Woman by a Window & Cleste (Performance Series) - Softcover

Co-founder and former Artistic Director of Theatre 1774, Marianne Ackerman has written several other plays, including L'Affaire Tartuffe, Céleste, and Woman by a Window which were published by Signature Editions (formerly Nuage Editions). Ackerman's first novel, Jump, was published by McArthur & Company.

Born in Belleville, Ontario, Ackerman studied at Carleton University, the Sorbonne and the University of Toronto. She lived in France for a number of years, and currently lives in Montreal.

Desire twirls gently and falls. Will groans with morning sickness.

Desire: There, there, you'll feel so much better. Now you know how I felt. It's no fun being sick on an empty stomach, is it? So next time you'll know better. Fasting is not good. Will: Leave me alone. Desire: Now, now-- Will: Alone! Desire: Fasting is fascist. It's a blatant denial of social reality. Fasting represents order. Control. Totalitarian government. In the words of Emma Goldman, who was plump-- Will: Ahhhhhhhhh! Desire: (Hurt and defensive.) Well, not every great idea pops out of an empty womb. Will: True, but we haven't time for history. Desire: Time? I have all the time in the world. My time is the tirne of my children's children. When I am dead as dust rny blood will flow in the veins of grown men and beautiful women. Women full of children, and so on (Pain.) Oh, rny time is near. . . I don't like this feeling. Give me something strong and call me when it's over. Will: No drugs. Desire: Come on. In this day and age, pain isn't necessary. Will: Of course it is! Desire: Ohhh! Will: If I am forced against my better judgement to support this hideous repetition of animal acts, I insist on remaining conscious throughout. At least the bloody part may be interesting. Desire: Don't mention blood. Will: There certainly will be-- Desire: Yes, but after, holding it, throwing it up in the air. Will: (Whisper.) After you've wiped up the blood. Desire: (Going to Soul.) Please, speak up on behalf of...you know...general principles. The virtue and beauty of "motherhood." Soul: She's right. There's only one way out. Only one loophole. When a small hyphen between your legs grows big enough for a head. --from Woman By a Window