Paradise Lost 2011: A Reading Play for the Churches and the Schools

By Helen Schmill

Helen Schmill, a Wyoming poet, offers this adaptation
of John Miltons epic poem as Paradise Lost 2011, a
reading play for the churches and the schools. The
timeless story is presented as drama, with simple stage
settings and costume suggestions. The difficult text
need not be memorized.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: May 18, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462863884

Helen Schmill

Helen Schmill, Wyoming native and inspirational writer, studied poetry writing at Casper College and the University of Wyoming. She had a poem published when she was eight in the Casper Tribune-Herald and has written poetry ever since. She has four grandchildren who trust her understanding love. Her purpose here is to help readers and their audiences share her appreciation for Milton’s timeless story.

Book preview

PARADISE

LOST 2011

A READING PLAY FOR

THE CHURCHES AND

THE SCHOOLS

JOHN MILTON

ADAPTATION BY

HELEN SCHMILL

Copyright © 2011 by Helen Schmill.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4628-6387-7

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4628-6388-4

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

97279

Contents

THE DIVINE STORY PRESENTED AS DRAMA

TWELVE BOOKS

BOOK I

HELL

BOOK II

PANDEMONIUM

BOOK III

THE RANSOM

BOOK IV

THE GARDEN

BOOK V

HEAVEN’S CARE

BOOK VI

WAR

BOOK VII

EARTH’S CREATION

BOOK VIII

ADAM’S STORY

BOOK IX

TEMPTATION

BOOK X

SATAN’S TRIUMPH

BOOK XI

BANISHMENT

BOOK XII

EVICTION

CAST OF CHARACTERS

GOD

JESUS

SATAN

CRIER

ADAM

EVE

SIN

DEATH

SAINTS

SPEAKING CHOIR

BOOK I

HELL

(The Crier comes to center stage, carrying a scroll:

BOOK I. HELL. Behind him a large chair is arranged at center stage, flanked by five other chairs.)

CRIER: BOOK I. HELL. Our play opens in Satan’s throne room, which is his dungeon. Please visualize a large room full of fiery red walls and flaming torches. There is not much light. A smoky haze fills the air. The ceiling is much like the roof of a cave. The floor is covered with coal dust and cinders. Centered on the dais is Satan’s throne, with chairs on either side.

(BEELZEBUB enters.)

(Enter Beelzebub in red robe. He stands at the first chair on the right.)

CRIER (who has moved to one side of the stage): There is a burst of fireworks and Satan is seated on his throne.

(Enter Satan, clad in black with red stockings. He sits in