Theatrefolk Featured Play – The Canterbury Tales by Lindsay Price

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight. Chaucer’s classic collection of tales comes to life in the brilliant full-length adaptation, The Canterbury Tales by Lindsay Price.

A group of travelers set out for Canterbury on a pilgrimage. To pass the time they entertain each other with a storytelling contest. Best story wins a prize.

Each and every performer gets a chance to shine in this spirited, charming script.

Great characters, lots of humour, and strong ensemble work. Text uses modern English.

Let’s hear from the author!

1. Why did you write this play?
The original text of The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer can be a bear to get through. Old English is not fun. I had to take an Old English course in university at 8:30 in the morning. It was not my best work.

But these tales have always stayed with me, mostly because once you get beyond the language the characters and the stories are actually… fun. Some of them are more than fun, they’re downright bawdy.

I knew The Canterbury Tales would make great stage material filled with interesting characters and a wide variety of stories.

2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences.
A lively, raucous, storytelling romp. With love, death, and no rhyme for orange.

3. What’s the most important visual for you in this play?
The ensemble of pilgrims, all unique but all on the same path.

4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be?
It’s all about the characters. There’s little set, no special effects, and it can be done with next to no lighting or sound. Make those characters three-dimensional with specific physicality and vocal variety.

5. Why is this play great for student performers?
Sure it’s cross-curricular but the characters are so much fun. That’s the selling point.