35 scenes from Shakespeare are presented in newly-edited texts, with notes which clarify meanings, topical references, puns, ambiguities, etc. A brief description of characters and situation prefaces each scene, and is followed by a commentary which discusses its major acting challenges and opportunities. Each scene has been chosen for its independent life requiring only the simplest of stage properties and the barest of spaces.
Introduction 1(4) Advice to Actors 5(36) SCENES FOR ONE ACTOR AND ONE ACTRESS Henry VI, Part Two, Act III, Scene ii. 41(6) Queen Margaret Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene ii. 47(11) Romeo Juliet A Midsummer Nights Dream, Act II, Scene i. 58(5) Demetrius Helena The Merchant of Venice, Act III, Scene ii. 63(11) Portia Bassanio Much Ado About Nothing, Act IV, Scene i. 74(6) Benedick Beatrice As You Like It, Act III, Scene ii. 80(8) Rosalind Orlando Hamlet, Act III, Scene i. 88(6) Hamlet Ophelia Alls Well that Ends Well, Act IV, Scene ii. 94(7) Bertram Diana Othello, Act, V, Scene ii. 101(8) Othello Desdemona Measure for Measure, Act III, Scene i. 109(8) Claudio Isabella Macbeth, Act II, Scene ii. 117(7) Lady Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth, Act III, Scene ii. 124(7) Lady Macbeth Macbeth Antony and Cleopatra, Act I, Scene iii. 131(8) Antony Cleopatra Cymbeline, Act III, Scene ii. 139(6) Pisanio Imogen The Winters Tale, Act IV, Scene iv. 145(7) Florizel Perdita SCENES FOR TWO ACTRESSES The Comedy of Errors, Act II, Scene i and Act IV, Scene ii. 152(6) Adriana Luciana The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act I, Scene ii. 158(10) Julia Lucetta Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene v. 168(5) Juliet Nurse Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene v. 173(5) Lady Capulet Juliet The Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene ii. 178(7) Portia Nerissa As You Like It, Act III, Scene ii. 185(6) Celia Rosalind Twelfth Night, Act I, Scene v. 191(8) Viola Olivia Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene i. 199(6) Viola Olivia Alls Well That Ends Well, Act I, Scene iii. 205(8) Helena Countess Othello, Act IV, Scene iii. 213(8) Emilia Desdemona SCENES FOR TWO ACTORS Henry VI, Part Three, Act V, Scene vi 221(7) King Henry VI Richard King John, Act IV, Scene ii. 228(6) Hubert King John Henry IV, Part One, Act I, Scene ii. 234(7) Prince Henry Sir John Falstaff Henry IV, Part Two, Act IV, Scene v. 241(8) King Henry IV Prince Henry Julius Caesar, Act IV, Scene iii. 249(8) Cassius Brutus Hamlet, Act V, Scene i. 257(6) King Lear, Act IV, Scene vi. 263(7) Coriolanus, Act IV, Scene v. 270(7) Aufidius Coriolanus The Winters Tale, Act IV, Scene iii. 277(7) Autolycus Young Shepherd The Tempest, Act II, Scene i. 284 Antonio Sebastian
