PRESENTS:
Tales of Canterbury
"Tales of Canterbury" is an original adaptation of Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. This dynamic production uses dramatic storytelling, masks, movement and acappella vocal work to recreate the world depicted in the narrative Middle English text of Chaucer’s work. There are five tales in the play, ranging from ribald to romantic, that take you on a journey from Ancient Greece to Renaissance Europe as up to eight performers transform themselves into three dozen characters using forty masks and five physical acting styles including: Commedia del Arte, LeCoq inspired techniques and the grotesque Grand Guignol. This play, adapted by Saj Kirkland, brings life to the vivid imagery of this epic poem, with a modernized script that loses none of the lyrical rhythm of Chaucer’s language. The play is further enhanced by beautiful masks created by five talented mask designers and a background score of acappella renditions of medieval music
(And the audience will choose the best tale).
Performances can be up to 2 hours long and there are scripts for every age group. Mask making and performance workshops can be added to a show and we can also adapt our presentation to fit most venues, including:
-Theaters- -Schools-
-Fairs & Festivals- - Parties & Events-
The Tales
The 5 tales in the play are woven together by the story of the pilgrims who ". . .did fall into fellowship. . ." on the road to Canterbury.
(Pilgrim interludes add 15 -20 min to the performance time)
Choose from the 5 Tales below to create a show that suits your occasion.
Tales can be performed together as a play or as individual vignettes.
The Knight’s Tale
Historical Period: Ancient Greece / Performance Style: Classic Greek Mask / Run Time: 35 min.
The Miller’s Tale
A story about a humble Carpenter, his young yearning Wife, a clever young Scholar and the amorous Clerk with a red-hot poker. Will the carpenter discover the plot? Can the young wife gain her freedom? Does the scholar make good with the willing wife . . . and what is the clerk doing with that fire brand? These riddles and more are answered in this ribald, medieval tale.
Historical Period: Early Middle Ages / Performance Style: Commedia del Arte / Run Time: 20 min.
The Merchant’s Tale
Old January has decided to take him a wife, after many happy years of a bachelor’s life. In his wisdom and with the council of friends, he chooses a young wife to attend his life’s end. Fairest May is Old January’s beamish bride, at eighteen, avowed to a life at his side. Kept hidden behind walls so none other might see, for her beauty aroused in him much jealousy. But as January gets older and years transpire, young May gets bolder with a gentle young squire. You should know the end to this tale of yore. But the Fairy King may come to even the score!
Historical Period: Late Middle Ages / Performance Style: Lecoq Technique / Run Time: 20 min.
The Pardoner’s Tale
During the Dark Ages, when life was blighted by the shadow of death wandering freely about the country side, none were spared from the ravages of starvation, plague and MURDER! ! It is in this time that three foul Rogues decide to hunt down and kill Death. But they discover a wealth of gold coins instead and their greed overcomes them. Death will find them soon enough.
Historical Period: The Dark Ages / Performance Style: Grand Guignol / Run Time: 15 min.
The Nun’s Priest’s Tale
Golden Throated Chanticleer, the "cock of the walk" in the farmyard, is known to have the finest singing voice of all the rooster in the land. But he is haunted by dreams of hungry eyes watching him from the dark, intent on his undoing. When he is scolded for his weakness by his proud mate Pertalote, he must choose to heed or not to heed his dreams. Don Russel the Fox, patiently waits.
Historical Period: The Renaissance / Performance Style: Primal Animal / Run Time: 15 min.
WORKSHOPS
We offer workshops which can be added to a scheduled performance and tailored to meet a variety of educational needs at every age level. Sessions are 45 - 90 min and can be focused on different subjects:
-Mask Making and Performance -Physical and Dramatic Theater
(Art / Drama) (Drama)
-Vocal and Choral Skills -Arts Interpretation
(Public speaking / Music) (Drama / Art)
Most workshops are designed and taught be Shuhe (Founder / Artistic Conductor) who has been teaching with
Tears of Joy Theatre for the past 9 years and more recently, with YMCA and the Higher Stages Arts Academy.
Puppet Construction and Performance workshops also availible
