TITLE :  “Don´t be like that!”

RECOMMENDED AGE GROUP:  Level 2 – Upper Primary (years 4, 5 and 6)

CHARACTERS:  26 pupils

-          Alex, the main character.

-          John, the school caretaker.

-          Mrs. Bell (tutor teacher).

-          Mr. Kent (music teacher).

-          6 children (classmates).

-          10 children (football fellows).

-          6 children (dining room mates).

SYNOPSIS:

Alex is a brilliant student: he is good at school subjects and at sports, but he has a big problem he does not know how to solve: everybody says to him a horrible sentence when he does his best… “Don´t be like that!”

He really ignores the reason why people tell him that, so he decides to ask John (the caretaker) for help. His friend makes him to think about his mates´ feelings and Alex realizes he needs to change in order to keep friends and be happy.

CHARACTER OBJECTIVES:

-        Alex

He is a good boy, but he is arrogant when he achieves his objectives. This is the reason       his mates do not like him.

-        John

He is nice and talkative. He wants to help Alex to solve his problem making him to      think deeply about his attitude towards others.

-        Mrs. Bell

She is shy and cautious. She does not talk to him in private about his problem because she does not want to hurt him.

-        Mr. Kent

He is happy-go-lucky, always telling jokes and laughing. He does not think Alex has any problem.

-        Classmates

Boys and girls with different personalities, but something in common: they do not like Alex and all of them show it.

-    Football fellows

Boys and girls who play in a team and they do all together, as a group.

-       Dining room mates

Boys and girls talking in a relaxed way while they enjoy their meals and have fun together.

SCENE BREAKDOWN

Scene 1:  Alex´s house

Alex leaves his house happily in the morning. He wears the school bag.

(Music: “Happy” by  Pharrell Williams)

Scene 2:  The way to school

He is walking along the streets and he started to see his classmates, who look down on him. The school is near.

(We can hear children talking and playing)

Scene 3: In the school hall

It is ten to nine (there is a clock on the wall). Alex is at the photocopying room´s door.

(Music: classical music from the radio)

John is watering his plants. Mrs. Bell is taking some papers. She leaves the room.

Alex comes into the room and starts talking to John.

(We can hear the school bell)

Scene 4: In the classroom

Mrs. Bell asks a difficult question and Alex answers quickly without raising his hand.  His classmates look at him while they are waiting for their turn. Alex looks proud of himself.

(Music: classical music, in order to remember what John said to him in the photocopying room).

Alex looks down. He stares at his classmates with sorrow. He is thoughtful.

Scene 5: In the playground

Alex is playing with his football fellows and he scores a goal. He is joyful, but  he does not celebrate it with his mates. He starts jumping and running all around the football pitch.

His fellows look at him and they start talking about the situation.

(Music: classical music, in order to remember what John said to him in the photocopying room).

Alex looks down. He stares at his classmates with sorrow. He is thoughtful.

Scene 6: In the music classroom

Alex is playing the flute. Mr. Kent listens to him while he is nodding with a smile in his face.

When the music teacher shows his mark  (“A”), Alex stands up and starts clapping to himself.

His classmates look at him with their eyes open wide, while Mr. Kent claps to Alex and laugh loudly. Children can not believe what they are seeing.