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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 M, 8 F, 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 [F] 24 lines
The owner of the Tabard Inn. She travels with the Pilgrims to Canterbury.
WIFE OF BATH [F] 15 lines
She has been married five times and is searching for number six.
COOK [F] 13 lines
The cook at the Tabard Inn.
PRIORESS [F] 25 lines
In charge of a priory (a monastery).
MILLER 35 lines
Operates a mill, which grinds grain (corn or wheat) into flour.
REEVE [M] 12 lines
The manager of a manor in the later medieval period.
PARDONER [M] 22 lines
Sells religious forgiveness and relics for a fee.
FRANKLIN [M] 21 lines
A property-owner, but not of noble birth.
The Wayfarers
SECOND NUN [F] 4 lines
Another nun.
SQUIRE [M] 4 lines
The Knight’s son.
MERCHANT [M] 4 lines
A trader.
CLERK [M] 3 lines
A scholar.
PLOWMAN [M] 5 lines
A plowman.
NOBLEWOMAN [F] 4 lines
A rich pilgrim.
COMPANION [F] 6 lines
Companion to the Noblewoman.
MERCHANT’S DAUGHTER [F] 4 lines
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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