I, Joan

A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

I, Joan

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  4w, 6m, 1 any gender (adult)

Charlie Josephine

A powerful and joyous new play, this retelling of Joan of Arc's story is alive and queer and full of hope.

Image: 2022 Shakespeare’s Globe Production (Tristram Kenton)

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I, Joan

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 6m, 1 any gender (adult)
  • Duration
    Duration
    More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adventure, Docudrama/History
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences

Details

Summary

“Oh if we can just quiet the world for a moment. And listen within. There's a voice guiding you. I promise it's there. And until you can hear it, I'll be it for you.”

The men are all fighting, again. An endless war. From nowhere, an unexpected leader emerges. Young, poor and about to spark a revolution. Rebelling against the world's expectations, questioning the gender binary, Joan finds their power within, and their belief spreads like fire. I, Joan is a powerful and joyous new play which tells Joan of Arc's story anew. It's alive and queer and full of hope.

History
I, Joan was first produced by The Globe in August 2022.
Keywords
JOAN – They/Them. Seventeen years old. AFAB, nonbinary, working class. Strong and sweet, tender and brave. ADHD is part of their superpower.
CHARLES – He/Him. The Dauphin, then, thanks to Joan, the King of France. Early thirties. Charismatic and powerful. Restless and hungry.
DUNOIS – He/Him. One of many men to overcome. Thirty-plus years old. An excellent soldier. Seasoned veteran. Hard-faced but kind eyes. Written in a northern accent, just cus it felt right.
THOMAS – He/Him. Joan’s only possible friend. Working class. Midtwenties. Intelligent, charming, eager to please.
MARIE – She/Her. Queen of France, but never crowned. Charles’ wife. Mid-twenties. Lieutenant of the king with power of attorney. Feminine and powerful. Heavily pregnant.
YOLANDE – She/Her. Duchess of Anjou and Countess of Provence. Finances all operations. Fearsome, gorgeous, powerful. Mid-forties. Marie’s mother.
MAN ONE – He/Him. One of Charles’ courtiers. A stalwart, and stubborn, he served Charles’ father.
MAN TWO – He/Him. One of Charles’ courtiers. Aristocratic, charming, a tactician.
MAN THREE – He/Him. One of Charles’ courtiers. A junior, eager to learn, keen for action.
DANCER ONE – She/Her. A widow, numb, and needing a spark of inspiration.
DANCER TWO – She/Her. A young woman, unhappily married, praying for hope.
CAUCHON, DELAFONTAINE, GRIS, TOURAINE, MANCHON, LOYSELEUR, COURCELLES, BEAUPERE, CLERK – The men who put Joan on trial. All doctors, masters and bishops. Some could be played by Joan’s Army in Act II.
JOAN’S ARMY – She/They/He. Dancers, untrained but confident in their bodies. Sometimes referred to as ‘Dancer’ when speaking. AFAB, young, queer and fierce as fuck.

All actors multi-role except the actor playing Joan.

Actors should self-identify as the gender assigned to each character in the Character Description. 

For guidance on casting and creating a safe and welcome environment when producing your production, please read this article by Charlie Josephine. 

  • Time Period 15th Century
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration More than 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

“An expansive, unifying and overall joyful piece of work.” – Evening Standard

“Josephine has written a refined lesson in the trans experience: the horrors of having to explain your being, the sense of misplacement, but with beauty and wonder too.” – The Guardian

“Gloriously joyful and defiant.” – The Stage

“Josephine’s vernacular script is intelligently epic.” – The Times

“‘I, Joan’ is a gleeful celebration of non-binariness, grafted on to a tongue-in-cheek hop skip and a jump through the life and times of Joan of Arc.” – TimeOut

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

A Conversation with Playwright Charlie Josephine
Matt Law
September 12, 2022

Photos

  • I, Joan

    Image: 2022 Shakespeare’s Globe Production (Tristram Kenton)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Scripts

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Authors

Charlie Josephine

Charlie Josephine

Charlie Josephine is acclaimed actor, writer and director. Currently under commission at Headlong Theatre, Fuel Theatre and Leeds Playhouse. Charlie is also preparing to co-direct As You Like It, and play Orlando, at the Globe this summer. Their latest play, Pinocchio, enjoye ...

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