Beowulf is part of the heritage of every English-speaking person—the oldest literary work in our language. Ken Pickering, who lives in the shadow of Canterbury Cathedral, follows the epic poem closely, but with amusing anachronisms to make it meaningful and entertaining for modern theatre-goers of all ages.

As the Vikings revel in the mead hall, the monster Grendel enters and slays several warriors. Beowulf arrives, fights Grendel single-handedly, tears off the monster's arm (really!—right there on stage!), and sends him home to die. Beowulf is hailed as a hero, marries Princess Hygd, and the revels begin again until Grendel's mother, even more ferocious, comes for revenge. As a contrast to the ancient Viking story, Grendel is depicted as a punk rocker; his mother is "Big Mummy."

The play's themes—the struggle against violence, vandalism and darkness; the stupidity in assuming that affluence brings real security or satisfaction—are as relevant today as ever. The Viking blend of sheer energy and raw humor, hero-worship and action are as familiar to the theatre, the football field, or the rock concert as they were to King Hrothgar in his great drinking hall of Heorot—why not join him there?

Performance rights in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand are controlled by Samuel French, Ltd., London.

The action takes place in the world of the Vikings in the fifth century AD; cast can be greatly reduced in number with much double-casting; details on costumes can be found in the Production Notes of the script.

"A stunning rock musical of unusually strong construction...The score has some magnificent numbers, almost 'rock-Wagnerian' in concept."—Amateur Stage. "The whole show was superb...I applauded until my hands were sore."—Chesham Gazette. "Its overall impact and detail did much to create the impression of what we like to think was happening in England a thousand years ago."—Harvey Crane, Plymouth Extra. "A fast moving, lively show to move you, amuse you and set your feet tapping."—Adscene

Also by Pickering: The Inside Story, Ring of Lead, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Other adaptations of ancient scripts.