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Romeo and Juliet

adapted by Mrs Lambert and Mrs Wrigley

Author’s notes:Gold Ms (laminated badges) All in Blue clothesSilver Cs (laminated badges) All in Red clothes

Things to include:The FlossFortnite Instagram (selfies)Movie star

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Shakespeare’s

for Key Stage 2

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CastNarrator 1 (Bolton accent/slang) Narrator 2 (corrects themselves)Narrator 3

Narrator 4

Mr Capulet (Juliet’s Father)

Mrs Capulet (Juliet’s Mother)

Sampson (A Capulet)

Gregory (A Capulet)

Prince ParisBenvolioMercutio (Romeo’s Best Friend)

Romeo MontagueMontague friend 1

Rosaline Capulet (Juliet’s Cousin)

Juliet CapuletTybalt Capulet (Juliet’s Cousin)

Nurse/NurseFriarPrince of VeronaNews ReadersMessenger (monk)Mr Montague (Romeo’s Father)

Mrs Montague (Romeo’s Mother)

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- 3 -Dancers

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Scene OneWe had nine stage blocks arranged into a square. The children sat on benches at either side of the blocks and the narrators sat along the front. We had backdrops on poles behind the stage to help set the scene.

Bolton town centre – Images on screen

First two narrators walk on stage. And narrator 1 turns to audience.

Narrator 1 : Alreeet! Pause…for audience responseI said ALREEET….? Tough crowd are we? I saw this bloke chatting up a cheetah; I thought, he's trying to pull a fast one… Pause…for audience response

Reet, now were warmed up its time to start the show…

Narrator 2 : Can’t you speak properly and lose that common Bolton slang that you keep slipping into? Don’t you know some of the audience live on Chorley New Road, and they won’t understand a word of it?!

Narrator 1 : Ignore him/her…he/she thinks he’s/she’s something special! Welcome to our beltin’ town of Bolton, where our story starts.

Narrator 2 : A tale of warring families and of broken hearts.

Now that you are comfortable and the scene is set.

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- 5 -Let us introduce you to Mr and Mrs Capulet.

Narrators step aside to reveal Mr and Mrs Capulet. Mrs Capulet is carrying a bundle of invitations. Mr Capulet is carrying his phone, trying to figure something out…

Mrs C: Here, I’ve almost finished these invitations dear…

Mr C: Invitations? Oh dear, must we be so out of touch with the young ‘ens? It’s about time we ‘get down wi’ kids’ and start using this ‘Whatsup’ app.

Mrs C: Whatsup?

Mr C: Yes… ‘Whatsup’. It’s a messenger app, so we can invite people to join our group. They can just message us to reply.

Mrs C: You haven’t invited any Montagues have you?

Mr C: Of course not! Anyway, no Montague would dare come to a party held at the house of Capulet. You know how much they hate our family.

Mrs C: And we hate them just as much.

Mr C: (Calling off stage) Sampson, Gregory!

Sampson and Gregory enter and join Mr and Mrs Capulet

Sampson: Yes sir?

Mr C: I’m making you in charge of this ‘whatsupp’ group. I’m far too busy. Let

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- 6 -me know if anyone can’t attend, though I’m sure everyone will want to be there.

Gregory: Yes sir

Mr C leaves the stage but Mrs C hands Gregory the formal invitations.

Mrs C: Not a word to the hubby Gregory but I would like these invites delivered…create your social media group if you will, but I prefer the old fashioned method.

Mrs C, Sampson and Gregory move to the back of the stage as the Narrators stand. Two Montagues enter, followed by Mercutio and Romeo.

Narrator 3: As the Capulet’s left to prepare their night…

Narrator 4: They met some Montagues who challenged them to a fight.

More Capulets and Montagues enter from either side. Everybody Kung Fu Fighting – Slow motion dance scene

At the end of the fight Prince Paris appears centre stage.

Paris: Stop! Put down your fists. I am Paris, Prince of Bolton and I will have no fighting on my streets. Be gone.

The servants exit either side, followed by Paris. Mercutio and Romeo are last to leave, but as they go Mercutio notices the invites that Sampson dropped on the floor.

Mercutio: Hey look, Romeo. Have you seen what those Capulets were delivering?

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- 7 -Romeo: (Snatching the invite) Mr and Mrs Capulet

are pleased to invite you to the grand birthday party for their beloved niece, Rosaline. Ah, sweet Rosaline.

Mercutio: Don’t start that again – she is a Capulet and you are a Montague.

Romeo: But Mercutio, she is no ordinary Capulet, she is my Rosaline. Are you thinking what I’m thinking?

Mercutio: That we should find those Capulets and give them a good kicking?

Romeo: No, that we should go to the party.

Mercutio: Are you mad? As soon as we step inside the house of Capulet, we’ll be recognised and we’ll feel their wrath.

Romeo: But they won’t know it’s us.

Mercutio: I know they’re Capulets, but they’re not that stupid.

Romeo: No silly, look (shows Mercutio the invite).

Display invite on screen

Mercutio: (Really bad pronunciation) Respondez s’il vous plait?

Romeo: No, it’s a masked ball. They’ll never know it’s us. Come on we’ve got masks to make.

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- 8 -Romeo dashes off. Mercutio shakes his head then trudges after Romeo. The narrators stand.

Scene 2The House of Capulet

Narrator 1: Alreet….its us again.

A sandwich walks into a bar. The barman says "Sorry we don't serve food in here"

Pause for audience’s response.Narrator 2 shakes their head

Moving on with our story….Two days later and the party’s underway. (flosses)

Narrator 2: The guests have arrived and the band begins to play. (And will you stop that flossing for just one minute!)

Dance sequence – “Let’s Get The Party Started” by PinkAfter a while the dancers move to the back of the stage. Mr C, Mrs C, Paris, Rosaline and Juliet move forwards. Tybalt is stood at the side of the stage, guarding the entrance.

Mrs C: Ah, Prince Paris. So glad you could come.

Paris: Wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

Mr C: Let me introduce you to Rosaline, my favourite niece.

Paris: Many happy returns. (He bows and blows her a kiss).

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- 9 -Mr C: And this is my favourite daughter.

Juliet: Your only daughter.

Mr C: My “bobby dazzler” Juliet.

Paris: I see beauty runs in the family. (He blows her a kiss too) Would you care to dance?

Juliet: Cringe at audienceIt’s Rosaline’s party. Shouldn’t she be the one to dance?

Mrs C: (Pushing Juliet forwards) Dear girl, don’t be so rude.

Paris leads Juliet off to dance (music plays again). Rosaline sulks and storms off

Mrs C: Come dear, let’s mingle.

Mr C: Cheesy dance moves…Oh yeah…I’ve still got the moves..

Mrs and Mr C exit through the dancers to the rear. Mercutio and Romeo enter, waving their invites at Tybalt on the way past.

Romeo: Ha ha Mercutio we’re in.

Mercutio: (Looking around panicked) Ssh don’t call me that here.

Romeo: I told you that fool Tybalt wouldn’t recognise us. Now let’s find Rosaline.

Romeo heads off through the crowd. Mercutio heads the opposite way.

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Mercutio: Well I’m going to find the buffet.I hope there’s garlic bread…

In a strong Bolton accent

GARLIC?……BREAD? ….. oh that Peter Kay, he cracks me up every time.

Song: I bet that you look good on the dancefloor – Arctic monkeysDance sequence. Romeo tries to find Rosaline and comes downstage. Juliet is trying to get away from Paris and bumps into Romeo.

Juliet: Oh excuse me… (she pauses staring at Romeo.)

Romeo and Juliet stare at each other for a few seconds until Paris arrives and takes Juliet’s arm and leads her back to the dance floor. She looks back at Romeo as she goes. Mercutio enters.

Mercutio: Have you found her yet?

Romeo: (Still staring after Juliet) Who?

Mercutio: Rosaline.

Romeo: Rosaline who?

Mercutio: Oh I give up. (dances elsewhere)

Romeo absentmindedly raises his mask to see Juliet better. Tybalt, who is talking to Mr Capulet at the side of the stage, notices him.

Tybalt: Uncle, he is a Montague!- 10 -

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Mr C: Are you sure?

Tybalt: That is Romeo, Mr Montague’s only son. I’ll teach that rum ‘en a thing or two!

Mr C: No! There will be no fighting tonight. We must make him welcome, no matter how much we hate him.

Romeo heads off into the crowd to search for Juliet. Mr C also heads into the crowd. Tybalt turns to watch the door. The dancers continue. After a while Romeo comes through the audience searching for Juliet, frustrated because he hasn’t found her yet. A moment later Mr C and Paris come downstage in conversation followed by an annoyed Juliet. Mr C and Paris stand centre stage with Romeo and Juliet either side. They look across at each other. After a while Mr C and Paris turn and head back to the party Romeo and Juliet begin to walk towards each other when Mercutio runs on and stands between them.

Mercutio: I’m sure Tybalt is onto us. He keeps given me the evil eye. (Realises Romeo isn’t listening or looking at him, waves his hand in front of him – no response. He turns, notices Juliet staring back at Romeo. Mercutio sighs.) Juliet, this is Romeo. Romeo meet Juliet (He leans towards him) A Capulet!

Mercutio sighs again, turns and heads back. Romeo and Juliet step closer and he takes her hands in his.

Song: Don’t Stop Believing dance routine

Romeo: Juliet.- 11 -

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Juliet: Romeo.

R & J link arms, turn and head to the back of the stage. Tybalt watches them go angrily.

Narrator 3: So Romeo wooed Juliet and their love was born.

Narrator 4: They danced all night long until the break of dawn.

Fade in/out backing track (I wanna dance with somebody/Whitney Houston)

Most of the guests have now left the stage. Romeo and Juliet come downstage.

Juliet: Romeo, when will I see you again?

Romeo: Tomorrow, then the day after that, and the day after that, and the…

Juliet laughs. Suddenly Mercutio runs across stage and grabs Romeo’s arm.

Mercutio: Sorry Jules, but we really gotta go.

Romeo: Why Mercutio?

Mercutio points to the side of the stage where an angry Tybalt appears holding his fists. Friends to hold Tybalt back.

Mercutio: (Dragging Romeo away) Come on let’s go.

Romeo: Til tomorrow (He blows Juliet a kiss and they hurry off stage.)

Tybalt rushes across stage after Mercutio and Romeo. Juliet stands alone on stage. Nurse arrives.

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- 13 -Nurse There you are. Come child, time for home

or you’ll miss …Britain’s Got Talent!

Juliet: Oh Nurse, did you see him?

Nurse: Oh yes, that Paris is quite a hunk, you’re a lucky girl. If only I was a few years younger then you would have to fight me for him.

Juliet: (Laughing) No Nurse, not Paris, Romeo.

Nurse: Romeo?

Juliet: Yes Romeo, he’s gorgeous.

Nurse: But he’s a Montague.

Juliet: A Montague?

Nurse: Yes. Your father will never approve.

Juliet: You won’t tell him will you?

Nurse: Of course not, now come on you. It’s getting late, and don’t be taking your phone to bed with you. Staying up all night on that Musically app will do your youthful beauty no luck!

Nurse leads Juliet offstage. Backdrop of balcony (railings for front) to represent the Capulet’s garden.

Scene 3The Capulet’s Garden

Mercutio and Romeo run onstage out of breath. Mercutio turns and pulls faces off stage.

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- 14 -Mercutio: Ha, too slow Tybalt, you’ll never catch us.

Romeo looks through the railings

Romeo: I must see her again.

Mercutio: Well you can later. Come on I’m shattered. I’ve never danced so much. My feet are killing me.

While Mercutio isn’t looking Romeo slips between the railings into the garden. Mercutio turns and is startled to realise Romeo is on the other side of the railings

Mercutio: Are you mad. They’ll kill you.

Romeo: Sssh, if you stop shouting they’ll never know I’m here. (He rushes to the back of stage by the balcony).

Mercutio: I give up.

Romeo moves to the foot of the balcony. He begins to climb when Juliet appears on the balcony. He ducks down.

Juliet: Romeo, oh Romeo. Where are you Romeo?

Romeo goes to climb up but stops when Nurse appears.

Nurse: Probably tucked up in bed where you should be. Come on you.

Juliet: Just give me five more minutes.

Nurse sighs and exits. Romeo climbs the balcony surprising Juliet.

Juliet: Oh Romeo you startled me.

Romeo: Forgive me. I had to see you again.- 14 -

- 15 -Juliet: But if you get caught they’ll kill you.

You’re a Montague and I’m a Capulet. My father will never allow it.

Romeo: Then we won’t tell them. Let’s get married and then they won’t be able to stop us.

Song to fade in: Bruno Mars Marry you…

Juliet: Married?

Romeo: Yes, maybe that will bring our families together.

Song to Bruno Mars Marry you…Romeo to sing

Nurse to interrupt

Nurse: (From offstage) Juliet. Get off that Musical.ly…what have I told you about getting your beauty sleep!

Juliet: Coming. I must go.

Romeo: Marry me?

Juliet: Oh gentle Romeo. Of course.

Romeo: Good night sweet Juliet.

He kisses her hand then climbs down the balcony. Juliet waves him goodbye and exits.

Narrator 2: As dawn broke, and Juliet finally got to bed. Romeo rushed to see the Friar, to arrange to be wed.

Narrator 1: Does he not know what he’s letting himself in fer?

Narrator 2: What on earth are you wittering on about?- 15 -

- 16 -Narrator 1: Haven’t you heard of the three rings

related to marriage?

Narrator 2: Yes… engagement ring…wedding ring… erm I’m not sure of a third though…?

Narrator 1: Turn directly to audience. Suf …er…ring!

Winks and points at several male audience members

You know exactly what I’m talking about don’t you!

Scene 4The Friar’s Lodgings

Friar enters. Romeo rushes onstage.

Romeo: Friar Lawrence, will you marry me?

Friar: I’m a bit old for you Romeo.

Romeo: No, will you marry me to a girl.

Friar: Rosaline?

Romeo: Rosaline? I had forgotten that name.

No... to Juliet!

Friar: Juliet, but she’s a Capulet.

Romeo: That is just a name. Our love is stronger than that.

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- 17 -Friar: I can tell. Return with your sweetheart

later this morning and I will marry you.

Romeo: Oh thank you Friar.

Romeo hugs the Friar and rushes offstage. Friar follows.

Scene 5Play song: Thousand Years (Christina Perri)

The Church. Stained glass windows

(created with Cellophane + Battery candles).

Children with windows and candles to slowly walk up aisle to centre stage.

Romeo stood waiting at front (stage) of church facing forward. Friar to stand at front on stage.

Juliet slowly walk down aisle, wearing a vail. Meet Romeo on stage.

Narrator 2: So later that morning the Friar was risking his life.

Narrator 3: When he announced

Friar: I Now pronounce you Husband and Wife.

Children with confetti to throw in air. Children to clap, cheer etc.

Friar: Now you two must part until I break the news to your families.

Romeo and Juliet exit on opposite sides. The Friar exits.

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Scene 6The Streets of Bolton. Backdrop.

Romeo: I have some sick news to tell you.

Mercutio: Oh yeh? What’s that mate?

Romeo: I am in love

Mercutio and Benvolio both laugh.

Benvolio: You are always in love! A girl only has to “like” your selfies once and you are head over heels for her instantly!

Romeo: It’s more than that this time. I am in love with…

Tybalt appears through the audience with group of Capulets.

Tybalt: Romeo!

Romeo turns to see Tybalt and Capulets.

Tybalt: You were at my family’s house last night, gate crashing OUR party! Now fight me if your man enough!

The two begin to stare each other out and circle one another.

Romeo: I will not fight you Tybalt…You see it would be like fighting one of my own family!

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- 19 -Tybalt: You muppet! You’re as cowardly as the

rest of those montagues!

Mercutio: Come on man, are you gonna let him speak to you like that?

Romeo: You don’t understand…I’ve no choice because…

Mercutio: Well…then Tiny…I’m the man to put an end to you!

Music for fight scene – “I Predict a Riot” by Kaiser Chiefs

fight/dance choreographed

Fade out the music (pause) – slow motion for death scene.

Romeo pins Mercutio down to stop him fighting

Tybalt delivers a knockout blow to Mercutio.

Boxing ring bell to gong for “round ended”.

Romeo drops to his knees and cradles Mercutio.

Romeo: Oh Mercutio. What have I done?

Rage surges through Romeo and he stares/points at Tybalt

Romeo: One of us must join Mercutio in death!

Fade in the music again. Romeo attacks Tybalt. Fight to continue for some time. Finally Romeo delivers a knockout blow to Tybalt.

Boxing ring bell to gong for “round ended”.

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- 20 -Paris: See what your families’ feud has done. Be

gone from this city before anymore blood is shed. Go now.

Montague 1: Quick! The cops are coming! Let’s get outta here!

Romeo runs off stage.

Police sirens to sound

Scene 7Juliet’s Bedroom – scene backdrop.

Juliet enters and lies down sobbing. Nurse sits beside her.

Juliet: Oh what will I do, my cousin Tybalt is dead and Romeo has been sent away.

There is a knocking by the balcony. Nurse goes to investigate. She returns to Juliet.

Nurse: There’s someone to see you.

Juliet: I don’t want to see anyone.

Mr and Mrs C enter, overhearing the end of Nurse’s line

Mr C: Nurse, have you told her about the wedding already?

Juliet: Wedding, what wedding?

Mrs C: Oh my dear. Prince Paris has asked your father for your hand in marriage.

Mr C: And of course I said yes. Who would reject a hunk like him?

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- 21 -Mrs C: We thought the news might cheer you up?

Juliet just sobs even more against Nurse’s shoulder. Mr and Mrs C look at each other confused then exit.

Juliet: Oh what will I do Nurse? I can’t marry Paris. I’m already married to Romeo.

Nurse: Go and see the Friar, he may be able to help.

Narrator 2: So she went to see the Friar and they hatched a desperate plan.

So that Juliet would not have to marry the wrong man.

Narrator 1: JOKE – men/marriage/divorce

During the above Nurse and Juliet exit.

Scene 8The Friar’s Lodgings

Friar enters. Juliet re-enters.

Friar: Take this potion, it will make you sleep for 42 hours. Your family will think you are dead.

Juliet: But what about Romeo?

Friar: I will send a message to him telling him about our plan. Now go and leave the rest to me.

Juliet exits with the potion. Friar takes out his Ipad/phone to use messenger.

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- 22 -FRIAR: Urgent message. Please go to Romeo quick. His phone has been damaged in the fight. He must know that Juliet is not dead. It is a cunning plan to save her from marrying Prince Paris.

MICKY MONK: Kids nowadays take no care of their belongings. Doesn’t he know how much the latest Iphone costs?

FRIAR: This is serious. Romeo must know immediately that Juliet is alive and that he must join her in the chapel of rest as soon as the coast is clear! Do not respond. Just deliver this message ASAP!

Scene 9Juliet’s Bedroom

Narrator 3: So later that night before Juliet went to bed.

Narrator 4: She took a sip of potion and soon appeared to be dead.

Juliet lays down, takes a sip of potion and lies back. Iphone alarm to sound to show it is morning and Nurse hurries in.

Nurse: Oy Mrs, wakey wakey. Come on bride. Mrs! Mrs? (She begins to think that Juliet is dead.) Help! My Mrs’s dead! Help.

Mr and Mrs C rush in and kneel by the bed.

Narrator 3: And so with everyone thinking she was dead.

Narrator 4: There was not a wedding but a funeral instead.

The duvet and pillows are removed.- 22 -

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Scene 10The Church

The Capulets walk past and place flowers beside Juliet. Finally her parents and then Paris walk past. Paris waits by the side of the stage.

Narrator 2: While Juliet lay still, the Friar’s message went astray.

Narrator 1: With technology problems for the monk, there was a data delay…

Narrator 2: So Instead, Romeo was told by Benvolio she’d died the previous day.

Narrator 1: What a time for Wifi to fail!

Romeo enters carrying poison. Lights off – back drop of church/chapel. Children standing at sides of stage.

Church music in background.

Romeo drops to his knees and begins to sob. Romeo: I cannot live without you. (whispers)

I want your beauty to be the last thing my eyes see. We could not be together in life, my sweet love. But in death nothing shall part us.

Romeo lifts bottle of poison and raises it to his lips and drinks the liquid. He collapses… music stops. Coughing…spluttering. Juliet begins to wake. Romeo appears shocked by her awakening.

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- 24 -The Friar enters in a hurry. He sees Romeo and rushes to him.

Friar: Romeo, did you not read my message? Romeo? Romeo?

Juliet: Romeo? What have you taken.

Friar: I am so sorry Juliet but he has clearly taken a strong poison.

Juliet: Oh Romeo. I can’t live without you.

Friar picks up the bottle from Romeo’s hand.

Friar: Hang on a minute… This isn’t the real deal!

Must be a dodgy ebay special! He must have been desperate! He seems out of it for now…and could be for a while..With that dosage he’s going to feel some strange effects!...

Dreamy music starts…Romeo thinks he is experiencing death…the other side…!

Song: Toxic- Britney Spears

Romeo to lay back down and close his eyes. Juliet to approach.

Juliet: Oh Romeo! You’re alive…

Romeo: Oh Juliet, I’m in heaven. It exists and you are indeed my angel!

Juliet: I’m not an angel. I’m me. Juliet…your wife. I would never leave you!

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- 25 -Romeo rubs his eyes in disbelief and scratches head,

puzzled.

Romeo: Juliet? Is it really you?..

But I thought…

Juliet: Shhh…its okay…I know what you thought, but it was all a trick so that we could escape together as I couldn’t be without my true love.

Friar: Its true. I tried to tell you Romeo, but Mike didn’t get the whatsapp!

Mr and Mrs C and Mr and Mrs M run in panicking. They look down at Romeo and Juliet, relieved.

Mr M: Thank goodness, we are not too late!

Mr C: We heard the news and thought the worst!

Mrs M: See what our silly feud has done.

Mrs C: We must forget our arguments. Your son and your family are welcome in our household from now on.

Mr M: And we will all raise a glass to celebrate the newly weds.

They shake hands. Mrs C and Mrs M embrace.

Mr C to pop the champagne (confetti) in celebration.

Song/dance routine: I can’t stop the feeling (Justin Timberlake)

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- 26 -Narrator 3: And so as our tale reaches its cheerful end

Narrator 4: The two families agree never to fight again.

Narrator 2: Thank you all for coming, but we haven’t finished yet.

Please put your hands together for the cast of Romeo and Juliet.

Walk down and applause.

After the audience applause we decided to lighten the mood

Narrator 1: We hope you enjoy the knees up

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