Литературный вечер Чарльз Диккенс и его Оливер Твист

Сценарий литературного вечера, посвященного творчеству Чарльза Диккенса

The 1^st actor:Hi, …!

The 2^nd actor: Hello, …! Where have you been?

The 1^st actor: I've been to the library. I took a book from the library last week and returned the book today.

The 2^nd actor: What book is it?

The 1^st actor: It's called " Oliver Twist"

The 2^nd actor: Oh, I know it. The book is very interesting. I've read it. I enjoyed it greatly. The author of the book is Charles Dickens. I like his books very much. He wrote stories and novels for children and grown up readers.

The 1^st actor: How interesting it is! Can you tell me anything more about Dickens and his life?

The 2^nd actor: Of course, I can. Well, I think my friends will help me to do it if you like.

The 3^rd actor e: Good evening, dear boys and girls! We are glad to meet you at our English party.

The 4^th actor: Our school party is devoted to Charles Dickens, a famous English writer.

The 3^rd actor: Some of his books are very popular with the children in our country, in other countries of the world and in Great Britain, of course.

The 4^th actor: What books are these? Do you know? "Oliver Twist", "A Christmas Carol", "David Copperfield". These books are great favourites not only with the boys and girls all over the world but also with grown up readers.

The 3^rd actor: Now I think it's high time to start speaking about the author of these books.

The 1st actor: Charles Dickens was a famous English writer. He was born in 1812 in the town of Portsmouth, Hampshire. He was a son of a naval pay clerk. When he was 5, the family moved to Kent. When he was 10, the family relocated to Camden Town in London.

The 2nd actor: His early years were an idyllic time. He thought himself then as a "very small and not-over-particularly-taken-care-of-boy". His family was well-off and he received some education at a private school.

The 1st actor: But all that changed when his father, after spending too much money entertaining and retaining his social position, was imprisoned for debt. Later Mrs. Dickens and the younger children went to the prison, too, to join their father. At the age of 12 Dickens had to begin to work and began working for 10 hours a day in Warren's boot-blacking factory. He spent his time pasting labels on the jars of thick polish and earned 6 shillings a week. With this money he had to support his family.

The 2nd actor: The financial situation of his family improved a few months later, partly due to money inherited from his father's family.

The 1st actor: In May 1827 Dickens began to work as a law clerk. He didn't like the law as a profession and after a short time he became a journalist. In 1834 he was taken on the staff of a newspaper «The Morning Chronicle». In his early twenties he made a name for himself with his first novel "The Pickwick Papers"

The 3^rd actor: The story was rather strange. A firm of publishers, «Chapman and Hall», had a number of pictures by a humorous artist, Seymor. They wanted to get some short articles to illustrate them and to publish in a magazine in fortnightly parts. Someone suggested that the young newspaper reporter, Charles Dickens, could do the job.

The 4^th actor: It was a job after his own heart, and Dickens accepted the offer. He only asked for more freedom in writing than had been planned. The publishers agreed - and so Pickwick Papers came into being. For the first fortnightly part of the book the publishers printed 400 copies. But such was its popularity that for Part 15 more than 40,000 copies had to be printed.

The 2nd actor: On the 2^nd of April 1836 he married Catherine Thompson Hogarth, with whom he had 10 children and set up home in Bloomsbury. In the same year he accepted the job of editor. In 1842 he travelled together with his wife to the USA.

The 1st actor: Dickens' writings were extremely popular and they were read extensively. His talent was quickly recognized and his true genius was appreciated and proclaimed.

The 2nd actor: He is still one of the best known and most read of English authors. At least 180 movies and TV adaptations based on Dickens' works help confirm his success. Many of his works were adapted for the stage during his own lifetime. His characters were often so memorable that they took on a life of their own outside his books. It is likely that "Oliver Twist" is his best-known story.

The 3^rd actor^: This is a story about a boy, who was born in a workhouse in a small town about 70 miles from London, England in the early part of the 19th century. His mother died almost immediately after his birth. Nobody knows who she was. Oliver is brought up at a "child farm" in the country until he is about eight years old. At this point, the parish officials running the child farm decided it was time for him to start working, and they sent him back to the workhouse.

The 4^th actor: Once he asked for more food because he was close to starving and was punished. Oliver decided to set out for London on foot. On his way he met Dodger who brought him to a gang of pickpockets. Luckily Oliver came across an old gentleman, Mr. Brownlow, who helped him to escape from the gang and know the true story of his family .

The 1^stactor: Now we are welcome a group of students who are going to act out some scenes from the book.

Oliver Twist

Part 1

Storyteller: Oliver Twist was born in the workhouse. His mother died minutes afterwards, and Oliver was taken to the local children's home. On his ninth birthday he was sent back to the workhouse. No one could help Oliver so he went to London.

Oliver sat down in a door way and rested. A boy walked past, then came back and said

Dodger: Hello. What are you doing?

Oliver Twist: I'm resting. I'm going to London.

Dodger: Have you anywhere to stay in London?

Oliver Twist: No.

Dodger: Money?

Oliver Twist: No. Do you live in London?

Dodger: Yes, I do when I'm at home. I know an old gentleman who lives in London. He'll help you. My name is Jack Dawkins but I'm known as "The Artful Dodger."

They came into a room. There was a table, and on it there was a candle, a loaf, some butter, and a plate. Around the table sat 4 or 5 boys. An old man with red hair was cooking sausages.

Dodger: Fagin, this is my friend Oliver Twist.

Fagin took Oliver by his hand. One young gentleman took off his cap for him, and another emptied Oliver's pockets.

Fagin: We are very, very glad to see you, Oliver. Dodger, bring a chair for Oliver.

Part 2

One morning Oliver went out with Dodger and Charlie. Walking between them down the street, Oliver wondered where they were going. They stopped suddenly.

Dodger: Do you see that old man by the bookshop?

Oliver Twist: Across the road? Yes, I see him.

Dodger: He'll do.

The old man picked up a book. At the moment Dodger put his hand into the old gentleman's pocket and took out a handkerchief. Dodger gave the handkerchief to Charlie and they both ran away. Oliver was afraid and ran off. But at the moment the old gentleman missed the handkerchief. He saw the boy running and shouted: "Stop thief!"Oliver fell down on the ground.

Old gentleman(Mr. Brownlow): Poor fellow. He's hurt himself.

Oliver Twist: It wasn't me. It was two other boys.

Old gentleman(Mr. Brownlow): Poor boy. I'm Mr.Brownlow. Come with me.

Part 3

Oliver went into a room full of books.

Mr. Brownlow: There are a good many books here, aren't there?

Oliver Twist: A great number, sir. I never saw so many.

Mr. Brownlow: You may read them if you behave well. Now I want you to listen very carefully to what I have to say.

Oliver Twist: Oh, don't tell me that you are going to send me away, sir. Don't send me back to the horrible place I came from. Have mercy on me, sir.

Mr. Brownlow: My dear child. There is no need to worry. I shall not send you away unless you do wrong.

Oliver Twist: I never will, sir.

Mr. Brownlow: I hope not. I do not think that you ever will.

Mrs. Bedwin: Mr.Grimwig, sir.

Mr.Grimwig entered the room. He looked at Oliver ad said.

Mr.Grimwig: Who is this?

Mr. Brownlow: This is young Oliver Twist about whom we were speaking.

Mr.Grimwig: How are you, boy?

Oliver Twist: Much better now, thank you, sir.

Mr. Brownlow: Mrs. Bedwin, we are ready for tea.

Mr.Grimwig: And when are you going to hear the full story of Oliver Twist's life and adventures?

Mr. Brownlow: Tomorrow morning. Come up to me tomorrow at 10 o'clock.(to Oliver)

Oliver Twist: Yes, sir.(wondering why Mr.Grimwig was looking so hard at him)

Mr.Grimwig: I tell you one thing (whispered to Mr. Brownlow) , he won't come up tomorrow morning. He's not telling the truth.

Mr. Brownlow: I'm sure he is.

Mr.Grimwig: We shall see.

A boy: A parcel of books for Mr. Brownlow.

Mr. Brownlow: Stop the boy, Mrs. Bedwin. There are some books to be taken back.

Mrs. Bedwin:He has gone, sir.

Mr. Brownlow: That's a pity!

Mr.Grimwig: Send Oliver with them. He will be sure to deliver them safely, you know.

Oliver Twist: Yes, do let me take them, if you please, sir. I'll run all the way.

Mr. Brownlow: You shall go, my dear. You will say that you have brought those books back. Here is a five-pound note.

Oliver Twist: I won't be ten minutes, sir.

With the banknote in his pocket and the books under his arm, he left the room.

Mrs. Bedwin: Poor little boy. I don't like to let him out of my sight.

Mr. Brownlow: Let me see: he'll be back in twenty minutes at the most (pulling out his watch and placing it on the table).

Mr.Grimwig: Oh, you really think that he will come back, do you?

Mr. Brownlow: Don't you?

Mr.Grimwig: No, I do not. The boy has a new suit of clothes, a five-pound note, and a valuable set of books. If ever that boy returns to this house, I'll eat my hat.

The two men sat in silence with the watch on the table between them. It grew so dark that they couldn't see the hands on the watch. However they continued to sit there in silence with the watch between them.

Part 4

Meanwhile Oliver was on his way to the bookseller's. Suddenly he heard a young woman shouting.

Nancy: Oh, my dear brother!

He looked up to see what was the matter and then somebody threw their arms around his neck.

Oliver Twist: Don't! Let me go! Who is it? What are you stopping me for?

Nancy: Oh, dear! I've found him! Oh, Oliver, Oliver! How I have suffered. Where have you been? Come home, dear! Oh, I've found him! Thank goodness I've found him!

Oliver Twist: Why, it's Nancy! (surprised to see her)

Nancy: You see, he knows me! (said Nancy to the crowd that gathered) Make him come home, there's good people, or he'll kill his dear mother and father, and break my heart!

Sikes: What the devil's this? Young Oliver! Come home to your poor mother! Come home directly!

Oliver Twist: I don't belong to them. I don't know them. Help! Help! (but the man held him tight)

Sikes: Help! Yes, I'll help you. What are these? You've been stealing them, have you?

Take hold of Nancy's hand. Do you hear?(as Oliver looked round for help)

He held out his hand to Nancy and she held it tightly in hers. Sikes took the other hand.

Part 5

At last they came to a dirty narrow street full of old clothes shops and stopped in front of a shop that was closed. They opened the door of an earthy-smelling room and were received with a shout of laughter.

Charlie: Oh look, here he is! Oh, Fagin, look at him! Fagin do look at him! What a funny sight!

Charlie the lay on the floor and laughed and laughed. Meanwhile, Dodger emptied Oliver's pockets.

Charlie: Look at his clothes, Fagin. Just look at his clothes, Fagin, and the books, too. A real gentleman, Fagin!

Fagin: Delighted to see you looking so well, my dear. Dodger will give you another suit. You must not wear your Sunday best. Why didn't you write and say you were coming? We'd have got something warm for supper.

At that moment Dodger took out the five-pound note and the books.

Sikes: What's that?

Oliver Twist: They belong to the good kind old gentleman. He took me into his house. Oh please send the books and the money back. He'll think I stole them. The old lady and all of them were so kind to me.

They too will think I stole them. Oh do have mercy upon me, and send them back.

Fagin: The boy's right. You're right, Oliver. They'll think you've stolen them. Ha,ha! It couldn't have been better if we had planned it ourselves.

Oliver jumped suddenly and ran out of the room, crying for help. But he was caught by the two boys.

Fagin: So you wanted to get away. Wanted to get help. We'll soon stop that, young man.

Fagin then hit Oliver with a heavy piece of wood.He was just going to hit him again when Nancy rushed forward, took the weapon from him, and threw it on the fire.

Nancy: I won't stand by and watch you beat Oliver. You've got the boy; what more do you want? Leave him alone.

Sikes: What do you mean by this? Don't you know who you are and what you are?

Nancy: Oh yes I know only too well. I stole for you when I was half as old as Oliver. I've done it for twelve years and you know it.

Fagin: Well, well. It's your living, isn't it?

Nancy: Yes, it is. It's my living, and the cold wet dirty streets are my home. You are the devil that drove me to them long ago. And you'll keep me there, day and night, night and day, till I die.

Fagin; I shall hurt you if you say any more.

The girl said no more. She attacked Fagin and would have wounded him if Sikes had not stopped her.

Fagin: That's the worst of women. But they are clever. We can't do without them in our line. Charlie, show Oliver to bed.

Part 6

The 1^st Thank you for your attention. And now we are going to continue our talk about the author.

The 2nd: Writing didn't bring much money to Charles Dickens, so he had to give lectures on literature and read his stories to the public. Dickens was an excellent lecturer. He combined a vivid manner of narrating with a healthy sense of humour. Sometimes he worked until he was totally exhausted.

The effort and passion he put into these readings is also thought to have contributed to his death. In 1869 Dickens accepted the Presidency of the Birmingham and Midland Institute and became its 16^th President.

The 3rd compere: On the 9^th of June 1870 he died after suffering a stroke and was buried in the Poets' Corner of Westminster Abbey. The inscription on his tomb reads: "He was a sympathizer to the poor, the suffering and the oppressed; and by his death, one of England's greatest writers is lost to the world".

The 4^th compere: Charles Dickens wrote many novels and stories. I advise you to read "The Pickwick Papers", "Great Expectations", "David Copperfield", "Oliver Twist", "A Tale of Two Cities" and other novels.

The 1^st: That's all about Charles Dickens' biography. Let's see what you have remembered. We are going to ask you some questions. Please try to answer them.

1. Charles Dickens was an… novelist.

• Australian

• English

• American

• Austrian

(Charles Dickens was an English novelist).

2. His first work was at the…

• Telephone company

• sewing factory

• boot-blacking factory

• aircraft plant

(He worked for the boot-blacking factory).

3. The most favourite book of Charles Dickens was …

• Little Dorrit

• The Pickwick Papers

• The Adventures of Oliver Twist

• David Copperfield

(The most favourite book of Charles Dickens was David Copperfield).

4. Charles Dickens was a …

• Talented lecturer

• Popular journalist

• Father of 12 children

(Charles Dickens was a talented lecturer).

5. Dickens and his wife had … children.

-5

-7

-10

-12

(They had 10 children).

6. He wrote Oliver Twist in…

• 1853

• 1838

• 1871

• 1835

(He wrote this book in 1838).

7. … changed life of Oliver Twist for the better.

• Dodger

• Sikes

• Nancy

• Mr. Brownlow

(Mr. Brownlow changed life of Oliver Twist for the better).

8. Charles Dickens was buried in …

• St. Paul's Cathedral

• Westminster Abbey

• The Tower of London

• Rochester Cathedral.

( He was buried in Rochester Cathedral).

The 2nd compere: We've told quite a lot about Charles Dickens today. I think all the children enjoyed the party and had a good time here. Thank you. Good-bye!

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