Part 6: William Morris' Passion - Student Version

Cast (in order of appearance)

Angelo Salamanca as William Morris

[The signature theme melody is played in a Victorian style.]

The action takes place at the printing works of Kelmscott Press.  This is William Morris's private press dedicated to quality hand made books. March 2nd 1896

William Morris

Ah, there you are. Sorry to keep you waiting. I was just wondering… You’re from the Illustrated London News? Yes of course… Yes. I normally receive people up at Kelmscott House. Most of the press attention lately is for William Morris the artist or William Morris the socialist. I am thrilled that you want to know about our books. I thought you would like to see Kelmscott Press in action. 

[Footsteps as he walks into the Press room we hear the hand presses operating in the background.]

We're re-printing copies of my own romantic fantasy novel, The Well at the World's End. Three hundred and fifty on paper and eight on vellum. People seem to really like my character, Gandalf.

[Footsteps as he moves to get a sample.]

Oh, ouch... [William reacts to the pain of his gout.]

Feel this quality. Unbleached handmade paper. And all the illustrations and ornaments are wood block. No, go ahead, you can, it's dry. A good quality rich black ink will look like that, sitting proudly on the paper, not soaking in like so much of what you are used to these days. 

[Music underscores his emotions.]

Oh, this Industrial Revolution has left craftsmanship dead in its wake. Cheap, thin paper, shoddy presswork, drab gray inks, and anemic typefaces. Oh they throw in marbled end pages; but that doesn't make up for it.

No thought to design. No thought to beauty. When was the last time you held a book in your hands with detailed hand carved woodcuts by artists such as Edward Burne-Jones?

Beautiful isn't it? We stopped printing them with untrimmed edges in 1892 but this was a special request. I prefer this big folio style it lies quiet and majestic on the table, waiting kindly till you please to come to it, with its leaves flat and peaceful, giving you no trouble of body, so that your mind is free to enjoy the literature which its beauty enshrines. Each book houses an idea and ideas are the only truly precious things any of us will ever have. At Kelmscott Press, we build them the homes that they deserve? Fine hand crafted homes with doors of embossed leather and with a binding that will stand the test of time.

Oh my! Is that really the time? I must apologize, I am due up at the house. Another interview I'm afraid. This one in response to my article, 'How I became a Socialist'. Really, look at the state of this country, can there be any question?

[The signature theme signals the end of the scene.]

Credits

Conceived and Directed by John Paul Fischbach
Script by Robert Reid
Engineered and mixed by Carl Priestly at Itchyacoustic Design
Orchestrations by David James Nielsen

Recorded December 2007