by Michael Theodorou
E mail : [email protected]
THE MOONSTONE dramatised from the novel by Wilkie Collins( Dramascripts Classic Texts: Nelson Thorne)
------------------------------------
Cast size : 35 mixed
Running time: 90 minutes
Reviews
----------
(Amazon) ‘ As an actor as well as a teacher, I can admire and appreciate the skilful way the author has managed to condense this classic 400 page detective novel without excluding any of the essential events or characters. Michael Theodorou has captured the essence of the novel retaining the period atmosphere and drawing together all the complex strands into a thrilling climax.
This is a play I would be happy to use in the classroom as an introduction to Wilkie Collins. It would also make a very exciting and unusual school production for the adventurous drama or English teacher looking for challenging material for a large cast.’
(Amazon) ‘ This adaptation works. The large cast will be a major factor in attracting teachers, colleges and amateur dramatic societies to stage this dramatisation. There is no doubt that it will stage extremely well and has more to recommend it than the recent TV adaptation. This version deserves a much wider public and I hope that it will pick up the interest of more than just schools and teachers.’
(Wilkie Collins Society) ‘A welcome addition is Michael Theodorou’s recent version of “The Moonstone” published as part of Nelson Dramascripts. The series is actually designed for students in the lower and middle years of secondary school and plays are designed to be either read or acted. “The Moonstone” is an exciting addition to the series and keeps nicely to the spirit of Collin’s original.’
A CHRISTMAS CAROL adapted for the stage from the original by Charles Dickens
--------------------------------
Cast size : 33 mixed
Running time : 60 minutes
Published by Dramaworks
The play is a simply staged adaptation of the original well-known story. There are 33 characters in the cast many of whom could be played by female rather than male, making it a more attractive proposition for those schools with lots of keen girls and few boys .This version traces Scrooge’s personal journey to enlightenment in an extremely clear way. Some of Dicken’s own words are kept, particularly in the speeches allotted to the Readers, though the language all has a Dickensian feel to it. This serves to set the period and the atmosphere. The simple style of the piece, which could be done without any setting if desired, makes this an ideal piece to present either on its own or as part of a Christmas celebration.
DRACULA based on Bram Stoker’s novel
---------------
Cast size : 33 mixed
Running time : 2 hours
Published by Dramaworks
This stage version is as close as possible to an untampered rendition of the original book. It should be played for its value as an exercise in the sinister. The story and writing is undoubtedly ‘ heightened language’, as it is in the original Victorian novel, and therefore requires a heightened playing style. Since the story is well known, great efforts should be made to use the technical resources available in your school to bring out the atmosphere through sound and lighting. The play does not have a hidden intention such as making Dracula a sympathetic person, as a fairly recent film did. It is a simple retelling of the story and the original theme, which is the battle between good and evil.
LYSISTRATA a new version of the original play by Aristophanes
------------------
Cast size: 23 + choruses
Running time : 90 minutes
Published by Dramaworks
“Lysistrata” is one of those plays which will always be topical simply because, somewhere in the world, wars exist which have a greater or lesser effect on us in the west. This new rendering of the old classic is lively and funny, using modern language without fixing it to a particular period. It is not fixed in the jargon of a particular culture. It would be simple to do this play in whatever context you desire – in a particular country or a particular period; the options are wide. It is loaded with sexual references and innuendos so would probably be more suitable as a Sixth Form production or would suit a Sixth Form College or University Drama Society.
VIDEO NASTY a play by Michael Theodorou
--------------------
Cast size : 12
Running time : 45 minutes
Published by Dramaworks
Though set firmly in the 1980’s the material dealt with is just as relevant today. The main issues used as a basis for the play are
- street crime
- videos that have an extremely violent or sexual content
- lax parenting
- violence in the home and at school
The play does not moralise at all. It can simply be performed as a play which shows boys from a certain kind of background, drifting into a life of petty crime. Or it can be used as a basis for discussion work and exploration in Drama or English classes. There is a teache’rs pack of material available with the play. There is plenty of humour in the play and no definite ending. The play gives us an explosive situation and leaves us to our own conclusions.
THE CUCKOO CLOCK adapted from the story by Mrs Molesworth
--------------------------------
Cast size 30 + choruses
Running time 90 minutes
Published by Dramaworks
‘The Cuckoo Clock’ is a delightful children’s story by the well-known Victorian writer, Mrs Molesworth. This stage adaptation captures the magical nature of the original with its Victorian charm and sentimentality while at the same time injecting it with a humour and language to create a link with a more modern audience. All the main characters from the book are included with some additions in the form of choruses which will give the opportunity for a much larger cast production. It is a very flexible script which can be played by as few as thirty or as many as pupil numbers allow. Each director must adapt the size of the choruses to suit their needs and requirements .The play is ideal for a Junior School production though it is also possible to do it with senior pupils taking adult part and juniors the other parts.