French II Class Skit: Murder Mystery
Each person will be a different character in a murder mystery that we will write and act out in French, using the passé composé.
When
T he year is 1791. After the French Revolution, France continues its headlong slide into a state of anarchy and terror. As the starving French people riot
openly in the blood-stained streets, leaders of the country's various rival factions continue to quarrel and fight in their attempts to seize outright control.
Meanwhile, following their desperate failed attempt to flee the country, the deeply unpopular King Louis 16th and his equally despised wife, Marie
Antoinette, have been taken to the Bastille fortress, where they are now being held under guard, ''for their own safety''.
In a brave attempt to inject a small degree of normality back into the royal couple's lives, Cardinal Richelieu decides to continue as planned, with the
Masked Ball he was intending to hold in honor of the King’s 40th birthday - but on a much smaller scale, with just the jail’s four current residents, and
each of their guests, in attendance.
However, with just an hour to go until the party begins, Richelieu is horrified to discover King's lifeless body lying slumped across his dressing room
table, having been poisoned with some form of deadly toxin!
Confusion soon replaces shock, however, when a second ‘living and breathing’ Louis then appears, identical to the first, and claims that he is the real
king, and that the corpse is obviously just a ridiculous imposter! A brief examination by the Cardinal reveals that the two men are identical in almost
every respect, and, he is therefore unable to tell them apart.
With the future of France at stake, Richelieu realizes he must enlist the help of all those attending the ball, if he is to catch his killer and unravel this
mystery, before news of the terrible events escapes, and a panic takes hold of the city!
Why
The Motives for Murder:
I n amongst the political plotting, passion and power struggles that surrounded King Louis we find a none too surprising array of motives for murder
amongst the assembled 'guests' ...all eventually rear their ugly heads in a night most will wish had never happened. Each guest should try to persuade
the others that they did not commit the dastardly crime, until the killer is finally revealed!
Who
King Louis XVI
The deeply unpopular King of France (if he is who he claims). He has almost bankrupted the country, and caused division and chaos throughout the
land.
Marie Antoinette
The much despised Queen of France. Her decadent and immoral ways have contributed hugely to the monarchy’s unpopularity.
Robespierre
An angry student campaigner and activist. His attempts to overthrow the monarchy and bring power to the people have also landed him in jail.
Charlotte Corday
A freedom fighter. Her striking good looks and rousing speeches have made her a figurehead of the revolutionary workers movement (at least while her
boyfriend Robespierre is in jail).
The Count of Monte Crisco
A recent arrival to Paris. His phenomenal wealth has opened doors to the highest levels of society, although almost nothing is known about him.
Louise de la Vallière
King Louis’ most stunning and long-standing mistress. She has served him well since catching his eye as a young milkmaid many years ago.
D’Artagnan
The youngest ever commander of the French Army. His rise from dashing young Musketeer to First Officer has been spectacular.
Milady de Winter
A devious and cunning diplomat. She was the king’s most deadly secret agent, until being jailed for treason.
Quasimodo
The hunchbacked head guard of the Bastille prison. Although he is almost completely deaf, he doesn’t miss much.
The class will be divided into two groups: each group will then choose their characters. I will secretly choose one person to be the murderer. Each player
(including the murderer) must come up with a short dialogue to interact with at least one other character of their choice, asking and answering questions.
In the dialogue, you will need to give a good alibi of why you could not have committed the crime. You will have to memorize the dialogues and act them
out in front of the class.
FRENCH II MURDER MYSTERY SKIT
Rubric
Points
4
Grammar &
spelling
93-100% correct
Content
Alibi / story
3
86-92% correct
Includes at least 2
questions, plus 6
sentences, total 8 all in past tense
Missing 1 element
Good explanation
that fits your
character, gives
enough details
2
77-85% correct
Missing 2 elements
Missing information
that would be helpful
to understand your
character
1
70-76% correct
Missing 3 elements
0
under 70%
correct
Missing 4 or more
elements
Missed a few words or
forgot where you were
briefly
Doesn’t make sense
or fit character at all
Final Draft:
Write it out double-spaced, one sentence per line
Number each sentence 1-8
Underneath each line, put in notes for pronunciation as needed
MEMORIZE IT!!!!
Memorization &
performance
Memorized dialogue
completely, rehearsed
well
Forgot entire lines, had
to keep looking at notes
Barely memorized –
had to read almost all
of it from notes
Not at all memorized
Performance
really tried acting it
out, spoke loudly
enough so we
could hear
acting didn’t really
match words or
rushed through
lines to get it over
with
spoke too quietly
or barely acted it
out
didn’t put much
effort into acting it
out
Not ready at all to
perform on time or
unwilling to
participate