Scarlet Expectations of a Drowned Maiden and Two Gree... - Theatrefolk

Scarlet Expectations of a Drowned Maiden and Two Greek Queens

Recommended for High Schools

Scarlet Expectations of a Drowned Maiden and Two Greek Queens

by Robert Wing

A talk show welcomes some of literature's most memorable women who just can’t seem to get it right when it comes to men.

 About 40 minutes

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

 12
1 M | 7 W | 4 Any Gender

Simple set

 28 pages

Comedy Character Study

On today’s episode of The Dee Dee Show, legendary TV talk show host Dee Dee Dane welcomes women who just can’t seem to get it right when it comes to men. But, Dee Dee’s guests aren’t just any women. These relationship-challenged women are none other than some of literature’s most memorable characters: Hester Prynne from The Scarlet Letter, Ophelia from Hamlet, Miss Havisham from Great Expectations, Penelope from The Odyssey and Medea from, well, Medea.

It is a farcical and funny meeting of minds that makes today’s episode very special indeed.

12 Characters
1 M, 7 W, 4 Any Gender

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.

Dee Dee Dane [W] 44 lines
The greatest talk show host of all time! Legions of fans admire and model their lives after her.
Penelope [W] 20 lines
The wife of Odysseus. She waited patiently for her husband to come home. She is a model of patience and sacrifice…or is she?
Medea [W] 23 lines
When her husband, Jason, told her he wanted custody of the kids, she said “Sure, no problem. Which pieces?”
Hester Prynne [W] 23 lines
Her man, Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale, lets Hester spend her life paying for a crime that he was as equally guilty of – and she enjoys it!
Miss Havisham [W] 24 lines
Her man left her at the altar and she spends the rest of her life in that instant of abandonment.
Ophelia [W] 22 lines
Between her father and her boyfriend Hamlet, she doesn’t have a chance.
Arthur Dimmesdale [M] 20 lines
He really should have thought first before agreeing to appear on the show.
Commercial Narrator [A]
Two Monologues
Player One / Mother / Woman [W] 0 lines
Player Two / Kid / Butterfly [A] 0 lines
Player Three / Kid [A] 0 lines
Player Four / Kid [A] 0 lines

Subgenres
Fantasy Parody Adaptation

Settings
Abstract setting Present day

Dress
Contemporary costumes Elaborate costumes Fantasy costumes Period costumes

Audience
Pre-teen Teen

Features
Mime Character study

Set
Simple set Interior set

Themes
Body image Friendship Illness/Health Love Relationships Individuality Obedience Morality Women's issues Gender issues Peer pressure Self-image

Cross-Curricular Uses
English Greek

Other uses
Competition Audition material Class work Scene work

Prop List

Bag of chips, Comic book, Clothes pin, Bouquet of flowers, Ring

Production Photos

Multimedia

Related Titles

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Royalty fees apply to all performances whether or not admission is charged. Any performance in front of an audience (e.g. an invited dress rehearsal) is considered a performance for royalty purposes.

Exemption details for scenes and monologues for competition.

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

A vignette play is a collection of short scenes on a theme. You'll love working with the variety and flexibility of the scenes. Your actors will love the fast pace and fun characters.

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