Awaking Beauty: A Musical (French's Acting Editions)

Characters: 5 male, 5 female

Scenery: Various simple sets

Ever wondered what else happened to Sleeping Beauty when she finally woke up in the 21st century? Alan Ayckbourn provides the answer with this alternative seasonal fare in the musical Awaking Beauty. The prince awakens Princess Aurora and the eager, happy young couple are about to embark on their first night of passionate love when ugly, unloved Carabosse, the wicked witch, butts in having taken a fancy to the prince. But which one will be the Awaking Beauty? Love, lust, triplets and the ultimate in makeovers are just some of the milestones our heroes and heroines must pass before they can all live happily ever after. The four major roles are for two men and two women with six narrators playing a variety of other characters as well as providing the vocal harmonies and an astonishing range of sound effects!

"Imagine a fairytale world meeting a saucy seaside postcard and you have something of the flavor of Alan Ayckbourn's 72nd play." -Guardian.

"It had me appreciating some wry lyrics, chuckling at some mischievous moments, and humming Denis King's larky tunes." -The Times.

"Age has not withered [Ayckbourn's] capacity to innovate here he brings a boldly experimental eye as well as a musical ear and an archly modern and adult sensibility to the evergreen tale of Sleeping Beauty ... spry, knowing lyrics with potent music by Denis King." -Daily Telegraph.