Title of the playscript: From Stonehenge to Today
Author: Georgina Gimenez
Characters:
- Character 1
- Character 2
- Character 3
- Character 4
- Character 5
- Character 6
- Character 7
- Character 8
Stage: A high school classroom. There are desks, a whiteboard, and a large world map on the wall. The characters are teenagers, dressed casually, each holding various props such as a Stonehenge model, a crown, a globe, and other historical artifacts. They gather in the center of the room, ready to give a presentation about the history of the United Kingdom.
SINGLE ACT
Character 1:
(Standing in front of the classroom, holding a remote control to switch between slides on a projector)
Alright, everyone, welcome to our special history presentation! Today, we’re traveling through time to explore the history of the United Kingdom. Who wants to kick us off?
Character 2:
(Holding a Stonehenge model and stepping forward)
I’ll start! So, let’s go way back. I mean, really back—to around 3000 BC. Here’s Stonehenge, one of the most famous prehistoric monuments. It was built by the ancient Britons, and people still argue about its purpose. A giant calendar? A religious site?
Character 3:
(Leaning on a desk, smirking)
Maybe it was just a cool place for bonfires. Either way, Stonehenge is proof that ancient Britain was a place of mystery and big ideas.
Character 4:
(Picking up a Roman helmet from the teacher’s desk)
Jump forward to 43 AD, and here come the Romans! They brought straight roads, hot baths, and, of course, their armies. They even built Hadrian’s Wall up north to keep out the Picts.
Character 5:
(Pretending to hold a shield)
And once the Romans left, the Anglo-Saxons moved in. They set up kingdoms, brought their language, and laid down the roots of what we now call England.
Character 6:
(Walking to the whiteboard and drawing a crown)
1066 is a big one! William the Conqueror from Normandy crossed the English Channel and defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. It changed the country’s leadership and landscape—literally, with castles everywhere.
Character 7:
(Holding up a scroll and walking to the front)
After the Normans, England was all about kings, queens, and their power struggles. King John, for example, was forced to sign the Magna Carta in 1215. It was the first step towards limiting the king’s power and laid the groundwork for democracy.
Character 8:
(Holding a paper crown, laughing)
And then came Henry VIII, who had six wives! He broke away from the Catholic Church and started the Church of England just so he could get a divorce. Talk about making history!
Character 1:
(Pointing to a picture of Queen Elizabeth I on the projector)
And let’s not forget Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen. Under her reign, England defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588 and began its journey as a world explorer.
Character 2:
(With a pirate hat, grinning)
Arrr! Sir Francis Drake and the likes of him sailed the seas, bringing back gold, spices, and tales of far-off lands. England was building its empire.
Character 3:
(Pointing to a globe on a desk)
But back at home, things got complicated. The English Civil War erupted in the 17th century, with Parliament taking on King Charles I. Spoiler alert: he lost his head over it.
Character 4:
(Drawing a timeline on the whiteboard)
For a bit, England was a republic under Oliver Cromwell. But after his death, the monarchy was restored. Then came the Glorious Revolution in 1688, which gave Parliament more power than ever.
Character 5:
(Holding a small steam engine model)
The 18th and 19th centuries were the Industrial Revolution. The UK became the world’s workshop with factories, steam engines, and railways connecting the country.
Character 6:
(Holding up a picture of Queen Victoria)
Enter Queen Victoria, the second-longest reigning monarch until recently. Under her, the British Empire expanded to cover a quarter of the globe. The sun never set on the British Empire, they said.
Character 7:
(Holding a black-and-white photo of soldiers)
The 20th century brought two World Wars. The UK stood strong, especially during WWII. Remember the Blitz? London was bombed night after night, but the British spirit never wavered.
Character 8:
(Holding up a mobile phone)
And now, here we are today. The UK is modern, diverse, and still making its mark on the world. From Brexit to the digital age, the story keeps evolving.
Character 1:
(Smiling and facing the group)
So that’s the history of the UK, packed with battles, discoveries, and changes.
Character 2:
(Nodding enthusiastically)
From ancient stones to modern phones, we’ve come a long way!
Character 3:
(Looking at the audience)
And remember, history isn’t just about the past. It’s about where we’re going next.
All Characters (together):
(Turning to the audience, raising their hands in enthusiasm)
The UK’s history is our history, and the best part is, we’re all part of it!
(The scene ends with the characters high-fiving and chatting excitedly, a sense of accomplishment in the air.)
THE END