SCRIPT FOR THE COMENIUS PLAY / FINLAND

(Scene: The front of the stage is empty. At the back, there’s a veil across the whole width of the stage for shadow theatre. Stands are needed to support the veil. At the back there are a table and four chairs in the right hand corner.)

First scene

(Characters wearing white theatre masks walk on the stage. - music: Teräsbetoni / Missä miehet ratsastaa, about 40 sec. (Eurovision song Finland 2000 - Light: bright, disturbing, stressful, flickering like a broken fluorescent light.)

Jennifer (+masks): Oh, I’m running late.

(Tom and Jennifer bump into each other)

(The light effects stop. Warm light focuses on Tom and Jennifer, who are in front of the stage on the right hand side.)

Tom: Sorry

Jennifer: What are you doing?

Tom: ---

(Jennifer collects her books from the floor, Jennifer does not hear Tom’s apologies.)

Jennifer: Now, look what you have done!

Tom (very quietly): I’m so sorry. (Jennifer does not hear.)

Jennifer (looks at her hands and says to herself): Oh, my nails!

(Jennifer leaves and the boy follows her with his eyes.)

Second scene

(a gloomy class-room, light on the right hand side of the stage, where there are 4 chairs and a table, 1,5 m in length - Jennifer’s friends are in the drama classroom, Jennifer is late. The friends are chatting and laughing. Jennifer enters)

Friend 1: Hi! Where have you been?

Jennifer: Guess what just happened to me? I was running because I was late and some stupid boy just bumped into me. I’ve never seen that boy here before. I think he is new in our school. He was so rude. He did not even say he was sorry. How stupid!

Friends: Oh.., really.. etc. (then chatting and diva-like acting continues.)

(Drama teacher comes in. The light grows still colder.)

Teacher: Good morning class! Everybody, sit down, please! Today we are going to talk about ... (the students continue chatting). Are you listening? We are talking about William Shakespeare and Romeo and Juliet. What do you know about the play?

Jennifer: They are a young couple in Verona.

Teacher: Good. What else?

Friend 1: They killed themselves because of love.

Jennifer: How stupid. I’d never do that.

Friend 3: That is typical of you.

Friend 2: Yes, because you aren’t romantic at all. But boys aren’t worth dying for, anyway. (girls giggle)

(Somebody knocks on the door. Tom comes in from the left hand side of the stage. Pink light shed on the girls. Jennifer recognizes him as the boy in the corridor.)

Jennifer (to her friends): Oh, that is the boy I was talking about.

Friend 1: Oh, he is the stupid one.

Friend 2 (blond and not that clever): But, he is good-looking.

Friend 1 and Jennifer (in a chorus): No!

Jennifer: Are you joking?

Friend 3 (bossy girl): No, he is not that cute.

Teacher: Right! Now, will you please listen to me! This is Tom, he is a new student in our class. I hope that you will get on well!

Friend 2 (loud): I guess that is our Romeo.

(Girls laughing)

Teacher (earnestly): That is a good idea, indeed! (to Tom): Right, we are talking about Romeo and Juliet. Will you, please take a seat next to Jennifer?

(Tom tries to sit next to Jennifer, who puts her books on his chair.)

Teacher (to Jennifer): Will you please take your books away and let Tom sit down!

Jennifer (obeys but seems disappointed and says to her friends): Move! (friends laugh)

Teacher: So, who will be Juliet then? (She looks around, and then focuses on Jennifer) Jennifer, you will be our Juliet.

Friends: Oh, poor you, ha ha.

Jennifer: Oh, please, Miss, do I really have to?

(The school bell rings. - All the girls leave the stage, only Tom stays. Tom is alone on the stage surrounded by darkness, only a spotlight is aimed at Tom. The girls are giggling spookily somewhere in the dark. Then a blackout. Only Tom’s beating and flashing heart can be seen.)

Third scene

(warm romantic full light rises smoothly - In the café, Tom is doing his homework, Jennifer comes in, looks around, sees Tom, walks slowly to him)

Jennifer (unfriendly and reluctant): Hello, teacher told us to rehearse our parts in the play. Maybe we should do it now? So, do you have time now? (looking around, not wanting her friends to see them).

Tom: Yes, of course. (surprised, shy)

Jennifer: Then, let’s start from these lines and make it quick so we will get it over with.

Tom (starts to read as Romeo =balcony scene, speaking nicely, looking into Jennifer’s eye): Oh, speak again, bright angel! For thou art - As glorious to this night being o’er my head - As is a winged messenger of Heaven - Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes (J+T move to the centre of the stage) - Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him - When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds - And sails upon the bosom of the air.

Jennifer (reading Juliet’s lines, feeling like Juliet while reading): O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? - Deny thy father and refuse thy name; - Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, - And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.

(She drops her textbook, both are leaning down, faces close to each other, eye contact)

Tom (friendly): Let me help you.

Jennifer (surprised, starts to see tom differently): Oh, thanks. That is nice of you. (smiles, continues reading Juliet): How comest you hither, tell me, and wherefore? - The orchard walls are high and hard to climb, - And the place death, considering who thou art, - If any of my kinsmen find thee here.

(Tom reaches out and takes Jennifer’s hand in his, they continue hand in hand. The text is very romantic, so is the athmosphere.)

Tom (as Romeo): With love’s light wings did I o’er-perch these walls; - for stony limits cannot hold love out. - ... (Music: “I will stay” by Hurriganes (Finnish love song), 4 singers + acustic guitar. Romantic hazy light) - ... And what love can do that dares love attempt; - therefore thy kinsmen are not let to me

(bright light, friends enter the café, unnoticed by Tom and Jennifer who continue reading)

Friend 2: Let’s have a cup of coffee!

Friend 3: Good idea!

Friend 2: Where is Jennifer? I have not seen her for a while.

(Friends seeing Tom and Jennifer holding hands, break the magic moment.)

Friend 1: Oh, there is Jennifer. and Tom!

Friends (in a chorus): What are you doing?

(Jennifer and Tom let go their hands and move away from each other. )

Jennifer: We... we...

Tom: Oh, I have got to go (rises and leaves)

(Also Jennifer leaves the stage. Other girls follow. The light fades away, only the spotlight focuses on a mask that is lying on the table.)

Fourth scene

(Jennifer enters the stage accompanied by angels, all are veiled behind a duvet. She then proceeds to climb a table. A spotlight is directed towards her. The angels hold the duvet on both sides. Dark, night-blue, violet etc light. hazy. Jennifer writes her diary at the table. At the back of the stage behind the veil. a boy and a girl are performing shadow theatre wearing masks. - music: Apocalyptica)

Jennifer: My dear diary. I think I have found a boy that I really like.. or maybe more than like.. Do I dare to write here the word LOVE? (shadowplay-dance) No, it is still too gracious a word for describing my feelings. I feel silly, like a teenager.. But I am not! No, I don’t want to be a silly curly-haired blond with pink nails having day-dreams about her private superman living next door (shadowplay-dance) But he was so nice and he was acting Shakespeare so well. I almost believed that he talked to me as Jennifer and not to the Juliet that I was playing. Tom I wish you were here. (Shadowplay)

Fifth scene

(previous light off, normal school light rises up, mixed maybe with a little bit of violet - like a nightmare, Jennifer goes away. Tom and Lilly come from behind the curtain).

Lilly: Oh, Tom! Can you help me with my math? I think I’ll never understand these things.

Tom: How can you be sure that I can help you?

Lilly: Of course, I am sure. I can see it in your eyes. (laughing)

Tom: Really, what else can you see in my eyes?

Lilly: That you are a new student in our class and that you are a good actor who can act Shakespeare and you know more than you say.

Tom: About what?

Lilly: About mathematics of course (laughing) Look at these problems. What does this mean? Can anybody tell me (from the audience) maybe you, Tom?

Tom: Let’s have a look at it ... Oh, yes, this is rather easy ... This would be easier iif you studied more!

Lilly: Oh, I am sorry. I have sometimes problems with concentrating on numbers and the like.

Tom: Do you?

Lilly: Yes, sometimes, but not very often.

Tom. Look at this now.

Lilly: Do you mean here?

Tom: No, not there, but here. Are you listening to me?

Lilly: Yes, I am.. I am concentrating on.. on these things.

(aggressive, bright light, guilty feeling - Jennifer comes to the café, holding the play text in her hands)

Jennifer: Excuse me, what do you think you are playing at?

Tom: Nothing special. I am only helping her with maths.

Jennifer: Yes, I can see that quite well.

Tom: I suppose you do.

Lilly: Hi, Jennifer, how are things?

Jennifer: Could be better.

Lilly: Oh, really.. I have to go. My bus is leaving..or something

Tom. I understand.

Lilly: That is great. Have a nice day. And remember to to study the Shakespeare play well. (Lilly runs away)

Sixth scene

(normal bright school light - Tom and Jennifer are sitting in silence)

Tom: She asked me to help her.

Jennifer: And as a polite boy you did.

Tom: Yes, because she had some difficulties with her calculations.

Jennifer: What kind of a fool do you take me for?

Tom: What is that supposed to mean?

Jennifer: Lilly has always helped me with my math and suddenly now she has to ask you for help with her silly calculations, like some kind of bimbo! Do you like her a lot?

Tom: I don’t know.

Jennifer: Who knows then?

Tom: I don’t know, maybe you do?

Jennifer: Yes, I do. I know that you are lying to me. I can see it in your eyes.

Tom: Oh, sure. What else can you see in my eyes?

Jennifer: Water drops.

Tom: What?

Jennifer: Water drops!

(Using the lights to highlight the water dropping effect, some kind of a flash - Jennifer throws water on Tom’s face. Tom rises)

Tom: My new clothes! Look what you have done.

Jennifer: You think your clothes are more valuable than I am. Get out of my sight!

Tom: I do as I am told.

Seventh scene

(Tom leaves. Jennifer is alone and begins to read lines of Shakespeare)

Jennifer: How camest thou hither, tell me, and wherefore? The orchard walls are high and hard to climb. And the place death..

The general light fades away, only a spotlight focuses on Jennifer. - Music: “Don’t speak” by No Doubt - Jennifer sings, the two will come on the stage to sing the backing vocals - sing back version)

Jennifer: ... If any of my kinsmen find thee here.

(Shadow theatre repeats itself. Jerry’s silhouette can be seen behind the veil, reciting)

Jerry: O, speak against bright angel! For thou art as glorious to this night being o’er my head. As is winged messenger from heaven.

Jennifer: Romeo? Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love.

(Jerry appears from behind the veil, shadow light off, some kind of a light follows Jerry and in between the dialogue the normal school light rises up.)

Jerry: With loves light wings did I o’er-perch these walls; for stony limits cannot hold love out. - Hello, I’m Jerry.

Jennifer: Hello, I’m Jennifer. How do you know Shakespeare so well?

Jerry: It is a long story.

Jennifer: Then begin from the end.

Jerry: The end has not come yet.

Jennifer: Maybe, but there are days when I wished I had.

Jerry: Don’t worry. I am here.

Jennifer: Yes, I see. But who are you?

Jerry: I told you, I am Jerry.

Jennifer: Jerry who?

Jerry: Jerry from your class.

Jennifer: From my class? A new student again?

Jerry: Yes we.. me and my family have just moved to this town. I am in your class. I think we could be good friends, couldn’t we?

Jennifer: I don’t know yet.

Jerry: It is alright, take your time ... Shall we read these lines again of do you want to be alone.. again?

Jennifer: No! I mean... stay with me.

Jerry: I’ll stay. It will be a pleasure. Would you like some? (Gives her some IFA sweets) These are good for your voice.

(Blackout. Jerry and Jennifer go away. Tom and Beatrice come in.)

Eighth scene

(Cold white light rises up, focused on Tom and Beatrice who are in the middle of the stage.)

Tom: Do you want to play Shakespeare with me?

Beatrice: Ooh, of course. Aren’t you that Romeo?

Tom: Yes, my name is Romeo, Alfa Romeo.

Beatrice: You are kidding.

Tom: Am I? don’t you believe me?

Beatrice: I know you, you are Tom, but you do play Romeo very well.

Tom: Do you think so?

Beatrice: Yes, that is my feeling about you.

Tom: Let’s do it now

Beatrice: What what shall we do?

Tom: I’ve got good vibrations, do you?

Beatrice: What are you thinking of?

Tom: I wish to play with you.. some Shakespeare ..sonettes

Beatrice: Do you really want to play with me?

Tom: I am sure about that. Let’s do it. - Unto the white-upturned wondering eyes. Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him. When he bestrides the lazy–pacing clouds. and sails up the bosom of the air.

Beatrice: O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name; or if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love..

(Lilly has come from behind. She sees Tom and Beatrice acting very close to each other - lights turn to dark violet/purple.)

Lilly: Tom, you bastard! I am going to kill you!

Beatrice: Sorry, I did not mean it.

Lilly: And I thought you would be my friend.

Beatrice: I’m sorry.

Lilly: What do you see in her?

Beatrice: I did not mean it.

Lilly: Of course you did, you Tom..-eater!

Beatrice: That is enough, I’ve heard too much of that kind! (Goes away)

Tom: Wait for me darling!.. Beatrice, wait for me! (Goes away)

Lilly: Darling! Oh, my God! I am going to kill myself!

Ninth scene

(Alarm bell stars ringing. Jerry and Lilly stop practising. Teacher runs to them wearing headphones. Alarm lights are flashing.)

Teacher: Stop, stop, stop right now! Tom, come here..stay! (Tom is obeying teacher’s orders) And Jerry, listen to me carefully! I have been watching what you have been doing. Here is my evidence. (Shows video-cassette or dvd or something similar in her hand) Here is everything that was filmed by the cameras all around the school. Now you, Tom and Jerry, have you something to tell me about your calculations? Yes? I am waiting for your answers.. (Lilly cries) Be quiet! You silly little weeping chicken!

(Lilly runs away) Alarm lights are fading away. Very cold “interrogation light”

Teacher: Yes, I am listening to you, boys.

Tom: Do you want to play Shakespeare with me...

Teacher: What?..What are you playing at?

Tom: Nothing. But I may if you want to.

Teacher: You are the ugliest schoolmonster I have ever seen. (Crying Tom goes away) I am getting fed up with all of you!

Jerry: May I help you.

Teacher: How can you help me?

Jerry: I can also play Shakespeare. Do you want to see me playing?

Teacher: You are always playing Shakespeare after Tom. I know why. Aren’t you ashamed at all?

Jerry: Because of what?

Teacher: Because of making fun of those girls.

Jerry: I don’t know. Things happen.

Teacher: I see, things happen. Let’s play.

Jerry: Play what?

Teacher: You wanted to play. Do you have the courage to do that? Really?

Jerry: But you..

Teacher: I’m so old and you are so young, this my darling will be out of the question. (Coming near to Jerry)

Jerry: I have to go. I have some .. mathematics to do. (Runs away)

Teacher: Great! Let’s have some girl power rising!

(Happy party lights - music: “New attitude/Uusi asenne” - singback-version, all on the stage)