Climbing in the Dark

TreeTops Playscripts - Oxford Reading Tree

by Nick Warburton, Martin J. Cottam (Illustrator)

Treetops Playscripts are adaptations of popular stories from the Treetops series. All scripts are designed for classroom reading as well as staged performance, and can be performed by groups of as few as six actors. All the Playscripts are available either as single copies or in packs of six
copies. There are two plays available at every stage from Oxford Reading Tree Stage 10-14.

72 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 1996

About the author

Nick Warburton was born in 1947 and is married with one son. He gave up teaching in primary schools after ten years to try writing (also doing part-time work in libraries and selling on craft stalls). He writes children's books, radio, stage and television scripts, and in 1985 was joint winner of the BBC/Radio Times drama award for Conversations From the Engine Room.

Nick's play "Beast" won the Tinniswood Award; best play of 2005. See brief mention below and Tinniswood Award page.

Reviews

[Iker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was about a 12 year old girl that went to a job of housemaid and didn´t like the owner. Also about a boy called Will that his owner treated him bad and the kids met in the house. Finally, the girl knew her owner better and they all were friends. On the other side, the boy got a new job as shoe cleaner.
At the start, I did not like it because it was very sad. One of the things that were sad is that she was separated from her family for a job. At the end, it was better because Will had a new job and the housemaids became friends.

[Sharmin Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Climbing in the Dark is a fantastic book to read as a class when studying the Victorian era. Full of mystery and sorrow, the children can get a better understanding of what the poor children of the 1800’s went through each day. Ideal for year four and upwards, the children can carry out a number of Literacy tasks following the short story. For example, writing a persuasive letter to a Philanthropist regarding why Will, the main character should receive help and escape the inescapable poverty. Children can also incorporate drama, by acting out significant scenes, which would be extremely enjoyable and beneficial for their learning.

The story includes a wealthy family where a young girl is fed up of having to act like a ‘lady.’ She would much rather live the life of a poor child; be playful and mischievous. When Will and Tess begin working for the family, trouble commences. Will was sold to his owner; the cruel and vicious Mr Fry, by his own father. His attempt to set free from his owner’s clutch, with the help of Tess as well as the family’s ‘angelic’ child, takes the story through a roller-coaster.

Children can appreciate how times have changed and get a real sense of the danger faced by millions of vulnerable children. It is an excellent book to read independently and also as a topic book. Most children can attain a full understanding of the various messages that Warbuton has depicted. Last but not least, children will learn that the happy ending in Climbing in the Dark was extremely rare and unrealistic, which is where the true sorrow lies.

[Ryan · Rating 2 out of 5]

" My father sold me to Mr. Fry to go up the chimneys,"whispers poor Will. Tess is a maid. That's unusual. Can Tess find a way to save himself?

[Murthy · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was brilliant i loved it because it was sad and i love sad stories for some reason

[Ellie Morgan]

its great