End of year school play

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 1^st 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)