A Midsummer Night s Dream

Transcription

1 A Midsummer Night s Dream a Face 2 Face CREATION

2 TEACHERS Introduction T he following is a Teacher s Pack and accompanying audio tracks for the show A Midsummer Night s Dream. The exercises are designed to help prepare your students for the show. We strongly recommend that students be prepared before attending the show, as it will increase their motivation, understanding and enjoyment. The show has been designed for a mixed audience (from aged 7 to adult), therefore we have included a wide variety of material in this pack, from games and worksheets to study guides and exercises in Elizabethan English. Please select the material from this teacher s pack that you feel is most suited to your students age and ability. Face 2 Face s production of uses an abridged version of Shakespeare s original text, along with some of our own words, to create a comic and original interpretation of the story especially designed for non-native speakers of English. You may wish to compliment this Teacher s Pack with a copy of Shakespeare s original script: our favorite edition is The New Penguin Shakespeare (Penguin Books, 1995, ed. Stanley Wells), used and recommended by the Royal Shakespeare Company and with an excellent introduction and suggestions for further reading. We are open to any suggestions, comments or critiques you may have concerning the show or the contents of this Teacher s Pack. If you have any doubts or questions, please feel free to call our central office or contact us by Tel: info@face2facetheatre. About The Play D reams and reality, destinies that mix, unrequited love, supernatural powers and mythological characters all come together in this re-invention of Shakespeare s celebrated comedy A Midsummer Night s Dream. Symbols used in this Teacher s Pack i TEACHERS Pages with these symbols can be used as reference for teachers. Pages with these symbols can be photocopied and used for the students CD 1&2 These symbols refer to the track numbers associated with each exercise Face 2 Face Theatre Company 2

3 TEACHERS Contents page About the Play...2 Meet The Characters...4 The Story...5 Comprehension worksheet...6 Phrase Sequencing...7 Picture Sequencing...8 Story Book...9 Shakespeare in Context...10 The Globe Theatre (Worksheet) The Magical Flower...13 Glossary of Shakespearean Terms...13 Study Guides...14 Extension Activities...15 Crossword...16 Crossword Solution...17 Answers Audio Tracks & Puck s Farewell Face 2 Face Theatre Company 3

4 CD Meet The Characters Listen to the characters as they introduce themselves and match each name from the column on the left to a character description from the column on the right Oberon Titania Puck Hermia Helena Lysander Bottom Demetrius Young royal, in love with Hermia. He is Demetrius best friend Young royal, in love with Lysander. She is short and beautiful. King of the fairies He is an actor and he gets turned into a donkey during the play Young royal, engaged to be married to Hermia. The play takes place on his wedding day Queen of the fairies Actors who are rehearsing a play to perform at the wedding. Young royal, in love with Demetrius. She is tall. Quince, Flute and Snout 9 A spirit. Titania and Oberon s servant 2015 Face 2 Face Theatre Company 4

5 CD 3 The Story is a romantic comedy. The characters are divided into three sets: the royals, the fairies, and the mechanicals. Here is a brief summary of the play: Fairies Oberon, King of the Fairies, Titania, Queen of the Fairies, and Puck, their servant, are the most important fairies in the play. Oberon and Titania have an argument, and Oberon plans revenge. He asks Puck to find a magical purple flower. When the juice of this flower is put on sleeping eyes, the victim falls in love with the first thing they see when they wake up. Oberon tells Puck to use the flower on Titania, and to make sure that she sees something horrible when she wakes up in the morning. Royals The four young royals are Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia, and Helena. It is Demetrius and Hermia s wedding day, however Hermia is in love with Lysander, Demetrius friend and best man. To complicate things even more, Hermia s best friend Helena is in love with Demetrius. As night falls, Lysander and Hermia run away into the forest. They plan to escape, get married and live elsewhere. Demetrius finds out and runs after them, and Helena runs after Demetrius. All four young royals spend the night in the forest, where Puck finds them and tries unsuccessfully to resolve their problems, using the juice of the purple flower. He puts the magic juice on Lysander s and Demetrius eyes, who both wake to see Helena first, fall in love with her and fight for her affection. Helena can t believe it, and assumes they are making fun of her. Hermia, who is beautiful and is used to everybody adoring her, can t understand why both men now reject her. She attacks her friend Helena for stealing Lysander and a fight ensues. Mechanicals The actors, or mechanicals as they are more commonly known, are a working class amateur theatre group. They are rehearsing a play to be performed that night at Hermia and Demetrius wedding celebration. They are terrible actors and are very badly organised. Puck finds them rehearsing, and turns the star actor, Bottom, into a donkey. He then enchants Titania with the flower: she wakes up and falls in love with the donkey. A Happy Ending Oberon gets his wish - Titania is made to look a fool. Puck uses the juice of the flower to fix the problems he has caused with the four young royals. In the end, Lysander is in love with Hermia and Demetrius is in love with Helena. They return home to get married. Puck restores Bottom s human head, and the actors perform their play as planned Face 2 Face Theatre Company 5

6 Comprehension Worksheet CD 3 a Reading for General Meaning: Read the story from the previous page and answer these questions: Name the three groups of characters from the story: Where does the story happen? What sort of story do you think it is? Romance, action, adventure? b Reading for Specific Information: Now read again and try to find the answer the following questions: What colour is the magical flower? What is the name of Titania and Oberon s servant? Is Hermia beautiful or ugly? What animal does Bottom turn into? C True or False? Finally, answer True or False to the following statements: 1) Titania is the Queen of the fairies T F 2) The mechanicals are good actors T F 3) Titania falls in love with a donkey T F 4) Helena is in love with Demetrius T F 5) The play takes place in a palace T F 6) Lysander and Hermia run away into the forest T F 7) Puck turns Oberon into a donkey T F 2015 Face 2 Face Theatre Company 6

7 CD 3 Phrase Sequencing Photocopy these sentence cards and cut them out. You will need to make several sets of cards, depending on the size of your class. Divide students into groups of 3 or 4 and give each group a set of sentence cards, in the wrong order. The students must then put the events in the order in which they happen in the story, using the story text to help. Offer a prize to the group that finishes first, to add motivation! Titania and Oberon have and argument, and Oberon plans revenge. He sends Puck to find a magical purple flower. Lysander and Hermia run away into the forest. Demetrius and Helena follow them. Puck puts the juice of the flower in Lysander s and Demetrius eyes. Demetrius and Lysander fall in love with Helena, and fight for her. Puck turns Bottom into a donkey. Titania falls in love with the donkey. Puck uses the magical flower to fix the problems he has caused. The actors perform their play Face 2 Face Theatre Company 7

8 Face 2 Face Picture Sequencing CD 3 T his is a variation on the phrase sequencing activity from the previous page, and is a comprehension checking activity suitable for younger or lower-level students. Photocopy and cut out the pictures below, to make picture cards. You will need to make several sets of cards, depending on the size of your class. Divide students into groups of 3 or 4 and give each group a set of sentence cards, in the wrong order. The students must then put the events in the order in which they happen in the story. Oberon and Titania, arguing. Oberon and Puck, with the flower. Oberon is explaining to Puck what to do. Puck putting the juice of the flower on Titania s eyes Puck turning Bottom into a donkey. Titania and the donkey, in love. Oberon and Puck, laughing at Titania and the donkey. Speaking activity Now ask your students to describe what is happening in each picture, either in their groups or as a whole class activity Face 2 Face Theatre Company 8

9 Story Book Photocopy and cut out the numbered scenes. Hand out the scene cards so that students have one card each (it doesn t matter if some of the cards are repeated). Students then draw a picture to accompany the phrase on their card, and copy or glue the phrase to their picture. Now collect the drawings and put them in order to make a complete copy of the story, illustrated by your class! You can make this into a book by adding a cover and a title page, which includes the student s names. Leave your class s book on display in the library for children from other classes to read. As an alternative, your picture story can be made into a wall display. For younger students or a small class, you can simplify the story, removing phrases 3-8 to include only the fairy scenes. 1. Titania, the Queen of the fairies, and Oberon, the King of the fairies, have an argument. Oberon wants revenge. 2. Oberon asks his servant, Puck, to find a magical purple flower. The juice of the flower is a love potion. Put on sleeping eyes, the victim will fall in love with the first thing they see when they wake up. 3. It is Hermia and Demetrius wedding day. But Hermia is in love with Lysander! Hermia and Lysander run away into the forest. They plan to escape and marry. 4. Demetrius follows them, together with Hermia s friend Helena. Helena is in love with Demetrius. 5. Puck wants to help. He uses the juice of the flower on Lysander s and Demetrius eyes. But he makes a mistake now they both love Helena! 6. Lysander and Demetrius fight for Helena s love. 7. Puck puts all four royals to sleep, and uses the juice of the flower to fix their problems. 8. Now Demetrius loves Helena and Lysander loves Hermia again. They wake up in the forest and think it was all a dream. 9. Puck finds some actors rehearsing a play in the forest. He turns the lead actor, Bottom, into a donkey. 10. Titania wakes up and falls in love with the donkey. 11. Puck restores Bottom s human head, and Oberon and Titania say sorry to each other. 12. There is a royal wedding and the actors perform their play Face 2 Face Theatre Company 9

10 Shakespeare In Context was written by the English playwright William Shakespeare. He was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon and died in 1616, exactly 400 years ago. He wrote 37 plays, as well as poems and sonnets. was first printed in 1600, and experts think it may have been written around It s first performance was in the Globe Theatre, in London. The Globe is an open-air theatre, and it is completely circular. During Shakespeare s lifetime it burnt down and had to be completely rebuilt. The best seats were in the galleries, and the poorer members of the public watched the play standing up in the pit (the area in front of the stage). The price of the cheapest tickets was one penny, and those that purchased them were known as penny paupers. If it rained, the actors and penny paupers got wet. There were no toilets at the theatre, and ladies carried a little jug to relieve themselves under their skirts. Vendors sold their wares and courtesans flirted with the men in the galleries. It was also common for the audience to talk amongst themselves, drink and even play cards during the performance. As was customary at the time, Shakespeare s theatre company only had male actors. Women s roles, such as Titania, Helena and Hermia, would have been played by boys or young men. Shakespeare was not as famous then as he is now, and would probably have performed in the play himself. He was also part-owner of the theatre. There was very little scenery, which is why Shakespeare s texts often refer to the surroundings, setting the scene for the audience. Performance conditions were very different in Elizabethan England, and it was acceptable for the audience to cheer, boo or even throw rotten fruit and vegetables at the actors if they didn t like the play. The Globe Theatre has been restored and it is still possible to see Shakepeare s plays there, in their original setting, performed by a modern professional theatre company. But times have changed, so leave your rotten fruit and vegetables at home! 2015 Face 2 Face Theatre Company 10

11 The Globe Theatre (Worksheet) CD 4 a) Comprehension Questions Read the text from the previous page and answer these questions: 1 Where is William Shakespeare originally from?... 2 What else did he write, apart from plays?... 3 In what year do experts think that was written?... 4 In what city and country is the Globe Theatre built?... 5 Does the Globe Theatre have a roof?... 6 Who played the women s roles?... 7 How much did it cost to see a play there, in Shakespeare s time?... 8 Is it still possible to see plays at the Globe Theatre? Face 2 Face Theatre Company 11

12 CD 4 The Globe Theatre (Worksheet) b) Compare and Contrast In pairs, complete this table comparing and contrasting performance conditions in Shakespeare s time versus now. We have included few examples, to get you started: In Shakespeare s time: It costs one penny There are only male actors You can throw fruit Now: It is more expensive There are male and female actors You can t throw fruit c) Speaking Activity In pairs, ask each other the following questions: Can you name any other plays by Shakespeare? Have you ever seen a play by Shakespeare? Where and when? Did you enjoy it? Have you ever visited London, and did you see the Globe Theatre? What is your favourite scene from? Who is your favourite character from the story? 2015 Face 2 Face Theatre Company 12

13 CD 5 The Magical Flower At the start of the play, Oberon and Titania have an argument. Oberon, the King of the fairies, is angry and wants to get revenge on his Queen. He asks his servant, Puck, to find a magical purple flower. The juice of this flower is a love potion. When put on sleeping eyes, the victim will fall in love with the first thing he or she sees upon waking. Oberon puts the juice on Titania s eyes whilst she is asleep, and recites this curse, hoping that she will wake up and fall in love with something horrible. In the end, Oberon s wish comes true, as Titania falls in love with a donkey! Listen to the recording and read Oberon s curse: What thou seest when thou dost wake, Do it for thy true-love take, Love and languish for his sake: Be it ounce, or cat, or bear, Pard, or boar with bristled hair, In thy eye that shall appear When thou wakest, it is thy dear: Wake when some vile thing is near. is written in Elizabethan English, which is very different from modern English. It can often be difficult even for native speakers, and our understanding is reinforced by the meaning that the actors give the text as they recite their lines. How much of the curse can you understand? Translate the curse both into Spanish and into modern English, using the online glossary below to help you with any words you don t understand. If you enjoyed translating this text, you may wish to try the more difficult text Puck s Farewell (Audio Track 6, printed on page 21). Glossary Of Shakesperian Terms This comprehensive online glossary is designed to help you understand Shakespeare s text and is highly recommended as a study aid, both for the excerpts of text included in this Teacher s Pack and to assist you should you choose to read the whole play Face 2 Face Theatre Company 13

14 TEACHERS Study Guides There is a huge quantity of material available for studying the original version of Shakespeare s in the classroom, available both in print and online. Here are some of our suggestions: A free Teacher s Pack from the Royal Shakespeare Company, written specifically to accompany their 2011 production, however the content is relevant to anyone studying the play. Focuses on the use of drama in the classroom, character work and the process of putting on a theatrical production. The pack contains lesson plans and activities, as well as beautiful photographs from past and present productions, excerpts of original text, and interviews with the director and the lead actress. The level of English is high, as the pack is written for native speakers, however many of the activities can be adapted or simplified. Highly recommended. A comprehensive free online study guide, covering all aspects of the play and geared towards secondary school students. A fun and educational application by ToC, available to download from itunes. The language is simple and the application brings the story to life through an interactive experience. Material includes puzzles, games, recordings of text, colouring activities, music and much more. Available in both English and Spanish, the app will motivate your students and makes a great supplement to your work in class. Designed for use with iphone and ipad. Educación Secundaria, Material Auxiliar Autor: Cideb Editrice S.R.L. Editorial: Vicens-Vives, Editorial SBN: / EAN: / AÑO: This printed study guide is available to order online from the above website, and costs plus postage and packaging. 96 pages long, in Spanish Face 2 Face Theatre Company 14

15 TEACHERS Extension Activities I f your students have enjoyed Face 2 Face s production of, here are a few ideas for further work. Investigate other productions The story is very famous, and has been told and re-told through many different media, including film, television, music and ballet. Ask your students to use Wikipedia to document the play s history, from it s first performance through to modern times. film The 1999 film, directed by Michael Hoffman, starring Michelle Pfeiffer as Titania, Rupert Everett as Oberon and Kevin Kline as Bottom, is perhaps the most well-known recent interpretation. Why not watch selected scenes from the film with your class? Ask your students to compare and contrast the film production with Face 2 Face s theatre production. What are the main similarities and differences? Which version of the story do your students prefer, and why? Read The Play If your students have not yet read the play, select a few scenes from Shakespeare s original script to read and study together in class. More advanced students may wish to read the whole play in their own time. Class production Why not organize your own production of? If your students find Shakespeare s text too difficult, re-write the story in your own words and in modern English. Students who don t wish to perform can help making scenery, and with the props, costumes, sound, lights and music. Putting on a play is a huge project but is motivating and rewarding for everyone involved. Invite other students, friends and family to see your production. And don t forget to call the office and invite the Face 2 Face team, too! Shakespeare s 400 year anniversary This year marks the 400 year anniversary of Shakespeare s death. Many theatre companies are programming special productions and activities to mark the occasion. Are there any events happening in your area to celebrate the occasion? If not, perhaps your school could organise an opening evening, in which your students put on their production of for friends and family, and in which students can display their work on the topic. You could create a wall display about Shakespeare s life and work, and exhibit your story book, translations, colouring pages and any other finished work which your students have completed from this Teacher s Pack. You could also include photographs from your school s visit to see our production of Face 2 Face Theatre Company 15

16 Crossword Across 3 The king of the fairies. 4 Something you imagine whilst you are asleep. 7 Hermia is not ugly, she is... 8 Magical creatures who live in the forest. 9 The opposite of day. 12 The opposite of awake. 14 The colour of the magical flower. 16 Place full of trees. 17 Puck turns Bottom into this animal. Down 1 The author of the play. 2 A celebration in which two people get married. 5 The name of the spirit who is Titania and Oberon s servant. 6 Titania is the... of the fairies. 10 Helena is not short, she is During which season does the play take place? 13 The actors are rehearsing a Titania and Bottom fall in Face 2 Face Theatre Company 16

17 TEACHERS Crossword Solution Across 3 The king of the fairies. 4 Something you imagine whilst you are asleep. 7 Hermia is not ugly, she is... 8 Magical creatures who live in the forest. 9 The opposite of day. 12 The opposite of awake. 14 The colour of the magical flower. 16 Place full of trees. 17 Puck turns Bottom into this animal. Down 1 The author of the play. 2 A celebration in which two people get married. 5 The name of the spirit who is Titania and Oberon s servant. 6 Titania is the... of the fairies. 10 Helena is not short, she is During which season does the play take place? 13 The actors are rehearsing a Titania and Bottom fall in Face 2 Face Theatre Company 17

18 TEACHERS Answers Meet The Characters (page 4) Oberon Titania Puck Hermia Helena Lysander Bottom Demetrius Young royal, in love with Hermia. He is Demetrius best friend Young royal, in love with Lysander. She is short and beautiful. King of the fairies He is an actor and he gets turned into a donkey during the play Young royal, engaged to be married to Hermia. The play takes place on his wedding day Queen of the fairies Actors who are rehearsing a play to perform at the wedding. Young royal, in love with Demetrius. She is tall. Quince, Flute and Snout 9 3 A spirit. Titania and Oberon s servant 2015 Face 2 Face Theatre Company 18

19 TEACHERS Answers Comprehension Worksheet, page 6 a Reading for General Meaning: Name the three groups of characters from the story: The fairies, the royals and the mechanicals Where does the story happen? In the forest What sort of story do you think it is? Romance, action, adventure? Romance / Comedy b Reading for Specific Information: What colour is the magical flower? Purple What is the name of Titania and Oberon s servant? Puck Is Hermia beautiful or ugly? Beautiful What animal does Bottom turn into? A donkey C True or False? 1) Titania is the Queen of the fairies T F 2) The mechanicals are good actors T F 3) Titania falls in love with a donkey T F 4) Helena is in love with Demetrius T F 5) The play takes place in a palace T F 6) Lysander and Hermia run away into the forest T F 7) Puck turns Oberon into a donkey T F 2015 Face 2 Face Theatre Company 19

20 TEACHERS Answers The Globe Theatre, page 11 and 12 a) Comprehension Questions 1 2 Stratford-upon-Avon Where is William Shakespeare originally from?... Poems and sonnets What else did he write, apart from plays? In what year do experts think that was written?... In what city and country is the Globe Theatre built?... Does the Globe Theatre have a roof?... Who played the women s roles?... How much did it cost to see a play there, 1597 London, England in Shakespeare s time?... Is it still possible to see plays at the Globe Theatre?... No Male actors One penny Yes b) Compare and Contrast Your students can draw whatever comparisons they wish to. Here are some ideas: In Shakespeare s time: Now: It costs one penny There are only male actors You can throw fruit There are no toilets There is no scenery You can play cards during the play There is no roof You can boo the actors You can drink during the performance There are food vendors inside the theatre There are courtesans The plays are new People didn t know the story It is more expensive There are male and female actors You can t throw fruit There are toilets There is good scenery You are not allowed to play cards There is usually a roof (except at the Globe) You can t boo the actors You can t drink during the performance You have to go out to get food There are no courtesans The plays are often old Shakespeare s stories are now famous 2015 Face 2 Face Theatre Company 20

21 TEACHERS Puck s Farewell CD 6 If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended, That you have but slumber d here While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream, Gentles, do not reprehend: if you pardon, we will mend: And, as I am an honest Puck, If we have unearned luck Now to scape the serpent s tongue, We will make amends ere long; Else the Puck a liar call; So, good night unto you all. Give me your hands, if we be friends, And Robin shall restore amends. Audio Tracks CD 1) Introduction 2) Meet The Characters 3) The Story 4) Shakespeare In Context 5) The Magical Flower 6) Puck s Farewell The audio tracks are available to download from the Face 2 Face website. If you have any problems accessing or downloading these, please do not hesitate to contact our office staff by or by telephone from 9am to 3pm on weekdays, and we will be pleased to help Face 2 Face Theatre Company 21

22 A Midsummer Night s Dream 2014 Face 2 Face Theatre Company Madrid, España [34] (91) TEACHER S PACK Face 2 Face.. www.