Shakuntala

Ryder originally did a close to literal translation of this 4th or 5th century play by the poet Kalidasa. Quite unwieldly with 7 acts and over 40 characters. "This version of Shakuntala represents an earnest effort to adapt for modern purposes one of the world's dramatic masterpieces. Since Shakuntala is a true masterpiece, its spirit is thoroughly modern, in spite of the fifteen centuries that have passed since its first presentation in India. [Except for some minor changes described herein,] the matter of the play is that of Kalidasa's Shakuntala with a minimum of verbal alteration."
- Summary by ToddHW and Author


Cast list:

Prologue: Agnes Robert Behr

Stage-director: redrun

Actress: Lynette Caulkins

King Dushyanta: Alan Mapstone

All-tamer, his son: Damien Le

Madhavya, a clown, his companion: ToddHW

A huntsman: lorda

Parvatayana, a chamberlain: Rapunzelina

Attendant in the king's palace: redrun

Kanva, hermit-father: Brian Fullen

Harita, hermit-youth: ShrimpPhish

Durvasas, an irascible sage: Adrian Stephens

Watcher: Elijah Fisher

Second watcher: Stacey Malcolm

An unnamed hermit: ShrimpPhish

Matali, charioteer of heaven's king: Beeswaxcandle

The chief of police: Greg Giordano

Suchaka, policeman: Sonia

Januka, policeman: Jim Locke

A fisherman: Elijah Fisher

Shakuntala, foster-child of Kanva: Inkell

Anusuya, her friend: rrushme

Priyamvada, her friend: sarabrown

Gautami, hermit-mother: Availle

A maid in the king's palace: Norah Nelson

Suvrata, inhabitant of the grove of the gods: Agnes Robert Behr

Kaushiki, inhabitant of the grove of the gods: Lynette Caulkins

Cries behind the scenes: Rapunzelina

Stage Directions: dc

Editing: ToddHW