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Books Are Our Friends
(VI класс)
Подготовка
Оформление зала:
1. Портреты английских и американских писателей.
2. Большой плакат, на котором написано, как надо обращаться с книгами.
Library Rules
· Wash your hands before you begin to read.
· Do not write anything on the pages with a pen or a pencil.
· Do not make drawings in the book.
· Do not make dog's ears in the book.
· Do not tear the pages.
· Do not lose your books or leave them in shops or buses. That means that you lose your friends.
· Return the books in time.
3. Ученические сочинения на тему "My Favourite Book".
4. В углу сделан большой стенд, напоминающий книжную полку, над которым большой заголовок "Our Favourite Books". На стенде макеты книг. Названия книг написаны на обложке крупными буквами, чтобы их было видно издалека.
Для вечера предлагаются сценки по книге Ч. Диккенса "David Copperfield" и по книге Марка Твена "The Prince and the Pauper". Действие первой сценки "David Copperfield" происходит перед занавесом. Ведущий объявляет: "Imagine that it is a street". Вторая сценка по этой книге происходит в саду. Помощники перед закрытым занавесом ставят вазоны с цветами и скамейку, и ведущий говорит: "It's Miss Betsy Trotwood's garden .
Начало первой сценки по книге "The Prince and the Pauper" происходит на улице (перед занавесом). Ведущий объявляет: imagine that it is a street in London and to the left are the gates leading to the palace". Потом занавес открывается и вторая часть первой сценки происходит в комнате трактира, и поэтому на сцену вносится диванчик. Для второй сценки по этой книге нужна бочка, на которую сажают Эдварда. Чтобы изобразить бочку, советуем взять табуретку, а на нее кнопками приколоть нарисованную на бумаге бочку вровень с табуреткой. На полу положить старое одеяло, а рядом миску. Все остальное со сцены помощники убирают. Третья сценка происходит в тюремной камере. К стене прикрепляется кнопками рисунок окна с решеткой, и ведущий говорит: "Imagine that Miles Hendon and Edward are in prison."
Женщины в пьесе "David Copperfield" одеты в длинные платья, на голове у мисс Бетси большой и смешной чепец. Мистер Мэрдстон одет в темный костюм, темный жилет и черный галстук.
В пьесе "The Prince and the Pauper" все мужчины, кроме нищих, одеты в колготки, короткие шаровары, значительно выше колен, рубашки и камзолы, надетые поверх шаровар и почти закрывающие их. Каждый из них туго перетянут поясом. Хорошо, если рукава у рубашки широкие и присборены в двух местах — один раз выше локтя, другой — ниже. У Майлса Гендона за поясом — шпага, в руках у стражников алебарды. На длинном древке насажено топоровидное лезвие, заканчивающееся обычно острым копьем. Алебарды можно сделать из дерева на уроках труда. Две женщины, которых ведут на казнь, одеты в старые платья с заплатами. На Эдварде, Джоне Кенти, Гуго и на всех нищих — лохмотья.
Перед этим вечером, как и перед предшествующими вечерами, учитель разучивает с учащимися стихотворения на тему вечера. Кроме этого, учитель должен предупредить, чтобы учащиеся продумали, что они могут сказать о своей любимой книге.
Программа
1st Compere: Good afternoon, dear boys and girls, teachers and parents. We've come this evening to talk about our favourite books. Most children like to read and think that books are their friends, I think so too. I like to read very much. And what do you think about books, boys and girls?
Pupils: Books are our friends. We want to talk about books.
На сцену выходит с книгой маленькая девочка. Она садится на стул и начинает рассматривать картинки в книге. За ней выходят мальчик и девочка, которые декламируют стихотворения
Воу A new little book
Full of pictures was bought
For a good little girl
Whose name was Jane Dort.
Girl: She looked at the pictures
And liked them indeed,
But she was too young
To spell and to read.
Все уходят. Входит мальчик с книгой.
Boy (with a book): I hold my book with both my hands,
And read about some foreign lands;
And so I get to know all kinds of places
Where people live with different faces.
Мальчик уходит со сцены. Выходит продавец книг.
1st Compere: What do book-shops sell?
Сидящие в зале дети отвечают.
Children: Big books and little books,
Picture-books as well,
Just think of all the lovely books,
That all the book-shops sell.
Shop-keeper: Here are some jokes
For you to read
I think, dear boys and girls,
You'll like them all indeed.
And here you see some story-books
Just for you to read.
And now I hope, dear boys and girls,
You'll enjoy them all.
Продавец книг уходит. Выходит девочка. На платье ее прикреплена раскрытая книга с перепачканными страницами. За ней выходит мальчик.
Girl: I'm the book that Betty read
At her table an hour ago.
She's left me standing on my head.
And where she is I do not know.
Just look at this dirty, dirty page!
Dear me! What shall I do?
Though I love girls of Betty's age,
I won't stay with Betty Blue.
Boy: Since books are friends,
They need much care.
When you're reading them,
Be good to them and fair!
Use book-marks, children,
To hold your place.
And don't you turn a book
Upon its clear face.
All together: Remember, children, then:
Books are meant to read,
Not to cut or colour them —
No, really, never indeed!
1st Compere: You know a lot of poems about books. There are songs about books too, aren't there? You can sing one of them, I think. So please, sing it.
Выходят папа, мама, бабушка и мальчик, берут стулья и садятся читать книги. Остальные ребята поют.
Father Is Going to Read a Book
Father is going to read a book,
So he won't play with me.
Mother is busy with her cook-book,
So she won't play with me.
Dear me! Dear me!
No one is going to play with me!
Dear me! Dear me!
No one is going to play.
Granny is going to read a book,
So she won't play with me.
David is busy with his textbook,
So he won't play with me.
Dear me! Dear me!
No one is going to play with me.
1st Compere: Books are meant to read, but we can also use them to make plays.
Выходит библиотекарь, подходит к стенду с книгами, берет книгу с заголовком "David Copperfield".
The Librarian: Boys and girls! I am a librarian. Now have a look at this book. It was written very many years ago by a famous English writer Charles Dickens. But it is still very popular among children and grown-ups all over the world.
David Copperfield, as you know, is the main character in Dickens's novel. So, David Copperfield, you are wanted here.
David Copperfield: May I come in?
The Librarian: Certainly, David.
David: I'm glad to meet you and the pupils of this school.
(A voice is heard: "David! David! Where is that bad boy?")
David (in terror): My stepfather is looking for me. Please, hide me. I'm afraid he'll beat me again.
Входит мистер Мэрдстон, подходит к Дэвиду Копперфилду и берет его за ухо.
Mr. Murdstone: I've found you at last. Come along! You've got to learn your lessons.
Они поднимаются на сцену, и пьеса начинается.
(After Charles Dickens)
Characters
David Copperfield — a thin little boy.
His Mother — a pretty little woman with a soft voice.
Mr. Murdstone (his stepfather) — a tall, unpleasant man with a loud voice.
Miss Murdstone (his sister) — a tall, cruel woman.
The Long-Legged Man — a tall man with unpleasant manners.
Miss Betsy Trotwood (David's great-aunt) — a strange, but pleasant woman.
Janet (her maid) —a good-looking young woman.
Mr. Dick (Miss Betsy's friend) — a short, funny old man.
Sсene I
Plасe: A room. Two arm-chairs, three chairs and a table make up the furniture.
(As the curtain rises, Mr. Murdstone is sitting in an arm-chair reading his paper. Miss Murdstone in a black velvet dress is sitting in the other arm-chair. She is knitting. David's mother, now Clara Murdstone, is sitting at the table. She looks at Mr. Murdstone and seems upset. She is moving her lips as if saying something to him. Then Miss Murdstone seems to say something and David's mother nods in agreement. David comes in carrying his books, an exercise-book and a slate. He puts them all on the table and stands in front of his mother. He takes one of the books, turns over the pages to find his place. Then he takes one last look at the page and hands the book to his mother.)
David: I am ready, Mama.
David's Mother: Start then.
(David starts to recite the poem as quickly as he can.)
David: Clouds.
White sheep, white sheep
On a blue hill,
When the wind stops,
You all stand still.
You walk... You walk...
(He suddenly forgets a word and stops. Mr. Murdstone looks up. David starts reciting again.)
David: Clouds.
White sheep, white sheep
On a blue hill,
When the wind stops,
You all stand still.
You walk... (David stops again.)
David's Mother (sorry for him): Oh, Davy, Davy!
Mr. M. (angrily): Now, Clara, be strict with the boy. Don't say, "Oh, Davy, Davy!" That's childish. He knows his lesson, or he does not know it.
Miss M.: He does not know it.
David's Mother: Г am really afraid he does not.
Miss M.: Then you see, Clara, you should just give him the book back, and make him know it.
David's Mother: Yes, certainly, that is what I intend to do, my dear Jane. Now, Davy, try once more and don't be stupid.
David: White sheep, white sheep On a blue hill, When the wind stops, You all stand still. You walk... You walk... You walk.
(Mr. Murdstone makes an angry movement of impatience. Miss Murdstone does the same, David's Mother looks at them, shuts the book and puts it down.)
David's Mother: Learn that poem better and you will say it well tomorrow, I hope. Now some arithmetic. Give me the arithmetic book. (David hands her another book.) Now what are nine times eleven?
David: Ninety-nine.
David's Mother: And twelve times five?
(David thinks.)
David: A... a... fifty.
David's Mother: No. Try again.
(He makes movements with his lips as if he was saying the twelve times twelve. His mother thinks no one is looking and tries to show him the answer with her lips. Mr. Murdstone gets up.)
Mr. M.: Now, David, do this sum. If I go into a shop and buy 5000 cheeses at fourpence-halfpenny each, how much will I have to pay for them?
(David sits down at the table, takes his slate and begins to think. He writes something on it. From time to time he gives a frightened look at Mr. Murdstone and again turns to his slate.)
Mr. M.: Well, David. David: G — G — G —
(His mother tries to help him.)
Miss M.: Clara!
Mr. M. (taking his cane): Be careful, David.
(David looks at the slate and begins to cry.)
Mr. M. (strictly): Well, boy? The answer?
David's Mother: Please, Edward, don't touch him.
Mr. M.: I tell you, Clara; I was often beaten myself when I was a boy.
Miss M.: Of course, he was.
David's Mother: Certainly, my dear Jane. But — but do you think it did Edward good?
Miss M.: Do you think it did Edward harm, Clara?
Mr. M.: That's the point.
David's Mother: Certainly, my dear Jane.
(Suddenly she begins to cry.)
Miss M.: Clara!
David's Mоther: I am not quite well, my dear Jane, I think.
Mr. M.: Why, Jane, we must try to understand that Clara suffers when David gives her as much trouble and unhappiness as he has today. That would be stoical. Clara can't yet be as strict with the boy as we want her to be. But she is already much better and stronger. David, you and I will go upstairs, boy.
David: Mr. Murdstone! Sir! Don't. Please, don't beat me. I have tried to learn, sir, but I can't learn while you and Miss Murdstone are in the room. I can't. Oh, I can't.
Mr. M.: Can't you, indeed, sir. We'll try that.
(Mr. Murdstone turns David out of the room and follows him. David's Mother in tears runs after them, but Miss Murdstone stops her.)
Curtain.
Scene II
Place: A street in London. David, now ten years old, appears on the right holding a heavy box in his two hands. He puts it down.
David (to the audience): I am David Copperfield. When my dear mother died, my stepfather sent me to London to work. I had to wash bottles hour after hour. I was always tired, and I was given very little money. So I was always hungry. I don't want to live in London any more. I'm going to run away to my aunt Miss Betsy Trotwood. She lives near Dover, my mother told me. (He tries to lift his box but finds it difficult.)
David: This box is so heavy. What shall I do?
(He looks about for someone who will help him to carry his box to the Dover coach office. A long-legged young man appears on the left and goes towards David.)
David: Do you want a job?
Man: What job?
David: To carry this box.
Man (lifting the box and then putting it down again): Where to?
David: To the Dover coach office for sixpence.
Man: Done for sixpence.
(The young man picks up the box, puts it on his shoulder and walks off very fast.)
David: Stop, stop! I can't go so fast. Wait, wait!
(The man stops.)
Man: What now?
David: Wait a minute. I must tie a card on the box with "Dover" on it.
(The man puts the box on the ground. David pulls a card out of his pocket and at the same time his money, the small gold coin, comes out too. He puts the coin in his mouth1 and ties the card to one of the handles of the box. The man hits David hard under the chin and the coin flies into his hand.)
Man (ironically): What? This is a police case, is it? You're going to run away? Come to the police.
David (frightened): You give me my money back and leave me alone.
Man: What! (Takes David by his jacket collar.) Your money? This is a police case. Come to the police.
David (bursting into tears): Give me my box and money, will you?
Man: Come to the police.
(Then he lets go off David's jacket and runs away with David's box and money followed by David, who is crying and shouting: "Stop, stop!")
Curtain.
Scene III
Place: Miss Betsy Trotwood's garden in one of the streets of Dover. There is a bench on the left. David, without a jacket, goes up to it and sits down.
David (to the audience): It took me seven days to get here. I'm in Dover at last, but I don't know where my aunt lives. I walked in the day-time and slept in the fields at night. Just look at me! My shirt, trousers and hat are torn and terribly dirty and I have no jacket. I had to sell it to buy bread
(Janet comes in and stops not far from him. She is carrying a basket of vegetables and other food products.)
Janet: What do you want, boy? Go away. No boys are allowed here.
David: Do you know where Miss Betsy Trotwood lives?
Janet (in surprise): My mistress? What do you want with my mistress?
David: I want to speak to her.
Janet: You want money? You won't get anything from her.
David: No. Oh!
(He looks ashamed.)
Janet: Well, this is her house and garden. Now you know it and that's all I have got to say. (Janet hurries into the house. A lady comes out of the house with a handkerchief tied over her cap, and a pair of gardening gloves on her hands. She is carrying a great knife. David stands up and goes nearer to her.)
Miss Betsy (to David): Go away, you! Go along! No boys here! (She begins to dig up some little weeds. David goes up, stands beside her, and touches her with his finger.)
David: If you please, ma'am.
(Miss Betsy looks up.)
David: If you please, aunt.
Miss Betsy: Eh?
David: If you please, aunt, I am your nephew.
Miss Betsy: Oh, Lord!
(And sits down in the garden-path.)
David: I — I am David Copperfield. I have been very unhappy since my dear mama died. I have been taught nothing, and I was made to do work that I hated. It made me run away to you. A man stole my box of clothes and my money when I was leaving London. I have walked all the way, and have never slept in a bed since I began the journey. (Here David bursts into tears.)
Miss Betsy: Mercy on us! Mercy on us! (She gets up and calls.) Mr. Dick! Mr. Dick! Come here at once.
(Mr. Dick appears. He is dressed in a loose grey coat and white trousers.)
Miss Betsy: Now, Mr. Dick. I'm going to ask you a question. You remember I have told you about my nephew David Copper-field. Now look at this child. Well, this is his son.
Mr. Dick: His son? David's son?
Miss Betsy: Exactly so. What would you do with him?
Mr. Dick: Do with David's son?
Miss Betsy: Ay! With David's son. He has done a silly thing. He has run away. Now, what would you do with him? I want some good advice.
Mr. Dick: Oh! Yes. Do with — I should wash him!
Miss Betsy: Janet! Come here, Janet.
(Janet enters.)
Janet: Yes, ma'am?
Miss Betsy: Mr. Dick tells us what to do. He's always right. Take the boy and wash him.
Janet: Yes, ma'am.
Miss Betsy: Then feed him and put him to bed.
Janet: Yes, ma'am.
(She takes the boy by the hand and they go off. Miss Betsy and Mr. Dick follow them. Mr. Dick is smiling happily. Miss Betsy still looks upset.)
Curtain.
2nd Compere: David Copperfield's life changed after his aunt began to care for him, didn't it? You remember? Now I want both teams to listen to these riddles and try to guess them.
1. It is not a bush, but has leaves,
It is not a shirt, but is sewn together,
It has no tongue, but tells a tale.
(A book.)
2. The field is white,
Black is the seed,
And the sower who sowed it
Was clever indeed.
(A page of a book.)
3. A place we can get books to read from, but cannot keep them.
(A library.)
4. A thing in a home where books are kept.
(A bookcase.)
2nd Compere: Now let's play the game "Fairy Tales". The pupil of Team I will give the title of any English fairy tale he or she likes. Then the pupil of Team II will name any English fairy tale and so on. Mind, be very attentive and don't repeat the title of a fairy tale that has already been named.
Выигрывает та команда, учащиеся которой назвали больше сказок.
2nd Compere: As you are fond of reading I'm sure you'd like to meet a few of the main characters of the books you have read.
Под музыку песни "Father Is Going to Read a Book" на сцену выходят литературные герои в костюмах. Затем музыка затихает.
2nd Compere: Look at these people. Listen to what each of them says about himself or herself. Then when he or she has finished, name the character. Then say. what book the character is from and who wrote the book.
Ответы на вопросы дает один из представителей одной и другой команды поочередно.
Girl: I live in a little town in America. I am fond of playing games and have a lot of friends. But my best friend is a boy whose name is Tom. His mother died and he lives with his aunt.
Team I: Your name is Becky Thatcher. You are from the book "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" by Mark Twain.
2nd Compere: You are quite right. Now listen to the next character.
Boy: Once I saw a piece of wood. I took my axe and began to hit the piece of wood with the axe. I wanted to make a new leg for my table. Suddenly I heard a very small voice: "Do not hit me so hard." I looked about the room. There was nobody there who could say that. Again I took the axe and began to work with it. "Oh, oh! Don't hit me any more," cried the same voice.
Team II: You are Master Antonio from the book "Pinocchio" by C. Collodi.
2nd Compere: That's correct.
Boy: I live in London in an old brick house in a very dirty street called Offal Court. My father and mother have a bed but my grandmother, my two sisters, Bet and Nan, and I, sleep on the floor and cover ourselves with rags. My father and grandmother are very bad people. They often get drunk and beat us. They make us beg. We often go to bed hungry.
Team I: You are Tom Canty from the novel "The Prince and the Pauper" by Mark Twain.
2nd Compere: A point to your team.
Girl: I am old. I live in England in the town of Dover. I have a beautiful garden, and I am fond of working in it. I have a friend. His name is Mr. Dick. Mr. Dick and my nephew's son David live with me.
Team II: You are Miss Betsy Trotwood from the novel "David Copperfield" by Charles Dickens.
2nd Compere: That's correct.
Girl: I am a fox, but I can talk. One day I met a foolish boy. He had five gold pieces. I told him to go to a field, make a little hole, and put one gold piece into it. Then this gold piece would grow into a beautiful tree with many gold pieces on it.
Team I: You are the fox who wanted to get Pinocchio's money and you are from the fairy tale "Pinocchio" by C. Collodi.
2nd Compere: You are right. Your team gets another point.
Boy: Look at me! My body, my legs, head and arms are made of tin and I have an axe in my right hand. I want to go to the Emerald City to ask the great Wizard to put a heart into my body as I have no heart and I can't be happy without one.
Теam II: You are the Tin Woodman from "The Wizard of Oz" by Frank Baum.
Литературные герои раскланиваются и уходят. На сцене появляется библиотекарь.
Librarian: Dear children! It's time now to know about the books you like.
Встает один из членов жюри и сообщает, что учителя и члены жюри ознакомились с сочинениями, лучшие из них находятся в зале на стенде. Затем он называет учащихся, кто лучше всех написал сочинения.
Librarian: Tell me what books you like.
Отдельные учащиеся называют, какие они любят книги. Когда кто-нибудь говорит, что он любит приключенческие книги, библиотекарь подходит к стенду с книгами, берет в руки книгу "The Prince and the Pauper", показывает ее учащимся и читает имя автора и название книги.
Librarian: "The Prince and the Pauper" by Mark Twain. This book is loved by children all over the world.
3rd Compere: Now we shall see a few scenes from the novel "The Prince and the Pauper".
(After Mark Twain)
Characters
Edward Tudor (Prince of Wales) — a tall, good-looking boy dressed in rags.
John Canty (Tom's father).
Hugo — a beggar boy of 14-16.
Miles Hendon (Edward's friend) — a strong, well-dressed young man.
Two Women Prisoners.
The Story-teller.
An Officer.
A Guard.
The First Prisoner.
The Second Prisoner.
A Servant.
People in the street.
Beggars.
Scene I
Story-teller: As you know, Edward, the Prince of Wales and Tom Canty, the poor beggar-boy, exchanged clothes and Edward left the palace. He began to wander about the streets of London. Tom's father found him, took him for his son and brought him to Offal Court; but the boy ran away and returned to the palace of his father, the king. On the left of the stage you'll see the gates leading to the palace, and the guard standing at the gates.
(The Prince, in Tom Canty's rags, appears from the left followed by a crowd of people. He goes up to the gates.)
Prince: Open the gates! I'm Edward, the Prince of Wales.
(The people begin to laugh.)
Voices: You? The Prince of Wales? Ha — ha — ha!
(The guard pushes Edward away.)
Prince (with tears in his eyes): I'm the Prince of Wales.
(Again laughter. The prince terribly upset begins to cry.)
Miles (to the prince): I don't know whether you are the prince or not, but I shall not allow them to laugh at you. I, Miles Hendon, shall defend you.
(Miles Hendon and the prince begin to talk in low voices. John Canty appears from the right and goes up to them.)
John Canty (angrily): Tom, where have you been all this time? If you try to run away from your father once more, you'll get a good beating.
Miles (in surprise): Is that man really your father, lad?
Edward (frightened): No, no, he isn't. I won't go with him.
Miles: If that is so, you can stay with me. (To John.) And you, you go your own way or it will be the worse for you.
(Miles Hendon puts his hand down to take out his sword. John Canty understands that Miles is dangerous and leaves without saying a word. An officer marches up to the gates.)
Officer: The king is dead! Long live the king!
All: The king is dead! Long live the king!
Miles: Long live king Edward the Sixth!
Edward (to the audience): So now I'm the king and I can't get into my palace.
(Miles Hendon and Edward go off together.)
Curtain.
Scene II
Place: A poorly furnished room in an inn with only a bed, a table, two chairs and a washstand.
(Miles and Edward enter. The prince goes over to the bed and lies down upon it.)
Miles (to the audience): He uses my bed as if he owned it. He really imagines himself to be the Prince of Wales. But I like him and I shall take care of him. I shall be a brother to him He needs a friend.
(A servant comes in with a hot meal, puts it on the table and leaves the room. Edward opens his eyes.)
Miles: Now, we shall have a good supper.
Edward (rises and goes over to the washstand): I want to wash. Hold the towel for me.
(Miles smiles to himself but takes a towel and holds it till the boy has finished washing. Then Miles goes to the table, sits down and starts to eat.)
Edward (angrily): How dare you sit in the presence of your king?
(Miles rises. Edward sits down and begins to eat hungrily.)
Miles (to the audience): All right! Let him imagine that he is the king. I shall let him think I believe him.
Edward (finishes his meal): You are a kind, brave man. You helped me when I needed help so much. I want to thank you and give you something for your kindness. Name your wish.
Miles (falling upon one knee): Sir, I have one thing to ask you: will you allow me to sit in your presence?
Edward: All right, Miles Hendon, I will allow you to sit in the presence of your king, and not only you, but your children and your grandchildren as well.
Miles: Thank you very much.
(He sits down and begins to eat.)
Edward (rising): I feel very sleepy. Take off my clothes.
(Miles Hendon takes off his rags and the boy lies down on the bed.)
Miles (to the audience): He has taken my bed as before. What shall I do?
Edward (sleepily): You'll sleep by the door and guard it.
Miles (lying down on the floor near the door): How well he plays his part.
(They both fall asleep. The lights go out. When they are switched on again we see the same room, Miles Hendon enters with a boy's suit.)
Miles Hendon (to the audience): I've bought a new suit for the boy. Now I'll wake him up. (Going up to the bed.) Please, rise, my lord! (In surprise.) He doesn't answer. He's still asleep.
(Miles throws back the blanket. The boy is not there. He looks about him and doesn't see the boy's rags. At that moment a servant enters with breakfast.)
Hendon: Where is the boy?
Servant: When you left, sir, a lad came and said that you had asked him to take the boy to you at once. He said that you were waiting for him at the near end of the bridge. The boy was angry but he put on his rags and went with the lad.
Miles: Was the lad alone?
Servant: He came alone. But now I remember that at the end of the bridge a man came up to the boy.
Miles (to the audience): It was the man who called himself his father. I'm sure. I've lost you, my poor little boy who thinks he's a prince. But I haven't! I shall look for him everywhere till I find him.
Curtain.
Scene III
(Edward and Hugo appear in front of the curtain. Edward stops.)
Edward: Where are you taking me? I shan't go any further. I shall stop where I am. Hendon must come to me, not I go to him.
Hugo: Do you want to stay here when your friend is lying wounded in the woods?
Edward: Wounded? Let us hurry then! Quick, quick, my lad! Where is he?
(John Canty appears from the left and goes up to them.)
John (ironically): So you run away from your father, do you?
Edward (shouts): You are not my father. I do not know you. I am the king. If you have hidden my servant, find him for me or I shall order my soldiers to hang you.
John (in a loud voice): You are mad, it is quite clear. I don't want to beat you, but if you continue to talk like that, I shall have to. Where are your mother and sisters?
Edward: I know nothing about your family. Nothing!
John (taking Edward by the hand): Come along now!
(They go off. The curtain rises and we see a barn, a tin basin, a dirty blanket and a barrel in the corner. John, Edward and Hugo enter.)
John: Sit down, Hugo, and rest a little.
(John and Hugo sit down on the floor and begin talking together in low voices. Edward goes to the farthest corner of the barn, lies down and soon falls asleep. Many people in rags, they are beggars, appear one by one and sit down on the floor in the middle of the stage. John and Hugo go over to them. One of them begins to talk and wakes Edward.)
First Beggar: Listen to me, friends! I was a farmer. I had a mother, a good wife, and good children. Now I'm alone in the world. My old mother took care of sick people, and one of them died. Nobody knew why. So she was burned as a witch. Then I had to beg from house to house because I couldn't bear to see my children hungry. But the English law doesn't allow people to beg. I was beaten many times and at last was sold as a slave. I've run away from my master, and when I'm found, the English law will hang me.
Edward (stands): No, it will not hang you. I'll not allow it.
First Beggar (in surprise): Who is that? (To Edward.) Who are you?
Edward (going towards them): I'm Edward, King of England. (Laughter.)
Edward: You thieves and beggars, is this how you thank your king? (The laughter grows louder.)
John: Friends, this is my mad son; he thinks he is the king.
Edward (stepping forward): I am the king.
Beggars (one after another): Long live Edward, King of England.
Edward (bowing his head): I thank you, my good people.
First Beggar: Foo-Foo the first, King of Fools.
Beggars: Long live Foo-Foo the first.
(They crown him with the tin basin, put the dirty old blanket on his shoulders and put him on the throne — the barrel. Then all of them fall upon their knees.)
Beggars (ironically): Oh, sweet king, oh, king Foo-Foo.
(Edward sits there unable to understand anything.)
Curtain.
Scene IV
Story-teller: Life with the beggars and thieves was hard for Edward, but he did not live with them for long. Miles Hendon found him again. Then they both went to Hendon Hall where Miles had been born and had lived as a boy. Of his three sons the father's favourite was Hugh, the youngest. Miles was sent to serve in the army. Some years later a letter came (Written by Hugh) that Miles had been killed in battle.
When Miles and Edward arrived at Hendon Hall, Miles found that his father was dead and that Hugh was the owner of the place. But Miles was the eldest son and by law he should be the owner.
Hugh Hendon was a cruel man and everyone obeyed him. No one recognized Miles, and Hugh ordered him and Edward to be put in prison.
Place: A prison cell with two benches at the wall.
(Edward is very angry. He is walking up and down the cell. Miles Hendon is sitting in the corner on one of the benches, silent and sad. Two other prisoners are sitting on the other bench. They are talking in low voices.)
Edward (stopping in front of Hendon): It's strange, very strange. I can't understand what has happened.
Miles: No, it isn't strange. I know Hugh. He was always cruel and he always hated me.
Edward: Oh, I don't mean him, Sir Miles.
Miles: Then what? What is strange?
Edward: That nobody is looking for the king; that no messengers go from town to town, from village to village describing me and looking for me.
(The door opens and two women appear. They go up to the king.)
Edward: Why are you in prison?
First Woman (sadly): We were baptists.
Edward: Is that a crime for which people have to be shut up in prison? I'm sure they will not keep you long for such a little thing. (The women don't answer.) Tell me, what will they do with you? (One of them begins to cry.) Will they beat you? I'm very sorry for you.
Second Woman (with tears in her eyes): Oh, don't think of us, dear boy.
Edward: Then I understand they'll beat you. Oh, you must not cry. When I'm the king again, I'll change these cruel laws. (The door opens again and an officer goes up to the women.)
Officer (to the women): Follow me. (He goes. They follow him.)
Edward (to Miles): What are they going to do with them?
Miles: I'm sorry to say it, but they are to be burnt to death.
Edward: Oh! How awful!
First Man: I killed a deer in the king's park and I am to be hanged.
Second Man: I found a bird one evening that had flown away from its owner. I took it home and now I am to be hanged for stealing.
Edward (to the two men): Nobody believes I'm the king. But it does not matter. In a month you will be free. All of you. And more than that, I shall change the laws that bring shame on England. The world is made wrong; kings must see what their laws do. In that way they will learn to be kind.
Curtain.
3rd Compere: I enjoyed that play. I think "The Prince and the Pauper" is one of the best books, a good, very interesting book for children to read. When you know English better you will be able to read it in English. As you like to read as much as I do let's go to the imaginary land of books, and sing the song "Take Me Back to Bookland".
Take Me Back to Bookland
(Words by Kal Mann. Music by Bernie Lowe)
Please, take me back to Bookland,
Ev'ryone's happy there.
It's more than a girl and boy land,
Where dreams, just like books, can be shared.
If you believe in Bookland,
Believe in things that you cannot see;
All the world would become a Joyland,
What a wonderful world this would be!
Члены жюри объявляют итоговые результаты конкурса с учетом дополнительных 10 очков за лучший костюм.
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