def remove_characters_without_dialog(screenplay):
    """
    remove double 'character' instances from screenplay (happens when a character
    does something, but doesn't actually speak, e.g. GEORGE: (gasps)
    """
    redundant_indices_in_screenplay = []
    for i in range(len(screenplay)-1):
        if screenplay[i][0] == 'character_name' and screenplay[i+1][0] == 'character_name':
            redundant_indices_in_screenplay.append(i)

    redundant_indices_in_screenplay.reverse()
    for i in redundant_indices_in_screenplay:
        del screenplay[i]

    return screenplay