The Shakespeare Stealer (one-act) adapted by Gary L. Blackwood

"...perhaps the most revelatory lesson to be gleaned from The Shakespeare Stealer is simply that so-called educational theater can be darned entertaining."

"...An absorbing story of intrigue sprinkled with jokes and wordplay that will interest older members of the audience, while capturing the interest of younger children with plenty of razzle-dazzle action."

"...A wonderful contemporary way to introduce or reinforce young people's exposure to William Shakespeare... The Shakespeare Stealer has it all -- action, comedy, and suspenseful drama."

"Blackwood writes with a lucid pen, bringing Elizabethan England alive... The Shakespeare Stealer is a crackerjack play."

"Its strength as a dramatic vehicle is an immediately engaging story -- very much in the spirit of such boys' adventure tales as Treasure Island -- and fascinating historical background... There's skullduggery and swordplay, good guys and bad guys, and even a little sincere romance thrown in for lighthearted measure. There are also lessons aplenty for the youngsters: about the value and importance of both giving and receiving praise; about friendship; about family and a sense of belonging."

"Gary Blackwood's The Shakespeare Stealer is a clever, often funny, drama, refreshingly original and amazingly thrilling. Filled with 17th century costumes, and fine Yorkshire and British accents, the play engages and introduces the wonderful world of Shakespearian theatre to kids."

"The Shakespeare Stealer has all the great elements of a captivating kids' show: drama, comedy, suspense, high energy and the rub of a moral dilemma."

"...A fine story, rich with the immediacy of detail, intrigue and danger that makes great adventure... vivid and entertaining drama... particularly good at conveying the actor's craft, the thrill and discipline that go with performance..."

"The Shakespeare Stealer is a solid piece of drama, capturing the color and excitement of Elizabethan theatre and engaging us with an intricate and well-made story... It certainly makes the sometimes forbidding area of Shakespeare much more friendly and welcoming to young minds discovering it for the first time. That's no small achievement."

"The script is marvelous, replete with action and humor and featuring strong characters with whom today's children can identify."