Comedy of Errors Adapted Readers Theater Script | Shakespeare Play

This Comedy of Errors Readers Theater Script is an adapted version based on Shakespeare's original play. It targets grade 8 language level but is also suitable for high school students and opens up an opportunity for students to engage with Shakespeare's timeless play in a language they can understand. Throughout the script, direct quotes from Shakespeare are used to give students a taste of his writing style and the language used back in the 17th century.

Script Summary:

Aegeon, a merchant from Syracuse, is arrested in Ephesus because of strict city laws. He sadly explains that years ago, a storm tore his family apart at sea—each parent left with one twin son. Aegeon’s two sons, both named Antipholus, each had a servant named Dromio, also twins. By chance, both sets of twins end up in Ephesus on the same day. Their identical appearances lead to confusion: one Antipholus is locked out of his own house while the other is invited in, and each Dromio is sent on tasks meant for the other. Wives, merchants, and even the local Duke become entangled in hilarious mistaken identities. After much chaos, the twins finally reunite, and Aegeon finds his lost family. Everyone’s troubles come to an end with a joyful resolution.

This product includes a zip file consisting of:

1) Readers Theater Script

• ~17 Characters, 3500 words in editable DOCX & PDF Formats (12 pages)
• Following the structure of Shakespeare's original acts and scenes
• Includes direct quotes throughout the script from Shakespeare
• Themes & Discussion Question Prompts
• A student introduction that gives contextual background information about the play

2) Comprehensive Script Worksheet

• Includes Student Copy and Answer Key in PDF & Google Slides Formats (4 Pages | 22 Slides)
• 10 Vocabulary Words: Definitions based on the context of the script to build historical literacy
• 10 Short-Answer Questions: Comprehension and recall questions based solely on the script, ensuring students can analyze the content without requiring additional research.
• 4 Original Language vs. Adapted Text Questions
• 3 Question Comparing the Original to the Adapted Script

3) The Full Original Shakespeare Text of the Play

• Full Text, DOCX Format (101 pages)

Teaching Tips for Using the Script:

• For digital classrooms, upload the DOCX Script and convert to Google docs
• Use the Google Slides version of the worksheet
• For More Students: Main character can be read by multiple students.
• For Less Students: Minor characters can be read by just one student.
• This script should take about ~50 minutes and depending on your classroom's level it may be suitable for other grade levels.
• An extra ~50 minutes for prep, discussion, vocabulary or short answer comprehension questions should also be planned.