The Tempest adapted by Craig Mason from Shakespeare - Theatrefolk

The Tempest

Recommended for High Schools and Middle Schools

The Tempest

adapted by Craig Mason from Shakespeare

A modern version of this Shakespeare classic. A great introduction to the story and the bard.

 About 40 minutes

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

 9
7 M | 2 W

Exterior

 27 pages

Comedy Classical Adaptation Shakespeare Young Audiences

Room for audience participation.

Another great introduction to the world of Shakespeare! Our version of The Tempest uses only modern English.

The play takes place on an island. Prospero the magician uses a great storm (a tempest) to bring his enemies to the island for one final showdown.

This play allows for the performers (as well as their audience) to gain a grasp of "The Bard."

Though the text has been simplified, the spirit of the original has been maintained.

9 Characters
7 M, 2 W

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.

Prospero [M] 47 lines
The exiled King of Naples
Miranda [W] 34 lines
Prospero`s daughter
Caliban [M] 44 lines
Prospero`s servant
Ariel [W] 38 lines
Prospero`s servant
Antonio [M] 5 lines
Prospero`s brother, current King of Naples
Ferdinand [M] 19 lines
A Prince
Stephano [M] 38 lines
A butler
Trinculo [M] 28 lines
A fool
Master [M] 3 lines
The Ship's Captain

Awards and Accolades

  • Performed 2003 at the Duncan YMCA Chernin Center for the Arts

Subgenres
Farce Fantasy Adventure Mystery/Thriller Fables/Folktales Parody Ghost Story Adaptation Avant-garde Experimental form Romantic comedy Shakespeare Theatre for young audiences

Settings
16th Century / Elizabethan

Dress
Contemporary costumes Fantasy costumes Period costumes

Audience
All audiences Children Pre-teen Teen

Features
Mime Poetry Tableau Audience participation Physical comedy

Set
Simple set

Cautions
Alcohol

Themes
Love Relationships Morality Theatre

Cross-Curricular Uses
Shakespeare

Other uses
Monologues Audition material Class work Scene work

Awards & Accolades
Plays with Awards & Accolades

Prop List

staff, load of wood, jug, headdress of daisies, buffet of food, trinkets, shiny clothing

Production Photos

Multimedia
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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.

Related Titles

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.

There's more. Every Theatrefolk vignette play holds the unexpected. A showcase monologue. A dramatic moment. A change in form. A left turn.

Ideal for classwork, competitions, and more!

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