Dame Hilda Monkton by Slow Smile

Summary

The script follows Dame Hilda Monkton, a woman living as a man, who enjoys flying to Paris for mentholated cigarettes and socializing with friends, including Geoffrey, a former prisoner. The narrative explores themes of unconventional lifestyles, freedom of expression, and the absurdity of modern life. Despite the chaotic world around her, Hilda finds solace in simple, mundane activities like reading and nurturing a pot plant. The repetitive refrain about preferring a quiet life over the 'crap' on daytime TV serves as a reflection of personal contentment amidst societal excess.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dame Hilda Monkton lives as a man in the Strand and buys mentholated cigarettes duty-free in Paris.
• 😀 She flies to Paris for the weekend to meet a man who prefers living as a woman.
• 😀 They enjoy going to shows together in a world where societal norms seem flexible.
• 😀 Despite the lively social scene, Dame Hilda prefers staying home, reading books, and watching her pot plants grow.
• 😀 Dame Hilda dislikes daytime TV and finds it unappealing compared to the simplicity of home life.
• 😀 They have a friend named Geoffrey, who has a criminal background and shares stories about smuggling phones into prison.
• 😀 Geoffrey uses his phone on vibrate while walking to his cell, always ready for a call.
• 😀 Dame Hilda and her companions fly to Paris on a damp Sunday afternoon, with Geoffrey bringing his mobile phone along.
• 😀 Frederick, another character, meets them in Paris, accompanied by a glorious man.
• 😀 The script highlights the ongoing global situation of men meeting women and women meeting men, with frequent travel and superficial pursuits, such as buying cigarettes and attending shows.
• 😀 Despite this lifestyle, Dame Hilda finds greater satisfaction in simple pleasures like buying a pot plant, reading a book, or turning the TV around with a tablecloth.

Q & A

Who is Dame Hilda Monkton and what is her lifestyle?

Dame Hilda Monkton is portrayed as a character who lives as a man on the Strand. She indulges in the luxury of buying mentholated cigarettes duty-free in Paris and travels there for weekends to meet a man who enjoys living as a woman.

What is the significance of the phrase 'In a day when anything goes' in the script?

'In a day when anything goes' reflects a time of social liberalization, where unconventional lifestyles and behaviors are accepted, signaling a world where norms are fluid and diverse.

What is the character's attitude towards the media, specifically daytime TV?

The character expresses a clear disdain for daytime TV, preferring to engage in simpler, more fulfilling activities like reading a book, watching a pot plant grow, or altering the TV's setup rather than watching what they deem 'the crap on daytime TV.'

What is Geoffrey's backstory, and how does it add to the narrative?

Geoffrey is a friend who has a criminal background, having been to prison. He tells stories about smuggling in mobile phones, offering a glimpse into a more rebellious or daring side of life, adding a layer of intrigue and complexity to the group's dynamics.

How does the script portray travel, specifically to Paris?

Travel is depicted as an escape from the mundane. The characters fly to Paris for a short weekend, where they engage in leisure activities like meeting people and watching shows. The travel reflects a desire for novelty and indulgence.

What is the significance of the recurring mention of the pot plant and tablecloth?

The pot plant and tablecloth serve as metaphors for simplicity and control in an otherwise chaotic world. The character finds comfort and peace in tending to a pot plant, suggesting a preference for grounded, personal, and low-stakes pleasures over the drama and distractions of contemporary life.

What does the mention of 'mobile phones' and 'vibrate' imply about Geoffrey's situation?

The mention of mobile phones and Geoffrey's keeping it on vibrate implies a sense of constant anticipation or being 'on alert' in an otherwise restrictive environment, such as prison. It suggests a life of secrecy, defiance, and a need to stay connected despite the constraints.

How does the script explore the theme of identity?

The script explores the fluidity of identity through characters like Dame Hilda Monkton and her companion, who both embody non-traditional gender roles. It highlights the freedom to explore and live outside conventional societal expectations, reinforcing themes of personal choice and self-expression.

What role does the setting of Soho play in the script?

Soho represents a space of nightlife and entertainment, a place where the characters go to unwind and embrace the more hedonistic aspects of life. It is a symbolic destination, reinforcing the theme of living freely and engaging in carefree pleasures.

What can be inferred about the characters' preferences and lifestyle choices?

The characters appear to value personal freedom, non-conformity, and simplicity. Despite indulging in luxurious experiences like traveling and attending shows, they reject societal expectations, opting instead for more personal and introspective activities like reading and caring for plants.