by Peter Griffith
Lena and Gavin are two 17-year-olds who meet on the beach in Brighton. She comes from a wealthy background – but he is penniless. She is German – and he is English.
On a trip to London they explore the sights of the big city...but what hope is there for their relationship?
Photos of 'Dreaming in English'
Season 19/20
Former productions
Extract from the script 'Dreaming in English'
| Joe: | Deckchairs. Deckchairs. Only two pounds. Deckchairs. Excuse me, miss. That will be two pounds please. |
| Lena: | Sorry? |
| Joe: | Your deckchair. Two pounds please. |
| Lena: | I am sorry. I don’t understand. |
| Joe: | Deck - chair - two - pounds. |
| Lena: | I don’t understand. |
| Joe: | Miss, you are sitting on a deck-chair. Deckchairs cost money. You must pay to sit on one of these deckchairs. You must give me money. Now. Please. Two pounds. |
| Lena: | Money? |
| Joe: | Yes, money. |
| Lena: | But I have no money. |
| Joe: | No money? Oh come on. They all say that. No money? Come on, give me two pounds. |
| Lena: | I don’t understand. |
| Gavin: | Excuse me, do you need help? |
| Lena: | Thank you. I don’t know what this man is saying. |
| Gavin: | Do you have a problem? |
| Joe: | This girl is sitting on one of my deckchairs. She must pay two pounds. |
| Gavin: | OK, this girl is a friend of mine. It’s not her deckchair. She’s looking after it for her grandmother. Her grandmother will pay. |
| Joe | Grandmother? |
| Gavin: | Look, her poor old grandmother is ninety-seven years old, and she can’t walk very well, and she has been using this beach since before you were born, so don’t you make such a fuss about a poor old lady... |
| Joe: | All right, I give up. But if you ever use one of these deckchairs again, you will have to pay two pounds. |
| Gavin: | Thank you. We understand. |
| Lena: | Yes. (Deckchair-Joe exits) |
| Joe: | Deckchairs. Two pounds a go. Deckchairs... |
| Lena: | Thank you. |
| Gavin: | That’s all right. |
| Lena: | Thanks you for your help. |
| Gavin: | No problem. Are you all right now? |