i-drama

1. Comparison Between Cloud 9’s Script by Caryl
Churchill and Play Directed by Patrick Logan
Act I
Elvera Yuniarsih
13020114120007

2. Abstract
This paper is an analysis of a Cloud 9 by Caryl
Churchill. The purpose of this writing is to
understand the differencess between Cloud 9's script
and play. The writer uses theory of theme and close
reading and close viewing method. The writer finds
that there are some changes to the drama script by
Patrick Logan. To conclude, the changes made by
Patrick Logan do not diminish the essence of the
story, but add a dramatic impression that the
audience can be carried away by the atmosphere in
the story.
 Keywords: Cloud 9, Script, Play, Caryl Churchill,
Patrick Logan

3. Introduction
Cloud 9 is one of the most popular drama by
Caryl Churchill and was adopted into a stage play by
Patrick Logan. In the play, it tells about Clive and
Betty life and their marriage.

4. Theoretical Framework
Comparative Literature is the study of literature
and other cultural expressions across linguistic and
cultural boundaries. It is the history of international
literary relations. By studying comparative literature,
w have an opportunity to study texts from a range of
cultural contexts, historical periods, or literary
movements.

5. Biography of Caryl Churchill
Caryl Churchill was born on September 3, 1938,
in London, England. She worked with numerous
theater companies, including Joint Stock and
Monstrous Regiment, producing such works as
Cloud Nine, and A Mouthful of Birds, co-written with
David Lan.

6. Summary of Cloud 9
CLIVE is a colonial administrator. His wife
named BETTY. She has two kids named EDWARD
and VICTORIA. But she also have an affair with
HARRY, who is a closest friend of CLIVE. In the
other hand, ELLEN, a governess of her son, is falling
in love with BETTY. HARRY is not only have an
sexual desire for BETTY, but also for EDWARD and
JOSHUA. Later, CLIVE knows their affair and
BETTY is begging for his apologizes. At the end,
ELLEN and HARRY are forced to married because it
is the only way to stopped the sexual scandal that
happens among them but then CLIVE was killed by
JOSHUA, his black servant.

7. Discussion
Script :
JOSHUA comes with a drink for CLIVE.
Play :
JOSHUA comes with a drink and a chair for CLIVE.
Description:
In this scene, JOSHUA seems to bring a drink and a
chair for CLIVE while he talking to her wife. In the script,
it tells that JOSHUA only brings a drink, without a chair. I
think that the director wants to give a different kind of
action to JOSHUA’s character to make the scene seems
more alive and make sense.

8. Script :
ALL (sing). O’er countless numbers she, our Queen, Victoria reigns supreme;
O’er Afric’s sunny plains, and o’er Canadian frozen stream;
The forge of war shall weld the chains of brotherhood secure;
So to all time in ev’ry clime our Empire shall endure.
Then gather around for England,
Rally to the flag,
From North and South and East and West
Come on and all for England!
Play :
They just sing this part only.
Then gather around for England,
Rally to the flag,
From North and South and East and West
Come on and all for England!
Decription:
In this scene, all of the characters only sing the last part of the song. In my opinion, the
director wants to shorten the singing part because it was too long and takes more time in a stage
play. But it is not reduced the meaning of the song because they sing the main part of it.

9. Script :
JOSHUA, his black servant, played by a white.
Play :
JOSHUA was played by a black.
Description :
This is a first scene in a play when CLIVE was introduced
the member of his family and servants. In the script, JOSHUA
was supposed to be played by a white man. But in the play, his
character was played by a black man instead. In the story,
JOSHUA was actually CLIVE’s black servant, so in my
opinion, the director was decided to used a black man to
played JOSHUA’s character to deepen his character.

10. Script :
Low bright sun. Verandah. Flagpole with union jack. The family -
CLIVE, BETTY, EDWARD, VICTORIA, MAUD, ELLEN, JOSHUA.
There is no statement about CLIVE blowing flute before they started
to sing.
Play :
There is no Flagpole with union jack.
CLIVE blowing flute before they started to sing.
Description :
It seems that there is no flagpole in the beginning of this scene,
but the script described that there is a flagpole. The flagpole appears
at the end of the scene. And then, it seems that CLIVE blowing flute
before they started to sing. But in the script, there is no statement
about it. I think the director was trying to give a variety to this play, so
it can make the audience amused.

11. Script :
BETTY. He is rude to me. He doesn’t do what I say.
Speak to him.
Play:
BETTY. He doesn’t do what I say. He is rude to me.
Speak to him.
Description:
In this scene, BETTY tells CLIVE about JOSHUA’s bad
behaviour towards her. In my opinion, it seems that she does
not get a proper treatment from a man when CLIVE was gone.
The director also make a variety by switching the first
sentences in dialog on the script to the second sentences on
the play.

12. Script:
BETTY. He said Fetch it yourself. You’ve got legs
under that dress.
Play:
BETTY. He said Fetch it yourself. You’ve got legs
under that skirt.
Description:
In this scene, BETTY tells CLIVE about JOSHUA’s
bad behaviour towards her. In the script, the author used
the word “dress” while the director of the play was
choose to used the word “skirt”. I think the director wants
to give an improvisasion only, without changes the real
meaning of the “dress”.

13. Script :
BETTY. He certainly doesn’t admire me, Clive,
what a thing to say. How could I possibly guess from
that. ...
Play :
BETTY says, “What a thing to say. Of course he doesn’t
admire me, Clive.”
Description:
In this scene, BETTY feels shame about what is
CLIVE thinking about her. She is denied that HARRY
admire her because she does not want CLIVE to be
suspicious of her. The director also make a variety by
switching the first sentences in dialog on the script to the
second sentences on the play.

14. Script:
MAUD.You are looking very pretty tonight. You were such a
success as a young girl. You have made a most
fortunated marriage. I’m sure you will be an excellent
hostess to Mr Bagley.
BETTY. I feel quite nervous as the thought of
entertaining.

Description:
In this scene, BETTY seems nervous about her
meeting with HARRY. She feels uncomfortable when
MAUD is started to talk about him. I think that BETTY
feels insecure and try to pretended in front of her mother
because she wants to covered her affair with HARRY.

15. Script:
BETTY. What a long time they’re taking. I always
seem to be waiting for the men.
MAUD. Betty you have to learn to be patient. I am
patient. My mama was very
patient.
Description:
In this scene, BETTY seems impatient when she
is waiting for CLIVE and HARRY to come. Of course
she unable to resist her desire to meet HARRY but
she makes excuse to prevent suspicion from her
mother.

16. Script :
BETTY. Please like me.
HARRY. I worship you.
BETTY. Please want me.
HARRY. I don’t want to want you. Of course I want
you.
Description:
In this scene, it seems that BETTY is begging
for HARRY’s love. I think that HARRY likes BETTY
too, but he does not want to fell it anymore because
he realized that BETTY is CLIVE’s wife.

17. Conclusion
From the discussion, it can be conclude that a
few changes made by Patrick Logan towards the
script do not reduce the essence of the story.
Otherwise, it is add a dramatic impression, so the
audience can be carried away by the atmosphere in
the story and understand the story easily.

18. References
Caryl Lesley Churchill
(https://www.biography.com/people/caryl-lesley-
churchill 9248036 accessed on June, 7 2017)
Comparative Literature: Its Meaning and Scope
(https://muse.jhu.edu/article/550155/pdf accessed on
June, 7 2017)