A Dramatisation of A Tale of for English Learners

Peter Mountford

Abstract Drama offers many possibilities for teaching English as a second language; however, a lack of drama-based teaching materials suggests it is not widely used in the classroom. To investigate the practical difficulties of using drama in the classroom, I wrote a script for ’ novel, . The objectives and process of writing the script and the script itself are presented in this paper.

Key words: English as a second language, drama,

Introduction best-selling novels. The story contains many themes In a previous paper, I reported on using drama as an and plots, but the one best remembered and easiest to extra-curricular English activity.1） The merits of using relate is the triangular relationship of , drama to teach English as a second language have , and . The two men, been discussed by several authors, and their work has Sydney Carton and Charles Darnay look remarkably been reviewed by Belliveau and Kim.2） Drama offers alike. This physical likeness leads to the Frenchman many possibilities for teaching English as a second Charles Darnay being rescued twice from execution, language and as a second subject in mixed ability once in London and once in Paris, by Sydney Carton. classes in tertiary education, to Japanese students who The dramatisation presented here was developed as an have received at least 6 years of English instruction. accompaniment for the Macmillan Graded Reader of However, a major obstacle to the wider use of drama A Tale of Two Cities,3） although it could also be used in the classroom, is quite simply a dearth of structured as a template for the Oxford or Penguin adaptations of teaching materials. To investigate the difficulties the same novel.4,5） The drama was developed for use behind using drama in the classroom, I have scripted with university students, but it could also be used in a dramatisation of Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of high school English education, as the grammar (but Two Cities. In Outline, I write about the context for not the vocabulary) is restricted to the tenses taught which the drama was conceived and the necessary in junior high school. There is no need for elaborate limitations this entails, and in Discussion, the structure stage furniture or props. Most of what is required can of the dramatisation is discussed in more detail. The be improvised from classroom furniture: the titles of full script is presented as an Appendix. the scenes can be written on a blackboard. I suggest that the same person play the roles of Sydney Carton Outline and Charles Darnay, wearing a battered hat and A Tale of Two Cities was written and published in shabby jacket for Sydney’s role, and a smart jacket weekly installments by Charles Dickens in 1859. for Charles, to differentiate the roles. For ease of According some to accounts it is one of the world’s comprehension, the dialogues are written in modern

山梨県立大学 国際政策学部 総合政策学科 Department of Policy Management, Faculty of Glocal Policy Management and Communications, Yamanashi Prefectural University

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English, and idiomatic usage has been avoided. The The Escape - A Coach at the Gates of Paris: The coach use of pronouns has also been restricted, to make carrying Lucie, Dr Manette, Mr Lorry and Charles understanding easier. In the following section I give Darnay safely leaves Paris. an overview of the drama, some comments on stage A limitation of the present script is that it concentrates direction, and the educational objectives. on the narrative rather than the characters, and in the process Charles Darnay becomes a rather ephemeral Discussion figure. The triangular love story of Lucy, Charles and The Old Bailey - London: The drama begins with the Sydney, also becomes a victim of this process. For trial of Charles Darnay at the Old Bailey in London. convenience, , , and Little How Dr Manette arrived in London is revealed through Lucie all disappear from the narrative. the court procedure of asking witnesses questions Ideally, each chapter of the novel should be dramatised, and listening to their answers. Questions, questions, as a comprehension aid for the text. However, the questions: Practice in articulating questions is the drama as presented could also be performed in toto underlying objective of this part of the drama. Stage in English, since most of the parts are short enough directions have not been given. This should be left for memorisation. As with any drama work, it is the to the students to decide, and should form a basis for interpretation of the actors and the decisions of the discussion. Audience participation is also required in director, that are important. this scene. This is one of two scenes in which Charles One conclusion to be drawn from this exercise is that Darnay and his look-alike, Sidney Carton appear scripting drama is time-consuming, and presents its together. Point out this problem, but let the students own difficulties with creating an easily understood decide how to overcome it. narrative. Defarge’s Wine Shop - Paris (1): The story moves to Paris. The story of Gaspard and the Marquis St References Evrémonde is told, and we learn more about Dr １）Peter Mountford, “Drama as an extra-curricular activity for teaching English as a foreign language” Manette through the dialogue. 山梨県立大学国際 政策学部紀要『山梨国際研究』第 10 号、pp. 99-102、 Mr ’s House - London: This part of the play is 2015 年 3 月 an invention and is not present in Dickens’ novel. It is ２）George Belliveau and Won Kim, “Drama in L2 learning: used as a bridge in the narrative to get Charles Darnay A research synthesis” Scenario vol VII http://research.ucc.ie/scenario/2013/02/BelliveauKim/02/en and Sydney Carton from London to Paris, the former ３）Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, retold by Stephen as a prisoner, the latter as an aide to Mr Lorry. Colbourne The Tribunal - Paris: Once again Charles Darnay is ISBN: 9781405076067 ４）Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, retold by Ralph being tried, this time by a revolutionary tribunal. The Mowat two trials of the novel are condensed into one for ISBN: 9780194791878 convenience. ５）Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities, retold by A Johnson and G C Thornley Defarge’s Wine Shop - Paris (2): Now we learn of ISBN: 9781405862561 the growing danger to Lucie, and Sydney Carton blackmails the spy, John Barsad, to gain access to the prisoner, Charles Darnay. The Escape - La Force: Sydney Carton drugs Charles Darnay and changes places with him. Barsad helps to carry Charles to Mr Lorry’s coach.

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Appendix - A Tale of Two Cities Dramatisation Mr Lorry, who do you work for? Lorry: Tellson’s Bank of London and Paris, A Tale of Two Cities sir. The Old Bailey - London (1780) Wig: Why were you travelling with Dr Judge: Silence in court! and Lucie Manette? Mr Wig who is the accused? Lorry: Dr and Miss Manette are clients of Wig: A Frenchman, Charles Darnay. Tellson’s Bank. I was helping Miss Judge: What is M Darnay accused of Mr Manette bring her father to London. Wig? Wig: Did you see Darnay on the ship? Wig: Darnay is a French spy. Lorry: Yes, sir. He helped Miss Manette Judge: What are the accusations? take care of her father. Wig: Darnay travelled many times between Wig: Did Darnay talk to you about the England and France. There are American Colonies. witnesses. One witness saw Darnay Lorry: No sir, he did not. give papers to a Frenchman. Wig: Mr John Barsad. (calling the witness) Judge: Who are your witnesses? How often do you travel to France Wig: Lucie Manette. (calling the witness) Mr Barsad? Miss Manette, where did you see Barsad: Very often, sir. I have business in Charles Darnay? France. Lucie: We were on a ship travelling from Wig: Are you an Englishman Mr Barsad? Calais to Dover? Barsad: Yes, sir, and I’m very proud to be an Wig: When did you travel from Calais to Englishman. Dover? Wig: Where did you see Darnay? Lucie: Last year. Barsad: I saw him in Calais, sir. He was Wig: Why were you travelling from giving papers to a Frenchman. A France? French spy! Lucie: I was bringing my father to England. Stryver: My Lord (to the Judge) He was very ill at the time. May I ask the witness questions? Wig: Did Darnay speak to you about the Judge: Yes, Mr Stryver. American Colonies? Stryver: Are you an honest man, Mr Barsad. Lucie: No sir, but he was very kind to us. Barsad: An honest man? Why, of course, sir. He helped me take care of my father. Stryver: What is your business in France? Wig: Thank you Miss Manette. Barsad: Ahem (nervously), it’s private Dr Mannette. (calling the witness) business, sir. Dr Manette did you speak to Darnay Stryver: Do you give papers to Frenchmen? on the ship? Barsad: Sometimes, sir, yes. Dr Manette: I don’t remember. Stryver: M Darnay also has private business Wig: You don’t remember? in France. Why are his papers Dr Manette: No, sir. I was very ill at the time, and different from your papers? I have no memory of the journey. Barsad: (angrily) Darnay gave his papers to Wig: Mr . (calling the witness) a French spy! I saw them meet at

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night. I heard them talk about George Evrémonde. Washington and the American Jacques 3: The Marquis deserved to die. He Colonies. killed Gaspard’s child. Stryver: Are you a spy, Mr Barsad. Mme Defarge: Many have suffered at the hands of Barsad: A spy! Me, sir? No, sir! Evrémonde. Stryver: You say you saw Darnay and the Jacques 1: The people have suffered at the French spy at night. Were you paid hands of the aristocrats for too long. to say you saw Charles Darnay? Jacques 2: Soon we will kill all the aristocrats Barsad: (weakly) No, sir. and make new laws. Stryver: Are you sure Mr Darnay is the man M Defarge: Be careful what you say. There is a you saw? new man in St Antoine. A spy. Barsad: Quite sure! I never forget a face? Jacques 3: I have seen him. He is English, but Stryver: (pointing at Sydney Carton) Have he speaks French well. you ever seen this man before? Barsad: (entering, Mme Defarge gets up Audience: Amazing! Like two peas in a pod! and puts a rose in her hair) Good Just like twins! I’ve never seen two afternoon. A glass of wine, please. people look so alike. I don’t believe Mme Defarge: Good afternoon. it! Barsad: It is bad news about Gaspard. Stryver: This is my clerk, Mr Sydney Carton. Jacques 1: He killed the Marquis St Evrémonde. Does he look like Charles Darnay? M Defarge: And now, he too, is dead. Barsad: (uncomfortably) Why, yes sir, but.... Barsad: Why did Gaspard kill the Marquis? Stryver: Did Mr Carton give papers to a Jacques 2: Gaspard was a bad man. He was French spy in Calais? executed. Barsad: (confused) Yes, er, I mean no, sir! Barsad: Was the Marquis a bad man? Stryver: It was night. You saw a man in the Was the Marquis executed, too? dark, but the man was not Mr Carton. Jacques 3: We know nothing about that. Mr Carton and Mr Darnay look very Barsad: There is, however, a new Marquis. alike, so it was not M Darnay either. Mme Defarge: Yes, the nephew of the old Marquis. Judge: Members of the jury, what is your Barsad: The nephew lives in England. verdict. Jacques 1: Really? Audience: Not guilty! Barsad: (to M and Mme Defarge) I know about you. You took care of Dr Manette when he came out of the Defarge’s Wine Shop (1) - Paris (1787) Bastille prison. M Dafarge: No names! This is Jacques 1. You M Defarge: Everyone knows that. I was his are Jacques 2, and you are Jacques 3. servant before he went to prison. Jacques brings news of Gaspard. Barsad: Why did Dr Manette go to prison? Jacques 1: Gaspard is dead. They left his body Mme Defarge: We do not know the reason why. hanging in the village for everyone Barsad: Did the Marquis St Evrémonde send to see. Dr Manette to prison. Jacques 2: Gaspard killed the Marquis St M Defarge: We know nothing about this,

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monsieur. Stryver: I think we will not have to wait long. Barsad: Very well. But I have news for you. I can see Mr Lorry outside, now. Dr Manette’s daughter, Lucie, has Enter Mr Lorry married. Her husband is known as Stryver: Why Mr Lorry, you look so upset. Charles Darnay in England, but Lorry: Indeed I am. I have terrible news in France he has another name, from Paris. Where are Dr Manette Monsieur the Marquis St Evrémonde. and Lucie. Stryver: What do you mean? Mr Stryver’s House - London (1790) Lorry: We don’t have any time to waste. Stryver: What is the latest news from France? I must find Dr Manette and Lucie Tranby: You mean the Revolution. immediately. Stryver: Yes. I hear there is much trouble in Richer: What is the news Mr Lorry? And France. what is the hurry? Richer: There are executions every day. Lorry: I have news from Paris. M Charles Carton: Many good people are losing their Darnay is a prisoner of the Republic. lives at the guillotine. Tranby: How can that be? He’s in York, is he Harnet: And many try to escape to England! not. Tranby: I’m glad I don’t live in France. Lorry: No, no, no. Because of the Harnet: I’m glad I’m not a French aristocrat. revolution, he didn’t want Dr They are accused of being enemies Manette or Lucie to know he was of the Republic, and then executed! going to France. Richer: M Darnay often travels to France. Carton: A prisoner of the Republic? He is in What does he say about the great danger. revolution? Lorry: Yes, yes. But Dr Manette was a Stryver: I don’t know. I haven’t seen him prisoner in the Bastille. Maybe he since his wedding to Dr Manette’s can help Charles. Maybe the tribunal daughter. How about you Carton? will listen to him. We must hurry to You often visit their house. Paris as fast as we can. Carton: I haven’t seen him since his wedding Stryver: Yes, and Mr Carton must travel with either. How about you Mr Tranby? you, too. He studied in Paris and Tranby: I met Dr Manette, yesterday. He knows the city well. said, M Darnay had gone to York on business. The Tribunal - Paris (1794) Harnet: That’s odd. I know M Darnay often Tribune 1: Charles St Evrémonde, also known travels to France on business. But as Charles Darnay York? I didn’t know he had any Tribune 2: You are an aristocrat and an enemy business there. of the French Republic. Carton: Mr Lorry of Tellson’s Bank gets Audience: Death to the aristocrat! news from Paris, regularly. We will Darnay: I do not want to be the Marquis St have to wait for him to arrive, for Evrémonde, and I am not an enemy news from France. of France.

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Tribune 3: Aristocrats steal from the people of 1789, I was at the Bastille. the Republic. Audience: Long live the Republic! Audience: Death to the thief! M Defarge: When the gates opened, I went to Darnay: I have taken nothing from the people the cell where Dr Manette had been of France. prisoner for 18 years, and I found Tribune 1: Who will speak for you, St this letter. Evrémonde? Tribune 3: M Defarge, please read the letter. Darnay: Citizen Gabelle and Citizen Manette M Defarge: I, Alexander Manette, am a doctor in will speak for me. Paris. In December 1757 the Marquis Tribune 2: Citizen Gabelle. (calling for Gabelle) St Evrémonde called me to his Who are you? château. At the château, there was a Gabelle: I was the servant of the Marquis St young woman. She was very ill. She Evrémonde. When the Marquis died, was dying. She kept repeating: “My Charles Darnay did not want to be an father, my husband, my brother.” aristocrat. He lived in England, and Her brother was in another room. he told me to do my best for the poor He had been injured in a sword people of France. He is a good man. fight. He was dying too. He said: Tribune3: Doctor Manette. (calling for Dr “St Evrémonde did this. He killed Manette) my father. He brought my sister to Doctor, what do you have to say? the château and killed her husband. Dr Manette: I was a prisoner in the Bastille for 18 Only my youngest sister, Thérèse, years. escaped.” Audience: Long live Dr Manette! After the young man and woman Dr Manette: Charles Darnay helped me to escape died. I returned to Paris. I wrote to to England. I was very ill, and he the King about this terrible event. took care of me. The English said, The next day I was brought to the “Darnay is a French spy, and a friend Bastille. There was no trial. I have of the American revolutionaries.” been 10 years in the Bastille with Now you say, “He is an enemy of no news of my wife or child. The France.” You are wrong. He is a house of Evrémonde has no pity. I, good man. Alexander Manette, condemn the Audience: Long live the people of France! evil family of St Evrémonde. Let him go! He is a friend of the Audience: Death to the aristocrat! Death to St Revolution! Evrémonde Tribune 1: Charles Darnay, you are not guilty. Tribune 2: Charles St Evrémonde, your uncle You are free to go. was an enemy of the people. You M Defarge: Wait! J’accuse! are an Evrémonde, an enemy of the Tribune 2: Who are you? people. Tomorrow you will go to the M Defarge: I am Ernest Defarge. I was the guillotine. servant of Dr Manette before he was sent to the Bastille. On the 14th July

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Defarge’s Wine Shop (2) - Paris (1794) Barsad: (scared) Who are you, and what do Carton: (enters) A glass of wine, please. you want? Mme Defarge: (to M Defarge) He looks like Carton: Barsad, you work at the La Force Evrémonde. prison. M Defarge: (looking at Carton) Hmm, yes, a Barsad: Yes. little. Carton: I wish to see the prisoner, Charles Jacques 1: Yes, a little, but it cannot be Darnay, tomorrow morning. Evrémonde, because he is in Barsad: It is too difficult. I won’t help you. prison. He will die at the guillotine Carton: If you help me, I will keep your tomorrow. secrets. If you don’t, you too will go Mme Defarge: Evrémonde! The guillotine! I have to the guillotine! waited a long time for this. And he Barsad: Very well then, 11 o’clock, and keep has a wife in Paris. She should go to your promise. the guillotine too. Enter Lorry M Defarge: Yes, Thérèse. But Lucie is Dr Barsad: Good night. Manette’s daughter. He has suffered Lorry: Who was that man? Haven’t I’ve much because of St Evrémonde. And seen him before? you would kill his daughter, too? Carton: He will help me to see Charles Mme Defarge: Listen. It was my family, my Darnay tomorrow morning. father, my brother, my sister and Lorry That will be very dangerous! her husband who were killed by St Carton: Mr Lorry, if we stay in Paris, we Evrémonde. I will not be satisfied are all in danger, especially Lucie. until all the Evrémonde’s are dead. Have a coach ready to leave at noon Jacques 2: Many people died because of tomorrow. Make sure that Lucy is Evrémonde. on it. Here, take my papers. Keep Jacques 3: There was Gaspard, too. them safe for me. I will join you at M Defarge: Enough! I must prepare for the coach. Be ready to depart when tomorrow. Good night! I arrive. Don’t leave without me. I All except Carton leave - enter have no time to explain. Do it! Many Barsad lives depend on it! Barsad: ( frightened and surprised) Evrémonde! What are you doing The Escape - La Force Prison here? How did you escape from Barsad: A visitor for you Evrémonde. (leaves) prison? Darnay: Carton! What are you doing here? Carton: I am not Evrémonde, but I do know Carton: I came to say goodbye. you, John Barsad. Darnay: I thank you for your visit. But, it is Barsad: ( angrily) Who are you? Tell dangerous for you here. me quickly, before I call the Carton: What are you doing? Revolutionary Police. Darnay: I am writing a letter to my wife, Carton: And let me tell them about the Lucie. English spy, John Barsad? Carton: Then, finish your letter quickly, and I

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will take it to Lucie. Guard: Bon voyage, citizens. Darnay: That is very kind of you. Darnay writes. Carton drugs Darnay Lucie: How did Charles escape from prison. and changes clothes with him. Lorry: A good man helped us. We will never Carton: Barsad! (enters) be able to thank him. Hurry Barsad, and take care. Take *********** him to Mr Lorry. Barsad: And you will keep your promise? Fifty-two must die at the guillotine today. You are No. 23. Carton: Yes, man. Hurry, and keep your promise too, or we will all die. Barsad: Jacques! Come, help me with the Englishman. He has fainted. These English are so weak! Ha, ha, ha!

The Escape - A Coach at the Gates of Paris Guard: Halt! Who goes there? Citizens, your papers please. Mr Lorry, Englishman. Lorry: That is me. Guard: You are leaving early. You will miss the executions. Fifty-two enemies of the Republic will die today. Lucie Darnay? (Lucie leans forward and nods) There will be a big crowd. Many will want to see the death of Evrémonde. Citizen Manette? Lorry: He is the poor old man. Dr Manette: Room 105, North Tower. Room 105, North Tower….. Guard: Sydney Carton? Lorry: He is the sick man next to me. Guard: Ha! What is wrong with him? Another Englishman who does not like a revolution? Where are you going? Lorry: To Calais, and then to England by ship.

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