Directed by Judith Howe
February 20, 21 & 22, 2000

Chorus
Camilla Batchelor, Dorothy Bentote, Andrew Brown, Katy Clifton, Estelle Dunham, Adeline Goodhart, Pat Harper, Callum Hennessey, Debbie Hennessey, Emily Hennessey, Robin Howe, Clare Howe, Arthur Plummer, Ann Sykes, Tag, Blair Taggart, Jenny Thorne, David Williams, Harriet Williams, Georgina Worker

Programme Notes        [ Photographs ]

Cinderella is one of the most well known stories around the world - its themes appear in the folklore of most cultures. The precise number of versions of the tale is not accurately known but ranges from 340 to 1,500 - counting all picture books and musical interpretations.

In all versions of the tale, the heroine is kind, but persecuted, suffering at the hands of her stepfamily after the death of her mother. The heroine has a magical guardian who helps her triumph and receive her most desired wish. Most of the tales include an article of clothing (usually a shoe) by which the heroine is recognised for her true worth.

The earliest recorded version of the tale originates from China. It was written down by Tuan Ch'eng-shih in the mid-ninth century. The style of writing suggests that the story was well known at this time. The heroine of the Chinese tale is Yeh-shen and although her guardian is not a fairy godmother but a magical fish and a golden shoe is used to identify her to the prince.

Although a reference to the story exists in 16th century German literature, the next written version comes from Charles Perrault in his Contes de ma Mere L'Oye in 1697. It is from this version we receive the fairy godmother, the pumpkin carriage, the animal servants and the glass slippers. Perrault recorded the story that was told to him by storytellers while adding these touches for literary effect. Some scholars think Perrault confused "vair" (French for ermine or fur) with "verre" (glass) to account for Cinderella's admittedly uncomfortable footwear.

The Brothers Grimm's version, known as Aschenputtel (Ash Girl), does not have a fairy godmother. Instead, the heroine plants a tree on her mother's grave from which her magical help appears in the form of a white dove. The stepsisters have their eyes pecked by birds from the tree to punish them for their cruelty. Perrault's version is considerably more forgiving than this in that its ends with Cinderella finding husbands for her sisters!

In modern times, the tale of Cinderella has inspired countless picture books, musicals, novels and films. There are over 60 films with Cinderella themes, the earliest dating back to 1898, and at least four major musical works embellishing the story. Starlight Express started life in 1975 as a sort of Cinderella story before being rewritten in 1983.

Whichever version of the story is familiar to you, we hope you enjoy our version of the classic tale of Cinderella - a tale of good conquering evil and love conquering all.