Description
Great Expectations Reader’s Theater Adaptation has a cast of 6 – can be adapted ‘up’ to 12 readers, or ‘down’ – by doubling up.
This script has been adapted from the original Great Expectations playscript available separately off www.plays-r-ussell.com in the Literature section of KS III and IV.
The original script has been adapted to Readers Theater in the following ways:
- Music suggestions and stage directions have been removed BUT ‘scene titles’ have been kept in or added, with an inclusion of the identification of readers for that scene.
- There are no more than 6 speakers per scene (in the case of any exceptions instructions are given for doubling up)
- All characters in the script are identified in a list in the production notes – these are In addition to the six principal characters. Thus additional readers could take on these ‘extra’ parts.
- ‘6’ has been chosen as an arbitrary number – thus the script offers opportunities for adapting this number to suit the number of readers available.
Duration: Around 15 – 20 minutes
Sample Text:
Narrator: This is a tale of (pauses) Great Expectations. But please don’t allow yourselves to be fooled by the title. No. Sadly this is far from a tale of high hopes and their fulfilment. This is a tale that will take you to many dark places where you will meet many dark characters. Where treachery and skulduggery lurk in every corner. Where so-called gentlemen act as complete tyrants (pauses) and where ladies, frankly do not come out much better! (Listening) But wait! What is that I hear? Aha! The sound of a blacksmith hard at work. A true sound of decency. A bright ray of light shining through all this mirky darkness.
Joe: (Laughing) Did I hear someone compare my job to something bright and shining?
Narrator: You did indeed! It’s so good to meet you!
Joe: And very good to meet you too, my friend!
Narrator: Ah, there you go! Warm and welcoming to everyone you meet. Never an unkind thought in your head. Always thinking the best of everyone!
Joe: (Smiling) Well, it doesn’t pay to carry bitterness around with you. My wife sadly carries enough for two of us – and look how happy that makes her!
Narrator: (Muttering) Speak of the devil
Wife: (Shrieking) Joe? Joe Gargery? Have you not heard me yelling your name this past half hour?
Narrator: (Aside) And there I was thinking the ear plugs were to protect his ears from the anvil!
This is one of a collection, taken from the original scripts:
And adapted to Readers Theater.
Available from www.plays-r-ussell.com in original play format AND as Reader’s Theater.
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