CINDERELLA

PROLOGUE

Burial of Cinderella's Mother
A small crowd gathers as young Cinderella plants a small hazel tree at her mother’s grave.

ACT I

In the House of Cinderella's Father - ten years later
Since the death of her mother ten years prior, Cinderella has grown into a beautiful young woman, humble and pure of heart. Her stepsisters, although fair of face, are horrible and mean on purpose. Cinderella’s father sits by the fire, still grieving his first wife, and oblivious to his stepdaughters as they mercilessly tease poor Cinderella. Cinderella’s stepmother enters with an invitation to a grand ball at the Royal Palace, where it is hoped Prince Charming will choose a bride. As her stepsisters and stepmother leave to prepare for the ball, Cinderella is left alone to dream of a better life.

Cinderella and her Mother – ten years prior
Young Cinderella listens to her mother as she tells a story of magical birds: Hope, Faith, Charity and Love. She tells Cinderella to always be good and kind; to have hope, keep faith, be charitable and keep love in her heart.

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Moved by the sight of his daughter and inspired by the memory of his first wife, Cinderella’s father presents her with a beautiful old gown and slippers that once belonged to her mother. The moment is ruined when the stepsisters return.

In the House of Cinderella´s Father – the day of the Royal Ball
Cinderella’s father and stepmother arrive with ball gowns and jewels for the two stepsisters, but nothing for Cinderella.

As the stepsisters’ anticipation grows, a Dancing Master arrives to give them a lesson before the ball. Later, in their excitement, the stepsisters fight over which dress to wear and tear the gown that once belonged to Cinderella’s mother, in half.

The stepsisters depart amidst peals of laughter leaving Cinderella alone and upset. Again, she takes comfort in the memories of her mother, and her heart is uplifted.

Suddenly, Cinderella’s mother appears in the form of a sweet Fairy Godmother. She reminds Cinderella of her earlier counsel to always have hope, keep faith, be charitable and keep love in her heart. In that moment the magical birds of Hope, Faith, Charity and Love appear, and Cinderella is taken to an enchanted garden full of magic.

In the garden, Cinderella is presented with a beautiful gown, a tiara and crystal slippers to wear to the ball. The Fairy Godmother warns Cinderella that she must leave before midnight, as the spell will be broken and she will return to rags. Cinderella is escorted by the birds into a magnificent coach and swept away to the Royal Palace.

ACT II

The Royal Palace
At the grand ball, Prince Charming’s two younger brothers entertain the guests with their good humour. Prince Charming arrives and is presented to the court, before the young ladies of the kingdom are introduced. Cinderella’s ambitious stepmother attempts to direct the prince’s attention towards her two daughters.

Just as the stepsisters are trying to capture the prince’s attention, without much success, Cinderella makes her arrival. The prince is immediately captivated by her beauty, as is every other gentleman. No-one knows who the mysterious lady is, not even Cinderella’s step-family.

Cinderella and the prince spend the whole evening dancing together, causing her to forget all about the midnight deadline. When the clock begins to chime at twelve o’clock, Cinderella suddenly realises the spell is about to be broken. Hurrying out of the ball, she loses one of her slippers in her haste. The prince rushes after her, but all he can find is Cinderella’s lost slipper. He vows to find and marry the woman to whom it belongs.

The Prince’s Travels
The prince, heartbroken and in love, roams the kingdom in search of the mysterious lady from the Royal Ball. His younger brothers do their best to console him, to no avail. The Fairy Godmother appears and directs his search towards Cinderella’s house.

In the House of Cinderella´s Father
The day after the ball, Cinderella day-dreams of her magical evening. She hastily hides the remaining slipper in her bird cage. Before long she is brought back to reality by the return of her stepmother and two stepsisters.

The prince arrives in search of the owner of the crystal slipper and is welcomed eagerly by the family. The stepsisters try in desperation to force their feet into the slipper unsuccessfully.

In the commotion that follows, and not a moment too soon, Cinderella’s father reveals the identity of the slipper’s real owner.

Cinderella is overjoyed to at last have a chance at true happiness.