Troilus and Cressida: The Musical (full-length)

In this musical adaptation of Shakespeare's Trojan War epic, the women finally get to have their say. Centering women characters, this adaptation takes Shakespeare's most masculine play and explores the impact of war on women and children. Lyrics and music by Marcia Eppich-Harris, with the exception of Iphigenia's Laments, by Lane Snyder. Arrangement help from Seth Young and all percussion arranged by Eric Wood...

In this musical adaptation of Shakespeare's Trojan War epic, the women finally get to have their say. Centering women characters, this adaptation takes Shakespeare's most masculine play and explores the impact of war on women and children. Lyrics and music by Marcia Eppich-Harris, with the exception of Iphigenia's Laments, by Lane Snyder. Arrangement help from Seth Young and all percussion arranged by Eric Wood (not included in the score).

The Greeks and Trojans have reached a stalemate as the Trojan War enters its seventh year. As soldiers on both sides debate where to go from here, the Trojan prince, Troilus, occupies himself with thoughts of love for Cressida, whose father has defected to the Greeks. Meanwhile, Cressida, Helen, and Cassandra wonder how to protect their hearts, minds, and bodies in a world that views them as nothing more than property.

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Troilus and Cressida: The Musical (full-length)

Character Information

There can be a chorus of any size, or no chorus at all. Male roles can be played by any gender. It is possible to double the characters to have a minimum of 15 actors; however, when it was produced by Southbank Theatre Company, there were 20 roles and 17 actors filled them.
  • Diomedes
    a Greek warrior (has more action in act 2 than act 1)
    Character Age
    20s-30s
  • Margarelon
    a bastard son of Priam (one scene)
    Character Age
    any
  • Calchas
    father of Cressida, brother of Pandarus.
    Character Age
    50s+
  • Iphigenia
    the daughter of Agamemnon, who is sacrificed so the Greeks can travel to Troy. She is a ghost throughout most of the play.
    Character Age
    11-16
  • Priam
    King of Troy
    Character Age
    50s+
  • Menelaus
    a Greek, Helen's husband
    Character Age
    30s-50s
  • Andromache
    wife of Hector
    Character Age
    20s-40s
  • Hector
    the Champion of the Trojans, very chivalric.
    Character Age
    20s-40s
  • Helen of Troy
    the most beautiful woman in the world.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
  • Paris
    a prince of Troy who stole Helen of Troy from her home in Sparta
    Character Age
    20s-30s
  • Aeneas
    the herald of the Trojans, and a warrior
    Character Age
    30s-40s
  • Troilus
    prince of Troy
    Character Age
    20s-30s
  • Ajax
    Can be played as an average warrior or as someone who is a less able warrior (the latter was used in the first production). Either way, Ajax is illiterate and not as clever as the rest of the Greeks.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
  • Thersites
    Servant, and fool character
    Character Age
    Any
  • Patroclus
    Achilles's comrade, a Greek warrior
    Character Age
    18-30s
  • Achilles
    the Greek Champion, who has not been fighting in the war, due to conflicts with Agamemnon.
    Character Age
    20s-30s
  • Agamemnon
    the Greek General
    Character Age
    40s
  • Ulysses
    A Greek captain
  • Pandarus
    Cressida's uncle, a Trojan man.
    Character Age
    50s+
  • Cassandra
    the Trojan prophetess, who no one ever believed.
    Character Age
    Any
  • Cressida
    a Trojan woman
    Character Age
    20s-30s

Production History