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Michael Theodorou

MICHAEL THEODOROU  (1946 - )

 Nationality:    British
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    n/a


Michael was born in Famagusta, Cyprus, and has lived in the UK since 1952. He worked as a professional actor - under the name of Michael Chesden - from 1973 to1989 and has appeared in many television dramas and comedy series as well as in feature films. He began to write plays when he went on to teach drama at Wells Cathedral School in Somerset in 1990. His plays include many adaptations of classics for large casts such as 'Dracula', 'Lysistrata', and 'The Moonstone' - all of which have been published in the UK. He has also written two books about drama teaching - one for Secondary School, 'Ideas that Work in Drama', and another for Primary Schools 'Drama Activities for the Primary Classroom' to be published by Pearson in September 2009.

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below is a list of Michael Theodorou's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

 Caligula         Christmas Carol, A ( adapted for the stage from Charles Dickens)         Clear Horizon, A         Cuckoo Clock, The ( after Mrs Molesworth)         Dona Rosita, The Spinster         Dracula (after Bram Stoker)         Julius Caesar ( after William Shakespeare)         Lorca         Lugosi         Lysistrata ( after Aristophanes)         Moonstone, The ( from the novel by Wilkie Collins)         Staretz         There Are Such Things         Turn of the Screw, The (Henry James)         Video Nasty

Caligula

Synopsis:
An explosive play written by the 25 year old Camus in 1938 as Europe was preparing for another World War. Set in ancient Rome and following the reign of the mad Emperor, Camus writes a searing philosophical and action packed version of the final days of Caligula. This new translation follows the original French text in its four act version.

Notes:
Original Playwright - Albert Camus. Suitable for Amateur companies with large cast resources And professional directors looking for A new translation of A French classic.

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
New Artists Theatre Company

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  12            Female:  2            Other:  12 extras

Further Reference:
-

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Christmas Carol, A ( adapted for the stage from Charles Dickens)

Synopsis:
Scrooge denies the spirit of Christmas only to be confronted by the ghost of his dead partner, Marley. His personal journey to enlightenment is traced through the familiar ghosts of Xmas Past, Xmas Present and Xmas Future.

Notes:
This is A 60 minute, heartwarming, stage version of the well-known Dicken's story. It would make An ideal, large cast, Christmas production for either Primary or Secondary Schools. The original Dickensian language is kept And the piece is very much A Victorian evening.

1st Produced:
Cokethorpe School    2004

Organisations:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Christmas Ghost Story

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  33 ( Mixed)

Further Reference:
-

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Clear Horizon, A

Synopsis:
The play starts a few days after 7th March 1979 when Alfred Hitchcock was made a life member of the American Film Institute. As he and his wife, Alma, are having a quiet drink at their Bel Air home the audience is drawn into the strange world of Alfred Hitchcock's mind, his phobias, his obsessions and his humour. The dialogue moves rapidly from present to past time as we discover the pivotal role his wife played in the development of his films and scripts. Time, however, is running out for 'Hitch' as his health slowly deteriorates and he has to confront his demons through his wife. The play is a two hander with all the trademarks of a Hitchcock film - suspense, psychological insights and wry humour.

Notes:
A play about Alma and Alfred Hitchcock

1st Produced:
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Organisations:
-

1st Published:
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Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
75 min one act

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Cuckoo Clock, The ( after Mrs Molesworth)

Synopsis:
Young Griselda goes to live with her maiden aunts in the country after her parents death. There she discovers the mysterious cuckoo clock which opens up a new magical world for her.

Notes:
A dramatization of the magical Victorian children's story with its charm, sentimentality And humour is highly suitable for Primary Schools looking for A large cast play.

1st Produced:
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Organisations:
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1st Published:

Music:
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To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Children/Fantasy

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  Choruses

Further Reference:
-

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Dona Rosita, The Spinster

Synopsis:
Rosita lives with her uncle and aunt in genteel, middle class poverty in Granada where the promise of marriage to a cousin, who promises to return from South America, never materialises. As the years pass and she remains loyal to the memory of her dream she grows older and, finally losing all hope, withers like a rose.

Notes:
Original Playwright - Federico Garcia Lorca. Translated from the 1936 Spanish Play. Lorca's bitter sweet portrayal of unfulfilled love set in Granada At the turn of the 20th century, based on A true story. There is much comedy in this neglected masterpiece reminiscent of A Spanish Chekov.

1st Produced:
Wells Cathedral School    1997

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Tragi-Comedy Translation

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  12            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Dracula (after Bram Stoker)

Synopsis:
Jonathan Harker( a solicitor) visits Count Dracula in Transylvania to adhere to his request for a house purchase in London. He soon finds himself under the spell of the charismatic Count but manages to escape back to England where he finds that his fiancee, Mina and her friend, Lucy Westenra, are now being pursued by the bloodthirsty Count. After a series of disturbing encounters, and with the assistance of Professor Van Helsing, the friends pursue Dracula back to Transylvania where the story reaches its gory climax.

Notes:
This version is As close As possible to the original novel. It is set firmly in the late Victorian period of 1897 And is A serious treatment, not A spoof. There Are sinister And genuinely disturbing moments that will challenge Any theatre company, either Amateur or professional.

1st Produced:
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Organisations:
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1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Drama/Horror

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Julius Caesar ( after William Shakespeare)

Synopsis:
Julius Caesar is shot in the Forum in full view of the crowd. This version follows the original Shakespeare plot but updates the setting to modern warfare.

Notes:
An exciting 60 minute version which contains A mixture of updated modern language Alongside the original text. This version was first produced in An open Air courtyard on hard surfacing, using real Army jeeps And the sounds of modern warfare. A war play that is relevant to All time periods. Cross sex casting can be Adopted so that the play can have An All female or mixed cast As required.

1st Produced:
Cokethorpe School    2006

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Political Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  Crowd

Further Reference:
-

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Lorca

Synopsis:
Lorca was arrested by the authorities in Granada on August 17th 1936 and murdered a few days later by firing squad. His body has never been found. The play is an imaginary conversation of the last few days of his life when he is questioned by a nameless man called 'The Interrogator'.

Notes:
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1st Produced:
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Organisations:
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1st Published:
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Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lugosi

Synopsis:
This play is based on the life of the Hungarian actor Bela Lugosi who was the first actor to play the part of 'Dracula' on the screen in Hollywood in 1931. He became so identified with this role for the rest of his life that his talent as an actor was never fully utilized. The play picks up the story in 1951 when he did a famous stage tour of 'Dracula' in Great Britain.

Notes:
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1st Produced:
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Organisations:
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1st Published:
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Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Lysistrata ( after Aristophanes)

Synopsis:
Lysistrata persuades her fellow females to go on sexual strike to prevent the men from going to war.

Notes:
This new modernized version of the old classic is loaded with sexual references And innuendos As in the original. It is not fixed to Any particular period or culture so the play could be set in Any period or context or country, so the options Are wide.

1st Produced:
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Organisations:
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1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Sex Comedy

Parts:
Male:  15            Female:  15            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Moonstone, The ( from the novel by Wilkie Collins)

Synopsis:
The appearance of three mysterious Indians at the country home of Rachel Verinder starts off a chain of events which is to lead to the stealing of the priceless Moonstone gem and to the hiring of master detective, Sergeant Cuff, to solve the mystery of the missing diamond.

Notes:
Wilkie Collin's brilliant yet complicated Victorian detective story dramatized for the stage with A large cast. Michael Theodorou retains All of the important characters And keeps to the original locations.

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Nelson (1999) >>>    0174325533

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Adventure/Mystery

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Staretz

Synopsis:
A stage play set during the period of the Russian Revolution 1917/18. Four real life characters who lived through the events give us their version. Through narrative, letters, monologues, confessions and cross examinations each characters reveals their link to the 'Staretz' of the title. The infamous Rasputin becomes the catalyst through whom events are played out - though he never appears in the play. Steeped in the musical traditions of Russian Orthodox music and chanting the play is easy to stage and lasts approximately one hour. Enquiries for performance should be made to the author miketheodorou@hotmail.co.uk

Notes:
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1st Produced:
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Organisations:
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1st Published:
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Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Stage play

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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There Are Such Things

Synopsis:
The year is 1906. Sir Henry Irving is dead. Bram Stoker, the creator of 'Dracula', has a stroke and goes temporarily blind. Bram experiences a series of strange visitations as his wife, Florence, tries to nurse him back to health again. Is he suffering from hallucination, delusions or is it all real? Can such things be? In the mind of Bram Stoker they can be because 'There Are Such Things'.

Notes:
The play is A two hander for An Actress And Actor playing multi roles - running time Approximately 75 minutes. The play is the first half of A double bill to include 'LUGOSI', A play About Hungarian Actor Bela Lugosi.

1st Produced:
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Organisations:
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1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
biographical play

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Turn of the Screw, The (Henry James)

Synopsis:
A Governess is hired by a neglectful uncle to look after two orphan children in a remote country house in the Essex countryside. The ghosts of the former governess ( Miss Jessel) and the dead groom (Quint) soon turn the Governesses dreams of the innocent children into a nightmare.

Notes:
This new version, written by Michael And Patricia Theodorou, focuses on the supernatural And psychological elements of the Henry James novel with An original twist in the tail.

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
miketheodorou@hotmail.co.uk    -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Supernatural Ghost Mystery

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Video Nasty

Synopsis:
Three aimless fourteen year old boys meet to watch video nasties every week. Both at home and at school their rootless existence reflects the poverty of their social background and the inherent violence of their subsequent actions.

Notes:
This is A 45 minute stage version of the Author's original 90 minute television script.

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Comedy/ Drama

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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