Cinderella, or the Glass Slipper

(As each part is called, that person/s should come to the stage and play the part set out for them)

Episode 1
(MUSIC: Fable, whispy ) Once upon a time, there was a man, a widower named Bernard who took for his second wife a very proud woman called Helga. This Helga, who was a widow, had two daughters, Tobia and Jasona, as proud as herself. Her husband had one daughter, Cinderella, who was gentle and good, as her own mother had been. (END MUSIC)

Episode 2
Helga hated her young stepdaughter, Cinderella, because her beauty made the frowning faces of her own daughters appear as disagreeable and ugly as they really were. So she set her to do all the meanest work of the house. (MUSIC: Busy, flurry of activity ) She made Cinderella do the sweeping (PAUSE), the baking (PAUSE), and washing the feet of the whole household (PAUSE). Cinderella wore only shabby clothes and slept standing on her head. (PAUSE) (END MUSIC) Episode 3 Now the Prince (who shall remain off the stage for the moment) decided to give a ball, and to invite to it all the people of fashion in that country-side. There was to be dancing, supper and entertainment of a very splendid kind. Cinderella's ugly stepsisters, Tobia and Jasona, were invited; and very proud and happy they were, as they talked of the smart dresses they would wear, and the grand folk they would meet at the palace. (PAUSE) When the great day came, Cinderella was busy, (MUSIC: Busy, flurry of activity ) from morning till evening, helping her stepsisters to get ready for the ball. She laced their gowns, (PAUSE) dressed their hair, (PAUSE) arranged their feathers and jewels, (PAUSE) and even put on their slippers (PAUSE), after waxing their legs (PAUSE). As she did so, they teased her, to amuse themselves. (PAUSE) (END MUSIC) At last the sisters were ready, and with their mother, they drove away to the palace. (MUSIC: Sad) When they were gone, Cinderella, left alone, sat down among the cinders, and began to cry. .. Loudly.

Episode 4
(MUSIC: Magical appearance sound effect) Suddenly Cinderella's fairy Godmother appeared and startled Cinderella into falling off her chair. The fairy Godmother, asked Cinderella why she was crying: (PAUSE).

And Cinderella replied: (PAUSE) So the fairy Godmother granted Cinderella one wish, and that was to go to the ball. (PAUSE). "Run into the garden," said the Godmother, (PAUSE) "and fetch me the largest pumpkin you can find." (PAUSE). Away went Cinderella, and very soon she ran back again, hugging a big greenand-yellow pumpkin. (PAUSE). The fairy Godmother scooped out the inside of the pumpkin, leaving nothing but the rind. (PAUSE). Then she touched it with her stick, which was really a fairy wand, (MUSIC: Magical transformation sound effect) and at once the pumpkin became a fine coach, shining all over with gold, and lined with green. The Fairy Godmother then told Cinderella to go and fetch the mousetrap. (PAUSE). Cinderella obeyed quickly. In the mousetrap were six mice. (PAUSE). The fairy Godmother opened the trap, and as each mouse ran out, she touched it with her wand, (MUSIC: Magical transformation sound effect) and it became a sleek and prancing horse. The horses neighed and whinnied and assembled in front of the carriage. (PAUSE) At the Fairy Godmothers request Cinderella then brought the rat-trap. There were three rats in it. (PAUSE). The fairy Godmother chose the finest of the three, and touched it with her wand. (MUSIC: Magical transformation sound effect) At once the rat became a tall and handsomely-dressed coachman. The other two were miffed at not being chosen and proceeded to beat up the coachman. (PAUSE). Then the fairy Godmother said "Behind the watering pot are six green lizards, bring them here," (PAUSE). Cinderella brought the six lizards, one of which was being carried by the other lizards. (PAUSE). At a touch of the wand, (MUSIC: Magical transformation sound effect) each one was turned into a smart footman, in a green uniform. The coachman climbed into the drivers seat, and the footmen climbed to the back of the coach. And the fairy Godmother proclaimed that the carriage was ready. (PAUSE). But Cinderella wondered how she could go to the ball like this, as she looked down at her shabby frock. (PAUSE). And at that her Godmother spoke magical words and tapped her lightly with her wand. (PAUSE). Then Cinderella's old clothes were turned into robes of silk and velvet, glittering with jewels. And the fairy Godmother gave her a little pair of shining glass slippers, the prettiest that ever were seen. (PAUSE). "Remember," said her Godmother, "you must leave the ball before the clock strikes twelve. If you do not, your coach will again become a pumpkin, your horses will become mice; your coachman will turn into a rat, and your footmen into lizards; while you will find yourself once more in shabby clothes." (PAUSE).

Episode 5 - at the ball

At the ball the musicians were playing and the dancers were dancing. (PAUSE). As Cinderella entered, the musicians ceased playing, and the dancers stopped dancing, while all gazed and exclaimed in surprise at the lovely unknown princess. (PAUSE). When the Prince saw Cinderella, he was enchanted and told her how pleased he was to make her acqaintance. (PAUSE). All the evening, the prince kept at Cinderella's side, dancing with her, and serving her with dainty dishes at supper-time. (PAUSE) Indeed, his mind was so taken up with her, that he forgot to eat a morsel himself and said so many kind things to her, (SHORT PAUSE) that Cinderella, in her happiness, forgot how quickly the hours flew past. She thought it not yet eleven, when the clock struck twelve. (PAUSE). In a panic Cinderella fled from the ballroom as swiftly as a deer. The prince ran after her, but he did not catch her. All he could find of her was a little glass slipper lying on the staircase. (ALL SIT DOWN)

Episode 7
Next morning folk were roused by a sound of trumpets (MUSIC); and through the streets of the town came the royal chamberlain, with guards and an attendant carrying the little glass slipper on a velvet cushion. Cinderella's stepsisters were in great haste to try on the slipper, elbowing and fighting each other for the opportunity (PAUSE). But, though, they pinched their toes, and squeezed their heels, their feet were far too large to go into it. (PAUSE). Then the royal chamberlain enquired whether there were any other young women in the house. (PAUSE). "Only Cinderella," said the elder sister. (PAUSE)."Of course the slipper would not fit her." (PAUSE). "Let her be brought here," said the chamberlain in a loud booming voice. (PAUSE).

Episode 8
So Cinderella was sent for, and, sitting down in the chair, the royal chamberlain put the slipper on Cinderella's foot. Then Cinderella drew the other little glass slipper from her