Shakespearean Drama for Schools: A Fun Experience in Simpified Modern English

By Louis Rozario Doss

Many secondary school students find Shakespeare’s plays to be difficult and forbidding. This is often attributed to the somewhat dated language used in the original Shakespearean versions as well as the cultural context of the Elizabethan world. Louis Rozario Doss’s “Shakespearean Drama for Secondary Schools” is a timely remedy. This compendium contains renditions of Shakespeare in simplified,modern English which is more easily understood by learners of English.
Louis Rozario Doss’s renditions retain the spice of Shakespeare’s original tales while giving them more pointed relevance to our modern times.They are not intend to replace Shakespeare.They are designed to whet the reader’s appetite for the original works of William Shakespeare.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Nov 4, 2020
• ISBN: 9781543760620

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Copyright © 2020 by Louis Rozario Doss.

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ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5437-6061-3

                eBook            978-1-5437-6062-0

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www.partridgepublishing.com/singapore

Dedication

This book is dedicated to:

1. Julia, my loving wife, and my dear sons – Vinobha & Noel – whose hearts have always been aflame with a passion for drama in real life

2. To the Old Michaelians’ Association & the Anthonian Alumni as well as my beloved teachers & schoolmates in the 1960s at SMK St Michael’s, Ipoh, & SMK St Anthony, Teluk Intan, to whom I say in Shakespeare’s words: Beggar that I am, Let me not be poor in thanks.

3. To STAROBA and the PPM debaters of Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Ipoh, for sharing with me the delights and ecstatic heights of debating in the English language

4. The Sixth Formers of Tenby Schools Ipoh (2010- 2019) who brought Shakespeare to life in the schools of the Kinta Valley, Malaysia.

5. To All My Past Students & Fellow Teachers

Wherever You Are!

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"I count myself in nothing else so

happy as in a soul remembering

my good friends" - Shakespeare

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FOREWORD

Where do I begin? Let me begin with the author, Louis Rozario Doss, an educator par excellence renowned in Malaysia for his contribution as Principal of two of Malaysia’s pre-eminent Lasallian schools – St Michael’s Institution, Ipoh, and St Anthony’s School, Teluk Intan. LRD first hit the national headlines when he supercoached the debating team of Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Ipoh, to national fame when they became national champions on five occasions in the Prime Minister’s Cup Debates in the 1980s. He is also a product of the drama tradition at SMK St Michael’s, Ipoh, where in 1964 he acted in the role of Sir Robert Morton in The Winslow Boy by Terence Rattigan. He was and still remains an avid connoisseur of Shakespeare, George Bernard Shaw and Nikolai Gogol.

Now a few words on Shakespearean Drama for Schools. This is an excellent introduction to Shakespeare not only for upper secondary school students. I can see its great usefulness as a resource for ESL classes and for training in drama and public speaking.

What I like best about this book is the fun element and the simplicity of language used. LRD has infused great fun and humour in his renditions. Not only that, he has given a contemporary twist to Shakespeare’s stories by re-imaging them in modern contexts. In particular, I enjoyed reading Julius Caesar rewritten in the context of Afghanistan. King Lear is refashioned in a Malaysian context as Raja Lear.

The schools in the Kinta Valley, Malaysia, have enjoyed live performances of LRD’s scripts, thanks to the Sixth Formers of Tenby Schools Ipoh (2010-2019) who have helped sustain the Shakespearean drama tradition in Malaysia’s schools.

We look forward to more from LRD.

Professor Dr. Arokiaraj Pappu

Manipal International University, Malaysia

CONTENTS

Macbeth

Julius Caesar

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

As You Like It

Othello

The Tempest

The Winter’s Tale

Twelfth Night

King Lear

The Merchant of Venetia

MACBETH

by Louis Rozario Doss

This is a modern rendition of Shakespeare’s Macbeth for secondary schools today. This rendition is suitable for second-language learners of English in secondary schools and in pre-university classes. The original story has been sanitized to make it more suitable and edifying for school audiences. The more gruesome and gory details in the story of Banquo and Macduff have been censored by me. What remains is the core story of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth timed for a one-hour dramatization.

Dramatis Personae

The Narrator

Duncan, King of Scotland

Macbeth, his general and nobleman

Lady Macbeth, Macbeth’s wife

Banquo, another general and nobleman

The Three Witches

The Palace Official

Macduff, Duncan’s henchman

Malcolm, King Duncan’s son

Donalbain, another son of King Duncan

The King’s bodyguards in the bed-chamber

The soldiers in the army of Macduff and Malcolm (The rebels)

The lords and ladies at the feast in Inverness Castle

(Fanfare of Music)

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 1

CURTAIN OPENS. THE STAGE SHOULD BE COMPLETELY DARK EXCEPT FOR SPOTLIGHT ON THE NARRATOR.

NARRATOR:

There was war in Scotland.

The land was torn and bleeding.

But the deepest wounds of all were made

By friends turned traitor

To fight against Duncan their king.

Among the traitors were the Thane of Cawdor

Among the King’s most loyal defenders

were the great generals Macbeth and Banquo.

This is a story of a dream that went wrong.

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 2

THE STAGE IS IN SEMI-DARKNESS WHEN THE WITCHES DANCE. DO NOT BRIGHTEN THE STAGE. IT SHOULD HAVE AN AIR OF FEAR & GHOSTLINESS.

DRY ICE SMOKE FOR DANCE OF THE WITCHES.

Scene 1: (A dark place with revolving spotlights)

(Song) (Low soft music)

When shall we three meet again

In thunder, lightning or in rain ?

When the hurly burly’s done

When the battle’s lost and won.

When shall we three meet again

In thunder, lightning or in rain ?

When the hurly burly’s done

When the battle’s lost and won.

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Hover through the fog and filthy air!

Fair is foul and foul is fair

Hover through the fog and filthy air !

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 3

STILL DARK & EVIL ATMOSPHERE BUT A BIT BRIGHTER SO THAT THE WITCHES, MACBETH AND BANQUO CAN BE SEEN WELL BY THE AUDIENCE. FOCUS ON THE NARRATOR WHEN HE SPEAKS.

NARRATOR & LCD: Macbeth and Banquo arrive on horseback. They see the witches.

Banquo: What are these haggard creatures

That seem not of this earth

And yet are on it?

Witch 1: Hail to Macbeth, Thane of Cawdor.

Witch 2: Hail to Macbeth, king of Scotland hereafter.

Macbeth: Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?

The Thane of Cawdor is our prisoner

And why do you call me king hereafter ?

His Majesty King Duncan has a son and successor.

Why dress me in borrowed robes?

Banquo: Hey, you unearthly creatures. You bring good news to my friend, Macbeth.

Have you any news about my future?

Witch 3: You will not be king, but you will be the father of kings.

(The Witches move away) (Fanfare of Music)

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 4

LIGHTS OFF AT END OF SCENE. THERE SHOULD BE MINIMAL LIGHT SOURCE TO ENABLE STAGE CREW TO SET THE STAGE FOR THE NEXT SCENE.

LIGHTS ON WHEN SET IS READY FOR SCENE 2. THERE SHOULD BE MAGNIFICENT LIGHTS FOR THIS GRAND PALATIAL SCENE. A MULTICOLOURED EFFECT IS DESIRABLE.

Scene 2: At Inverness Castle

NARRATOR: We are now in Inverness Castle, where King Duncan holds court.

Palace official: His Majesty King Duncan, Supreme Monarch of Scotland speaks to his people.

King Duncan: We thank our loyal people who have put down this terrible rebellion by the Thane of Cawdor. His title I now revoke and bestow it on my noble and valiant general Macbeth. (Music)

(Macbeth kneels before the King and receives his title)

Palace official: Hail to Macbeth! Hail to the new Thane of Cawdor! Tonight His Majesty invites all the lords and ladies of his Court to a grand feast in honour of Macbeth, the new Thane of Cawdor for his loyalty and bravery in defence of the throne of Scotland

(A fanfare of music follows.)

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 5

END OF SCENE. LIGHTS OFF WITH ONLY MINIMAL LIGHT SOURCE FOR STAGE CREW TO GET NEXT SCENE READY.

Scene 3:

LIGHTS ON IN A ROOM WHERE MACBETH AND LADY MACBETH ARE TALKING. IT SHOULD HAVE A HOMELY ATMOSPHERE. DO NOT LIGHT UP ENTIRE STAGE. USE ONLY FOCUS LIGHTS ON MACBETH AND LADY MACBETH. LIGHTS SHOULD ONLY FOCUS ON THE SECTION OF THE STAGE WHERE

MACBETH AND HIS WIFE ARE TALKING. LIGHT UP ONLY THE CENTRE AND THE CENTRE FRONT OF THE STAGE.

Scene 3: In Macbeth’s castle

NARRATOR: Macbeth and Lady Macbeth meet at home. Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth about his encounter with the three witches and their prophecies.

Macbeth: My lady, one of their prophecies has come true. I am now the Thane of Cawdor. But I am greatly troubled by the other prophecy they made.

Lady Macbeth: And what is that prophecy? Will you share it with me?

Macbeth: The witches hailed me as King of Scotland, hereafter.

Lady Macbeth: The first prophecy has come true. I dream and pray that the second will also come True. You will be King of Scotland after King Duncan. And I shall be the Queen of Scotland. But sadly, we have no children to be the future kings of Scotland. But There is still time. We are still young and shall give this land its future kings.

Macbeth: But, but, but.........the King has a son, Malcolm, who will succeed him. And the witches said to Banquo. You shall not be a king, but you will be the father of Kings

Lady Macbeth: I cannot wait much longer. I can feel the surge of ambition and power in my veins. Opportunity comes but once. Only the brave deserve the fair. We have to strike when the iron is hot.

(Fanfare of Music)

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 6

LIGHTS OFF AT END OF SCENE. MINIMAL LIGHT FOR STAGE CREW TO GET SCENE READY.

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 7 (SCENE 4)

BRIGHTLY LIT & COLOURFULLY FOR A FEAST & DANCE IN THE KING’S PALACE.

First focus on the narrator as he speaks then light up the whole stage.

Use revolving lights as the dancers perform.

Focus on the actors as they speak.

Scene 4: (At the Grand Dining Hall of Inverness Castle)

NARRATOR: That night a grand feast was held in honour of Lord and Lady Macbeth. It was hosted by King Duncan.

(Music & Dancing follow for three minutes) (Music: Scotland the Brave)

Palace Official: And now, my lords and ladies, nobles of the court of Scotland, Land of the Purple Heather, Land of the Flowing Rivers. We hear His Majesty King Duncan speak.

King Duncan: I am now in the evening of my life. Very soon I shall return to the Lord I therefore wish to name my successor to the throne of Scotland. I hereby announce that my successor will be my well beloved son, Malcolm.

Palace Official: The King’s will be done!

All: The King’s will be done!

(Music continues)

Lighting Instruction 8

Lights off at end of scene with minimal light source for stage crew to get stage ready.

Scene 5: In a room at Inverness Castle

Lighting Instruction 9:

Light up on centre stage area to show a room where Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are talking, Do not light up back area of stage. The lights be rosy or pinkish to show the inside of a room in a palace.

Begin witha focus on the narrator.

Next focus on Lady Macbeth and Macbeth as they speak.

NARRATOR: We are now In a room at Inverness Castle.

Lady Macbeth: The King says Malcom will succeed him. What has become of the crown prophesied for you by the Three Witches?

Macbeth: That is a thing of the future. Time will bring the crown to us.

Lady Macbeth: Are you going to wait till your ripe old age to be king? No, you cannot. Malcolm is young and he will outlive you. You must seize the throne tonight. Tonight when the king sleeps, you must assassinate him and put the blame on Malcolm and his henchman MacDuff. Go now and prepare the assassination.

Macbeth: No, no, I cannot do this. It is a sin against a good King who has honoured me.

Lady Macbeth: You are too full of the milk of human kindness! Am I more a man than you are? If you love me, you must seize the Crown of Scotland. Or I shall never come near you.

Macbeth: I dare do all that may become a man. Who dares do more is a beast!

If you want me to be a beast, I shall be one, my Queen.

(They dance) (Fanfare of music)

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 10:

LIGHTS OFF AT END OF THE SCENE WITH A MINIMAL LIGHT SOURCE TO ENABLE STAGE CREW TO GET THE STAGE READY.

Scene 6: In King Duncan’s Bed Chamber

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 11

DIM LIGHTS INSIDE THE KING’S BED CHAMBER. DO NOT LIGHT UP THE ENTIRE STAGE. LIGHTS SHOULD ONLY BE ON CENTRE STAGE. ALL THE ACTORS SHOULD BE VISIBLE INCLUDING THE BODYGUARDS. THERE SHOULD BE DARKNESS IN THE BACKSTAGE AREA AND ALONG TWO SIDES OF THE STAGE.

THERE MUST BE ENOUGH LIGHT ON THE GUARDS WHEN THEY DO THEIR DRUNKEN DANCE.

BEGIN WITH FOCUS ON THE NARRATOR.

NARRATOR: We are now in King Duncan’s bed chamber.

King Duncan is asleep surrounded by bodyguards. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth enter.

Macbeth: Hail to the King! Greetings to our faithful guards. My wife and I bring you this celebratory wine, the best wine from France. We celebrate the award of the thaneship of Cawdor to me.

NARRATOR:

The guards collapse into a deep sleep, dying one by one.

(Music)

NARRATOR:

Lady Macbeth gives Macbeth the dagger. Macbeth stabs the king. (The clang of cymbals)

(Duncan dies).

(Macbeth & Lady Macbeth open the door of the Bed Chamber)

Macbeth: Murder! Foul murder! Treason! Foul treason. Citizens! Police! Arrest the guards who have murdered the King! Arrest Malcolm! Arrest MacDuff! They have murdered our holy King!

SPOTLIGHT ON THE NARRATOR. DIM LIGHTS ON DEAD KING, BODYGUARDS,

NARRATOR:

In the years that follow, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth live in the shadow of death. There is rebellion all over Scotland. They are prisoners in their own castle on Dunsinane Hill.

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 13

SPOTLIGHT ON LADY MACBETH.

Lady Macbeth is cursed with sterility. She lives in guilt and finally commits suicide.

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 14:

SPOTLIGHT ON MACBETH

All life and happiness goes out of Macbeth’s life. He lives under siege on Dunsinane Hill surrounded by the forces of Malcolm and Macduff. The rebel forces are hidden in Birnam Wood which lies at the base of Dunsinane Hill.

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 15:

LIGHTS OFF. MINIMAL LIGHT ON FOR SCENE CHANGE.

AFTER 15 SECONDS, SPOTLIGHT ON THE NARRATOR.

NARRATOR:Finally Macbeth decides to meet the three witches again

DARK SCENE WHERE MACBETH MEETS THE WITCHES. LIGHT UP ONLY THE SPACE USED BY THE WITCHES. USE SPOTLIGHTS ON WITCHES AND MACBETH. THE REST OF THE STAGE SHOULD BE COMPLETELY DARK.

DRY ICE SMOKE IS NEEDED WHEN THE WITCHES COME ON.

Witches are ready at centre stage before the lights are on Music.

Voices: Fair is foul and foul is fair

Hover through the fog and filthy air

Fair is foul and foul is fair.

Hover through the fog and filthy air.

Macbeth: Stay! You messengers of the underworld. Tell me what lies ahead.

I am king now. I have no children. My wife is dead. What does the future hold?

(One by one, the witches do a snake-like dance around Macbeth as they say their prophetic words)

Witch 1: Till Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill move No man born of woman shall harm you!

Witch 2: Till Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill move No man born of woman shall harm you.

Witch 3: Till Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill move, No man born of woman shall you.

Macbeth: Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! No man born of woman can harm me. Prepare for war! Soldiers! Tonight we attack Birnam Wood. Tonight, we shall slay Malcolm and Macduff in Birnam Forest. Ha!Ha!Ha!Ha! Till Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill move, no man born of woman shall harm me. Generals, soldiers, the final reckoning has come. Prepare to attack tonight.

LIGHTING INSTRUCTION 16:

LIGHTS OFF COMPLETELY. SPOTLIGHT ON THE NARRATOR.

NARRATOR & LCD: Suddenly two soldiers rush in and kneel before Macbeth