Canterbury Tales
by Bernice Bronson
Audience participation play adapted from Chaucer. 5 men, 4 women. 1 hour 15 minutes. $ 6.50
Step across the threshold of the Tabard Inn, and enter 14th century England, not as a passive spectator, but an active participant, the Innkeeper's honored guest. What audience can resist that invitation? Four of Chaucer's most popular tales have been selected for the maximum opportunity they offer for active audience involvement. Children can bargain with the Pardoner, share in an eerie Dance of Death, or contribute an element to the Alchemist's spectacular demonstration of goldmaking.
Canterbury Tales is a skillful blend of improvisation, pantomime, simple musical accompaniment and straight Chaucer. This is hearty fare for youngsters who want action, conflict, and the stuff of real life--plus the thrill of participating on a sophisticated level.
Participation plays are demanding, not in terms of money, since production requirements are simple, but in acting skills. Canterbury Tales will be a rewarding growth experience for your actors, developing new techniques and flexibility.
Canterbury Tales was a smashing success. When the audience responses were spontaneous enough for the reviewer to assume they were "plants," my students felt good about their success as participatory players. Canterbury Tales is such a good play and quite a challenge for student actors. By the way, females in male roles worked very well.
Katie Damron, Director
Little Theatre
Sumter, South Carolina
