“Family Happiness” by Leo Tolstoy Turned Into A Play

Family Happiness is an 1859 novella written by Leo Tolstoy, first published in The Russian Messenger. My friend and I turned it into a playscript for a project. Hope y’all enjoy it!

The Cast of Characters

Mashechka: A carefree young wife and definitely is an elitist who would love to be part of the high society of Russia.

Sergey Mikhaylych: A middle-aged man of a few words, husband of Mashechka, thinks rationally and is not too concerned about social class since he’s seen it from up close.

Vanya: She is the wife of Sergey’s business associate and is nearly Sergey’s age.

Princess D: A blithe lady Mashechka has an encounter with at the party who is a little too concerned about other people’s businesses than her own.

The Prince: a handsome Frenchman who isn’t too shy flexing in front of women, eventually winning them. It doesn’t seem that he’s a newbie in the game and Mashechka dances with him at the party.

Time

The nineteenth century-1850

Synopsis (Narrator)

This is the original storyline of the novella: The story concerns the love and marriage of a young girl, Mashechka (17 years old), and the much older Sergey Mikhaylych (36), an old family friend. After a courtship that has the trappings of a mere family friendship, Mashechka’s love grows and expands until she can no longer contain it.

In the play, you’ll see Sergey and Mashechka returning to Petersburg and Mashechka insisting her husband attend a high-profile reception that she is really enthusiastic to go to. However, because of Sergey’s mature nature, he is cognizant about how superficial, shallow, and artificial these types of commotions are. He would like his zesty but immature wife to realize the same. Brace yourselves because you’re about to witness what it feels like to realize what true contentment is.

 

SCENE ONE
Setting

Sergey and Mashechka are in Petersburg, a town in Russia.

At Rise

Mashechka is sitting alone at the dining table, sullen and sad pondering over something deeply, when Sergey enters the room.

Narrator: Life in Petersburg had been quite different from life in Nikolskoe for Mashechka and while both had been equally plentiful, they were distinguishable in nature. Petersburg was an unending gala of the mingling of colorful personalities from all places, young and old, brown and white, chattering and sipping decadent wines and dishes. Niklskoe, was a place of solace, nestled within the country, far from all and peaceful uh, redundant. If they were to lead a life of excitement and adventure, with new aspects every day, Petersburg was the likely option for such a life to lead. Mashechka, however, did not deem it wise to admit this to Sergey, who being thirty-six and eighteen years older than her would rather live in Nikolskoe for the rest of his life, content in all its predictable veneration. Thier marriage was now three months old, and coming to Petersburg had been his insistence to cheer her up, clearly picking up on her dulled spirits due to the monotony of the cozy estate that was their home in Nikolskoe

 

Sergey: If you regret missing the reception, why don’t you come out and admit it?

(Mashechka glares at him then turns away trying to ignore the irritability in his tone)

Mashechka: (calmly) Perhaps you don’t realize that while you become busy with work, I am alone and as there is no one close by, I can be quite lonely. Katya and Sonya would have to make quite the journey just to come by and meet me. So tell me, who can I play the piano to and who can I take long walks with in the garden? I have spent too much time with my own company and I have become weary of it.

(Sergey looks the opposite direction and clears his throat)

Sergey: Well if that’s what you want, Mashechka, we can prolong our trip till Tuesday. You can attend the reception if you want and it can count as your last social adventure here in Petersburg. Happy?

Mashechka: Ahan! Yes, very. (Concerned) But uh, are you?

Sergey: (Assuring) As long as you are, why would I not be, huh?!”

Mashechka: “Alright Sergey, tell me now. Why do you dislike the idea of a woman competing with others to become the object of adoration in everyone’s eyes? Like, I’m sure there must be a reason?

Sergey: Sweetie! Here’s something I need you to know. Its race you can never win. They’ll place you on a pedestal, worshipping you only to throw you away for the next pretty little newlywed from the country.

Mashechka: (a little disturbed) But…

Sergey: I have had my fair share of such parties and I can only tell you that the idle gossip and chatter will melt your brains to mush.

(Scene Ends. Curtains Drop)

SCENE TWO

At Rise

Mashechka is getting dressed to go to the reception in her bedroom when her eye-line catches Sergey and Vanya walking in the garden. They both seem to be busy in gleeful commotion, talking and laughing continuously.

(Mashechka all dressed up hurriedly goes past them who are way too busy in their conversation. Sergey calls out Mashechka)

Sergey: “On to the reception then, are you?”

Mashechka: “Oh yes. I’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while. I shouldn’t be long.

Vanya: (interrupts) May I say, you look extremely pretty but I’m afraid this colour doesn’t go too well with your skin colour, you see. Had the red been a little richer and deeper, it would’ve looked…

Mashechka: (ignoring Vanya’s comment and interrupting) Uh, I like this on myself and that is all that matters. Nice to meet you, anyway.

(Mashechka marches towards her carriage and stops at hearing Sergey say something)

Sergey: Alright then. As you know, I am unable to join you…

Mashechka: (dryly) it’s quite alright, owing to the fact that I hadn’t asked, I can see that you’re quite immersed in some important business of yours.

(Mashechka gets into the carriage and leaves)

Narrator: As she sat in the carriage mulling over what had happened, it was difficult to discern when things had become so tactical between Sergey and her. She realized that they were behaving quite childishly, perhaps unable to swallow our pride and be honest to one another but it was hard to stop at this point, maybe they were in it too deep. Besides, had he not spent the morning stroking his ego at some bizarre woman’s expense, for him to shame her to do so made no sense? She raised her chin, and sat up straight, she was determined to enjoy her “vapid” party without his words in her head.

(Scene Ends and Curtain falls)

SCENE THREE

Setting

At the reception venue in Petersburg.

At Rise

Mashechka reaches the party and is attended by Princess D.

Princess D: Hey, hey, hey young lady. Pleased to have you here.

Mashechka: Oh thank you!

Princess D: (fast and lowly) Well, I would like you to meet someone. He’s close to your age, quite handsome and very charming- a delightful French accent, you’ll love meeting him.

(Princess D takes Mashechka to meet her friends)

(There is a big round table with her friends)

Princess D: (to one of her friends) oh I can’t believe how horrendously that woman dresses. I wonder what my brother found redeemable in her enough to make her his wife. Phew!

(Mashechka gets uncomfortable and is about to leave the table. The Prince enters)

(Prince kisses her hand and bows down)

Prince: Bonjour Madame! Shall we dance?

(Mashechka nods)

(They both dance)

Prince: Perhaps we should find a private place to talk.

(Mashechka gazes at his face for his sheer stupidity)

Mashechka: Or perhaps, we should take a break and you should grace the rest of your guests with your insightful presence. Have I not occupied you too long? I can sense the impatience in everyone’s stance.

Prince: Oh quite right. I have been an impolite guest I should think.

(Scene ends and curtains drop)

SCENE FOUR

Setting: The rented house in Petersburg.

At Rise: Mashechka enters the room. Sergey is deeply consumed in reading a book.

(Mashechka gets seated behind Sergey hesitantly without uttering a word. After a few moments Sergey turns his back)

Sergey: Oh you here? I expected you to be quite late.

Mashechka: The party didn’t turn out to be as entertaining as I had hoped.

Sergey: (pouring some tea) I hope you’re not disappointed.

Mashechka: Why were you with Vanya this morning?

Sergey: (smilingly) I expected you to ask that.

Mashechka: Listen, I don’t mean to suspect you or anything but you had no right to stop me from abstaining from superficial aspects if you, yourself indulge in them.

Sergey: Ahan! I see what you mean. Listen, it’s good that you brought it up because I myself wanted to clarify this matter. Her husband was out front preparing the carriage a=and she only asked for a quick tour of the estate. I had no choice but to agree.

Mashechka: She’s quite taken with you as you must have realized.

Sergey: I cannot be certain but it wouldn’t have made a difference. I am married.

(Mashechka smiles.)

Sergey: How was the party?

Mashechka: I have thought about what you told me and I have come to realize the truth.

(She takes his hand)

Narrator: She surely had realized that high society is veiled with a sheet of gold and glamour, enticing everyone who looks upon it, wishing to be a part of it. The curious thing is that when you remove the sheet, there isn’t anyone or anything of real value underneath. A mix of bitter frustration coated with self-adoration.

(Sergey smiles squeezing her hand)

Sergey: It isn’t all too bad.

Mashechka: Perhaps. (Pause) However, the excitement I seek, is not there. I know you are in a different part of your life where you seek peace and quiet, I understand your place. However, I mean to make our life back in Nikloskoe a mix of what we both desire, because I believe a life of excitement cannot be satisfying without a life of peace and quiet and both ways around.

(Sergey gets up)

Sergey: I do believe you are right, and I cannot wait now for us to go back home. Let us leave Petersburg with grace and live a life of peace and excitement until we have our lives to live.

Narrator: And so, days later when they were home, she missed not the high society and its airs, for they savored time spent together to pursue their smaller dreams and thought bigger ideas. Their marriage had never been more successful.

THE END

Read about the Victorian and Modern Era in English Literature.