(A Play)

A fun journey through English grammar

with Sunita Kripalani

Verbie Goes Bananas

Copyright 2012 by Sunita Kripalani sunita@writerforce.com Book & Cover Illustrations: Sancharee Saha Layout: Girish Jathar Cover Design: Shivananda Ackerman This play may not be used for commercial purposes, but may be staged in schools and colleges for educational purposes only. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. First published in 2012 by Writerforce Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Mumbai, India www.writerforce.com info@writerforce.com ISBN 978-81-90997-50-8

Printed at: Repro India Ltd., Mumbai

For my son Nikhil What is it that I have enjoyed more teaching you or learning from you?

C o n t en t s

Authors note.......................................................................................... 9 The Stage............................................................................................. 12 The Cast.............................................................................................. 14 Scene I - The newly-crowned King is cheered by his supporters. .......... 17 SONG: JAI HO!...................................................................................... 22 SONG: VERB IS KING!. .......................................................................... 24 SONG: RAJA NUMBER ONE................................................................... 26
SONG: THE ALPHABET SONG................................................................ 37 SONG: HUM TO PRONOUNS HAIN........................................................ 44

Scene II - The King needs a new address, a new vocative..................... 32

Scene III - The Pronoun Subjects visit the King.................................. 41

Scene IV - The Noun family visits the Royal Palace............................. 55 Scene V - The Adjectives visit the Royal Palace.................................... 64 SONG: THE HEADACHE SONG.............................................................. 79 Scene VI - The Conjunctions visit the King........................................ 83 Scene VII - The Prepositions pay a short visit.................................... 101 Scene VIII - The Clauses visit the Imperial Palace............................. 112 Scene IX - The Proverbs meet King Verb........................................... 117
SONG: YA-HOO! THE JUNGLEE ADVERBS............................................. 145 SONG: Ill DEPEND ON YOU................................................................ 152

Scene X - Enter the Adverbs, first cousins of King Verb..................... 133

About the Author................................................................................ 156

A u t h o r s n o t e

Verbie Goes Bananas started as an idea in my head when I used to explain English grammar and syntax to my school-going son and over time, it evolved into a play, and eventually a book. I would like children and teenagers, and their parents of course, to read this humorous and entertaining play and enjoy the grammar. Many jokes and fine nuances might be lost, or escape the spectators during the staging and dramatisation, which is the reason why I chose to present this as a book. About the play Verbie Goes Bananas is an easy to stage single act play, requiring no change in props or backdrop, neither is it vital to have an elaborate set or costumes. It explains a few basic concepts of English grammar humorously.
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Verbie Goes Bananas

It is of approximately 90 minute duration if enacted and has several songs set to popular tunes. The story Mr. Verb, the most important citizen of the Kingdom of the English Language has been crowned King. This new King would like to be addressed differently, not the same old boring Your Highness for him, so he runs a contest to see who comes up with the best vocative. Everyone chooses to address him differently, so he can select from over a hundred vocatives. Before finalising his Council of Ministers, the King decides to meet all the tribes and communities of his illustrious Kingdom. Various groups therefore take turns to come to meet him and introduce themselves, for instance the Noun family: Mr. and Mrs. Noun with their four lovely children - Common, Proper, Collective, and little Abstract. Each set of visitors has its own quirks and idiosyncrasies; some are disciplined and present themselves well, while
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Verbie Goes Bananas

others are noisy and disorganised. The King thus meets the diverse components of English grammar and mentally accepts or rejects them for his Advisory Council. In the ironic dnouement that unfolds, the King tells his assistant, the Adjutant, that he has changed his mind, and that he is no longer interested in screening more representatives of English grammar, because he is now engaged to be married to someone who will advise him on all matters grammatical thereafter. Verbie Goes Bananas has been a labour of love and I am sure you will enjoy reading this as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Sunita Kripalani

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The Stage
(A palace setting)

To the right, there is a large, ostentatious throne for the King, plus an ornate table with a jug of water, a glass, and a small bottle of pills. There is a huge double-digit calendar, prominently hung on the wall to indicate the passage of time.
1

From ancient Indian puppet theatre, Sutradhaar - the holder of strings

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Verbie Goes Bananas

To the left is the door, the exit. On the walls are several beautifully-framed oversized portraits of royal ancestors. At first glance, the largest portrait seems to be a mere portrait, but the figure within - a turbaned, moustachioed, robust old man with twinkling eyes - is very much alive, a living portrait of ancestral glory. This is the Sutradhaar1, reclining comfortably in his chair, holding a cane in hand. He looks around him with a lot of curiosity and spouts satirical comments every now and then (in the style of a lovable but critical old uncle). The Sutradhaar establishes direct rapport with the audience. On stage, the King and the other actors can neither see nor hear him. When the Sutradhaar talks, all other actors on stage freeze.... he evidently doesnt have a high opinion of the King, and never misses a chance to poke fun of him.

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Th e C a s t

The Sutradhaar King Verb The Adjutant2 12 Citizens: the Kings supporters. A Senior Citizen A Junior Citizen 21 Pronoun Subjects Mrs. Noun Mr. Noun 4 baby Nouns: Common, Proper, Collective and Abstract
2

Assistant, aide

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Verbie Goes Bananas

Demonstrative Adjective, Sr. 4 Demonstrative Adjectives: This, That, These & Those 7 Adjectives: Quality, Quantity, Number, Colour, Shape, Taste, & Nationality 4 Interrogative Adjectives 8 Possessive Adjectives: My, Your, His, Her, Its, Our, Your, Their 21 Conjunctions 11 Prepositions: In, On, From, By, To, Across, Above, Under, Behind, Of, With The Principal Clause 3 other Clauses: Adverbial, Adjective, and Noun A Senior Proverb 20 other Proverbs Several Adverbs: Quickly, Gladly, Beautifully, Slowly, Truly, Madly, etc... Ms. Martin, the Queen-to-be, in a cameo.

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Scene I

The newly-crowned King is cheered by his supporters

Monday morning, 10 am, The Royal Palace (the Kings court) The newly-crowned King is sitting on his brand new throne. A group of citizens is standing across the stage and cheering enthusiastically. The Kings Adjutant is waiting respectfully in the background. Sutradhaar: (in a tired voice) Oh, well, well! Look whos been crowned King now King of the Kingdom of the English Language!! Its Mr. Verb! Hmmn! (rubs his chin thoughtfully, then peers at the King) The throne looks good, and look at that tiara, how well it shines and twinkles! After all, it contains so many emeralds, rubies, sapphires, over 5,000 diamonds,
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