xien sequence


	Sorrow This sequence is composed of 5 songs which describe the period in Vincent's life where he met the prostitute Xien Hoornik. 3 of the songs pertain to his life with her and her daughter. the other 2 concern his intorduction to palette canvass by his cousin Mauve and also a scene on on Christmas day where Vincent refuses to attend services with his family, proclaiming the God of the clergy 'dead as a doornail' for him. The sequence opens with Vincent describing his relationship with a 'new model' that he has found.As the stage is illuminated, we see a street scene with the ladies of the evening and their prospective clients in evidence. There are vendors of snacks for the late nighters and a drunk fiddler playing for tips there also. to the left of the stage we see a reluctant Xien with her mother coaxing her out toward the center of the action with the tip of a parasol.Her brother is present also. Xien starts to sing as her mother prods and the clients peruse... It seems these days a girl must have a livelihood so as a seemstress and a cutter I must make do but for only just one guilder or for just a bowl of gruel though it be in sorrow, I might love the likes of you yes sometimes a bit more is required with the price of pins and things times being rough and all with what they are so for only just a guilder , I'll sew your britches up like new and for just one more I'll lift my knickers too... * At this moment Vincent is passing just a some dandy in the street is lifting Xiens long skirt with his cane to reveal her calf. Vincent grabs that cane from the dandy, raises it over his head as the man cowers below him and Xien falls to her knees ... continued... please taste my wares I pray thee I need a man someone to save me I need a man yes I need someone strong someone to right this wrong.... the scene has been transformed starting with the opening words of the chorus, 'please taste my wares'. the front of Xien's garment falls away to reveal her wretched and pregnant condition. She is being bathed by vincent in a wash tub and her surrounding have become the interior of their new residence. She is finally in the pose of the famouse drawing of Vincent's called 'Sorrow'. During all of this we see that her Mother and brother look on disapprovingly as they follow in the background. Now also we see that a little girl like a stree urchin is present. She is obviously a part of the family. Xien sings the last verse... Yes sometimes the best of folk will fall upon hard times and with a paltry pittance must make do so I beg you don't begrudge me, try to understand be kind for it is in sorrow that I do the things I do..It is in sorrow that I love the likes of you ... Note I will skip the next tune and move right into the tune sung by Xiens daughter. It is called New Poppys Scene begins and we see Vincent drawing a picture of Xien's daughter who is posing for him next to the cradle of Xien's newborn. She is more 'little girl like' than she appeared in the opening of the sequence. Xien is napping against vincent's shoulder as he is puffing on his pipe while drawing . Over tinkling music box like tones Xien's daughter rises up and moves across the stage toward the left . She is taking a break to go to the WC when she stops center stage and begins to speak to the audience over the music. She begins... Things don't always go so well with my Mum's new beaus these days... As new poppys are , one's like the rest.. new poppys come...new poppys go.. but this new poppys different though... he knows all of bird's and owl's nests and things he smells like burning cherry wood and can blow smoke rings.. sometimes when he works he sings.. he is real smart and has read real books and though he tries real hard...he cannot cook but he knows where hidden treasures are he says they're on the sun and moon and stars.. we walked with him once in the rain he knew all flowers by their first name when my Mum waxed cross and we had leave I heard him not once complain.. When we got home she threw a look at me , freeze the paint off the cupboard it would... I just asked when we could go again.. chorus... I think he loves my my mum and he will stay.. last night I saw him pray.. he wept until his face turned red he asked for someone names grace and some 'daily bread' when he looked up , he saw me spyin'.. I ran to hide as I thought he'd strike me like the other would... but he just come to tuck me in my bed.. C2 I asked if he had to go , could he take me he said that this could not be that with my mum and my new brother was the place for me.. but that in his heart there would always be a place for me.... Xien has gotten up and pats her on the butt as she passe as if to say...back to work...we continue hear Vincent in V.O. describing the transformation of the little girl since his arrival.. The next scene is the Christmas scene which we will skip here. It is followed by a scene at the Vincent and Xien's residence .We see Xien's mother and Brother seated at a table in a kitchen. The brother is going through Vincent's pockets looking for 'Green' he finds every color of the rainbow in evidence except for the 'green'. The music is a set to a dance tempo of a fast waltz tempo in a minor key. Xien's mother launches into a tirade....She has had with this... "this artist...this artist..." Shevenigan Green...