10. THE TOWER: PLOT
The story takes place in Italy, around the year 1300. Il Signore, an eccentric man who thinks the
whole world revolves around him, is the ruler of Pisa, a small town by the river Arno.
Francesca, Il Signore’s assistant, invites everyone in Pisa to the inaugural ceremony of the newly
built Main Square statue. The statue was sculpted by Giovanni, a passionate local artist, who works
under the orders of Il Signore.
Just before the ceremony begins, Allegra arrives in Pisa. She is a young pastry chef who, after
finishing her studies in Paris, decides to reopen her grandmother’s restaurant: The Golden Egg.
After delivering a grandiloquent speech, Il Signore gives the order and the statue is revealed.
Allegra can’t hide her surprise and bursts into laughter when she sees that Il Signore has built a
statue of no other but himself.
Il Signore is insulted by Allegra’s reaction. For the first time, somebody is questioning his
decisions, and that is something he won’t tolerate. Furthermore, Allegra is in Pisa to stay. Il
Signore knows that her presence in town represents a threat to his hidden plans, so he starts
plotting against her.
Giovanni was proud of his statue, but now feels sad because he thinks Allegra was laughing at his
creation. Although she tries to explain her reasoning, it is difficult for him to understand. He had
lived all his life in Pisa under the rule of Il Signore, and never questioned his motives.
In order to regain control of the situation, Il Signore shocks the town with a new announcement:
he will build the highest tower in the world.
Giovanni is ordered to begin the construction immediately, and he is very excited with the
challenge. But Allegra knows Il Signore can’t be trusted, and she is determined to prove it.
Il Signore resorts to his shadiest scheme and, with Francesca, the plan to throw Allegra out of
Pisa takes shape. But Giovanni and Allegra have now become close, and although Giovanni is
hesitant to believe what lies beneath, he helps her in her quest.
Construction of the tower begins. The stakes are high but the heart of Pisa is ever inclined
towards the truth.
11. 1) WrIte an X In the correct column. JustIfy the false
sentences.
True False
1) The story takes place in Italy in 1300 AD
2) Il Signore is a simple person
3) Giovanni is a passionate foreign artist
4) Allegra is a pastry chief cook
5) Il Signore hasn’t built a statue of himself.
6) Il Signore’s speech isn’t extremely convincing.
7) Il Signore wants to get rid of Allegra.
8) Giovanni has ever questioned Il Signore’s intentions
9) Giovanni and Allegra have stuck up a friendship.
10) Pisa citizens aren’t in favour of discovering the real facts behinds
the tower.
2) comprehensIon questIons:
1) Where did the story take place? When?
2) Who was the ruler of Pisa? Describe him.
3) Who was Francesca? What did she do?
4) Who sculpted the statue? Describe him.
5) Who was Allegra? Why did she arrive in Pisa?
6) What was the name of her grandmother’s restaurant?
7) What was Allegra’s reaction after discovering the Main Square statue?
8) Where did Giovanni live?
9) Did Giovanni question Il Signore’s motives? Why?
10)Who will build the highest tower in the world? What for?
11) What did Il Signore and Francesca plan to do?
12. 12)Did Giovanni and Allegra get on well?
13)Did Giovanni help Allegra in her quest?
14)Why was the tower inclined?
14. I’ve seen the world, People: Il Signore!
I’ve seen the sky, Il Signore: This is…
And I’ve seen every color of the rainbow. People: Il Signore!
Now I’m back home. Il Signore: My town!
Here at last.
I have the feeling things are quickly changing.
People of Pisa:
Il Signore! Il Signore!
Il Signore! Il Signore!
Il Signore!
Il Signore:
Who cares about our town night and day?
Il Signore!
Who’s always ready to lend a hand?
Il Signore!
Here comes the man who saves your day,
A man that never ever lies.
A hand, a smile, a hug, your friend.
Please welcome:
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I am your favorite guy.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I’m always by your side.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: With so much charm and style.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: This is…
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: My Town!
Il Signore:
I don’t do all of this for fortune or fame,
My only reward is the smile on your face.
People on the streets are crazy for me,
Whenever I walk along they cry out my name.
Giovanni:
Both my hands are tired
After hours of working with no rest.
But something tells me
That my greatest work is waiting right ahead.
Allegra:
I’ve seen the world,
Giovanni:
Both my hands are tired
(…) (….)
Il Signore:
As you can see my dear friend
To help this town is what I pretend.
So don’t you worry about all I spend,
I’ll find a way to get it back
In the end!
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I am your favorite guy.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I’m always by your side.
People: Il Signore!
15. People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I am your
favorite guy.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I’m
always by your side.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: With so
much charm and
style.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: This is…
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: My town
(x 2)
!
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I am your
favorite guy.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I’m
always by your side.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: With so
much charm and
style.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: This is…
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: My town
(x 2)
!
Here comes the man
who saves your day,
A man that never ever
lies.
A hand, a smile, a
hug, your friend.
Please welcome:
Here comes the man
who saves your day,
A man that never ever
lies.
A hand, a smile, a
hug, your friend.
Please welcome:
Now I’m back
home.
Here at last.
I have the
feeling things
are quickly
changing.
Now I’m back
home.
Here at last.
I have the
feeling things
are quickly
changing.
Allegra:
I’ve seen the world,
I’ve seen the sky,
And I’ve seen every
color of the rainbow.
Allegra:
I’ve seen the world,
I’ve seen the sky,
And I’ve seen every
color of the rainbow.
Il Signore:
I don’t do all of this for
fortune or fame,
My only reward is the smile
on your face.
People on the streets are
crazy for me,
Whenever I walk along they
cry out my name.
Il Signore:
I don’t do all of this for
fortune or fame,
My only reward is the smile
on your face.
People on the streets are
crazy for me,
Whenever I walk along they
cry out my name.
People of Pisa:
Il Signore! Il Signore!
Il Signore! Il Signore!
Il Signore!
People of Pisa:
Il Signore! Il Signore!
Il Signore! Il Signore!
Il Signore!
Giovanni:
Both my hands are
tired
After hours of
working with no rest.
But something tells
me
That my greatest work
is waiting right ahead
Giovanni:
Both my hands are
tired
After hours of
working with no rest.
But something tells
me
That my greatest work
is waiting right ahead
Il Signore:
Who cares about
our town night and
day?
Il Signore!
Who’s always
ready to lend a
hand?
Il Signore!
Il Signore:
Who cares about
our town night and
day?
Il Signore!
Who’s always
ready to lend a
hand?
Il Signore!
Allegra: I’ve
seen the
world… (…)
Giovanni: both
my hands are
tired (…)
Allegra: I’ve
seen the
world… (…)
Giovanni: both
my hands are
tired (…)
Il Signore:
As you can see my dear
friend
To help this town is
what I pretend.
So don’t you worry
about all I spend, I’ll
find a way to get it back
in the end!
In the end!
Il Signore:
As you can see my dear
friend
To help this town is
what I pretend.
So don’t you worry
about all I spend, I’ll
find a way to get it back
in the end!
In the end!
1) Put the verses in the correct
order
16. 2) choose the correct oPtion
Allegra:
I’ve seen the 1) word/ world,
I’ve seen the 2) sky/skip,
And I’ve 3) seen/seem every color of the rainbow.
Now I’m 4) back/black home.
Here at last.
I have the 5) feeling/filling things are quickly changing.
People of Pisa:
Il Signore! Il Signore!
Il Signore! Il Signore!
Il Signore!
Il Signore:
Who 6) cares/dares about our town 7) night/knight and day?
Il Signore!
Who’s always ready to 8) lend/end a hand?
Il Signore!
Here comes the 9) man/men who saves your day,
A man that never ever 10) lies/lays.
A hand, a smile, 11) a hug/huge, your friend.
Please welcome:
People: Il Signore!
17. Il Signore: I am your favorite guy.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I’m always by your side.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: With so much charm and style.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: This is…
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: My Town!
3) Write the sentences in order
Il Signore:
__Whenever I walk along they cry out my name.
__People on the streets are crazy for me,
__I don’t do all of this for fortune or fame,
__My only reward is the smile on your face.
Giovanni:
__But something tells me
__That my greatest work is waiting right ahead.
__After hours of working with no rest.
__Both my hands are tired
4) Match
Allegra: Giovanni:
I’ve seen the world, Both my hands are tired
Il Signore:
1-As you can__
2-To help this__
3-So don’t you__
4-I’ll find a way __
a- town is what I pretend.
b- worry about all I spend,
c- see my dear friend
d- the end!
18. 5-In__ e- to get it back
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I am your favorite guy.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: I’m always by your side.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: With so much charm and style.
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: This is…
People: Il Signore!
Il Signore: My town
I WANT TO KNOW
All:
A thrilling idea appears
Right at the back of my mind.
How can this idea be turned
Into something my fingers can touch?
I want to know.
I want to know.
I want to know.
I want to know.
Giovanni:
I want to know.
I wonder how ideas are born inside my mind.
They feel like birds flying in the sky.
A flash of light shivers down my spine.
It wakes me up and my eyes begin to shine.
I feel alive. It makes me want to know…
All:
I want to know. I want to know.
I want to know how I can make it happen.
I wish I could see, I wish I could touch
All the ideas I’m having.
I want to know what hides behind
That wonderful moment when a spark
Lights up your mind.
19. Allegra:
I want to know.
I wonder how ideas are born inside my mind.
They feel like birds flying in the sky.
A flash of light shivers down my spine.
It wakes me up and my eyes begin to shine.
I feel alive. It makes me want to ask…
Where is the key
That opens the door
To all those places yet unknown?
Show me the way to get to distant shores!
Giovanni:
Where is the key
That opens the door
To all those places yet unknown?
Show me the way to get to distant shores!
All:
I want to know. I want to know.
I want to know how I can make it happen.
I wish I could see, I wish I could touch
All the ideas I’m having.
I want to know what hides behind
That wonderful moment when a spark
Lights up your mind.
I want to know.
1) in the
folloWing song,
soMe Words have
been rePlaced
by draWings. use
the Pictures as
a guide to Write
the correct
Words beside
theM. later on,
listen to the
song and check
your ansWers. (1-14)
20. 2) listen to the song again and coMPlete
the Missing Words. (a-f)
All:
A thrilling idea appears
Right at the back of a) ___ mind.
How can this idea be turned
Into something b) ___ fingers can touch?
I want to know.
Giovanni:
I want to know.
I wonder how ideas are born inside my 1) _______
They feel like birds flying in the 2) ______
A flash of 3) ______shivers down my 4) _______
It wakes me up and my 5) _____ begin to shine.
c) ___feel alive. It makes d) __ want to know…
All:
I want to know. I want to know.
I want to know how I can make it happen.
I wish I could see, I wish I could touch
All the ideas I’m having.
I want to know what hides behind
That wonderful moment when a spark
Lights up your mind.
Allegra:
I want to know.
I wonder how ideas are born inside my 6) _______
They feel like birds flying in the 7) ______
21. A flash of 8) _______shivers down my 9) _______
It wakes me up and my 10) _____ begin to shine.
I feel alive. It makes me want to ask…
Where is the 11) ______
That opens the 12) _____
To all those places yet unknown?
Show me the 13) ______to get to distant 14) _____!
Giovanni:
(bis)
All:
I want to know. I want to know.
I want to know how I e) ____ make it happen.
I wish I f) ___ see, I wish I g) _____ touch
All the ideas I’m having.
I want to know what hides h) _________
That wonderful moment when a spark
Lights i) ______ your mind.
I want to know.
22. HIGHER
All:
Higher. Higher!
Higher. Higher!
Higher. Higher!
Higher. Higher!
Giovanni:
Brick by brick, stone by stone.
From dawn to dusk, from dusk to dawn.
One more dream, one more step.
I’ll reach the sky, I will stand tall.
I see the day’s beginning.
I hear the singing birds.
I smell the air, I taste the rain
And feel the earth under my feet.
As the drops that fill an ocean
My hammer hits the rocks.
I will not rest, I will not stop
Until a brand new shape is formed.
Now that the journey’s starting
There is so much to live for.
I have laid strong foundations
That will make me reach...
Higher. Higher.
I’ll get higher. Higher.
I will not stop before I reach my goal.
Every single road I walk
And the bridges that I cross
Are the stepping stones
That will lead me to the top.
All:
Higher. Higher!
Higher. Higher!
Higher. Higher!
Higher. Higher!
Giovanni:
Brick by brick, stone by stone.
From dawn to dusk, from dusk to dawn.
Higher. Higher.
I’ll get higher. Higher.
I will not stop before I reach my goal.
Every single road I walk
And the bridges that I cross
Are the stepping stones
That will lead me to the top.
Are the stepping stones
That will lead me to the top.
Are the stepping stones
That will lead me to the top.
All:
23. Higher. Higher!
Higher. Higher!
Higher. Higher!
Higher. Higher!
1) Find the words in the song For these
pictures
______ ______ ______ ______
______ ______ ______ ______
24. the characters
Look at the character’s pictures. describe
them.
______ ______ ______ ______
Name: _____________
Age: ______________
Profession: _____________
Physical appearance: _____________
Personality: ____________
27. beFore watching the pLay
1. write an ending to the pLot. consider the
FoLLowing questions:
a) Did the tower fall down?
b) Did Allegra reopen her grandmother’s restaurant?
c) Was Allegra thrown out of Pisa?
d) Was Giovanni dismissed?
e) Did Il Signore continue as the ruler of Pisa?
aFter watching the pLay
2. compare your ending oF the pLot to the one
in the pLay. was it simiLar or diFFerent?
3. write a review oF the pLay
• Plan your review.
• Choose an appropriate title.
• Make sure you have at least 4 paragraphs. Use a new paragraph for each
point you want to make:
1. Introduction: say what you are reviewing / some background (include the
who, what, where, and when)
2. Production (scenery/costumes/acting)
3. Story/plot(include a plot description. Was the plot interesting? Boring?
Sad? Funny? Romantic? Cheesy? Unrealistic?)
4. Conclusion: (give your opinion. Say what you like and don't like about the
play and suggest some improvements)
28. Useful phrases:
What I liked
What I liked most was .....
The thing I liked most was ....
I was pleasantly surprised by .....
..... would appeal to .....
If you get a chance to ....
What I disliked
What I disliked most was .....
I was disappointed by ......
I was disappointed with .....
I was very disappointed by .....
I was very disappointed with ....