Play Suggestions

Post by **mightyfelix** » July 31st, 2021, 9:15 am

Wow, this would be an ambitious undertaking. Though it says two parts, each of those parts is divided into five acts. So this play has ten acts altogether. There's also a lengthy poem in between the two parts, spoken by one of the female leads.

I didn't count the roles in this as I skimmed through it, but there are far more male than female roles, so would probably need to be gender neutral or else it couldn't be fully cast. (With the current pool of regular drama volunteers we have.) Also, potential BCs should note that there are TWO dramatis personae listed, one at the beginning of each part. I don't know how much overlap there is between the two.

This is certainly a project for a seasoned drama BC only. I don't have plans to take it on myself.

Andrewjames · Post by **Andrewjames** » August 4th, 2021, 12:22 pm

such is the time period in which our plays by necessity come that very few are written by women.

has 'the edgy farce'

A Mother of Three, by the irish author Clotilde Graves (1863–1932) (she published under the name richard dehan)

ever been recorded on here?

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.hnpb3m&view=1up&seq=1&skin=2021

its quite long but has lots goin on and i think would be entertaining to record

jakemalizia · Post by **jakemalizia** » August 8th, 2021, 10:46 am

Here are 3 plays by Matthew Gregory Lewis which have not been recorded yet by Librivox:

1. Alfonso, King of Castile (tragedy in 5 acts) - https://archive.org/details/alfonsokingofcas00lewiuoft/page/n5/mode/2up

2. The East Indian (comedy in 5 acts) - https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004801619.0001.000?rgn=main;view=fulltext
(Information about permissions for this can be seen here: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004801619.0001.000?rgn=main;view=toc)

3. Rugantino, or The Bravo of Venice (melodrama in 2 acts) - https://archive.org/details/rugantinoorbrav00busbgoog/page/n6/mode/2up

I'm not suggesting that I BC any of these (I'm new-ish) - though I would be happy to try. I just thought I would put them here before I forget.

LCaulkins · Post by **LCaulkins** » September 18th, 2021, 8:13 pm

I have found two PD sources for English translations of Beaumarchais' The Barber of Seville (first in the Figaro trilogy of plays). I'll BC that as well, but will wait until we have Figaro well in hand to post it.

Aligator · Post by **Aligator** » October 7th, 2021, 9:35 pm

LCaulkins wrote: ↑September 18th, 2021, 8:13 pm I have found two PD sources for English translations of Beaumarchais' The Barber of Seville (first in the Figaro trilogy of plays). I'll BC that as well, but will wait until we have Figaro well in hand to post it.

When you start The Barber of Seville, I'll be happy to join in. I really enjoyed the Marriage of Figaro.

LCaulkins · Post by **LCaulkins** » October 8th, 2021, 6:52 am

Aligator wrote: ↑October 7th, 2021, 9:35 pm
LCaulkins wrote: ↑September 18th, 2021, 8:13 pm I have found two PD sources for English translations of Beaumarchais' The Barber of Seville (first in the Figaro trilogy of plays). I'll BC that as well, but will wait until we have Figaro well in hand to post it.
When you start The Barber of Seville, I'll be happy to join in. I really enjoyed the Marriage of Figaro.

Super!

ktaylor07 · Post by **ktaylor07** » October 8th, 2021, 9:55 am

After coming across a discussion comparing Anna Cora Mowatt's "Fashion" to Royall Tyler's "The Contrast," I settled in for a good evening's listen to refresh my memories of that comedy only to discover, to my surprise and disappointment that Librivox doesn't have a recording of that play yet. So, if anyone's looking for a project, here's links to the script of this trailblazing early U.S. comedy on Gutenberg, and the wiki on the play and author:

"The Contrast" by Royall Tyler
script: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/554
Author: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royall_Tyler
Play: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Contrast_(play)

jakemalizia · Post by **jakemalizia** » November 27th, 2021, 3:30 am

A. A. Milne - Make-Believe: A Children's Play (1925)

This just popped up on Archive. It's not in the Librivox catalog yet.

https://archive.org/details/makebelievechild0000miln/page/n6/mode/1up

Salvationist · Post by **Salvationist** » November 27th, 2021, 4:48 am

jakemalizia wrote: ↑November 27th, 2021, 3:30 am A. A. Milne - Make-Believe: A Children's Play (1925)

This just popped up on Archive. It's not in the Librivox catalog yet.

https://archive.org/details/makebelievechild0000miln/page/n6/mode/1up

Looks fun! I’d be glad to read a part if anyone organizes this project.

Post by **mightyfelix** » February 18th, 2022, 8:01 pm

This play was recently suggested over on Book Suggestions: Cinnamon and Angelica by John Middleton Murray

It has four acts and six characters, who are named Cinnamon (Prince of the Peppercorns), Mace, Marjoram, Angelica (Princess of the Cloves), Caraway, and Vanilla Bean.

I haven't read or skimmed any of it, but I'm betting by the dramatis personae that it will be funny!

EDIT: A link might help. https://archive.org/details/cu31924013646504/

wib66 · Post by **wib66** » February 20th, 2022, 9:18 am

jakemalizia wrote: ↑August 8th, 2021, 10:46 am Here are 3 plays by Matthew Gregory Lewis which have not been recorded yet by Librivox:

1. Alfonso, King of Castile (tragedy in 5 acts) - https://archive.org/details/alfonsokingofcas00lewiuoft/page/n5/mode/2up

2. The East Indian (comedy in 5 acts) - https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004801619.0001.000?rgn=main;view=fulltext
(Information about permissions for this can be seen here: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004801619.0001.000?rgn=main;view=toc)

3. Rugantino, or The Bravo of Venice (melodrama in 2 acts) - https://archive.org/details/rugantinoorbrav00busbgoog/page/n6/mode/2up

I'm not suggesting that I BC any of these (I'm new-ish) - though I would be happy to try. I just thought I would put them here before I forget.

If you want to have a go at BC ing and compiling a play the best place to start is the One Act section as they are usually a lot shorter with fewer characters. I would be more than happy to guide you through. I love editing all the parts together and listening to the final product. Act One collection 16 is nearly finished so a new one will be starting soon. Have a look at what has already been done and see if you fancy having a go.
Here is the link to One Act Play Collection 16.

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=88257

Post by **ToddHW** » March 11th, 2022, 7:44 am

mightyfelix wrote: ↑February 18th, 2022, 8:01 pm This play was recently suggested over on Book Suggestions: Cinnamon and Angelica by John Middleton Murray

It has four acts and six characters, who are named Cinnamon (Prince of the Peppercorns), Mace, Marjoram, Angelica (Princess of the Cloves), Caraway, and Vanilla Bean.

I haven't read or skimmed any of it, but I'm betting by the dramatis personae that it will be funny!

EDIT: A link might help. https://archive.org/details/cu31924013646504/

I think I'll start this. It is not PD for some folks - Murry died in 1957 - but it does not require a big cast.

Thanks, Todd

MichaelMaggs · Post by **MichaelMaggs** » March 21st, 2022, 7:07 am

I wonder if Todd (or someone else?) might be interested in a Scottish Ghost story -

[PLAY] Mary Rose by JM Barrie

It's been in the UK public domain for some time, and with a 1925 publication date fell into the US public domain last year.

https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.86628/page/n5/mode/2up

The Guardian reviewed it as part of their "forgotten plays" series here: https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/aug/03/forgotten-plays-mary-rose-jm-barrie

According to the article, Alfred Hitchcock wanted to turn the play into a film, but was unable to acquire the rights. It was staged in London in 1972 with Mia Farrow in the title role.

It would work well as an audio work as it's got a very nice narration which advances the plot as well as setting the scene. (I'd love to narrate, if anyone wants to pick this up

)

Post by **ToddHW** » March 21st, 2022, 7:49 am

Yeah, okay, I could do this. As soon as the current Barrie play I'm doing is done.

(Though if anyone really can't wait, feel free to go ahead first.)

Thanks, Todd

YuqingJune · Post by **YuqingJune** » April 15th, 2022, 7:24 am

Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw has (most likely) been in the public domain since 2019.

Source texts:
The one used by the reader who did the preface - https://archive.org/details/SaintJoan/page/n69/mode/2up
This one is more reader-friendly (if useable) - https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0200811h.html

6 scenes plus an epilogue, and that's it.

It's a pity that only the preface of the play is in the LibriVox catalogue!