Expert: Shannon Kisch - 2/26/2009

Question
I have to perform a shakespeare duologue for an acting exam. The duologue must be for a male and female actor. Which Shakespeare plays include duologues for 2 actors (male and female)?

Answer
Dear Michelle -

Thank you for your question - and wow, you have a huge variety of duologues to choose from - almost all of Shakespeare's plays have interesting duologues between a man and woman.

If you will tell me a bit more about the sort of piece you're looking for, I can probably be more helpful - for example, how long should the piece be? Are you looking for a comic or serious piece? Young or old characters? Did they specify that the piece should be in verse, or should it be in prose?

In the meantime, here are a few of my favorite man/woman duologues in Shakespeare (these scenes are all very well known, and probably performed a lot - if you'd like something a bit less famous, please let me know):

Comic:

A Midsummer Night's Dream - Act II, Scene 1 - Helena and Demetrius (the duologue between Titania and Oberon in this scene is also nice, but much more serious)

The Taming of the Shrew - Act II, Scene 1 - Petruchio and Katherina

Twelfth Night - Act II, Scene 4 - Viola and Orsino (after Feste leaves)

Much Ado About Nothing - Act I, Scene 1 - Benedick and Beatrice

Dramatic:

Hamlet - Act III, Scene 1 - Hamlet and Ophelia

Romeo and Juliet - Act I, Scene 5 - Romeo and Juliet

Hope this helps you get started, at least!

Best,
Shannon