Act Two, Scene One 

Pg 67 – Alan - Destiny speech

Remember my notes about the "Angry Young Men" sub-genre in Act One, Scene Two? This monologue fits the "gritty street poet/philosopher" and staccato rhythm of the A.Y.M. to a "T"! 

 

Pg 67 – Alan - "et voila"

Roughly translated, "and here it is!"

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Pg 67 – Alan - "Woollies"

Nickname of the old 5 & 10 store "Woolworth's." There was a time it seemed as though nearly every town had one. It was a bargain store with a wide range of products -- its purpose here is likely two-fold: as a nostalgic reminder that we're in 1963, and to further mock Alan and his weapon (as we can now imagine him standing in the small "kitchen" section of a little Woolworth's, just down the aisle from the bird seed and the stationary, purchasing his murder weapon).

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Pg 67 – Dangle- "sesquipedalia verba"

very long and complex words; literally translated, "words that are a foot and a half long"

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Pg 68 – Charles - "que sera sera" / "bugger me, it's Errol Flynn 

"Que sera sera" - a quite famous song that made its first appearance in 1956 (and would undoubtedly be known to Charles. It's generally known to mean "Whatever Will Be, Will be," though the actual etymology is a bit wonky. | "bugger me" = literally, the slang "to bugger" refers to anal sex -- however, the term has become a catch-all vulgarity, much like "the f-word" in the U.S. ("f--- me, it's Errol Flynn"). | Errol Flynn was a matinee idol movie actor. He often played courageous heroes (Robin Hood, "good" Pirates, etc.), but was also a bit hammy, and definitely known more for his romantic good looks and charm--as such, I wouldn't be surprised if "real" tough guys would roll their eyes at the boyish matinee star who was "playing" tough on the screen. Of course, it could also simply be that he's naming any particularly famous actor as a way to mock Alan, in the way that a drunk uncle may greet his English Major nephew by saying, "so, how's it going Shakespeare?"

 

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Pg 69 – Charlie - "Rottingdean Players" 

I'm 99% sure this is a reference to the Rottingdean Drama Society, an amateur theatre that has been operating since 1948. If so, there are a few jokes tied up in this -- first, they're a "community" theatre that nevertheless seems to take themselves very, very seriously as professionals (like Alan). Second, although they do traditional plays (like Chekhov), they're better known in the area for their Panto performances (see the various references to Panto throughout this site to understand why this might make Charlie not take Alan seriously). Finally, the way Charles says the line about "driving to Rottingdean," it sounds like a major inconvenience. In reality, Rottingdean is one town over, and is (and was then) easily accessible. Finally -- I'm assuming you're aware of who Chekhov is, and why Alan would be very proud to be playing Konstantin (and why that casting is humorously perfect). If not, and you are a theatre major, consider it your homework to go read the Seagull. Please, do not bring shame and dispair upon your department by graduating and not knowing that show. (#kiddingnotkidding)

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Pg 71 & 72 – Alan - "The lady doth ..." | "Frailty, thy name ..." 

Although acting more like the foolishly jealous Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing (and a bit of the jilted Moliere lover, which Goldoni would have appreciated), Alan is quoting Hamlet. 

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Pg 73 – Dolly - "in twenty years time there'll be a woman in 10 Downing street"

An "eye wink" reference for the audience to Britain's first female P.M., Margaret Thatcher, who served from 1979-1990. The unfortunate and sad "joke" here is that she was extremely anti-union, and is generally remembered by many (especially in more populist rhetoric) as being the opposite of the dream Dolly has for the first female to hold the office.