Overview

Synopsis

George Bernard Shaw’s The Dark Lady of the Sonnets is a fun, one act play that reimagines William Shakespeare’s and Queen Elizabeth’s first meeting. Written as an appeal to create a National Theatre in England, the short play has William going to Whitehall palace to meet the Dark Lady to whom he addresses his sonnets of love, only to fall for the Queen herself as they randomly meet! As Will juggles both women’s tempers and desires, he finds himself inspired to write new material and appeal for a theatre where bold tragedies will be taken seriously.

Show Information

Text And Format
George Bernard Shaw
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
1
First Produced
1910
Genres
Comedy
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
late 1500s-early 1600, the palace at whitehall, england
Cast Size
small
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
community theatre, regional theatre, fringe festival, College/University, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male, Includes Adult, Young Adult Characters

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Shakespeare

Lead

Male

Queen Elizabeth

Lead

Female

The Dark Lady

Supporting

Female

Beefeater

Featured

Male

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

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

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

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Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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