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Primary English · Year 5Chapter 9 · Reading poetry and plays
Year 5 English · Reading poetry and plays · Lesson 9.4

Year 5 English: Reading a play script

Part of the Year 5 English reading poetry and plays chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

9.4

Reading a play script

Year 5
Recognise play-script features: character names, stage directions, dialogue and scenes (RC-Y5i)
Story. Maya works in her dad's shop. Read the play script below. Notice how it is set out: names, stage directions in italics, and the dialogue after each name.

The Shop Bell (a short scene)

Characters: MAYA (ten years old), MR OKAFOR (the shopkeeper), TOM (a customer, aged eleven).

Setting: A corner shop, late afternoon. A counter stands centre stage. A bell above the door rings when it opens.

(The bell rings. TOM enters, looking at his watch. MAYA stands behind the counter, sorting sweets.)

TOM: Have you got any sherbet lemons left?

MAYA: One bag, Tom. Dad says we will get more on Friday.

(MR OKAFOR enters from the back room, wiping his hands on a cloth.)

MR OKAFOR: Maya, the bread is still in the van. Could you fetch it?

MAYA: (sighing, quietly) Yes, Dad.

(MAYA exits. TOM looks around the shop and picks up a packet of crisps.)

TOM: (to himself) She always seems so grumpy.

MR OKAFOR: She is only tired, Tom. She has helped every day this week.

(The bell rings. MAYA returns, carrying a crate of bread, and smiles.)

MAYA: Tom, I saved you the last sherbet lemons under the counter.

Key ideas

  • Character names come before each line of dialogue, often in capital letters.
  • Stage directions tell the actors what to do, how to say a line, and where things are.
  • Dialogue is the words the characters say.
  • A scene is a part of a play, often with one setting and time.
Worked example 9.4.1
Who is the shopkeeper in the scene?

Method. Look at the character list at the top.

  1. Check the list. Mr Okafor is the shopkeeper.
    Mr Okafor
  2. Write the answer. Mr Okafor.
    MR OKAFOR
  3. Write the answer.
    MR OKAFOR

Check. Mr Okafor. ✓

Worked example 9.4.2
What is the stage direction that tells us how Maya sighs?

Method. Look for words in brackets and italics.

  1. Find the direction. Maya says Yes, Dad, sighing quietly.
    sighing, quietly
  2. Write the answer. The stage direction is (sighing, quietly).
    (sighing, quietly)
  3. Write the answer.
    (sighing, quietly)

Check. (sighing, quietly). ✓

Worked example 9.4.3
Where does the scene take place?

Method. Find the setting description.

  1. Find the setting. The setting says a corner shop, late afternoon.
    a corner shop
  2. Write the answer. The scene is in a corner shop.
    a corner shop
  3. Write the answer.
    a corner shop

Check. A corner shop. ✓

Exercise 9D  Practice: play-script features

1
FWho says Have you got any sherbet lemons left?
2
FWho enters the shop at the start of the scene?
3
FWhat is the stage direction that tells us where the bell is?
4
FWhich character is eleven years old?
5
FWhat does Maya bring back in the last part of the scene?
6
PSWho says She is only tired, Tom.?
7
PSWhat does Tom do after Maya leaves?
8
PSWhat is the purpose of the words in brackets and italics, such as (sighing, quietly)?
9
PSWhy does Mr Okafor call Maya to fetch the bread?
10
RWhich line in the scene shows that Maya has been kind to Tom? Write the line.
11
RExplain how the stage direction (sighing, quietly) helps the reader understand Maya.
12
RWrite one stage direction of your own for Tom, and say what it tells the actor.

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