Prime Time 4, Coursebook

Scene 1: The Read-Through a) Listen to scene 1 and read along. The drama group are in the school auditorium for the first read- through of the script of Romeo & Juliet. The technical crew are making a balcony out of chairs. Blossom is handing out scripts. Ross is walking around practising his lines. He comes up and stands behind Deva who is studying her part. Ross: Did my heart LOVE till now? … Did my heart love till NOW? … For I never saw true beauty till this NIGHT! For I never saw true beauty till THIS night! Deva smiles at him delighted, as if the words were for her. Ross walks away, and continues repeating his lines. Deva: (to Blossom) Isn’t Ross a wonderful Romeo, Blossom! He’s such a wonderful actor! Blossom: You think everything about Ross is wonderful, Deva. Deva: (embarrassed) No, I don’t! … I just think he deserves a better Juliet than Jade Chapman! Blossom: Well, you’re her understudy, and she’s late. Where is she this time? Deva: She had better turn up soon. I’d be too terrified to play Juliet. Mr Gillespie: (entering) Okay, cast! Gather round, please! Everyone gathers around Mr G., the director, at the centre of the stage. Mr G.: Now, our drama is based on Shakespeare’s famous play, which was written in 1596. Members of the cast: Wow! / That’s over 400 years ago! / That’s so old! / Such a long time ago! Mr G.: Indeed. It’s about two teenagers about your age who are madly in love with each other. Members of the cast: (laughter) Oooh! Mr G.: But it’s not a rom-com, in fact it’s one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies. You see, Romeo and Juliet love each other … Blossom: But their families are big enemies, right, sir? Mr G.: That’s right, Blossom. Romeo is a Montague and Juliet is a Capulet. Members of the cast: Oh no! / It can’t be a happy ending. /Doesn’t look good. Mr G.: Now can anyone tell us the main idea of Shakespeare’s play? Deva: True love always wins in the end? (she looks dreamily at Ross) . Even when it seems impossible … Mr G.: Very good, Deva. (to Ross) Now, Romeo Montague, you’re head over heels in love with Juliet Capulet … (sighs) Oh no, where is our Juliet now? Members of the cast: She’s late again, sir. / She’s always late. Mr G.: We can’t rehearse without a Juliet! Deva, you’re her understudy, so you can play Juliet. Deva: But sir … I … I … Mr G.: It’s just for today, Deva, we need our female lead! Jade runs in breathless. Mr G.: Ah, there you are, Jade. Jade: Sorry, sir! But an elephant escaped from the zoo and the traffic was terrible … 3 Info A read-through is a first reading of a play at which actors read their parts from scripts. i 2.7 fw9im8 8t67ac 96 12 Unit The Understudy – a play ninety-six Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv