,,The Play's the Thing” is one of the main quests in Witcher 3:

• The general idea is that Geralt of Rivia will help Priscilla to write a play and perform it on stage with the assistance of a theatre group, in order to lure Dudu, a doppler, out of hiding.
  
  
• You will choose the title, genre and the cast of the play.
  
  
• I will give as little spoilers as possible, while advising the best steps to take for gaining the highest coin reward and EXP.
  These steps also result in a masterpiece performance with a standing ovation.

The Location: Novigrad - The Butcher's Yard theater
Suggested Level: 11

Your options:

• ,,A Changeling Rescued, or the Witcher's Triumph”
  
  
• ,,The Doppler's Salvation”

The title you choose does not impact anything. It is purely a ,,cosmetic” choice and it is there just so you can have a more creative input on the play. So choose whichever you like more.

Your options:

• Drama
  
  
• Comedy

For the best results, choose the COMEDY option.

If you go for the drama a brawl will start at the end of the play. It has no long term negative effects. But it ends the play in a bad note.

Your options:

• Princess - Priscilla or Irina Renarde
  
  
• Doppler - Abelard Rizza or Maxim Boliere
  
  
• The Witcher part will be played by Geralt of Rivia.

For the best results, pick PRISCILLA and ABELARD for the main cast.

Maxim shows up drunk during the play if chosen.

Your options:

• For security you have to hire ushers - in this case Sofus and Hal by the docks. You can pay 140 crowns to hire them or you can make them work for free by winning a boxing match against them. The choice is yours, it does not impact the play, just your wallet. They are only useful if you picked the drama as the genre of the play. I recommend to do the boxing match.
  
  
• For advertising you have to hire a band of street artists called the Puffins, in order to gather a big audience. It is quite simple to do so and it does not cost anything. Once you will meet them, they will confess that they're being harassed by a bandit named Fatso, who disrupts everything they try to do. If you take care of him, they will work for free. There are three options for getting him and his goons to leave the artists alone: a threat, a 50 crown bribe, or Axii / Delusion. I recommend to charm them with Axi, because you get extra EXP and because no matter what you choose, you'll have to fight them. Do not worry they'll quickly flee once you've done a little damage. At the end of the battle, you'll earn 150 xp and the Puffins's advertising.
  
  The PUFFINS are a must in order to win the maximum amount of crowns!
  
  

Irina Renarde informs Geralt to read his lines before the performance.
When the play begins he will have a few choices of dialogue. Choosing the right ones will yield the most experience and crowns.

Here are the correct lines in order of appearance:

• "To slay beasts most foul – 'twas for this I was made, I kill as my calling, not just to get paid." – cheerful, bold
  
  
• "Perhaps 'midst the guests he hides, in fear?" – intense, lively
  
  
• "Seems men's hearts can love for changelings foster!" – joyful
  
  
• "But a heart that is base, such as in this knave aches!" – disgusted
  
  
• "No monster is he whose shape can shift." – ceremonial

Warning:
The choice for each line is a timed decision. So be careful to have this script on hand.

If you make all the choices listed, you will have the best show possible and reap the most reward when it comes to experience and crowns. Their amount depends on your choices!

FUN FACT: The name of the quest is from a Shakespeare's play.

,,I'll have grounds
More relative than this—the play's the thing
Wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King.”
- Hamlet Act 2, scene 2, 603–605

Similar to the play in the quest, these telling lines from Hamlet were sneaked in the performance in order to reveal a person. Hence the reference.



If you found the guide to be useful and liked it, you can treat me to a brew[ko-fi.com].
Every drink is appreciated. Best regards! ( ˆᴗˆ )