Play Script
The She-Bear
by Hillary DePiano
An adaptation of The She-Bear from Giambattista Basile’s The Tale of Tales (Il Pentamerone, Lo cunto de li cunti).
When a pack of wolves nearly tear the prince apart, the very She-Bear he’d been hunting saves his life. As man and beast heal from their wounds, the prince starts to wonder: Is he losing his mind? Or has he really fallen in love with a bear? Magic and mayhem, romance and the ridiculous dance hand in paw in this modern adaptation of the Italian fairy tale where love is the best kind of madness.
- Comedy / Fantasy
- One Act
- 30-45 minutes
- 1 Male 2 Female 1 Any
- Cast size: 4-10+ (ensemble of wolves & the prince’s hunting party can be as large or small as needed)
Features
- Small cast with majority female roles.
- Opportunity to add additional performers and an ensemble as needed.
- Great length for drama competitions and classroom study.
Availability
This play is available in eBook or paperback acting edition.
Members of the New Play Exchange can also read this play here.
This play is part of the Tale of Tales project.
It can also be performed as part of the full length play The Fourth Orange and Other Fairy Tales You’ve Never Even Heard Of
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