Simply Aesop

Written by:

Melody Anderson

Cast Size:
7

Roles For:

  • Indigenous Peoples: 7
  • LGBTQ+: 7
  • Men: 7
  • People of Colour: 7
  • People with Disabilities: 7
  • Women: 7

Genre:

Comedy

Themes:

Empathy
Friendship
Generosity
Honesty
Inclusion

Length:

60 min.

Year Written:

2026

Synopsis:

Two clowns direct a chorus of performers to enact eleven of Aesop’s most popular fables. In their quirky production they unwittingly re-examine the fables through today’s lens. By the end of the play they arrive at a deeper understanding of what it means to be a true friend.

Characters:

Boris or Barbara Barkinkoff – director of a theatre troupe
Lester or Lotta Little – assistant director
Chorus (minimum 7 (ideally many more) performers, who accompany the songs or spoken words and portray the animals in the fables:
Tortoise, Hare, Lion, Mouse, City Mouse, Country Mouse, Monkey Mother, Frog, Crane, Peacock, Ant, Grasshopper, Dog, Dog’s Person, Old Hound, Crab, Fox, Boy (who cried “Wolf”), Wolf, Sheep, Villagers

Resources:

Play can be accessed through the Canadian Play Outlet

Notes:

The characters are not specific to gender or other personal identification of the performers.