LEAR
Lets get straight into things. Pass that map of the London boroughs. You must have been told by your mother and father that I have three apartments in this city yet, because of my old age, I am leaving my three apartments to you so I can live on The Isle of Wight. However, they are in different places. One in Mayfair, one in Islington and one in Peckham. Gonreil, Regan and Cordelia, married to Mr Ratmundi, Mr Jones and Mr Sykes respectively, will have to prove yourself to me to get my precious possessions. In order to find the choice order, you will have to answer a very simple question. Who loves me the most? Gonreil, Speak first.
GONREIL
Grandpa, I love you more than any pleasure. Being with you is the biggest joy I have everyday, you are my heart and soul. You are so handsome, I’m surprised you got a divorce with Nan, she was so stupid to get a restraining order. You have such amazing interests, Radio 4 should just invite you on every day. Your wisdom has inspired millions and your badminton tactics are off the charts. I love you more that chocolate biscuits, and I really really like chocolate biscuits.
CORDELIA
[Audience] What will you do Cordelia?
I’m just going to be honest.
LEAR
That was a fantastic reading Gonreil. Now Regan, I proud of you for getting a fantastic job as a Tesco Salesperson, so I want you to know that I’ll be proud of you no matter what happens, and you should be able to afford a lovely bedsit soon. So, Regan, married to Mr Jones, speak.
REGAN
I love my sister and all, and she loves you, yet I love you way more the she does. What she said is absolute rubbish and she has no idea what I have in stock for you. Generally, I’m an enemy to everything that isn’t you, your warm embrace and your amazing toothless smile. I hope you understand what I am saying, and you surely aren’t foolish enough to accept her dishonest lies. If you give her this apartment, you will never see her again. She will tint her windows and never send you a lousy, badly written letter. I doubt she will go to your gracious funeral and, in fact, I don’t think she will ever find out that you have died! If you give me the best apartment in Mayfair, I guarantee that I will be the best granddaughter ever. I will visit you every quarter, make you some delicious Tesco Finest breakfast on your birthday, and, more importantly, I will love you more than all of my sisters for ever and ever.
LEAR
Thank you so much Regan, so touching. Next, which will settle everything once and for all, Cordelia. Do you, married to Mr Sykes, believe that you are even more loving than both of your sisters? Speak.
CORDELIA
Nothing,Grandpa.
LEAR
What the hell?! Nothing?! Are you serious?
CORDELIA
Yes Grandpa.
LEAR
Nothing will come of nothing; speak again.
CORDELIA
Even though I will probably get the Peckham bedsit, I can not lie to you. I love you for yourself, I wouldn’t go and say a load of rubbish and deceive you just to get a simple apartment. It may set me up for life and give me something to help if I fail as a Biologist, yet I would rather have nothing than be known as a liar.
LEAR
Oh Cordelia. If you change what you said, it might help you get a better apartment than what you are getting apartment wise, which isn’t so good right now.
CORDELIA
My love doesn’t come from my mouth, it comes from actions, which you should surely notice.
LEAR
I knew you never loved me Cordelia. You spent too much of your teenage years studying to your stupid PhD, and never had time for me. Visiting me every so often isn’t good enough compared to your sisters. Gonriel spent every day recovering from a motorcycle accident, and Regan gave me her dying dog for her birthday. Cordelia, you simply don’t love me enough. This competition has closed!
February 19, 2016 at 7:18 pm
This is a very interesting adaptation of Shakespeare’s original. I particularly like the way you have taken the kingdom concept and placed it inside the city of London.
This piece of work unlocks:
http://achieve.community.edutronic.net/stage-two-writing/script-writing/
http://achieve.community.edutronic.net/stage-two-writing/modern-adaptation/
Targets:
You are close to unlocking a stage 3 writing badge. Make the following alterations to work towards this.
1) I think you need to be careful about the stereotypes you are using in your play. You are using the class connotations people have with Mayfair, Islington and Peckham to your advantage, however I think you need to be a little more specific about each of these apartments. Give some details, otherwise this can appear a little snobby!
2) You need to use at least one figurative device from the original in your own play. The language should be different, but the general idea the same.
Nice work.