Beauty and the Beast: A Play: A Play in Two Acts for Young Actors

First written in 1756 by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, Beauty and the Beast is a well loved fairytale that has enchanted children for centuries. This adaptation keeps elements of the original fairytale, whilst also providing new and exciting changes. Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a selfish Prince. One night, an old beggar woman knocked at the door to his castle. When the Prince refused to give her shelter from the cold, she transformed into a beautiful enchantress and cursed hiim, turning him into a hideous Beast. She gave him an enchanted rosebush with the promise that the spell will only be broken if the Beast can learn to love, and be loved in return. The story centres around Belle, a young woman fed up with her daily life. She lives with her merchant father Alphonse and her selfish sister Edith in a small provincial French town. When their father loses all his fortune and finds himself lost in the forest, he stumbles upon the castle ruled by the Beast. He only escapes with his life by reluctantly promising one of his daughters to the Beast. Together, Belle and the Beast embark on a journey of understanding, friendship and learning from each other. Meanwhile, the vain and borish hunter Laurent is determined to win Belle for himself, even at the cost of Beasts life...! A family show for a medium to large cast of young actors.