DUOLOGUES

BIRTHDAY PRESENT

by Philip Jamieson

Suitable for Initial

Stage directions

Nik and Sam are friends. Sam is already sitting on a chair at a table and reading a book when Nik enters singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and carrying a present for Sam.

Excerpt

Nik

Happy birthday, Sam. Here’s your present.

Sam

(Surprised, Sam puts down the book) Oh, thank you! You really shouldn’t have.

Nik

I hope you like it. It’s a surprise.

Sam

Great. I love surprises. It’s beautifully wrapped.

Nik

I know. The shop assistant wrapped it for me. I bet you can’t guess what it is.

Sam

I haven’t got a clue. (Starts to unwrap the present)

Hints & tips

  • This duologue is ideal for Initial exams – but can also be used at other levels.
  • The characters Nik and Sam can be male or female.
  • You will also need a table and chair on stage, and a book.
  • You will need a wrapped up birthday present as a prop and which will need to be unwrapped as part of the story
  • You could have some real earrings inside – or they could be imaginary.