THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE by Nora Louise Syran

PUBLISHED in March 2023 by Next Stage Press (60-70 minutes) Twelve short interconnected plays based in modern day France at Christmas time. Twelve stories set in Paris, Brittany, Normandy and Provence which weave together wild boars and hunters, swans on the Seine, partridges in plum trees, lonely lovers and more...

"What a complete joy this cycle of short plays is. Immensely enjoyable on...
PUBLISHED in March 2023 by Next Stage Press (60-70 minutes) Twelve short interconnected plays based in modern day France at Christmas time. Twelve stories set in Paris, Brittany, Normandy and Provence which weave together wild boars and hunters, swans on the Seine, partridges in plum trees, lonely lovers and more...

"What a complete joy this cycle of short plays is. Immensely enjoyable on so many levels; funny, moving, informative but full of atmosphere and Christmas cheer. A sparkling seasonal gem."
-- Paul Smith, playwright and critic

"These short plays are woven together to make one beautiful holiday blanket. They're poems. They're paintings. And honestly very inspirational."
--Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn, playwright

"I love the concept of using a song, lyric by lyric, to create a sequence of short pieces that form a whole. This has the feel of France and the comic tone meshes with the nostalgia for a holiday time that we all think we miss. This lets us revel in our own memories because the writer gives us the space and time to do that. Lovely work."
-- Emma Goldman-Sherman

"Daedalus and a wild boar in a Christmas tale? It works beautifully. And it doesn’t need to be Christmas to appreciate this story of care."
-- Claudia Haas (of the first of the plays: A PERDRIX IN A PEAR TREE)
  • Recommend
  • Download
  • Save to Reading List

THE TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS IN FRANCE

Recommended by

  • Morey Norkin:
    28 Nov. 2023
    “ How delightful! I feel like I’ve just taken a wonderful trip to France! Nora Louise Syran beautifully delivers picture postcard scenes from Paris and the countryside all tied together by the well known carol. The scenes offer a mixture of humor, wistfulness, and warmth. Plus some outstanding monologues for anyone looking for audition material. What more could you ask for? ”
  • Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend:
    25 Oct. 2023
    “ This is too much fun: A series of shorts woven together around and inspired by the 12 things listed in the song, "The 12 Days of Christmas." It's so theatrical, with themes and characters who resurface, and I love how it gives the actors opportunities to play multiple parts - and the audience opportunities to watch the actors tackle a variety of roles. There are some beautiful monologues in here which can stand alone in their own right as well. What a wonderful piece to stage during the holidays! ”
  • Donald E. Baker:
    7 May. 2023
    “ Theaters be assured, no animal costumes (or actual animals) are required! All the livestock and personnel from the traditional "Twelve Days" carol are present, but mostly metaphorically. "Three French Hens" are three ladies conversing at a Parisian sidewalk café, for example. The audience will love how each charming scene plays with their expectations and how, in some cases, characters from one relate to characters in another. With its oh-so-French sensibilities, it will provide a welcome change to the usual theatrical holiday fare. ”
View all 8 recommendations

Suggested casting for 6 PLAYERS (2M, 2F)

MALE ACTOR (40-50s)
FRENCH PARTNER, HUNTER, NURSE, PARTNER 2
------------------
MALE ACTOR (30s)
WAITER, PHILIPPE, FATHER EMMANUEL
------------------
FEMALE ACTOR (30s)
HOLLY, KIND DOG WALKER, YOUNGER SHOPPER, ALTAR GUILD WOMAN 1
-----------------
FEMALE ACTOR (40s)
LAURE, FORMAL DOG WALKER, NORMA-JEAN, MILKMAID
---------------
FEMALE ACTOR (40-50s)
MOTHER, OLDER SHOPPER, NURSE, PARTNER 1, ALTAR GUILD WOMAN 2
------------------
FEMALE ACTOR (50s-60s)
ANGLOPHONE PARTNER, FAITH, INTELLECTUAL DOG WALKER, ALTAR GUIDE WOMAN 3, MUSIC TEACHER
______________
CAST OF 25 CHARACTERS
--------------
A PERDRIX IN A PEAR TREE
MOTHER (F 40-50)
ANGLOPHONE PARTNER (M/F 40-60)
--------------
TWO TURTLE DOVES
HOLLY (F 30s)
FRENCH PARTNER (M/F 30-40)
--------------
THREE FRENCH HENS
LAURE (F 40-50)
HOLLY (F 30)
FAITH (F 50-60)
WAITER (M 30)
-----------
FOUR CALLING BIRDS
INTELLECTUAL DOG WALKER (M/F 40-60)
MOTHER DOG WALKER (F 40-50)
FORMAL DOG WALKER (F 40-50)
KIND DOG WALKER (F 30-40)
HUNTER (M 30-60)
------------
FIVE GOLDEN RINGS
YOUNGER SHOPPER (M/F 20-40)
OLDER SHOPPER (M/F 50-60)
---------------
SIX GEESE A LAYING
NURSE 1 (M/F 30-50)
NURSE 2 (M/F 40-60)
NORMA JEAN (F 30-40)
PHILIPPE (M 30-40)
----------------
SEVEN SWANS A SWIMMING
PARTNER 1 (M/F 30-50)
PARTNER 2 (M/F 30-50)

EIGHT MAIDS A MILKING
MILKMAID (F 40)
----------------
NINE LADIES DANCING
ALTAR GUILD WOMAN 1 (F 30-40)
ALTAR GUILD WOMAN 2 (F 40-50)
ALTAR GUILD WOMAN 3 (F 50-60)
FRENCH ANGLICAN PRIEST (M 30-50)
-------------------
TEN LORDS A LEAPING
Same casting as the previous plays.
------------------
ELEVEN PIPERS PIPING
MUSIC TEACHER (M/F 60s)
------------------
TWELVE DRUMMERS DRUMMING
HOLLY (F 30s)
FRENCH PARTNER (M/F 30-50)
—--------------