The play selected for you is: Sure Thing (1988) by contemporary writer David Ives. This an American play that contain vocabulary and expressions useful for your TOEFL and TOEIC studies.
From a series of short plays called All in the Timing, Ives' play is a one act romantic comedy. It is set in a café, and is a conversation between two characters called Bill and Betty.
Bill is trying, with difficulty, to pick up Betty. Each time he makes a faux pas a bell sounds, and time in the play is turned back to the moment before the blunder took place. The play continues just until he finally wins her over.
The humour in the play lies in being able to see how and why Bill fails to win Betty's favor. The reasons are never stated, but the spectator can readily deduce them and anticpate Bill's next strategy. The play is reminiscent of the film Groundhog Day (1993) that starred Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell.
Class Activities
Sure Thing
The first thing to do is to read the play. You should do this before coming to class. While you are reading, note down new expressions and vocabulary. Use the vocabulary list to help you if necessary.
The play has been divided into 11 scenes. You will work in groups of four, and the scenes will be divided among the class groups. Your task will be to rehearse your part and perform it before the class.
You will require at least one girl and boy per group who will play the roles of Betty and Bill. As for the other two, one will be responsible for ringing the bell and the other will be director.
In classes where there are a small number of girls we can do one of two things. Firstly, the male students can perform the role of Betty. Alternatively, the girls in the class will share the role of Betty, while the male students will share the role of Bill, bell ringer and director. For example, with only two girls in the class, the class can be divided into two groups. The first group will be responsible for the first 6 scenes, the other for the last 5. Each time Bill makes a faux pas, he is replaced by another male actor. The rapid fire changes of actors should add to the humour and give the impression that Betty is receiving a long line of suitors, each slightly better than the last.
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