SCENE TEN: THE THEATRE OF THE VAMPIRES — 1830
Establishing Photograph: The Marquee of the theatre reads: «Curse of the Vampire». A large crowd packs the entrance.
(The vampires perform a «gothic horror» show. The Vampire, played by LAURENT in a grotesque mask and costume, climbs out of a coffin covered in cob webs. In a clumsy onstage «transformation», he turns into a bat which is essentially a cloth bat on a stick held by a stage hand in black. As the bat flaps around the stage, ARMAND leads LESTAT into the wings to watch from offstage. LESTAT is still scarred and very weak but he has been dressed in a rich black coat and fine linen. He is clearly reluctant, but ARMAND keeps a firm hand on his arm.)
[Lestat:]
This is too difficult for me.
[Armand:]
[whispers] But you are among friends, Lestat. I cannot keep you to myself. They have been asking for you.
(They watch from offstage as the vampire bat flies into a window to the bedroom where a beautiful girl sleeps. The bat «transforms» back into the vampire played by LAURENT.)
[Lestat:]
[whispers] Is that Laurent?
[Armand:]
[whispers] And Eleni.
(The girl in the bed screams as the vampire approaches her. ELENI wears make-up to make her look like a mortal. The sight of ELENI and LAURENT warms LESTAT. Gradually, he relaxes. The vampire stares at the girl with red glowing eyes, hypnotizing her.)
[Laurent as the vampire:]
Come to me, my lovely.
(She approaches him as if in a trance. He bares huge fangs and bends down to bite her neck. Suddenly, the bedroom door bursts open. CLAUDIA runs in, pointing.)
[Claudia as the little girl:]
There, sir! You see? It is a vampire!
(LOUIS comes in behind her, holding a cross and a wooden stake. LOUIS and CLAUDIA both wear make-up to appear human. CLAUDIA wears a yellow dress.)
[Louis as a mortal:]
Back… back you fiend! Return to hell from whence you came!
(At the sight of them, LESTAT staggers back as if struck by a blow. He falls to his knees. ARMAND moves quickly to his side and helps him off. The set transforms to the basement beneath the theatre.)