THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH - Thornton Wilder

Prenosim kratak uvod koji je priređivač uradio za englesko izdanje ove komedije jedne davne godine (Samuel French, 1944, French Standard Library Edition) iz čega ćete steći utisak o čemu se u komediji  radi. Zatim dajem citat da dočaram kako to sve izgleda.

Here is a comedy about George Antrobius, his wife and two children, and their general utility maid Lily Sabina, all of Excelsior, New Yersey. George Antrobius is John Doe or George Spelvin or you- the average American at grips with a destiny, sometimes sour, sometimes sweet. The Anthrobuses have survived fire, flood, pestilence, the seven-year locusts, the ice age, the black pox and the double feature, a dozen wars and as many depressions. They run many a gamut, are as durable as radiators, and look upon the future with a disarming optimism. Alternatively bewitched, befuddled and becalmed, they are the stuff of which heroes are made,- heroes and buffoons. They are true offspring of Adam and Eve, victims of all the ills that flesh is heir to. They have survived a thousand calamities by the skin of our teeth. Here is a tribute to their indestructibility.

“ANOUNCER: We are understand that you are about to celebrate a wedding anniversary. I know our listeners would like to extend their felicitations and hear a few words from on that subject.

Mrs. ANTROBIUS: I have been asked by this kind gentleman- yes my friends, this spring Mr. Antrobius and I will celebrate our five thousandth wedding anniversary. I don’t know if I speak for my husband, but I can say that, as for me, I regret every moment of it.

(laughter of confusion)

I beg your pardon. What I mean to say is that I do not regret one moment of it. I hope none of you catch my hold. We have two children. We’ve always had two children, though it hasn’t always been the same two. But, as I say, we have two fine children, and we’re very grateful for that

Yes Mr. Antrobius and I have been married five thousand years. Each wedding anniversary reminds me of the times when there were no weddings. We had to crusade for marriage. Perhaps there are some women within the sound of my voice who remember that crusade and those struggles; we fought for it, didn’t we? We changed ourselves to lampposts and we made disturbancies in the Senate,- anyway, at leas we women got the ring.

(She adjusts her girdle)

I few men helped us, but I must say that most man blocked our way at every step: they said we were unfeminine.

ACT II

I only bring up these unpleasant memories, because I see some signs of backsliding from that great victory. Oh, my fellow mammals, keep hold on that.

My husband says that the watchword for the year is Enjoy Yourselves. I think that’s very open to misundesrstanding. My watchword for the year is: Save the family. It’s held together for over five thousand years: Save it. Thank you.

(As she sits, she sees Mr. ANTROBIUS has fallen asleep. She nudges him. He awakens with a start- starts applauding.)”