Set: No set requirements, a few rough-and-ready props.
Synopsis: Three of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', told in verse but adapted for the stage. The Miller, the Pardoner and the Wife of Bath are brought to life with the narration of
Chaucer and the help of three other pilgrims (the Friar, the Summoner and the Nun). Ideal for open air performance.
Running time: Around 25 minutes (Caution! This is very dependent on your production.)
Notes: 'This was originally written as an open-air romp for a local arts festival and was enjoyed by adults and children alike. The three tales presented here are perhaps the
most well known and give everyone the chance to have a bit of fun.
Suitable for pub gardens or village greens, 'Three Canterbury Tales' can also be presented very effectively as three separate bite-sized chunks throughout an afternoon - as
long as the ale doesn't flow too freely!'
Published: 2008
First Produced: Tarrystone Players, 2008
Latest Production: Antigonish, Canada, 2011
SAMPLE SCENE
Chaucer: Now we draw close to that renowned town
And so we stop and lay our things around.
One final tale it is fit should be told,
Nothing rude or treacherous, nothing bold.
Wife: Pardon me, I have a tale worth telling.
Pardoner: That’s all we need, an old fishwife yelling.
Wife: Shut your trap! You let me tell my tale.
You must be drunk, you’ve taken too much ale.
Chaucer: That’ll do now, keep it civil my friends,
Leave your carping until our journey ends.
And if you think it is worth the telling,
Tell your tale now and so cease your yelling.
(She reads from her scroll)
Wife: ‘Now, so it happened, believe me I say,
Long, long ago in good King Arthur’s day,
There was a knight who was a lusty liver.
Synopsis: Three of Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales', told in verse but adapted for the stage. The Miller, the Pardoner and the Wife of Bath are brought to life with the narration of
Chaucer and the help of three other pilgrims (the Friar, the Summoner and the Nun). Ideal for open air performance.
Running time: Around 25 minutes (Caution! This is very dependent on your production.)
Notes: 'This was originally written as an open-air romp for a local arts festival and was enjoyed by adults and children alike. The three tales presented here are perhaps the
most well known and give everyone the chance to have a bit of fun.
Suitable for pub gardens or village greens, 'Three Canterbury Tales' can also be presented very effectively as three separate bite-sized chunks throughout an afternoon - as
long as the ale doesn't flow too freely!'
Published: 2008
First Produced: Tarrystone Players, 2008
Latest Production: Antigonish, Canada, 2011
SAMPLE SCENE
Chaucer: Now we draw close to that renowned town
And so we stop and lay our things around.
One final tale it is fit should be told,
Nothing rude or treacherous, nothing bold.
Wife: Pardon me, I have a tale worth telling.
Pardoner: That’s all we need, an old fishwife yelling.
Wife: Shut your trap! You let me tell my tale.
You must be drunk, you’ve taken too much ale.
Chaucer: That’ll do now, keep it civil my friends,
Leave your carping until our journey ends.
And if you think it is worth the telling,
Tell your tale now and so cease your yelling.
(She reads from her scroll)
Wife: ‘Now, so it happened, believe me I say,
Long, long ago in good King Arthur’s day,
There was a knight who was a lusty liver.
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THREE CANTERBURY TALES (Click the title to read the whole script online at Lazy Bee Scripts)
'Knockabout nonsense for all ages' Tarrystone Players, Berks, UK
Cast: 5m, 2f
CHAUCER, any age. Our host and narrator.
THE MILLER, any age. A robust character with a liking for ale.
THE FRIAR, any age. A supposed man of the cloth, although his credentials are questionable!
THE SUMMONER, any age. A weasel of a man who frightens the children.
THE PARDONER, any age. Rather sanctimonious.
THE NUN, any age. Rather demur, but a bit of a dark horse.
THE WIFE OF BATH, any age. A fiery woman with a passion to match.
'Knockabout nonsense for all ages' Tarrystone Players, Berks, UK
Cast: 5m, 2f
CHAUCER, any age. Our host and narrator.
THE MILLER, any age. A robust character with a liking for ale.
THE FRIAR, any age. A supposed man of the cloth, although his credentials are questionable!
THE SUMMONER, any age. A weasel of a man who frightens the children.
THE PARDONER, any age. Rather sanctimonious.
THE NUN, any age. Rather demur, but a bit of a dark horse.
THE WIFE OF BATH, any age. A fiery woman with a passion to match.
Richard James / Actor & Playwright
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Canterbury Tales
Indian Summer
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