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Overview

Synopsis

A play that is deeply concerned with the themes of honor, duty, and chivalry, King Edward III follows the war-time triumphs of its titular character, who ruled England from 1327-1377. Beginning in the midst of the Scottish War of Independence, King Edward extinguishes a Scottish uprising, and in the process, becomes enchanted by the wife of one of his lords, the Countess of Salisbury. But, before their forbidden longing can lead to disaster, Edward and his army must travel to France to continue the two countries’ long and embittered conflict over the French throne. King Edward, ultimately, wins the day, due in large part to the heroism of his son, “The Black Prince.” This Shakespearean history play paints a portrait of Edward III as a conventional and successful ruler struggling with hidden desires and the rigours of war.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1593
Genres
Historical/Biographical, Drama
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
England, France, 14th Century
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
None
Dancing
None
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Large Cast, Ensemble Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Young Adult, Mature Adult, Child, Early Teen, Late Teen Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Prince Edward

Lead

Male

Non-singer

King John

Lead

Male

Non-singer

King Edward

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Countess of Salisbury

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Artois

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Prince Charles

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Duke of Lorraine

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

King David

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Lord Audley

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Earl of Warwick

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Queen Phillipa

Featured

Female

Non-singer

Earl of Salisbury

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Montague

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Copland

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Lord Mountford

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Gobin

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Prince Philip

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Villiers

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Sir Douglas

Featured

Male

Non-singer

King of Bohemia

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Earl of Derby

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Lodowick

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ensemble

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

French Citizens (6)

Ensemble

Either Gender

Non-singer

Poor Frenchmen/Wealthy Merchants (6)

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Captain

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Lord Percy

Ensemble

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

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Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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