Public Domain Characters of the Stage: A Time for Adaptation

As of January 1, 2024, everyone’s favourite mouse, Mickey, will be moving into the public domain, joining a long list of beloved characters from literature, theatre, and other media. This means that writers and producers will have the opportunity to create new stories featuring Mickey and other iconic characters without having to worry about copyright infringement.

But Mickey isn’t the only one. There are many other characters from classic plays and musicals that are now in the public domain, waiting for someone to bring them back to life on stage. Here are just a few of the characters that we think are crying out for adaptation.

1. Juliet from “Romeo and Juliet”

It’s been over 400 years since Shakespeare penned his classic tale of star-crossed lovers, and yet, the story of Romeo and Juliet is still as relevant today as it was in the 16th century. While countless adaptations of this tragic tale exist, we think it’s time for a new, fresh take on Juliet. Maybe she’s a young woman struggling to make a name for herself in a male-dominated industry, or maybe she’s a modern-day Juliet navigating the complexities of social media and online dating.

2. Puck from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”

With his mischievous personality and supernatural powers, Puck is a character that is just begging for a new adaptation. Maybe he’s a modern-day hacker causing chaos in the world of tech, or maybe he’s a magical creature who helps a group of humans find their way in a world that’s become too reliant on technology.

3. Eliza Doolittle from “Pygmalion”

Eliza Doolittle, the flower girl turned refined lady, is a character that has stood the test of time. With her plucky attitude and determination, she’s the perfect protagonist for a story about overcoming adversity and achieving your dreams. Maybe she’s a young woman from a working-class family who dreams of becoming a CEO, or maybe she’s an aspiring artist struggling to make a name for herself in the competitive world of contemporary art.

4. Tom Wingfield from “The Glass Menagerie”

Tom Wingfield is a character that many of us can relate to. With his dreams of escaping his mundane life and pursuing something more meaningful, he’s the perfect embodiment of the human desire for something greater. Maybe he’s a disillusioned millennial struggling to find meaning in a world that seems to value material success over personal fulfilment, or maybe he’s a retiree trying to find purpose in his golden years.

5. The Pirate King from “The Pirates of Penzance”

Who doesn’t love a good pirate story? The Pirate King, with his swashbuckling ways and charming personality, is the perfect protagonist for a modern-day adventure story. Maybe he’s a modern-day pirate, navigating the dangerous waters of the high seas while searching for treasure and glory.

6. Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion from “The Wizard of Oz”

While “The Wizard of Oz” has been adapted countless times over the years, we think there’s still plenty of room for new adaptations of this classic tale. Maybe Dorothy is a young woman trying to find her way in a world that’s become too complex, or maybe the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion are a trio of misfits who band together to fight injustice in a world that’s lost it’s way.

8. Annie, Oliver Warbucks, and Miss Hannigan from “Little Orphan Annie”

Who wouldn’t want to see a new adaptation of this classic tale? With its timeless story of love, family, and the pursuit of the American Dream, “Little Orphan Annie” has all the ingredients for a successful adaptation. Maybe Annie is a young girl from a struggling immigrant family who finds hope and love with the help of a kind-hearted billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Or perhaps Miss Hannigan is reimagined as a sympathetic character who helps Annie find her way to a better life.

The world of theatre is constantly evolving and adapting to new stories and characters. With the addition of beloved characters like Mickey Mouse into the public domain, the possibilities for new adaptations and fresh takes on classic stories are endless.

We encourage playwrights and theatre producers to embrace the wealth of characters available in the public domain and use them as a source of inspiration for their next production. By reimagining these characters in new and exciting ways, we can continue to create memorable and impactful theatre experiences for audiences of all ages.

If you’re in need of some inspiration or looking for public domain scripts to produce, be sure to check out Project Gutenberg. With a vast selection of classic plays and musicals available for free, it’s the perfect resource for any theatre enthusiast.

So go forth and let your creativity run wild with these classic characters. Who knows, you might just create the next theatrical masterpiece!