Beowulf

by Toby Hulse

Beowulf, King of the Danes, is the bravest of the Anglo-Saxon heroes, who fights flesh eating monsters and fire breathing dragons over an inhospitable landscape. Nine-year-old Sophie knows the story of Beowulf well. She has enjoyed sharing it many times with her mother, a professor of Old English. Together they have even learned to read a language that no one has spoken in this country for over nine hundred years. But Sophie is fighting monsters of her own, monsters every bit as terrifying as those that Beowulf must face. Can the story of Beowulf give her the courage she needs?

$12.00

Quick Details

  • Type: Play
  • Estimated Run Time: 45-60 minutes
  • Availability: Available for productions in North America
  • Cast Size: 13 roles plus ensemble | Doubling possible for a cast as small as 7

Full Details

Roles:

  • Hanneke: Professor of Anglo-Saxon at a leading British university
  • Sophie: Her much loved daughter, aged 9
  • Hrothgar: Leader of the Scyldings, King of the Danes
  • Bard
  • Grendel: a hideous swamp-dwelling creature of darkness
  • Beowulf: Prince, and then King, of the Geats
  • Unferth: a scoffing member of Hrothgar's court
  • Warrior
  • Wealhtheow: Advisor to Hrothgar
  • Grendel's Mother: A monster ever bit as hideous and evil as her son
  • Dragon
  • Thief

Much of the show is narrated by the Ensemble. This narration can be divided amongst the cast.

The following resources are included in each performance license:
  • Permission to photocopy the PDF script for your production so there is no additional cost for these assets.

The following resources may be added to you license for an additional fee:
  • Logo/Media package

Toby Hulse

Toby Hulse is a playwright and director who specializes in making theatre for family audiences and in educational contexts. He has created work for theatres and companies across the UK, touring nationally and internationally. In addition to his work in theatres, Toby is a highly skilled creative practitioner, whose work ranges from one-off workshops to longer term partnerships, projects and residencies, with children and adults at all stages of their creative development. He is a regular Guest Tutor at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, teaching Improvisation, Clowning and Children's Theatre.

Between September 1999 and March 2004, Toby was Associate Director of Education at Bristol Old Vic. He devised and directed professional theatre projects for schools; produced resources and led events supporting Bristol Old Vic productions; and created and ran workshops on theatre practice and history for children, young people and adults.

2019 AATE Distinguished Play Award Winner

Originally produced by Bristol Old Vic Theatre, UK, in 2018

Photos from production at Take Thou That Theatre Company

Photos from production at Take Thou That Theatre Company

Photos from production at Take Thou That Theatre Company

Reviews

“

A bold theatrical style, clear, accessible storytelling, and live music bring this Anglo Saxon poem vividly to life for a new generation.

- Voice Magazine
“

What sings most loudly, thrumming and beating through the whole show, is the joy and life—even in death—that can be reached through stories.

- Fest