Resource 1: Reader's Guide: The Diamond of Drury Lane
Resource 1: Reader's Guide: The Diamond of Drury Lane
The Diamond of Drury Lane: Reader's Guide
About this book…
Prepare to be transported back to London, 1790. Your guide, Cat Royal, a foundling who lives
backstage at Drury Lane Theatre, will take you in to her world of dukes and
divas, boxers and baddies, diamonds and danger.
The adventure begins when Cat over hears her guardian, Mr
Sheridan, discussing the hiding of a diamond within the theatre to keep it safe
from his enemies. Caught eavesdropping, Cat
promises to defend it without knowing exactly where he has concealed it. She soon finds out that many people are after
the jewel and she will have her work cut out for her. Cat has to decide who she can trust to side
with her on her mission. Violin virtuoso Pedro, a young African who was once a
slave, seems trustworthy—but is he? Lord Francis and Lady Elizabeth appear
pleasant new friends, but are they too much above her to be relied on? And what about their noble father, who wants
to keep Cat far away from his posh household.
A new face at the theatre, Mr Johnny Smith, is an ally, but he has his
own problems being on the run from the law.
And worst of all, local gang leader, Billy Shepherd, is out to impress
Cat, but once rumour of riches reach him, he is hot on the scent and will cut
anyone down who gets in his way.
But all is not what it seems. The diamond has a hidden facet that brings
peril rather than plenty to those that try to protect it.
Questions for discussion
1. The
theatre lies at the heart in the book with many scenes both on and off stage. Cat clearly is in love with it as she even
writes her book like a five act play. What
surprised you about the differences between modern theatre and that of Cat’s
world? Would you like to live backstage like Cat?
2. Cat
has a great many friends from all walks of life, something only made possible in
1790 by the boundary-crossing nature of Drury Lane. Most people in her time had a very strong
sense of their place in the world, thinking those of lower classes were their
inferiors. What did you think about the different
characters’ prejudices against those from other classes and races, for example
the Duke of Avon? Who do you think had
the most enlightened views?
3. Revolutionary
thought is a key theme in the book. Johnny
in particular has been inspired by the American and French revolutions to take
a stand against the government of the day.
Considering his privileged background, do you think he is right to act
as he does, running foul of the law, or is Cat correct to think that some of
his more extreme ideas about setting up an ideal community in the USA are ‘a
load of moonshine’?
4. I
wrote the book partly as an antidote to the Jane Austen adaptations we see on
TV which makes Georgian England look very tidy and pretty (I hasten to say JA
is my favourite writer!). I wanted to show the underbelly of this period. That’s why I included the gangs and slums so
you see the grittier side to living then.
Were you surprised at how close rich and poor lived in those days, not a
mile apart but each in their own bubbles of luxury or squalor? And did you spot the ‘guest appearance’ of a
young Jane Austen at one point?
5. Boxing
was the football of Georgian England, giving poor boys a chance to earn fame
and fortune in the ring. Syd is on the
first rungs of this ladder. But it is
also a vicious sport, without gloves or modern rules. Would you have liked to have gone to see a
fight or would you have been watching through your fingers like Cat? Do you think Syd is on to a good thing or
should steer well clear?
6. I
researched the book in depth, even going to the extent of looking at the
payroll of the real Drury Lane at that time and borrowing some of the
names. I find writing historical fiction
similar to fantasy – once you know enough you can step through the wardrobe, as
in C.S. Lewis’ Narnia, and enter a new world.
Did you feel that enough detail was given to allow you to experience
Georgian London with all your senses?
7. Cat
provides the reader with a glossary. Did
you have a favourite Georgian phrase? Do
you think we should start using any of these obsolete words again?
8. The
balloon pantomime is a real play written by Cat’s contemporary, Elizabeth
Inchbald, who both wrote and acted. It was very hard for women to make a living
independent of a male guardian in the 1790s. Were you surprised by the
attitudes characters such as Lizzie and Cat had to their prospects? If you were/are a woman, would you have liked
to live then?
Want to take explore Cat’s
World further?
- Why
not look up the pictures of cartoonists such as Gillray and Rowlandson and
compare them to cartoonists working today
- Follow
up the lives of the great actors, Mrs Siddons and Mr Kemble – the Helen Mirren
and Johnny Depp of their day. You could
even imagine a celeb style interview with them.
- Visit
‘Backstage with Cat’ on my website for a video interview with Mr Sheridan
- Write
your own pantomime for Cat and friends to perform
- And
if you are feeling very inspired: make a puppet theatre, with all your
favourite characters in the leading roles (you can find lots of paintings of Georgian
people on line if you look!)
But please, whatever you
think of my questions and suggestions, enjoy the book!
Julia Golding