Scene 4 Staging

This is one of my favorite scenes in Noye's Fludde. Noye and Mrs. Noye have a marital spat, showing all of us that they are truly human.

Scene 4, pp. 18 - 22, m. 27 - 33.

The Sons and Daughters-In-Law put the finishing touches on the ark throughout this entire scene. They must look like they are really working, but they must keep their movements small so they do not steal the focus of the scene from Mr. & Mrs. Noye. They are allowed to move up and down on the ark, in and out. They can speak to one another, but no stealing focus!

Mrs. Noye and the Gossips are seated on the SR stairs, enjoying the 2 Waves and the Pond. The Gossips must also be careful not to steal focus. They can chat to each other, put their toes in the water, have a drink of water, take a nap, but do not steal focus!

Noye moves slightly R of CS to speak to Mrs. Noye. He does not go all the way to her. Mrs. Noye stays seated for her first line. She stands after her "By Christe!" at m. 28. Noye turns away 4 measures later ("Lorde, that wemen be crabbed aye"). Mrs. Noye crosses to Noye after "daye and stare, daye and stare". They end CS, looking at each other with a great deal of venom in their eyes.

The low F octaves 1 measure before 30 tell Noye that God is wanting to speak to him. He stares out and listens. As he does this, Mrs. Noye continues to talk to him, crosses behind him to putting her hand in front of his face to get his attention (which fails), becomes concerned (perhaps he is really ill), turns to see her Sons at work, gets frustrated, gives up and crosses back to join the Gossips.

Noye is shocked at God's anger and realizes he must get everyone moving. At m. 31, he commands everyone, including the Gossips to get going. At this point, 2 of the Waves come running down the House Center aisle. They give one strong shake of their wrist waves, get the 2 Waves from the pond and all 4 Waves rush out, through any entrance.

Everyone - Sons, Daughters-In-Law and Gossips are surprised and frightened by the Waves, and by Noye's insistence on action.

The Animals should be in place, as their entrance is next.

That's it!