The Shakespeare Stealer (full-length)

The Shakespeare Stealer (full-length) adapted by Gary L. Blackwood

(0)
Productions (11)
Historical drama for young audiences
|
90 - 110 minutes
3 W, 12 M, 3 Any (9-18 actors possible: 2-6 W, 7-15 M)
Content Notes: Some mild adult language
Set: Unit set. An apothecary, a home, and the Globe Theatre.

In 1601, a Yorkshire orphan skilled in shorthand (and in lying) is hired by a mysterious stranger to steal the script of Hamlet. But when he inadvertently becomes part of Shakespeare's acting troupe, he begins to reconsider his assignment... (A one-act version of this play is also available.)

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

In 1601, a Yorkshire orphan skilled in shorthand (and in lying) is hired by a mysterious stranger to steal the script of Hamlet. But when he inadvertently becomes part of Shakespeare's acting troupe, he begins to reconsider his assignment... (A one-act version of this play is also available.)

  • Historical drama for young audiences
  • |
  • 90 - 110 minutes
  • 3 W, 12 M, 3 Any (9-18 actors possible: 2-6 W, 7-15 M)
  • Content Notes: Some mild adult language
  • Set: Unit set. An apothecary, a home, and the Globe Theatre.

Published Reviews

"Blackwood writes with a lucid pen, bringing Elizabethan England alive... The Shakespeare Stealer is a crackerjack play."

Queen Anne News (Seattle)

"Its strength as a dramatic vehicle is an immediately engaging story -- very much in the spirit of such boys' adventure tales as Treasure Island -- and fascinating historical background... There's skullduggery and swordplay, good guys and bad guys, and even a little sincere romance thrown in for lighthearted measure. There are also lessons aplenty for the youngsters: about the value and importance of both giving and receiving praise; about friendship; about family and a sense of belonging."

Nashville Scene

"...Perhaps the most revelatory lesson to be gleaned from The Shakespeare Stealer is that so-called educational theatre can be darned entertaining."

The Washington Post

"Gary Blackwood's The Shakespeare Stealer is a clever, often funny, drama, refreshingly original and amazingly thrilling. Filled with 17th century costumes, and fine Yorkshire and British accents, the play engages and introduces the wonderful world of Shakespearian theatre to kids."

Chicago Critic

"The Shakespeare Stealer has all the great elements of a captivating kids' show: drama, comedy, suspense, high energy and the rub of a moral dilemma."

Parent World (Nashville)

"...A fine story, rich with the immediacy of detail, intrigue and danger that makes great adventure... vivid and entertaining drama... particularly good at conveying the actor's craft, the thrill and discipline that go with performance..."

Aisle Say

"The Shakespeare Stealer is a solid piece of drama, capturing the color and excitement of Elizabethan theatre and engaging us with an intricate and well-made story... It certainly makes the sometimes forbidding area of Shakespeare much more friendly and welcoming to young minds discovering it for the first time. That's no small achievement."

Aisle Say

"The script is marvelous, replete with action and humor and featuring strong characters with whom today's children can identify."

The Seattle Herald

"...An absorbing story of intrigue sprinkled with jokes and wordplay that will interest older members of the audience, while capturing the interest of younger children with plenty of razzle-dazzle action."

GoCityKids (Seattle)

"...A wonderful contemporary way to introduce or reinforce young people's exposure to William Shakespeare... The Shakespeare Stealer has it all -- action, comedy, and suspenseful drama."

The Tennessean (Nashville)

Production History

JAN 18, 2017 - FEB 12, 2017
Theatre Of Youth
Buffalo, NY United States
Theatre Of Youth Buffalo, NY United States
JAN 15, 2015 - JAN 17, 2015
Lincoln High School
San Jose, CA United States
Lincoln High School San Jose, CA United States
NOV 05, 2009 - NOV 06, 2009
Parkside High School
Salisbury, MD United States
Parkside High School Salisbury, MD United States
MAY 01, 2009 - MAY 02, 2009
Hope Homeschool Drama
Albuquerque, NM United States
Hope Homeschool Drama Albuquerque, NM United States
JAN 01, 2006 - DEC 31, 2006
Children's Theatre of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC United States
Children's Theatre of Charlotte Charlotte, NC United States
JAN 01, 2006 - DEC 31, 2006
Nashville Children's Theatre
Nashville, TN United States
Nashville Children's Theatre Nashville, TN United States
JAN 01, 2006 - DEC 31, 2006
Vittum Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
Vittum Theatre Chicago, IL United States
JAN 01, 2005 - DEC 31, 2005
FirstStage
Milwaukee, WI United States
FirstStage Milwaukee, WI United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Seattle Children's Theatre
Seattle, WA United States
Seattle Children's Theatre Seattle, WA United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Emerson College
Boston, MA United States
Emerson College Boston, MA United States
JAN 01, 2002 - DEC 31, 2002
Kennedy Center Lab Theatre
Washington, DC United States
Kennedy Center Lab Theatre Washington, DC United States
No upcoming productions.
JAN 18, 2017 - FEB 12, 2017
Theatre Of Youth
Buffalo, NY United States
Theatre Of Youth Buffalo, NY United States
JAN 01, 2006 - DEC 31, 2006
Children's Theatre of Charlotte
Charlotte, NC United States
Children's Theatre of Charlotte Charlotte, NC United States
JAN 01, 2006 - DEC 31, 2006
Nashville Children's Theatre
Nashville, TN United States
Nashville Children's Theatre Nashville, TN United States
JAN 01, 2006 - DEC 31, 2006
Vittum Theatre
Chicago, IL United States
Vittum Theatre Chicago, IL United States
JAN 01, 2005 - DEC 31, 2005
FirstStage
Milwaukee, WI United States
FirstStage Milwaukee, WI United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
Seattle Children's Theatre
Seattle, WA United States
Seattle Children's Theatre Seattle, WA United States
JAN 01, 2002 - DEC 31, 2002
Kennedy Center Lab Theatre
Washington, DC United States
Kennedy Center Lab Theatre Washington, DC United States