Persuasion. This ‘Quickie Classic’ was written as a precis of the original book into a 30-minute reading/discussion session. The principal characters, guided by a narrator, effectively talk us through the story – with, of course, a few of their own opinions thrown in!
This play can either be used for performance (Class Play or Assembly) Cast of 30 or as a set of guided reading scripts/readers theatre within the classroom- 5 scenes – 6 speakers each
Around 20 minutes of reading time. Inclusion of Discussion time will add on around another 10 minutes.
Scene I/Chapter I Background
Cast of 6
- Sir Elliot
- Lady Russell
- Mr. Shepherd
- Captain Wentworth
Narrator: So, let’s start with a little background to this story entitled
Lady Russell: (Interrupting) Persuasion!
Narrator: (Huffily) I’d appreciate you not interrupting me, madam.
Lady Russell: Oh, but I can tell everyone all there is to know!
Narrator: Undoubtedly, madam. But I don’t think anyone here will be in a hurry to take any advice from you.
Sir Elliot: Whatever do you mean? I’ll have you know that Lady Russell was my late wife’s greatest friend and I would never hesitate to follow any advice she might give.
Narrator: And therein lies the problem! We should always question other’s advice even when it’s totally well intentioned as in the case of Lady Russell here.
Anne: Well intentioned doesn’t make it right, as I discovered to my cost!
Capt. Wentworth: But you were just nineteen years of age. Don’t be so hard on yourself.
Anne: But taking that advice cost us seven years of being together!
Capt. Wentworth: It’s true. We should never have let anything come between us. But that’s water under the bridge now, my dear.
Mr. Shepherd: And you weren’t to know you weren’t being given the very best of advice.