As some of of you who follow the blog may already know, my year 6's have been doing a lot of work on the modern age with that wonderful webquest in science
( http://zunal.com/webquest.php?w=227902)The Exlorers
In Spanish they have also been working on the same time period. (Good job because it came up in the Spanish SATS test they had a week ago)
Well as a way of finishing up we did a play called 1492 for the graduation ceremony.
I wanted to do short extracts so that both groups of year 6 ( 58 kids) could all participate.
Then the Spanish language teacher (Irene) came up with the great idea of incorporating and overlapping Spanish "Romances" from the 15th and 16th century into the play. I always include music in my plays so we also sang. Say a little prayer for you (versionhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T04w5jb9YxE)
and Happy from Pharrell Williams to finish off.
Irene also pointed out that most of my play is based on legends. BUT..............................As John Ford the great cinema Director always said "If the legend is better than the truth, always use the legend"
Each scene was intoduced in Spanish .
Romance recital
Abenamar
The play begins in
Granada 1492
Page 1
Emir Boabdil- I will be so
sorry to leave Al Andalus but we must go. We have lost the battle
against the Christians so we will return to Morocco to Fez. I tried
to get help from Egypt and Fez but no one came to help me drive out
Fernando and Isabel. I thought we were friends. I’ve been helping
them for years. But instead of giving me all the lands and treasures
they promised me they broke their word. I will have to leave my
beautiful palace the Alhambra and you know……….I believe all my
advisers are traitors and secretly working for Isabel and Fernando
Sultan’s servant 1. Oh yes
your highness it is a terrible shame that we must leave this
beautiful land where a squirrel can pass through the whole country
jumping from tree to tree……..Ahhh yes…….. But these
Christians will miss us when we go. We did bring them so much.
Sultans wife Yes since Tariq
ibn-Ziyad arrived 700 years ago we have brought this land everything
from pavements to walk on, to street lights at night and we made
public baths (more than 900 in Cordoba) so they could stop smelling
so bad.
Then we
taught them about the stars and the planets and also chemistry and
mathematics in our universities
Emir
Boabdil Yes
it’s true,and……….what about all the universities we built?
More that 17 in places like Almeria, Cordoba, Granada, Malaga,
Seville, and Toledo.
When we arrived not even the kings and queens knew how to read and
write, we taught them so much.
Servant
2
… and don’t forget
the great mosque in Cordoba it is one of the architectural wonders of
the world, did you know it has 1,000 columns of marble?
Boabdills
wife- But we will leave
behind our heritage too. That this country will enjoy in the future.
Things like oranges and lemons and dates from the palm trees and the
food that we taught them to prepare like paella and tasty delicious
alfajores and how to use spices like saffron.
Palace
Advisor……. I like to
think about all the public libraries that we built more than all the
rest of the world, and the thousands of books we have made.
Emir
Boabdills Well maybe in the
future people will remember the Moors were here and think that we
were not so bad. Let us go now.
Wait ,
let me take one last look at this beautiful place (BIG
SIGH)………………………..( He starts to cry)
Bobadilllas’
mother- Come here Boabdill
I'm going to cut off your beard. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh now my son, you weep
like a woman what you could not defend as a man.
Boabdil-
Mummmmmmmmmmmmm!!!
Everyone
sighs and waves and walks away.
Romance:
La
ultima guerra de Granada! Alhama
The
Royal Palace Fernando and Isabel talking
Page
2
Fernando-
Tanto Monta, Monta Tanto What is that terrible smell?
Isabel-
Tanto Monta, Monta Tanto. Oh
it’s only me. Do you remember I said I wouldn’t change my shirt
until the moors were out of Spain. Well It’s been quite a few
years wearing the same shirt and it’s beginning to smell very bad.
Fernando-
Oh yes it’s true but finally we have won the battle and Boabdil
and the Moors will be leaving Granada any day now. Long live the
Christians!! (All the guards shout long live the Christians, Viva
España)
Isabel-
I’ve been thinking…..Now that the Moors are leaving, don’t
you think it would be a good idea to get rid of the Jews as well?
Fernando-
What do you mean, like…….. just tell them to leave?
Court
advisor- Well your majesty
we owe the Jews so much money it would be fantastic if we could get
rid of them and the debt at the same time.
Isabel-
But wouldn’t they take all their money with them?
Court
advisor- Well we could
say that they can’t take any money or jewels with them and they
have to sell all their properties.
Fernando-
What a good idea! So they have to leave empty handed and we keep
all their money and get rid of all our debts with them.
Court
advisor. How long shall we
give them to leave the country, sir?
Isabel-
I think three months is fair? Don’t you? They can take household
things but not their animals or money. So that’s settled. Shall
we go to dinner?
Fernando-
Yes my dear. But please can you change your shirt tonight? You
smell really bad.
Court
advisor- One last thing
your majesties?
Fernando-
Yes what is it?
(Please ignore this part of the play if you're Catalan)
Court
advisor- Well there is
this insignificant very backward province near Navarra and France,
it’s called Cataluña if it’s your majesties pleasure we could
include it in your kingdom. Of course it is nothing like Aragon or
Castille but maybe we could make it part of the realm.
Fernado-
Well all right if you think that it’s worth it I hear the natives
there are a bit backward, with and don’t even speak our language
but we will accept them as part of the new Spain. Viva España!!
Romance:
Las tres cautivas
Royal
Place Colon arrives (Isabel
is talking to advisor’s and Fernando)
Page
3
Isabel-
I always liked this castle in Cordoba. It’s got such pretty views.
Fernando-
Yes dear it is rather lovely. The moors certainly know how to build
comfortable homes.
Torquemada-
There is a man to see you your majesty. He says his name is Colon,
or Colombo or Columbus or something like that. He’s very dark
skinned do you think he could be Jewish? He says he’s from Genova.
Should we call out the inquisition?
Isabel-
No, no Torquemada I’ll speak to him.
Colon-
Hello…….. your
majesty, my name is Cristobal Colon. I am here to make you a
wonderful offer and make Spain a very rich country.
Fernando-
Well we need money we
have none left after all these years of “reconquista” from the
Moors. What are you planning?
Colon-
Well for years I have
studied the oceans the currents and the sea. I have these old maps.
Here take a look ……………. These are from Roman times and
this map is from even before those times. I believe it is possible
to reach Asia by going across the Atlantic. I need money for ships
and provisions but just think of all the riches I could bring back.
Torrquemada-
What a crazy idea your
majesty it’s ridiculous. You will end up sailing off the planet.
Isabel-
How much would your voyage cost and what do you want in return?
Colon-
Well you could name me Admiral of the Oceans and Islands and give
me ten percent of everything I bring back.
Torrquemada.
- Ten percent but that is scandalous.
Colon
– But it is me who is risking his life is it not?? And maybe I’ll
sail off the planet as you say and never return.
Isabel-
Very well you will go and I will give you three ships. The Santa
Maria, The Pinta and The Niña and since we have no money to give you
I will sell my jewels to pay for the trip.
Page 4
Colon-
Your majesty is very Kind
Fernando-
Good luck Mr Colon or was it Columbus?
Colon-
Colon will be fine. I will leave on the second of August from the
Port of Palos
Fernando
- God’s speed and bring back lots of silk and spices from Asia.
Colon-
Yes I will and using the easterly wind currents to get there maybe in
a year or two we will all be rich.
Torrquemada
Don’t forget it is also
your duty to convert all the people you find, to Christianity by
whatever means you have. The holy inquisition will support all your
efforts.
Colon-
Yes don’t worry I will convert any natives that we find.
Goodbye.
Fernando
and Isabel- Good bye and
good luck.
Fernando-
Do you think that was wise Isabel? To give that fellow all your
jewels what if we never see him again? What if his ship sinks??
Isabel-
Maybe he will be lucky and bring us lots of treasure.
Fernando-
Keep dreaming Isabel it’s not going to happen:
Page
5
Natives
in Santa Domingo
Native
1 Oh this is terrible the
“conquistadores “ are here. They are terrifying have you seen
that they look like men but they have four legs and a strange head
that comes out between their legs called horses and they say that
they have crossed the sea. What magic is that??
Native
2 I feel more worried
about the dogs I think they are called mastiffs they like to eat us
natives alive.
Native
1- I noticed too that these
conquistadores have brought a lot of sickness from their world. Many
of our people are dying from this thing they call measles or
“sarampion” as they call it in their language. What can we do to
protect ourselves?
Native
2- Try these herbs maybe these will help.
Native
3- Have you heard that
they want us to give them a little pot of gold every three months and
some bails of cotton........ and if we don’t they say they will cut
off our hands. Do you think they would do it??
Native
4- I don’t know but just
in case I’m going to give them the gold and cotton.
Colon-
Hey you lot what are these strange vegetables that you have in this
basket?
Native
1- Oh Mr Colon, these red
ones are called tomatoes they are very tasty in a salad.
Native
2- These are potatoes and
we eat them roasted or fried maybe you could take some back with you
to Spain
Native
3- This is called
chocolate it is the most amazing thing you can eat. Try some!!
And sometimes you can make a drink with it.
Colon-
mmmmm yes it is delicious. Hey you natives! Get to work now
and bring me gold to take back to Spain to my King and Queen I am
admiral of the ocean and here I am your ruler. Don’t forget to
pray every morning to our lord.
Natives
Oh yes MR Colon Admiral
of the Ocean, we pray every day. Don’t we boys??
Colon-
Well make sure you do. It’s for your immortal souls or you’ll
have the inquisition after me.
(Sing I
say a little prayer for you)
Jews
in Toledo Monday morning March 1st
1492
Isaac-
Good morning Shalom Rabbi have you heard the news?
Rabbi-
No Isaac, what’s going on everyone looks panic struck?
Isaac-It’s
the Catholic Kings, Isabel and Fernando. They have made the
Alhambra Decree. It says all the Sephardic Jews have to leave
Spain or face death without trial.
Favel-
I don’t believe it. We have been paying our taxes for years and
they have let us live in peace. It can’t be true. First they put
us apart in the city and then they put the inquisition to watch us
and now this……………
Moses-
But what is going to happen to us where can we go? And
what’s
going to happen to our shops and businesses and our houses?
Isaac-
They say they will offer us Royal protection and security until the
deadline but, we will have to sell everything and probably they will
pay us very little. It says in the new law that we can’t take any
money, gold or silver with us only household goods.
Rachel-
So where will you go? Maybe Portugal.?
Rabbi-
How long have they given us to leave?
Rachel-
They have said we have to be out of Spain in three months or before
July they also say we can convert to Christianity but everyone seems
to prefer to leave their homes they are too scared to stay here…..
Rabbi-
… It’s not very long to get ready……...and what about all the
money we have lent them over the years? Will they pay us back?
Moses-
Of course not, don’t you see? That’s the whole reason for
sending us away. So they can cancel all their debts with us.
Rabbi-
I will……. I will go to talk to them, reason with them and
beg….. maybe we can reach an agreement ………and they will let
us stay.
Isaac-
I think they already made up their minds they say it is God’s
wish- not the kings.
Favel-
My family has lived in Toledo for 500 years. We are Spanish
Sepahardi Jews for centuries we have worked with silver to make
plates and beautiful ornaments and jewellery. I just can’t believe
this is happening to us.
Moses-
I am going to keep my key to my house maybe someday my children or
grandchildren will come back to their homes and be able to get into
their houses
Rachel-
Yes I think that a good idea then we can prove these houses were once
ours. Let’s keep the keys.
Rabbi-
All right everyone now we will go to the synagogue
to pray for guidance and decide where we will go next.
Colon
returns from Las Americas
Torquemada-
Your majesty Cristobal Colon has just arrived he would like to speak
with you.
Isabel-
Oh how exciting. Send him in immediately.
Colon-
Your majesty!!! I am delighted to be back in Spain and I have good
Yes we heard already that your trip has been a great success.
Colon-
Yes I first arrived in Portugal a few days ago and narrowly
escaped. I think the King of Portugal wanted to keep all our
treasure.
Fernando-
So what have you brought us?
Colon-
Many amazing things, gold and a new material they call cotton it’s
to make cloth and it’s much lighter than wool.
These
are the typical vegetables that the natives eat there. Tomatoes,
potatoes, chocolate and this is coffee a stimulating drink that keeps
you awake.
Isabel-
But where is my gold?
Colon.
I left it at my house because of course I have to divide it up and
take my part.
Isabel-
What do you mean take your part?
Colon.
- Well……mmmm don’t you remember we agreed on ten percent for
me and the rest for you?
Fernando-
I think you must be mistaken Mr Colon I don’t remember my wife
promising you anything. All I remember was my dear Isabel selling
her jewels to pay for your trip.
Colon-
But that is Not true you did indeed offer me the position of
Admiral of the Ocean and Islands and a small part of what I brought
back.
Torquemada-
How dare you call the Queen and king liars you are mistaken Mister
Colon and I bet you did not even convert any natives to the holy
church.
Colon-
I did this is unbelievable I can’t understand why this is
happening to me.
Torquemada-
Guards!!!!!!!!!!!!Take Mister Colon to jail.
Colon-
Hey stop , No this is not fair I did everything I promised.
Current
Day 2014 August
A
group of Israeli Tourists Visit Toledo
Isaac-
Hey Favel, look at this! It says on the map that this was the
Jewish quarter where our ancestors lived.
Favel-
Ohhhhhh YEAH? This is amazing, Rachel it looks like it hasn’t
changed in 500 years. Do you all have your keys?
Rachel-
Yes this one has been in my family for hundreds of years my
grandmother gave it to me when she heard I was coming to Spain on
holiday and she said to try to find the house our ancestors lived in.
Rabbi-
Do you really think the locks will be the same after so long?
Moses-
Well I don’t know but it’s fun to try.
Isaac-
What a wonderful holiday we
are having. Spain is such a fantastic place: The weather, the
culture and the food!!!! I would love to live here:
Favel-
What I love best is the architecture. I really enjoyed visiting
the Alhambra palace in Granada the other day. It seems incredible
that it is still there after so many years, it was so beautiful.
Moses
- I agree with you that the Arab buildings are spectacular but what I
loved the best up to now is the mosque in Cordoba all those columns
and marble I can imagine what it was like hundreds of years ago when
Boabdil lived there.
Rachel-
I must say I am really impressed with the food. I especially
enjoyed the paella that we ate yesterday in that lovely restaurant in
the town square. Didn’t the Moors bring this to Spain? Hey this
looks like an old door. Let’s try my Key!!!
Rabbi-
Ohhhh My God!!!! It works it really was your family house in
1492 Isn’t that incredible? After all these years and they
didn’t change the locks……………..Jejejej
Isaac-
Shall we knock on the door and go in and talk to the people who
live there???
Moses-
Actually I think I’m
going to the bar to try some of that sangria that I saw some people
drinking today it looks really tasty we can come back here later.
Favel- Good
idea but let’s take some photos of the door to send to your
grandmother in Israel.
SMILE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Shalommmm!!
(Sing Happy By Pharrell Williams)
