Ariadne's Thread, The Adventures of Theseus and the M... - Theatrefolk

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Ariadne's Thread, The Adventures of Theseus and the Minotaur

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

Ariadne's Thread, The Adventures of Theseus and the Minotaur

by Judith White

Theseus is a young man on an adventure. As he makes his way to Athens to meet his father he must fight bandits, carnivorous pigs, and travel the underworld.

 About 30 minutes

Times given are approximate and do not include intermissions/scene changes/breaks

 18
4 M | 5 W | 9 Any Gender, Plus Chorus

Simple set

 30 pages

Drama Choral Work Classical Adaptation

“The thread’s on the spool,
The spool’s wound tight,
You must feel it in the dark, cause there is no light…”

Theseus is a young man on an adventure. As he makes his way to Athens to meet his father he must fight bandits, carnivorous pigs, and travel the underworld.

He offers himself as tribute to rid the land of the murderous minotaur. But the story isn’t as simple as it seems. King Minos’ daughter Ariadne is willing to help, but only if Theseus promises not to kill the minotaur. How will Theseus get out of the labyrinth alive?

A fantastic modern version of the Theseus and the Minotaur myth complete with an active chorus. Bring Greek mythology to life!

18 Characters
4 M, 5 W, 9 Any Gender, Plus Chorus

Characters in this play are currently identified as male or female. Directors are welcome to assign any gender (binary or non-binary) to any character and modify pronouns accordingly.

Chorus [A] 34 lines
Twelve or more.
Nike [A] 19 lines
Chorus Leader.
Adidas [A] 19 lines
Chorus Leader.
Theseus [M] 85 lines
Son of Poseidon and Aethra.
Aethra [W] 18 lines
His mother.
Asterion [M] 13 lines
The minotaur.
Perephetes [A] 8 lines
Guardian of the Underworld.
Sinnis [A] 1 line
The Bandit.
The Crommyon Sow [A] 3 lines
Three members of the chorus.
Old Man Sciron [M] 3 lines
Procrustes [M] 13 lines
The Stretcher.
Beauty Rest [W] 2 lines
A servant to Procrustes.
Aegeus [M] 0 lines
King of Athens.
Ariadne: [W] 32 lines lines
King Minos’s daughter, Princess of Crete.
Phedre [W] 1 line lines
Princess of Crete, Ariadne’s little sister.
King Minos [M] 4 lines lines
King of Crete.
Amphitrite [W] 7 lines lines
Queen of the Sea, wife to Poseidon.
Sea Nymphs [W] 1 line lines
Anemone, Abalone, Starfish: Companions to Amphitrite.

Subgenres
Fantasy Adventure Fables/Folktales Adaptation Choral work Fairy tales

Settings
Greek

Dress
Period costumes

Audience
All audiences Children Pre-teen Teen

Features
Mime Variable Cast Size Poetry Tableau Choral work Movement-based Music Physical comedy Stage combat Variable gender breakdown

Set
Simple set

Themes
Morality Obedience Personal responsibility

Cross-Curricular Uses
Greek Music

Other uses
Class work

Prop List

Cudgel: Periphetes, Sword and Sandals, Sword, Motel sign: Preset., Tape Measure: Procrustes, In Ariadne’s pockets: LED candle, honey, ball of thread., Bolt of Lightning: Chorus member carries this on in Minos scene., Glitter or water for transformation (sea creatures).

Production Photos

Multimedia

Though Your Soul Was Held in Darkness (p. 28)

Video

Though My Soul May Set in Darkness (Sung at the end of the play)
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Related Titles

We accept orders worldwide using the following payment methods:
Purchase Orders accepted from US and Canadian Schools.
Info for your purchasing department.

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