Canterbury Tales: Musical Information & Synopsis
Synopsis
Canterbury Tales is a musical adaptation of Geoffrey Chaucer’s classic collection of stories, set in medieval England. The musical follows a group of people who are on their spring pilgrimage to Canterbury. Along the way, each pilgrim tells a tale that reflects their personality, experiences, and worldview. Canterbury Tales touches on themes of love, betrayal, greed, and redemption, offering a rich tapestry of human experiences and moral lessons.
Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through the following links, we may earn a small commission on the sale at no additional cost to you. See our disclosure for more info.
Musical Information
Musical Type: Post-Golden Age (1968)
Cast Size: 35+
Genre: Comedy
Setting: 1300s / England (Canterbury, London)
Creative Team
Music: John Hawkins, Richard Hill
Lyrics/Book: Nevill Coghill
Book: Martin Starkie
Based On: The Canterbury Tales➝ by Geoffrey Chaucer
Cast Albums
Original Broadway Cast (1969)➝
Licensing
Canterbury Tales is available to license through Music Theatre International.
Australasia Licensing
Europe Licensing
International Licensing
Tags
1960s, British, Comedic, Folk, Large Cast, Narrator, Rock, Spring, Two-Word, Weddings
Similar Musicals
Return to the complete A-Z musicals list »
Last Reviewed: March 6, 2026
