apart – seeking shelter, comfort ...

peace from an upside-down society

But, wait ... out of mistiness of time, a memory – Lara’s life is

there ... he must not go...

That other world ever waiting ... slumbering – to sweep

away all that is familiar ...

But he must, he has to.

“Must stay away from that village” –

His strength ensures hurt for no one ... stay busy idle hands

and mind ... remain occupied

“You must write, husband mine. Go – do research ... bring

books back,” his wife’s plea...

Discerning not she was sending this kind doctor, never fully

hers – back to another...

His one true love.

“Lara” – it is he, beloved ... longed-for voice –

Dragged unbidden from a treasure-house ... kept locked

away in a lonely desolate heart

Set free only when dreams flood her bed ... while yearning

his form instead...

Now he’s there – bone of her bone... flesh of her flesh –

other half of her whole ...

Her one true love.

Meagre weeks to be their lot this time –

Guilt – pure ravaging hunger for a woman he should never

have – not his, another’s – now gone.

“Come back, my almost husband” – Lara’s cries in vain ... he

lurches away...

Then, straightway taken captive of one once close to her

heart – new leader of...

A rebellious army dealing in treasonous ways.

Cold, hungry ... fervently tending sick, wounded –

Out in more frozen wasteland ... far from all he’s held dear

– at the whim of a mad man

Memories ... clear hazel eyes haunt long days, wrestling a

torment of life spent alone...

Worse than those gaping wounds Yurii tends ... is the

yawning chasm in a heart...

Where she still dwells.

Part IV

Long years pass ... wasted years ... alone –

Far from that kindred woman – Yurii’s life’s blood – joy of

his mind, heart ... true soulmate

Stumbling now ... countless never-ending footfalls tread

snow-laden paths...

“Is that her porch – that haven of heaven – or are my eyes

playing tricks on me...

Like my heart?”

“Yurii” – it is she, beloved ... longed-for voice –

Dragged from a threshold of death, cradled once more –

safe, warm ... a refuge embrace

Love-comfort, healing – all things beloved to bring back

wholeness ... peace...

Those arms forever hungered for ... her lips, sweet as

nectar...

Bringing nourishment to his very core.

Two separate souls ... now entwined together –

Unending – one begins as the other finishes ... one long

cord of love ever unbroken

Sharing, caring ... happiness at last – first portion for two

barren lifetimes...

Until ... voice dredged from ages past – old nemesis – thief

of childish-innocence...

And taker of Yurii’s beloved papa.

Out of darkness, this enemy emerges once more –

“I won’t go – please don’t make me,” a heart’s cry to her

beloved ... now falling on deaf ears

“You must, my dearest darling – safety’s choice first for you

and our child”...

“Promise on our love you will come to us, husband of my

heart...

Papa of our precious offspring.”

Heart stalwart ... cold killing lies ... desperate promises –

Each necessary to save her life ... and his ... and that gift

lying silent in her womb

“Go Lara, I beg of you, leave quickly.” ... “No Yurii, never can I

leave you”...

His final stance ... adored beauty thrust from safety’s arms...

Only shelter for his weakened heart.

Part V

Broken now ... poetry reams his only companions –

Tales of love for his country ... and a woman haunting

constant yearning dreams

His sleep not her only dwelling place ... wind-whispers too

carry Lara’s voice...

Bearing a lost soul home to that daily refuge – her heart ...

where no other can touch...

Just him alone.

More lost years – lonely ... so cold –

Where now warm loving arms giving comfort and shelter?

Gone now, forevermore...

Misty shadows of his imaginings – “Lara-love, ever softly

you surround me”...

Myriad poems capture her beauty, where once eyes gazed

in love...

Finding wholeness each new day.

’Til, another open grave ... a forever home –

Residence of a doctor, poet ... lover – unknown beloved

papa of a replica daughter

Lara’s gentle whispers to half-empty abyss – destined to

nestle his cold, lonely coffin...

Her sad voice touched with haunting poetry – his penned

stanzas of ... a beloved country...

Dear child lost ... and a cherished soulmate.

“Goodbye my love, my only love, beat of my heart” –

This beautiful woman – now older, tho’ still irresistibly

beautiful as that first long-ago glimpse

Calling to her other half – uttering poignant words

fashioned for a mirrored soul...

Forever their ‘now’ – floating on a chime ... in a ray of light

... on the edge of time...

One again.

Part VI

For the final time the sombre drape falls silent to the floor –

Putting end to this tale ... as last onlookers are struck silent,

willing more from the lips of these...

Consummate professionals donned in garb of yesteryear ...

standing silent, sad...

Over, done ... finished ... no more will they together grace a

darkened stage...

Mesmerising us.

Tears unchecked create flowing rivulets –

A journey over now – complete ... poignant, passionate ...

friendships enduring forever

Both on stage and off ... while a haunting score and stirring

lyrics accompany...

So many yet unspoken words, similar to his, chase an

awaiting destiny ... witness bearer no more

To this tragic saga.

Go gently into your eternity, beloved soulmates...

with sincere and heartfelt thanks...

Jennifer Larmar - Australian Author – 29 June 2012©