The story of Sleeping Beauty is one that has enchanted people for generations. It is a tale of a beautiful princess who falls into a deep sleep, only to be awakened by true love's kiss. This story, which has been retold in various forms throughout history, holds an everlasting spell over our imaginations. The main idea of Sleeping Beauty is the power of true love to conquer all obstacles. The princess is cursed to sleep for a hundred years, but it is the power of true love that eventually breaks the spell. This theme of true love's power is a timeless one that resonates with people of all ages.
The sisters have gathered; it is nearing midnight. They part the trees to take one last look at the princess. The faun joins them and signs that he wishes to kiss her goodbye. The sisters, not knowing anything, allow him access to the sleeping princess. He kisses her and she suddenly awakens. He begins to tremble and shake and runs off. As soon as they all wake, a prince enters. He is the faun, and he and the princess played together every day. He asks her to marry him. Without knowing it, he broke the spell through love. Trollarina is heard approaching and they all decide to hide to see her reaction. She frantically looks everywhere and is not able to find the sleeping princess. She cannot imagine what has happened when her sisters surprise her. She realizes what has happened and that she has no powers. For added bonus, the sisters decide to put her to sleep for 100 years. Melisande is compassionate and pleads with them to not punish her more; she has already lost all her powers. They wake her up and tell her that she now must learn to be a good fairy.
The prince, to ensure he does not have to share his money, takes steps to put the wicked fairy godmother in the dungeon forever, drops her in a cement filled cart into the water, and sends her flying away in a rocket. The evil Trollarina exacts her revenge on theroyal family by sending the beautiful Princess Melisande into an everlasting sleep, but little doesshe realise more than one spell is about to be broken by the kiss of an enchanted Faun.
This theme of true love's power is a timeless one that resonates with people of all ages. In addition to its message of love, the story of Sleeping Beauty also captivates us with its elements of magic and enchantment. The curse that causes the princess to sleep for a hundred years, the thorny forest that grows around her castle, and the prince who braves these obstacles to wake her all add to the mystique of the story.
Sleeping Beauty
A new look at an old, old tale: she is not only the spellbound beauty, the Prince is an enchanted Faun, and his kisses release more than one spell, to the dismay of the wicked Fairy Trollarina. Another children's musical from the Prince Street Players. Songs include "I'm So Mad", "It's Lovely To Be A Troll" and "Spinning Song".
A sleeping princess, a spellbound Prince and more fairies than you can shake a stick at are all part of this quirky adaptation of the popular tale. The evil Trollarina exacts her revenge on theroyal family by sending the beautiful Princess Melisande into an everlasting sleep, but little doesshe realise more than one spell is about to be broken by the kiss of an enchanted Faun.
Story
ACT ONEAn ornate stone bench on a dais is situated in the gardens of a castle. The Blue Faun dances through, playing a pan pipe. Then, three fairies come dancing in: Sybil, Phoebe and Minerva. They are "good" fairies and sing and dance about. Phoebe has called together the fairies to relay some good news. The King and Queen, whose castle they have protected for years, have just had a baby girl. They had wanted a baby for so long and this is truly a gift! The fairies are to convene in this garden for the Christening. Minerva will bless her with perfect beauty, Sybil with bless her with the gift of song and Phoebe will bless her with the gift of dance. They suddenly realize that they have not accounted for their other sister, Trollarina. She has been locked in a tower but had just escaped. She will throw a tantrum if she is not included. The sisters are about to call her when the King and Queen arrive; it is too late to include Trollarina. Everyone has gathered and welcomes the King and Queen and their new daughter. They name the baby Melisande and all cheer for her. The Queen sings to soothe her baby. Trollarina comes storming in. The King and Queen do not know who she is-she has been locked up for over 50 years. The other fairies introduce her and explain their oversight in not inviting her. She is still fuming mad. Trollarina pledges her revenge for not being invited. She begins to say how she cursed the son of the King who locked her up but she stops herself. Two of the good fairies give their blessings. Then, thinking she too is good, the Queen invited Trollarina to give her blessing. She blesses her with the gift of spinning. But, one day while spinning, she will run the spindle into her hand and fall into a sleep that she cannot be awakened from by neither the King nor the Queen. The third fairy has not given her blessing yet. While she cannot undo the spell that has been cast, she can add to it. Melisande will sleep for 100 years and on the last day of the hundredth year, a prince will awaken her with a kiss. Thinking he will head it off at the pass, the King banishes all spinning wheels from the kingdom.
Sixteen years go by and all is well with the Princess. Trollarina catches the Blue Faun dancing through the garden. She asks if he remembers who he is or where he came from. He does not. She also asks if he knows that he is under her power. He nods his head "yes." Then Trollarina runs off deciding in honour of her 16th birthday, it is time for the Princess to learn to spin. The good fairies gather again in the garden to celebrate the Princess' birthday. Phoebe inquires of the king if Trollarina has ever returned. He says no and that spinning wheels are still banned. The good fairies feel that all must be well for another year then and they go on their way. The Princess asks her mother if she may stay in the garden and play. The King and Queen have been careful to keep secret the spell that was cast on their daughter. They decide to tell her that very afternoon since she has now grown old enough. They want to make sure she is careful to avoid spinning wheels. Once she is alone, Melisande calls out and the faun appears. She speaks of how they have been friends for all these years. She feels sorry for him that he does not know who he is or where he came from. The Faun dances away and as she is about to go home, the Princess is confronted by Trollarina. She carries with her a small spinning wheel. She tells the Princess she is a good fairy and sister to the ones she knows. She wishes to teach her to spin, and though the Princess is hesitant at first, she gets drawn in. As the Princess gets into it, Trollarina forces her hand down on the spindle. Immediately the Princess begins to feel sleepy and lies down on the stone bench. After 16 years, the spell will begin. The Faun dances back in and sees her asleep. He begins to ring her warning bell to alert the King and Queen that something is wrong. The King and Queen are assured by the good fairies that she will only sleep for 100 years. They cannot imagine her waking to find them gone. They ask that the fairies put them to sleep for 100 years as well so they will all wake together. The fairies grant their wish and surround them by a magic forest that will protect them. Only a brave and noble prince will be able to penetrate the forest. The faun dances in and tries to enter the forest but realizes he cannot and gives up.
ACT TWO
The fairies have kept watch over the forest. Every day, the same blue faun dances to the forest and bows his head. It is as if he knows what lies within.The fairies realize they have never heard of a faun living 100 years. Perhaps he is a bewitched mortal. They approach him on his next visit, and realize that the faun cannot speak but he can communicate using his hands. He tells them he knows about the princess and her slumber and that he was friends with her for the first 16 years of her life. They decide to play a game of charades with him to find out more. Through the game they find out that he does not know who he is or where he comes from. He only knows that he is under a spell and that Trollarina cast it on him. He does not know what kind of spell either. The fairies tell him he must spy on Trollarina and see if he might find out what the spell is so they can help him.
Trollarina, meanwhile, is wandering around putting up detour signs to waylay any potential princes. It is the last day of the spell and if no prince finds her, then they will sleep for eternity. Trollarina is in a particularly evil mood. When she sees the faun she decides to tell him who he is. She will not tell him what sort of spell he is under but she does warn that if it was ever broken, she would lose all her powers.
The sisters have gathered; it is nearing midnight. They part the trees to take one last look at the princess. The faun joins them and signs that he wishes to kiss her goodbye. The sisters, not knowing anything, allow him access to the sleeping princess. He kisses her and she suddenly awakens. He begins to tremble and shake and runs off. As soon as they all wake, a prince enters. He is the faun, and he and the princess played together every day. He asks her to marry him. Without knowing it, he broke the spell through love. Trollarina is heard approaching and they all decide to hide to see her reaction. She frantically looks everywhere and is not able to find the sleeping princess. She cannot imagine what has happened when her sisters surprise her. She realizes what has happened and that she has no powers. For added bonus, the sisters decide to put her to sleep for 100 years. Melisande is compassionate and pleads with them to not punish her more; she has already lost all her powers. They wake her up and tell her that she now must learn to be a good fairy.
Musical Numbers:
- Yoo-Hoo - Phoebe, Sybil, Minerva
- We Three Fairies - Phoebe, Sybil, Minerva
- It's Lovely To Be A Fairy - Phoebe, Sybil, Minerva
- Hail To The King And Queen - Phoebe, Sybil, Minerva, Royal Herald, Chorus
- Fairy Blessings - Phoebe, Sybil, Minerva
- Queen's Lullaby - Queen, King, Phoebe, Sybil, Minerva, Royal Herald, Chorus
- I'm So Mad - Queen, King, Phoebe, Sybil, Minerva, Chorus
- Minerva's Blessing - Minerva
- Sybil's Blessing - Sybil
- Time Is Passing By - Phoebe, Sybil, Minerva
- Bell Song - Queen, King, Melisande,Phoebe, Sybil, Minerva, Royal Herald, Chorus
- Dance On, Little Faun - Melisande
- Spinning Song - Melisande, Trollerina
- It's Lovely To Be A Troll - Trollerina
Cast:
3-4 men, 5-6 women, chorus
- MINERVA Female; the most down-to-earth good fairy, and the most comedic. Some dancing.
Mezzo-Soprano or Soprano - PHEOBE Female; leader of the good fairies, should be a strong dancer. Soprano
- PRINCESS MELISANDE Female ingenue, must move well. 16 years old. Lyric Soprano
- SYBIL Female, a good fairy, ethereal and a bit giddy. Some dancing. Soprano
- THE BLUE FAUN Male, juvenile. He is half mortal and half faun and is mute until the final scene of the play when he turns into the Prince. Dancer, best realised if the actor has had ballet training as well as mime experience.
Baritone - THE KING Male, leading man. He is regal, but with warmth and kindness. Baritone
- THE QUEEN Female, leading lady. Played in the same style as the king. Soprano
- THE ROYAL HERALD Male character actor with a grand, commanding voice. Baritone
- TROLLARINA Male or Female comedic character. The bad fairy, very broad. Baritone or Mezzo-Soprano
Scenes and Settings
ACT ONE
Scene 1: The Gardens of a Castle
Scene 2: The Gardens, sixteen years later
ACT TWO
Scene 1: Before the Magic Forest, a hundred years later
Scene 2: The Gardens, immediately following
NOTE: Both Acts may be played as one continuous sequence without an intermission
A sleeping princess, a spellbound Prince and more fairies than you can shake a stick at are all part of this quirky adaptation of the popular tale. The evil Trollarina exacts her revenge on theroyal family by sending the beautiful Princess Melisande into an everlasting sleep, but little doesshe realise more than one spell is about to be broken by the kiss of an enchanted Faun.
Another reason why Sleeping Beauty is such a beloved tale is its focus on beauty and inner strength. The princess is known for her beauty, but it is her inner strength that allows her to endure her long sleep. This sends a powerful message to readers and viewers that true strength comes from within. The story of Sleeping Beauty has been retold in many different forms throughout history, including books, plays, and films. Each retelling brings something new to the story while preserving the core themes of love, magic, and inner strength. In conclusion, the story of Sleeping Beauty continues to cast its spell over us because it speaks to universal themes of love, magic, and inner strength. It is a tale that has stood the test of time and will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come..
Reviews for "A Modern Twist on Sleeping Beauty: Retelling the Classic Story for a New Generation"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "The Everlasting Spell of Sleeping Beauty" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The storyline was predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development. I couldn't connect with any of them, and their actions felt forced and unrealistic. The writing style was also monotonous, with long, descriptive passages that added nothing to the plot. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - "The Everlasting Spell of Sleeping Beauty" was a complete letdown. The concept initially intrigued me, but the execution was poor. The pacing was slow, and the plot dragged on for what felt like an eternity. Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it difficult to engage with the characters. I was hoping for a captivating and unique twist on the classic fairy tale, but instead, I was left underwhelmed and bored. This book was a waste of time for me, and I regret picking it up.
3. Emily - 2.5 stars - I was excited to read "The Everlasting Spell of Sleeping Beauty," but it failed to live up to my expectations. The writing style was overly descriptive and lacked subtlety, resulting in a tedious reading experience. The characters were one-dimensional, and their motivations seemed contrived. Additionally, the romance felt forced and lacked chemistry. While there were some intriguing elements in the plot, they were overshadowed by the book's numerous flaws. Overall, I was disappointed with this novel and would advise others to approach it with caution.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "The Everlasting Spell of Sleeping Beauty" was not my cup of tea. The story felt disjointed, with jarring transitions between scenes. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boring exposition and sudden bursts of action that felt out of place. The writing style was overly flowery, making it difficult to follow the plot. Furthermore, the characters were forgettable and lacked depth. I found myself constantly losing interest and had to push myself to finish the book. Overall, I would not recommend it.