Romantic Comedy. 50-60 minutes. 2-3 females, 2-6 males (4-8 performers possible). Suitable for high school and older performers, and middle school and older audiences.
The author grants productions pre-approval to make cuts to meet time limits and community standards regarding profanity and obscenity for Texas UIL and other one-act competitions.
Double Heart imagines two of William Shakespeare's most beloved characters, the quick-witted lovers Beatrice and Benedick, as they may have first met as impetuous, young teenagers. A brash young soldier (Benedick) meets a young lady with an independent streak (Beatrice), and they quickly learn to see each other as equals among fools. Their relationship deepens until world events and war intrude and hearts get broken. Written entirely in verse, this Shakespearean "prequel" features dancing and swordfighting, and walks the line between romance and comedy.
"Beautiful turns of language and a touch of weirdness." - Time Out New York
"Brilliantly written in Iambic Pentameter... It would make a great family friendly matinee for any company producing Much Ado in the evening." - NYC Then and Now
"You don't have to know a thing about Much Ado to get a major buzz from Double Heart... The language is funny and at times quite elegant and wise about issues of the heart." - Rave and Pan (Cleveland, OH)