The Persians

The Persians adapted by Ellen McLaughlin

(0)
Productions (8)
Drama
|
80 - 100 minutes
1 W, 10 M,  (9-15 actors possible: exactly 1 W, 8-14 M)
Set: The counsel chamber at Susa, the seat of power of the Persian empire.

In this moving and poetic adaptation of Aeschylus' drama, Queen Atossa and her subjects anxiously await news of their King Xerxes' expedition to Greece. What they hear is inconceivably horrifying: the vast Persian Empire has fallen, with an entire army lost. Now the scant survivors of a catastrophic campaign, including Xerxes himself, must find a way to continue to live in the shattered world they once called home.

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $85
Standard Edition $13.99
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $150

*The per performance fee begins at $85. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Play Details

In this moving and poetic adaptation of Aeschylus' drama, Queen Atossa and her subjects anxiously await news of their King Xerxes' expedition to Greece. What they hear is inconceivably horrifying: the vast Persian Empire has fallen, with an entire army lost. Now the scant survivors of a catastrophic campaign, including Xerxes himself, must find a way to continue to live in the shattered world they once called home.

  • Drama
  • |
  • 80 - 100 minutes
  • 1 W, 10 M,  (9-15 actors possible: exactly 1 W, 8-14 M)
  • Set: The counsel chamber at Susa, the seat of power of the Persian empire.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-536-0

Published Reviews

"McLaughlin serves and uses The Persians with true power and grace. The structure is simple and dazzling."

Margo Jefferson, The New York Times

Production History

MAY 02, 2024 - MAY 26, 2024
Undermain Theatre
Dallas, TX United States
Undermain Theatre Dallas, TX United States
JUL 25, 2023 - JUL 29, 2023
ORiGiN Theatrical (Curtin University - Performance Studies)
Bentley, Western Australia Australia
ORiGiN Theatrical (Curtin University - Performance Studies) Bentley, Western Australia Australia
FEB 26, 2021 - FEB 28, 2021
Performing Arts Company
Fredonia, NY United States
Performing Arts Company Fredonia, NY United States
FEB 26, 2020 - FEB 29, 2020
Hendrix College (Hendrix Players)
Conway, AR United States
Hendrix College (Hendrix Players) Conway, AR United States
NOV 17, 2011 - NOV 18, 2011
Summerfield Waldorf School
Santa Rosa, CA United States
Summerfield Waldorf School Santa Rosa, CA United States
JAN 01, 2008 - DEC 31, 2008
People's Light Theater
, PA United States
People's Light Theater , PA United States
JAN 01, 2005 - DEC 31, 2005
Shakespeare Theater
Washington, DC United States
Shakespeare Theater Washington, DC United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
National Actors' Theater
New York, NY United States
National Actors' Theater New York, NY United States
No upcoming productions.
MAY 02, 2024 - MAY 26, 2024
Undermain Theatre
Dallas, TX United States
Undermain Theatre Dallas, TX United States
JAN 01, 2008 - DEC 31, 2008
People's Light Theater
, PA United States
People's Light Theater , PA United States
JAN 01, 2005 - DEC 31, 2005
Shakespeare Theater
Washington, DC United States
Shakespeare Theater Washington, DC United States
JAN 01, 2003 - DEC 31, 2003
National Actors' Theater
New York, NY United States
National Actors' Theater New York, NY United States

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected]