WELCOME TO
THE DA VINCI CODE –
POST-SHOW
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TAKE A BOW
Now that you've seen the show, let's unpack.
Evaluating works of art can be challenging. Let's walk through some guided questions and activities to round out your experience.
1. ON THE BUS
Here are some questions that you can use to guide conversation on the way back to school:
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Is there an antagonist? Who is it? Why? (Is there more than one?)
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What was your favorite part of the story?
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Which technical element most stuck out to you and why?
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This show utilizes an ensemble. What do you think the purpose of the ensemble is and how did it enhance or take away from the production for you?
Want to continue the puzzle-cracking? Here are some more riddles to keep you thinking!
Click the icon next to each riddle to reveal the answer!
Paris was once considered the "prime meridian" of the world.
Invert the sixth letter of the city to which it eventually lost that honor.
A merchant came to Milan to sell his collection of precious gemstones. In the morning he sold a third of his gems, in the afternoon he sold half of his remaining stock, and in the evening just as he was preparing to leave, a nobleman purchased his three remaining stones. How many gemstones did the merchant bring to Milan?
One morning a household guard, who was given to strange, portentous visions, came before Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan and recounted a terrible dream he’d had in the night: “I saw a mighty serpent making its way gracefully through the tilled earth beside a field of lilies. Suddenly a peasant rushed from the field and decapitated the serpent with a great axe.” A gasp went up from the court. The symbols were unmistakable- the serpent was the heraldry of Milan, the Fleur-de-Lys (lily) of the hated French. “It can only mean that the tyrant Louis is plotting against Your Grace,” murmured Sforza’s advisors. The Duke thanked the soldier for sharing his prophecy, then ordered that he be taken out and executed. Can you explain the Duke’s harsh sentence?
(Hint 1: It wasn’t for witchcraft or treason)
(Hint 2: Have students ask yes or no questions to help narrow down their thoughts)
2. CLASSROOM ACTIVITY
EXPLORING THEMES
Guide a classroom discussion on the themes of The Da Vinci Code, some of which are listed below. Then, use the attached lesson plan to explore some claims made in the story.
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Fact versus Fiction:
There are a lot of things in the story that were made up by Dan Brown (the author of the book). What responsibility (if any) do creatives have in ensuring their audience knows the difference between real and imagined?
As you watch(ed) the play, what pieces can you identify as possibly being fictional?
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Self Interest versus Collective Good:
Several characters profess to be acting for a larger organization or a higher power. Are they really? Or do they just want something selfishly? Is it best to act in your own interests or should you think of what is best for society?
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Secrets and Power:
The DaVinci Code explores the power that secrets can give people- how do you feel about people who use secrets for their own advantage? How do secrets and power intertwine in the play?
4. NEED MORE?
PUZZLES, RIDDLES, AND RESOURCES!
If you didn’t get enough, here are some links to more puzzles, riddles, and resources!
A DEEPER LOOK
Behind the scenes: Visit the show page on our website for more.
Discover videos, photos, and press coverage about the show, as well as more information about the creative team (playwright, director, and designers), and behind the scenes photos and stories at the bottom of the page!
Visit The Da Vinci Code show page for more about the show.
Follow us on Instagram @alleytheatre for updates and behind the scenes about each upcoming production.
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