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The Canterbury Tales: Competition Version by Lindsay Price play script cover

The Canterbury Tales: Competition Version

adapted by Lindsay Price Canadian Author from Chaucer

Competition Length Version!

Bring Chaucer to life. In this vibrant 35-minute adaptation, a group of pilgrims sets out for Canterbury, launching a storytelling competition to pass the miles.

Translated into snappy modern English, this version is brimming with spirit, charm, and plenty of humor. With minimal set requirements and maximum flexibility, it is exceptionally easy to stage for casts of any size.

Comedy Classical Adaptation

Also available in a full-length version here.

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

At a Glance

Running Time
About 35 minutes
Approximate; excludes intermissions and scene changes
Cast
16 Characters
8 M 8 F
Expansion possible
Set
Simple set
Length
34 pages
Free Excerpt

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Performance Royalty Fees

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.

16 Characters

  • 8 Males
  • 8 Females
  • Expansion possible

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.

The Pilgrims

  • HOSTESS 24 lines
    Female The owner of the Tabard Inn. She travels with the Pilgrims to Canterbury.
  • WIFE OF BATH 15 lines
    Female She has been married five times and is searching for number six.
  • COOK 13 lines
    Female The cook at the Tabard Inn.
  • PRIORESS 25 lines
    Female In charge of a priory (a monastery).
  • MILLER 35 lines
    Operates a mill, which grinds grain (corn or wheat) into flour.
  • REEVE 12 lines
    Male The manager of a manor in the later medieval period.
  • PARDONER 22 lines
    Male Sells religious forgiveness and relics for a fee.
  • FRANKLIN 21 lines
    Male A property-owner, but not of noble birth.

The Wayfarers

  • SECOND NUN 4 lines
    Female Another nun.
  • SQUIRE 4 lines
    Male The Knight’s son.
  • MERCHANT 4 lines
    Male A trader.
  • CLERK 3 lines
    Male A scholar.
  • PLOWMAN 5 lines
    Male A plowman.
  • NOBLEWOMAN 4 lines
    Female A rich pilgrim.
  • COMPANION 6 lines
    Female Companion to the Noblewoman.
  • MERCHANT’S DAUGHTER 4 lines
    Female The Merchant’s daughter.

The Tale Characters

  • CHANTICLEER 30 lines
  • PERTELOTE 19 lines
  • FOX 16 lines
  • NICHOLAS 33 lines
  • JOHN 29 lines
  • ALLISON 12 lines
  • HAROLD 28 lines
  • AGNES 23 lines
  • WAITRESS 12 lines
  • JACOB 31 lines
  • OLD WOMAN 9 lines

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