WELCOME TO
THE DA VINCI CODE –
PRE-SHOW
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CAN YOU SOLVE THE ANAGRAM?
Click below to see the secret message and scroll down to explore more about The Da Vinci Code – secrets, history, and more puzzles!
1. ABOUT THE PLAY
Join the thrilling adventure as symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu race to solve a deadly puzzle that could change history. Following the clues hidden in ancient symbols and imagery, they uncover secrets that lead them on a dangerous quest. Based on the smash hit novel by Dan Brown, embark on a journey across Europe to the Louvre, Westminster Abbey, and Rosslyn Chapel.
Will they discover the truth? Or will the powers that lurk in the shadows prevail?
This play is adapted from the original book The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.
2. MEET THE AUTHORS
Dan Brown is the author of eight #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, which has become one of the bestselling books of all time. Brown’s novels are published in 56 languages around the world with over 250 million copies in print. In 2005, he was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine. The son of a mathematics teacher and a church organist, Brown was raised on a prep school campus where he developed a fascination with the paradoxical interplay between science and religion. These themes eventually formed the backdrop for his books. He is a graduate of Amherst College and Phillips Exeter Academy, where he later returned to teach English before focusing his attention full time to writing. He lives in New England.
Rachel Wagstaff wrote the book for the multi-award winning musical Flowers for Mrs Harris. Her critically acclaimed adaptation of Birdsong opened in the West End. She partners often with Duncan Abel, and her new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d just made its US premiere at the Alley Theatre for Summer Chills!
Duncan Abel co-adapted the multi-award winning stage adaptation of The Da Vinci Code (2022), which toured the UK before its American Premiere at Ogunquit Playhouse (2023). His co-adaptation of The Girl on the Train (2018) transferred to the West End following a successful UK tour and has been performed internationally. He has written for BBC Radio Drama and Sing London. Duncan’s short fiction has appeared in numerous literary anthologies, most recently Comma Press.
3. WHEN AND WHERE
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Paris locations include the Louvre, a high security bank, Church of Saint-Sulpice, and a French chateau
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The Louvre is an art museum in France and one of the most famous museums in the world. It is perhaps most famous for housing da Vinci’s Mona Lisa
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The Da Vinci Code takes place in so many locations, it is difficult to show them all onstage! When you see the play- watch closely to learn how all the different places are portrayed!
The Da Vinci Code was published as a novel in 2003, and the play was first performed in 2021. The time listed on the first page of the script is 'Present Day,' so the story is incredibly adaptable!
Paris, France
London, England
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London locations include Temple Church and Westminster Abbey.
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Westminster Abbey is where the kings and queens of England are crowned and many famous people are buried
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4. GOOD TO KNOW
There are some words in this show that you’ll hear a lot- find the definitions below so that you’ll know the difference when you hear them onstage!
The Golden Ratio
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Symbology: the study or use of symbols (*pro tip: explain how it is different from symbolism: Symbolism is the representation of a concept through symbols) (This is what Robert teaches!)
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Cryptology: the study of codes, or the art of writing and solving them (This is what Sophie does!)
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Iconography: the traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject and especially a religious or legendary subject (One of Robert’s specialties!)
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Conspiracy Theory: a belief that some secret but influential organization is responsible for an event or phenomenon
Emblem for the Priory of Sion
5. WHO'S WHO
Read the descriptions below and click on each photo for the actor’s bio.
Robert Langdon- Harvard professor of symbology, loves puzzles and riddles, hates tight spaces, always wears his Mickey Mouse watch. He is cautious but deeply curious, reluctant to be involved in the dangerous quest but ultimately committed to helping Sophie.
Age: 40s
Key Traits:
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Trustworthy
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Brilliant
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Super nerdy
Zach Fine- Robert Langdon
Sophie Neveu- A skilled cryptographer for the French police judiciary and granddaughter of Jacques Saunière. Intelligent, determined, and emotionally complex, Sophie is driven by a desire to uncover the truth about her family and protect the secret left by her grandfather.
Age: 30
Key Traits:
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Smart
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Compassionate
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Quick on her feet
Melissa Molano*- Sophie Neveu
Silas- A fanatic and violent monk associated with Opus Dei. He practices self-mortification and is driven by blind faith to recover the secret of the Holy Grail.
Age: unknown
Key Traits:
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Obsessive
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Intimidating
Chris Hutchison*- Silas
Sir Leigh Teabing- An eccentric English scholar and Grail expert. Charismatic and manipulative, Teabing initially appears as an ally but is ultimately revealed to have his own agenda in the quest for the Grail.
Age: 70s
Key Traits:
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Committed
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Corruptible
Sir Leigh Teabing
Jacques Saunière: The curator of the Louvre and Sophie’s grandfather. Deeply involved with the Priory of Sion. His murder triggers the events of the play, and his cryptic clues guide Sophie and Langdon.
Age: 70s
Key Traits:
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Secretive
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Knowledgeable
Jacques Saunière
Bezu Fache- A French police detective leading the investigation into Saunière’s murder. Fache is quick to suspect Langdon and Sophie, often representing the law’s mistrust of their activities.
Age: 40s
Key Traits:
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Skeptical
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Tough
Christopher Salazar*- Bezu Fache
Collet- A member of the French police, Collet is torn between following orders from her boss, Fache, and believing her friend, Sophie.
Age: 30s
Key Traits:
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Practical
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Loyal
Michelle Elaine*- Collet
Vernet- The bank manager who appears professional but is secretly involved with the Priory of Sion. She manages the vault where crucial clues are hidden.
Age: 40s
Key Traits:
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Committed
Elizabeth Bunch*- Vernet
Rémy- Teabing’s butler and a skilled hacker with a criminal past. Loyal to Teabing but with his own hidden motives, Rémy plays a key role in the unfolding conspiracy.
Age: 40s
Key Traits:
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Duplicitous
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Self-serving
Dylan Godwin*- Rémy
*Resident Acting Company Member
6. INSIDE THE LOUVRE
The Louvre’s website offers several self-guided suggested tours and includes pictures and explanations for virtual visitors! Use the link below to choose one of the ‘Visitor Trails’ to follow and see where it takes you! (You may even find some pieces mentioned in The Da Vinci Code along the way!)
(You may do this as a class or have it as a student-guided individual/small group activity)
Reflect: After you do some exploring, have a group discussion:
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What was your favorite artwork that you saw? Why? How did it make you feel?
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Think about one of the ‘trails’ you followed. Did the way it was set up help you understand the story the museum is trying to tell? Why or why not?
8. YOUR PART IN THE PLAY
The show can't happen without an audience. Watch the video for some great advice on playing your part.
BONUS ACTIVITY
AUDIENCE ETIQUETTE
After watching the video, improvise scenes where you encounter the best and worst audience members. If you create something fun and want to share it, tag us at @alleytheatre on Instagram or Facebook for a chance to be featured on our social platforms.
9. POST-SHOW TALKBACK
If you and your students plan to participate in the post-show talkback, encourage them to ask questions!
Having trouble coming up with questions? Here are a few to get you started:
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With such a tech-heavy show- how did you prepare if something were to go wrong during the performance?
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What was the biggest challenge in creating the right mood and atmosphere for The Da Vinci Code through technical design?
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What was your favorite scene to perform and why?
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What do you hope the audience remembers most after seeing The Da Vinci Code?
*Bonus Tips:
Start your questions with phrases like:
“Can you describe…”
“What was your experience with…”
“How did you approach…”
Keep questions open-ended to encourage detailed answers.
Be respectful and curious—this is a chance to learn from the artists!
Try to avoid questions like:
“How do you memorize your lines?”
“Do you get nervous?”
“Did anything go wrong in today’s performance?”
Yes/no questions or questions irrelevant to the production
Questions about the script or characters that the actors don’t have any control over (eg: “Why did your character do this?” or “Why did the scene end that way?”)