Theseus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur — Teaching Module

Production Notes

Theseus, Ariadne, and the Minotaur is an adventure story using Developmental Theatre techniques in a Fearlessly Creative way. The ten-scene theatre module ending in a production is designed as a Role Playing Game. It can be played as a unit of consecutive days, or one morning a week for twelve weeks, or any other arrangement.

An extensive introduction to the Adventure is provided below, and further instructions and prompts exist before and throughout each of the ten scenes. Theatre Games are suggested for each scene as Warm Up and learning exercises.

Any later grade, middle, or high school Players can participate. If the Players are home-schooled, two Players are possible, three works better, and six or more are best. The Guide does not count as one of these Players.

The Map: The Map is the Circle of the Wayfarer’s Journey. Each scene describes at least one setting created entirely by the Players in mime.

Place on Map	Scene	Setting	Scene Title	Characters
Home	1 (script)	Place of the Rock	Leaving Home	Theseus, Aethra
Call	2 (improv)	Road to Athens	On the Road	Theseus, Players
Gate In	3 (script)	Athens Throne Room	Meeting the King in Athens	Theseus, Medea, Aegeus, Players
Road of Trials	4 (script)	Athens Throne Room	Sacrifices!	Theseus, Aegeus, Players
Road of Trials	5 (improv)	Greek Ship to Crete	Sailing to Crete	Theseus, Players
Road of Trials	6 (script)	Minos’ Crete Throne Room	Negotiation!	Theseus, Minos, Ariadne
Nigredo	7 (combination)	Greek Ship	Despair, Then Hope!	Theseus, Ariadne, Players
Gate Out	8 (improv)	In the Labyrinth	Labyrinth and Minotaur	Ariadne, Theseus, Players
Return	9 (script)	Ship Home	Ariadne’s Island	Ariadne, Theseus, Players
Home	10 (improv)	Port of Athens	Black Sails	Theseus, Players

Real Goals (for Players):

1. Increase basic knowledge about theatre
2. Gain confidence in two approaches to scene work: scripted and improvisational
3. Practice the Five Developmental Theatre Competencies: Physical Expression, Vocal Expression, Context Awareness, Risk Capacity and Management, Resilience

Playing for Points: Group can decide to play for points or not. There are no individual winners. Example: 10,000 points per scene and 100,000 points for final production for an audience.

Specific Knowledge to Explore: Archetypes; bull religions and bull dances; Crete and Naxos geography; ancient world sea dominance; earthquakes; Greek ships; guest rituals; Labyrinth (vs Maze); Wayfarer’s Journey.

Script

Scene 1: The Place of the Rock (Home/Call)

Working in pairs — each actor takes a role (Aethra or Theseus) from a hat. Working as a pair they quickly prepare the scene. The rock, the objects are mimed: each pair determines size, shape, placement.

AETHRA: Come, Theseus! Today is our day to walk to your father’s rock.

THESEUS: Since I was a very little boy often and often we have walked to my father’s rock. Tell me again about my father.

AETHRA: Your father is king of the city of Athens, which is very far away from our country. Many years before today he was adventuring and came here. He was young, brave and a skilled warrior.

THESEUS: I’m training in a lot of fighting styles, warrior strategy and kingship. Why didn’t my father stay here and train me himself?

AETHRA: His father died and he became a King. He had to return to Athens to care for his people. And I am a Queen and stayed here to care for my people. But before he left he put gifts for you under the rock.

THESEUS: Mother, maybe this time I will move the rock and find the gifts.

AETHRA: When you are grown-up enough to move the rock, then your father wants you to go to him in Athens.

THESEUS: I will go to my father, however far away. I want to meet him. I hope he will welcome me.

AETHRA: You were not even born when he left! He’s a king and is very busy taking care of his great city, Athens. He told me to keep you with me until you can move the rock.

(Theseus mimes the size of the rock or Players form it. Then he attempts to move it.)

THESEUS: Did it move? I thought it moved.

AETHRA: No. (Theseus tries again.)

THESEUS: I’ve never felt half so strong as now. Did it move?

AETHRA: No.

(Theseus tries again, straining every sinew, with a whole heart behind the effort. Finally the rock moves! How it moves — topples, slides aside, opens up — is the Players’ choice and the Players show the audience what happens in mime.)

AETHRA: You moved it! Let’s see what your father left for you under the rock.

(Both Aethra and Theseus kneel by the rock to see what’s there. Theseus mimes unwrapping a sword — mimes to the audience its length and weight, lifts it, makes a thrust.)

THESEUS: It’s a sword. (He thrusts and parries with it.) Will you hold it while I see if there is more under the rock?

(Hands it to his mother grip handle first. Aethra holds the sword while Theseus finds the sandals.)

Sandals. My father’s sandals! I’ll wear them when I go to him. (Theseus tries the sandals; they fit.)

AETHRA: Oh, they fit! Oh, dear. (She is both proud and sad.)

Now you will be going away. You will wear his sandals and follow in his footsteps. He meant for you to wear the sword and have adventures, as he did when he was your age.

THESEUS: I want to go to my father.

AETHRA: It may be that I will hear of your adventures.

THESEUS: I will miss you, mother.

AETHRA: And it may be your future life will bring you here to visit me. I love you, son. Go with my blessing.

(They part. Theseus leaves. Aethra watches him go.)

Scene 2: On the Road (Call — Improvisation)

The last scene was scripted. This second scene requires small groups of Players to create their mini-scene, including any mimed settings or dialogue. They must make it a short scene.

First brainstorm as a whole group: what kind of adventures could Theseus have on the road? Archetype adventures might include: Theseus and robbers; Theseus meets an old person by the roadside; building a bridge to cross a river or canyon; Theseus and a Giant; Theseus and a monster.

Different scenes need different numbers of Players. When all groups have their scenes ready they perform Theseus’s various road adventures in turn.

Scenes 3 and 4: Meeting the King in Athens / Sacrifices! (Gate In)

All read through Scene 3 and discuss how Theseus is welcomed. All read through Scene 4 and discuss why the tribute is paid, who gets sacrificed, and why Theseus volunteers.

SCENE 3

THESEUS: I have come at last to Athens, where my father is King. I will ask these townspeople if they know how to find him.

Hello! My name is Theseus, and I’m a son of the King. I’ve come to visit him and claim my birthright. Do you know where he is?

TOWNSPEOPLE: (Respond variously, point in different directions.)

THESEUS: Perhaps you could tell me where the King lives?

TOWNSPEOPLE: He lives in that palace. (They all point in the same direction.)

THESEUS: Thank you.

TOWNSPERSON ONE: Should we warn him?

TOWNSPERSON TWO: Too late. The spy already went to tell Queen Medea.

THESEUS: This is a very big palace! There are guards at the door!

GUARDS: Halt! Who are you!

THESEUS: My name is Theseus, and I’m a son of the King. I’ve come to visit him and claim my birthright. Will you let me pass?

QUEEN MEDEA: (She steps from the doorway, signals the guards to let him pass.) Welcome, young man! I am Queen Medea.

THESEUS: My name is Theseus. I am…

QUEEN MEDEA: Theseus! The Hero who…. (She lists all his adventures, and he nods Yes to each one.) You are famous for making the road safe again for all travelers. And now you have come to Athens!

THESEUS: I’m a son of King Aegeus. I’ve come to visit him and claim my birthright. Will you take me to him?

QUEEN MEDEA: I will tell him you are here. Oh, wait. It might be fun for you to just come before him as you are and see if he recognizes you.

THESEUS: I’m sure he will.

QUEEN MEDEA: Let’s put him to the test! You wait here. I’ll ask him to go to his throne room to greet a stranger. Then I’ll come for you.

(Theseus goes to the sidelines. He can’t hear what happens.)

QUEEN MEDEA: Aegeus, there is a young man at the door who wants to see you.

AEGEUS: Who is he?

QUEEN MEDEA: King Aegeus, this young man is very dangerous. He’s come here to be King. He wants to sit on the throne in your place! He wants to be your heir in place of our son!

AEGEUS: Aha! Why, he must be a very wicked young fellow indeed!

QUEEN MEDEA: He is waiting now for admission to your Majesty’s presence! He might kill you.

AEGEUS: My guards are here to protect me. But perhaps you have another idea? What would you advise me to do with him?

QUEEN MEDEA: I will mix herbs into the cup you will offer him as a guest to the city. After he drinks he will put aside the bad plan he has in his mind.

AEGEUS: Well, that is simple enough. When the cup is ready, send him to me.

(Queen Medea mixes herbs into the cup and carries it to Aegeus. While we watch her do this, still on the sidelines, Theseus talks to himself.)

THESEUS: That is an old man sitting on the throne! My father looks as if each year has been a lump of rock laid on his weary shoulders. Oh, what love I feel for him. I hope he will let me help shoulder his burdens!

QUEEN MEDEA: Young man! The king will see you now!

King Aegeus, offer him the guest cup.

THESEUS: (Bowing.) I greet you, King Aegeus. Long have I wanted to come and stand before you.

AEGEUS: There is something very familiar about you, young man.

QUEEN MEDEA: (Whispers in Aegeus’ ear.) Do you see his confusion! He is so guilty he trembles and cannot speak. Offer him the guest cup quickly!

AEGEUS: Young man, you are welcome to Athens. I offer you the guest cup.

But wait! The sword you wear is very familiar to me. And the sandals that you wear. Tell me how you came by them!

THESEUS: It was my father’s sword. I wear his sandals. He put them under a rock until I was grown enough to move it and come to him. My dear mother Queen Aethra told me the way of it many times as I grew up. Then the day came when I moved the rock! Since that day I have been coming here to find you.

AEGEUS: (Hands guest welcome cup back to Medea, who emotionally exits!)

My son! Theseus, my son! Welcome home, my son.

THESEUS: My father! How good it is to be here with you. What adventures we will have.

SCENE 4: Sacrifices!

AEGEUS: Theseus, my son, it’s now some time since you came to find me. You and your new friends have had some adventures. What do you plan on doing next?

THESEUS: This morning I thought I’d dreamed of people groaning and weeping. But when I woke I heard screams in the street. And, now, here in this palace I hear people sobbing. Tell me what is happening.

AEGEUS: Theseus, this is the day when the sacrifices for Crete are selected. Minos, King of Crete, requires a tribute from Athens every nine years. Fourteen Athenian young people will go to Crete to be given to the Minotaur. Here come the chosen ones now.

(The Sacrifices enter and listen to the following.)

THESEUS: These fourteen young Athenians go to Crete? Why not refuse?

AEGEUS: It began when we lost a war with Crete. Minos has built a navy that no one can fight and win. Any city Crete conquers pays the same tribute.

THESEUS: Why are these chosen called sacrifices? What happens to them in Crete?

SACRIFICES: (Different Players say different lines.)

The Minotaur is shaped partly as a man …. And partly as a bull. It is fed humans to eat. It will eat us! It snorts and rages inside a Great Labyrinth. The Labyrinth is a giant cage. It’s a cage to hold the Minotaur. There is no way out once you go in. If it got out it would eat all the people of Crete. It belongs to Minos’ Queen. She won’t have it killed. Minos’ daughter Ariadne keeps the key. She is the one who will put us in the cage. Where the Minotaur will eat us!

THESEUS: Is it not possible to slay this monster?

AEGEUS: No one who ever went into the Labyrinth came back out. It is said that even if a person killed the Minotaur there is no way to find the way back to the entrance.

THESEUS: How are the sacrifices chosen?

AEGEUS: By lot.

THESEUS: Let only thirteen draw the lot. I shall be the fourteenth sacrifice.

AEGEUS: Why? You are a royal prince. You have the right to hold yourself above the fate of commoners.

THESEUS: It is because I am the prince that I take upon me freely this sorrowful task.

AEGEUS: I will not sacrifice my son, the rightful heir to the kingdom. Choose rather the poorest person in the city. They can die honorably instead of struggling to make ends meet.

THESEUS: I am a prince, your son, and heir. And I have survived many adventures while coming to you and since I’ve been here. I think I will return from Crete because I have slain the Minotaur. No one ever again will pay Crete this tribute.

AEGEUS: Is it possible?

THESEUS: If they were chosen by lot, let them choose again. I will replace the one with the highest number.

SACRIFICES: (Divide lines among the Players as they draw lots — let it be a real-time drawing so they don’t know who will win.)

I hope I have a high number. I don’t care if I stay here or go. It’s a long boat ride to Crete. I want to see Theseus kill the Minotaur. There’s no way to know if he will or not. And if Theseus doesn’t, well, the Minotaur eats us. I hear Crete is a very wealthy island, and beautiful. When we get there we’ll be prisoners, not guests. What about the Labyrinth? The Minotaur lives inside it. The Labyrinth is the Minotaur’s prison. Ariadne, King Minos’ daughter, keeps the keys. Even if Theseus conquers the Minotaur, how does he get back out? If he does get back out, then what? Would we be able to return home?

SACRIFICE — WINNER: I have the highest number!

THESEUS: Then I take your place! You are free to go. I greet the rest of you, not as Sacrifices, but as my Companions on this adventure.

AEGEUS: I know there is no way to stop you from going to Crete. And to be separated from you again is very hard. There will be no way of knowing what happens until this ship returns.

THESEUS: The sails of our ship are black. Let it be that we will change the ship’s sails to white if we are victorious. Then you will know we have come home again.

AEGEUS: So shall it be. White sails mean you live, black that you have died. Go, with my blessing, and return to me alive and victorious.

Scene 5: Sailing to Crete (Road of Trials — Improvisation)

A second opportunity to explore improvisation. Group brainstorms incidents and adventures while on the ship, divides into groups (each with a Theseus, Companions, and Sailors), prepares their incident, and performs for other groups.

Scene 6: Negotiation! (Road of Trials)

KING MINOS: Ariadne, the ship from Athens has been sighted. Come with me, daughter, and we will see who the Athenians sent as sacrifices.

ARIADNE: The Athenians draw their sacrifices by lot. They may have sent any sort of person. It seems a more fair system than how some of the others choose theirs.

KING MINOS: I ask for the strongest youth and maidens to satisfy the Minotaur’s hunger. That is not always who we get from Athens.

ARIADNE: What you are doing is having your enemies sacrifice any person who might lead and win a war against you.

KING MINOS: Exactly right. Take that truth to heart, daughter, if you become Queen of Crete. War is expensive. Slaughtered captives are not.

ARIADNE: I take the lesson but not the method. I beg you, return the Sacrifices to Athens, and create a settlement with that city that unites us as allies forever.

KING MINOS: I have told you no every time you’ve brought this idea to me. Even if I were to consider such a thing, what would we feed the Minotaur?

ARIADNE: What we feed the other bulls we raised and trained for dancing the Bull Dance. Let these captives give the dance a try, like in the old days. It was an honorable way to either die or be set free. Let them dance with the Minotaur instead.

KING MINOS: Too often our enemies danced and went home free. I will do nothing that will encourage competition where we are embarrassed by our enemies winning. I have done with this idea, Ariadne. I will not hear from you again.

PLAYER: My King! Lady Ariadne! The Athenian ship has docked.

KING MINOS: They look a well-fed group this time. What, only one comes from the ship. You have come in time, Athenian Sacrifice. The full moon is tomorrow, and the Minotaur does not like to go hungry.

THESEUS: I, Theseus, greet you, King Minos of Crete. And if the woman by your side is your daughter Ariadne, I greet you also, Lady.

ARIADNE: I am Ariadne. I greet you, brave Theseus.

KING MINOS: Where are the rest of the Athenian sacrifices? Too frightened at being devoured by the terrible Minotaur to get off your ship?

THESEUS: I am Theseus, son of Aegeus, and heir to his throne. I volunteered to come to Crete, King Minos. Let me challenge the Minotaur, and free us all from this monster. Athens would prefer to be your ally, not your enemy.

ARIADNE: You are a calm and brave person! Father, shall we consider what Theseus has to offer? Athens would be a strong ally for Crete.

KING MINOS: No offer will be considered. You are here as sacrifice, and tomorrow you and the others go to the Minotaur.

THESEUS: Look into your own heart, King Minos. To continue to sacrifice the young people of the world makes you a more hideous monster than the Minotaur.

KING MINOS: Do you think so? Well, tomorrow you will have a chance to meet the Minotaur and see who is the worst monster. I give you to it. Guards!

ARIADNE: Father! Please listen to the Athenian offer!

KING MINOS: I have told you no, and no it stands. I leave you, Theseus, to your chosen fate. (Exits.)

Scene 7: Despair, then Hope! (Nigredo — Combination)

Scene 7 opens as an improvisation. Midway there is a meeting with Ariadne which is scripted. The scene closes with improvisation.

THESEUS: BACK ON THE SHIP: (Improvise as Theseus reports on the meeting with Minos: their fate is sealed.)

ARIADNE: This night the Athenian sacrifices await their fate on their fine ship. But I see in Theseus a hero capable of ending this matter of sacrifices. If my father will not negotiate, I will. Something yet may be done to save them.

Guards of the Ship! Hold there. I, Ariadne, would speak with Theseus.

THESEUS: Lady, how may I serve you?

ARIADNE: It is possible that I may serve you. I have waited for someone with courage like yours for a long time.

THESEUS: You are keeper of the keys to the Labyrinth, Lady. Tomorrow you will put us into it.

ARIADNE: What if I took you to the Minotaur tonight, brave Theseus? It is not yet full moon, and so the Minotaur is not yet at full strength.

THESEUS: Lady, give me this chance! I will set both our countries free.

ARIADNE: If I do this, there will be no place for me in Crete. My father will have me killed.

THESEUS: Travel with us, then, Lady. We can take you to Athens with us. Or take you wherever you wish to go. We will protect you with our lives until you are safely there.

ARIADNE: Then we are agreed. I will come for you after moonset tonight.

THESEUS: I will be ready. Will my companions come with us?

ARIADNE: No. I will give their guards a potion to sleep when I come. Your companions must make ready your ship while awaiting the outcome of this adventure.

THESEUS: Tonight then. After moonset.

Scene 8: Labyrinth and Minotaur (Gate Out — Improvisation)

Prior to the scene discuss how it is going to go. Questions to consider: Does the Minotaur have a personality? Emotions? Thoughts? What sounds do we hear? As a being with the head half bull, and the rest human, what style of fighting does the Minotaur do? How will Theseus fight? How will Theseus win? What alternatives to killing the Minotaur might Theseus and the Minotaur have? What does the door to the Labyrinth look like? What is Ariadne’s key like? How will we build the Labyrinth with our bodies? What about the ball of string?

ARIADNE: Theseus? The moon has set. I have given the guards their sleeping potion.

THESEUS: Lady, I am ready. My companions will prepare the ship for us to leave.

(The Players will form the Labyrinth according to their design.)

ARIADNE: This is the entry to the Labyrinth.

THESEUS: Then, Lady, let me in and we will find out what happens.

ARIADNE: There are two challenges here, Theseus. One is the Minotaur, and that one I can not help you win. But there is also the Labyrinth itself.

THESEUS: It is said there is no way out.

ARIADNE: The way in is the way out. Take this string. Do not lose the end of it, for once you slay the Minotaur, you can follow the string back out the same way you went in.

THESEUS: Lady, I thank you for this thread that will show me the way back to this gate in. I would not have you wait for me here. Will you go now to my ship? If I fail, leave with my Companions. They will keep you safe.

ARIADNE: I will be here at this gate when you return, Theseus. We will leave Crete together.

THESEUS: So we have agreed, and so it shall be.

(Ariadne opens the gate, and Theseus enters.)

Labyrinth — Theseus makes it through the Labyrinth.

Minotaur — Theseus and the Minotaur have their resolution.

Theseus makes his way back through the Labyrinth.

ARIADNE: Theseus! You have won through!

THESEUS: I have, Ariadne. We are free. We go now to my ship and home to Athens.

ARIADNE: We must make haste. (They exit.)

Scene 9: Ariadne’s Island (Return)

THESEUS: Lady, you are welcome aboard my ship.

ARIADNE: Thank you. I tell you we must make haste. We must clear the harbor before the sun rises.

THESEUS: I will tell the chanter to give us the fastest beat there is. One moment and I’ll return. (Exits.)

ARIADNE: (Standing at the rail, looking back at Crete.)

I have made my choice. What I was I am no more. It is up to me to make the future I will have.

(Theseus returns.)

Thank you, Theseus, for taking me away from Crete with you. Staying would mean my certain death.

THESEUS: Lady, without you we would be bones for the Minotaur to gnaw. You gave up everything that you are when you turned the key to the Labyrinth and gave me the ball of string.

ARIADNE: When we danced and wrestled with the bulls it was a test of our strength, dexterity, and cleverness. If you died, you died with honor. The sacrifices to the Minotaur were not honorable. They needed to be stopped.

THESEUS: I have heard of these bull dances. In those days prisoners could attempt the dance for freedom.

ARIADNE: Yes. It was an honorable way to either die or be free. There might be honor in slaying the Minotaur, but none if you cannot leave the Labyrinth afterwards. Now it is all finished. My deepest thanks to you, Theseus.

THESEUS: This was a good adventure, a good victory. Lady, we clear the harbor! The sails are freed. Will you come to Athens with us?

ARIADNE: I do not think I would be Queen in Athens.

THESEUS: My father is King. One day I will sit where he sits now, but not for a long time. There are many more adventures before me. And when I marry it cannot be you, daughter of Crete, enemy of Greece.

ARIADNE: Then I would go to Naxos.

THESEUS: That island is a little out of our path. Would another island do?

ARIADNE: Naxos was great before Crete was born. Zeus lets it blossom there, and agriculture thrives. It is honored by Dionysus’ presence. I will be recognized and honored. There I have hope of a future.

THESEUS: Then Naxos it is. I will tell the steersman. (Exits.)

ARIADNE: Naxos, I choose you. I will live a good life there.

Scene 10: Black Sails (Home — Improvisation)

Draw lots for Theseus, Companions, Townspeople.

THESEUS: We come at last to Athens. It’s been an excellent adventure. Pull down the black sails. We’ll row to the docks.

COMPANIONS: (Various lines.)

Pull down the black sails! When we left we had no hope we would ever return. Look! People are gathering on the docks. They’ve come to greet us! Why are they wearing mourning? Why do people look so confused?

(Shouting to the townsfolk.)

We lived! We’ve come home! The Minotaur is dead! Welcome us! There is my family! Why aren’t they celebrating! This isn’t the welcome we expected.

THESEUS: We will go ashore. We will find out why people look so confused.

TOWNSFOLK: Welcome, King Theseus.

THESEUS: Do not call me King! Where is my father to welcome us?

TOWNSFOLK: King Aegeus is dead. You are now king.

THESEUS: Dead! How did he die?

TOWNSFOLK: (Various lines.)

When he saw the black sails he despaired. His foot slipped. Don’t lie — he jumped. Don’t tell Theseus that! He’ll find out anyway. When he thought you were dead he leapt into the sea. We’ve sent small ships — the sailors search for his body. Lucky for us you are alive! Hail, King Theseus. (Repeat.)

THESEUS: Stop! I am not King.

TOWNSFOLK: (Various lines.)

Who else, son of Aegeus? Who else, Hero of the Road Adventures? Who else, Slayer of the Minotaur?

THESEUS: How did this happen?

TOWNSFOLK: (Various lines.)

We all saw the black sails and thought the Sacrifices were dead. We heard that your father was overwhelmed by grief. Just look at the mess we’re in. We must prepare a funeral for the old King. At least Theseus is alive and here. We must prepare a coronation for the new King.

THESEUS: Black sails! I… I forgot to order the sails changed to white!

COMPANIONS: (Various lines.)

Look at Theseus. He is overcome. This happened because he left Ariadne on Naxos. Don’t be ridiculous. She chose to be left on Naxos. Why didn’t he remember to change the sails to white? Who would remember such a small thing after all we’ve done? He should have remembered. Did any of us know we were supposed to change the sails? If so, none of us remembered either.

THESEUS: You — all of you, Companions and Townsfolk — you prepare the funeral for King Aegeus. I will go to those who search and find his body. Prepare his funeral.

ALL: We will. And we will prepare your coronation. Hail, King Theseus!

THE END

Facilitator Notes

Evaluation Questions:

• How many points did we earn?
• What did we learn?
• You played this game to accomplish these things in real life:
  • Increase basic knowledge about theatre
  • Gain confidence in two approaches to scene work: scripted and improvisational
  • Practice the Five Developmental Theatre Competencies: Physical Expression, Vocal Expression, Context Awareness, Risk Capacity and Management, Resilience
• It’s also possible that you learned a lot about ancient Greece and Crete, the Wayfarer’s Journey, archetypes, and storytelling.

Whether or not you played for points, now is the time to Celebrate! Thank you for participating. Tell us about your experience on our Developmental Theatre: Fearless Creativity website.