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THE PLAYHOUSE

Students performing The Playhouse by Kristen Doherty – a one-act ensemble play for schools
Students performing The Playhouse by Kristen Doherty – one-act school production, ensemble cast

Synopsis: On a school excursion to the Globe Theatre, five wayward students slip away from their teacher and find themselves backstage. Unable to resist the lure of the costume rack, they try some on, but are spotted and chased into the tiring house, where a portrait of Shakespeare proudly dominates the space. The Globe’s motto emblazoned on the frame 

 

'Totus Mundus Agit Histrionem' - The Whole World is a Playhouse.


The teens recite the iconic words and are suddenly thrust back-in-time to Shakespeare’s original Globe Theatre in 1599, where they are mistaken for actors, costume mistresses, nobility and groundlings (stinkards) The befuddled students are engulfed in the very first production of ‘As You Like It’ and thrust out on the street of Ye Ole London Town. The group need to find their way back to each other and Shakespeare’s portrait if they are ever to return to their own time.

PLAY DETAILS

  • Cast size:  21 ++ (10 with doubling/tripling)

  • Ensemble driven. Girl Heavy. Girl heavy (but very flexible)

  • Length: 35-40 Minutes

  • Style: Magical Realism, Action Adventure, Fantasy, Comedy. 

  • Suitable for: Primary, Middle and High School, College, Community Theatre Companies. 

CASTING NOTES:  The casting for The Playhouse is very flexible. The lead roles are written for 4 girls and 1 boy, but I have given them mostly gender neutral names so cast according to your cohort. 

There are 21 speaking roles. 16 who are ensemble, (some quite large roles) but I have designed so you are able to double up down to 9 or 10. (running!) Alternately there is a huge ensemble potential with the crowd scenes in the theatre, and streets of Ye Olde London Town.  

 

The script is rich in Shakespearean factual information, text excerpts, and historical context, play references and actual historical theatre identities of the time. (Hopefully all cleverly hidden away so students won't even know they're learning. )

PRINTABLE SCRIPTS & LICENSING:

Royalties for my one-act plays are $115 AUD / $80 USD per performance. Licensing includes performance rights and video licensing.

The free online perusal is provided for reading and evaluation purposes. Printable PDF scripts for classroom or rehearsal use are available for $8 AUD / $5 USD per copy, charged per student or participant.

To request printable scripts and/or performance licensing, please email with:

  • the number of printable copies required

  • approximate performance dates

  • number of performances

I’ll then issue an invoice and provide access to the printable scripts and/or performance licence.

 

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