First act

Stage front part is lighted. On the back wall we show during the play different pictures (beamer). Music.

First scene

(In the school corridor: Jennifer is late for school, is looking at her watch. Tom comes down the corridor, looking for his classroom.) Corridor picture.

Jennifer: Oh, I’m running late.

(Jennifer and Tom bump into each other)

Tom: Sorry.

Jennifer: What are you doing?

Tom: ---

(Jennifer collects her books etc. from the floor, Jennifer doesn’t hear Tom’s apologies)

Jennifer: Now look what you’ve done!

Tom (very quietly): I’m so sorry. (Jennifer doesn’t hear)

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

(Jennifer goes away and the boy follows her with his eyes)

Music.

Second scene

(Friends of Jennifer are in the drama classroom, Jennifer is late)

(Friends are chatting and laughing, Jennifer enters)

Friend 1: Hi! Where‘ve you been?

Jennifer: Hi! Guess what happened to me just now. I was running ´cause I was late and some stupid boy just bumped into me. I’ve never seen that boy here before. I think that he’s new at our school. He was soooo rude. He didn’t even say sorry. How stupid!

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

(Drama teacher comes in)

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

Jennifer: There is that 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 (bossy girl): That’s typical of you.

Friend 2 (blond and not-that-clever): Yes, because you aren’t romantic at all. But boys aren’t worth dying for them anyway. (Girls giggle)

(Somebody knocks at the door, Tom comes in, and Jennifer recognizes him as the boy from the corridor)

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

Friend 1: Oh, he’s the stupid one.

Friend 2: But he’s good-looking.

Friend1 and Jennifer (in a chorus): Noooo!

Jennifer: Are you joking?

Friend 3: No, he’s not that cute.

Teacher: Right, now. Will you please listen to me? This is Tom; he’s a new student in our class. I hope that you’ll get on well!

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

(Girls are laughing)

Teacher (earnestly): That’s a good idea, indeed! (to Tom:) Right, we‘re talking about Romeo and Juliet. Will you please take a seat there 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, says to friends): Moooove!

(Friends laugh...)

Teacher: So, who will be Juliet then? ... (Looks around, focuses on Jennifer) Jennifer, you will be our Juliet!

Friends: Oh, poor you, ha ha.

Jennifer: Oh, please, Ma’am, do I really have to..?

(School bell rings)

Music. Picture: café.

Third scene

Music: Tom comes into the café, doing his homework; Jennifer comes in (music goes quiet and stops), looks around, sees Tom, and walks slowly up 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’ll get over with it.

Tom (starts to read as Romeo): (= balcony scene, speaking sooo nicely, looking into Jennifer’s eyes): O, 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 - Of mortals that fall back to gaze on him - When he bestrides the lazy-pacing clouds - And sails upon the bosom of the air. Reading their lines they move closer to each other.

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.

(If Jennifer finishes her lines, they suddenly touch each other and bump away from each other. 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’s nice of you. (Smiles, continues reading Juliet)

Music. Angels…

Jennifer: How camest thou 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 atmosphere)

Tom (as Romeo): With love’s light wings did I o’er-perch these walls; - for stony limits cannot hold love out, - And what love can do that dares love attempt; - Therefore thy kinsmen are not let to me. ... Can I Have your mobile number?

(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’s Jennifer? I haven’t seen her for a while.

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

Friend 1: Oh, there’s Jennifer. And Tom!!

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

(Jennifer and Tom lat go of their hands and move away from each other)

Jennifer: We...we...

Tom: Oh, I got to go now. (Rises and ...)

Girls make mimics and start to question Jennifer. Music starts. Girls are leaving from the stage.

(Music continues) Stage will be for a moment dark. (10 seconds) If the music goes quiet, lights will be switched on slowly. Main light goes to the Jennifer.

Fourth scene:

(Jennifer wakes up at the drama class.)

Jennifer: What a strange dream I saw... I was chosen to be a Juliet in „Romeo and Juliet” and new boy was a Romeo... What new boy?! I don’t know any new student here...

Friends (come into the classroom and see Jennifer): You’re still here! Our teacher asked to tell you that we will gather after 10 minutes in classroom. She wants to start with new play.

Jennifer Oh, look, I have to go for a moment away but I’ll be here in 10 minutes. Ok?

Friends Ok, if you have to go...

Fifth scene:

(Jennifer leaves from the classroom, at the corridor walks quickly somewhere and suddenly bumps with new boy, Tom. Music.)

Jennifer: Romeo! You are the Romeo!

Tom: Romeo??? My name is Tom. Did I hurt you? Are you ok? I’m really sorry!

Jennifer: I know, you’re the Romeo!

Tom (start to laugh): I can be a Romeo if you want, but I’m Tom and I’m new here, in your school. By the way, I’m looking for a drama class. Do you know where is it?

Jennifer: I go to drama class also. You could come with me.

(They go together to the drama class. Music.)

Sixth scene:

(In drama class students and teacher wait Jennifer. Teacher thinking there something, girls are chatting. Tom and Jennifer arrive.)

Teacher: Hello you two! Very good. Girls, here is our new student. Welcome Tom! But now students, please, listen to me. We have to prepare a new play for theatre festival in Göttingen. As it is spring time I thought about a play which would be about love... What do you think?

Students (girls): Cool! We like spring and love stories! What kind of play we will do?

Teacher: What do you think about Romeo and Juliet? It’s nice and classical love story?

Students (girls): Hmmm, yeah, but teacher, could we do some other story? Estonian love story?

One of the students: If we will go to Göttingen we should present something which is really Estonian.

Second students: Yes, some really beautiful Estonian love story. For example Tiina and Margus from „Libahunt”/Werewolf?

Jennifer: Or maybe Teele and Arno from „Kevade”/Spring? Everybody knows it in Estonia, but almost no one abroad...

Tom (comes little closer): Listen to me; let’s do Agnes and Gabriel story from „Viimne reliikvia”! I think it’s the best love story in Estonian at all. Picture: Agnes and Gabriel from “Viimne reliikvia” (“Last relic”).

Girls (whispering): Tom! You’re so romantic!

(Girls are so elated.)

Teacher (start to calm down students): Ok, if you would like to do Estonian love story then we will do it! Ok, is everyone agreeing to do Agnes and Gabriel story?

(Girls nod very eagerly.)

Teacher: So, we will start with Agnes and Gabriel story. (Looking Tom) Of course, Tom, you’re the Gabriel, but who is Agnes? (Looking at girls and she is a little confused)

(Tom presents some fighting scenes from “Viimne reliikvia”, he chose his Agnes (Jennifer))

Tom (smiles, take a sword from corner and go to the Jennifer): Can I be your Romeo... oh sorry, your Gabriel?

Jennifer (blushing): Ok…

(Other girls are laughing. Tom and Jennifer sat together, girls and teacher goes into the public, they will share little messages about love. Angels come and dance… )