The next production in Cowes Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society’s 127 year history features characters from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

Rewritten into modern English by award winning director, Gwen Stevens, the production features eight light-hearted and funny tales with some raunchy and rude adult humour. 

Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is at Trinity Theatre, Cowes, from September 12 to 15. Book at www.caods.org.uk

Gwen said: “I’ve wanted to bring Canterbury Tales to the stage for some years now and am delighted to be able to do so.

"The Canterbury Tales brings together the clergy, the nobility, and the peasantry on a common pilgrimage to the shrine of St Becket.

"The group decides to tell stories on their way to lighten the mood and enjoy the trip.

"These stories range from moral to vulgar based on who tells them .... funny, rude and insightful they are!

"In Chaucer's Canterbury Tales we see unchanging humanity struggling with the same problems in the 14th century as we do today.

We see the characters choose between holiness and hedonism, sanctity and sin, virtue and vice.

"The seven deadly sins are as deadly and relevant now as they were in Chaucer's time.”

Dinah Bowman, president of CAODS, said: “I am delighted that Gwen Stevens, one of the most talented directors on the Island, is working with us again.

"I’ve sat in on rehearsals and have to say that Gwen, the cast, costumes and crew have done a terrific job bringing Chaucer to life.

"The Canterbury Tales features a large cast of characters. Taken together, these characters essentially represent a cross-section of English society in the 14th century, providing both satirical commentary on politics and some more sincere looks at what life was really like, especially for the poor.

"Gwen has rewritten the tales with lots of narration and with special attention to a non-sighted audience.

"There is lots of physical comedy, almost panto-like humour. Come along. I promise you a fun evening!”