By Peter Ustinov - Directed by Alan Wiseman
Four colonels, from the occupying forces in post war Germany, meet and bicker arguing about why soldiers cannot reach a distant castle. Two fairies, in modern guise, one wicked, one good, tempt them with a trip to the castle to try their luck with the Sleeping Beauty inside. While the Fairies battle each other over the fate of the Colonels, they must decide whether to accept real life with their wives or embrace a romantic ideal and win the heart of the Beauty.
In four distinct scenes each Colonel meets his idea of Beauty and tries to win her. Ustinov creates four very funny pastiches as these scenes play out. In Shakespearean verse references to Richard III, Hamlet and Othello allow the Englishman to behave like a villain. The American playing the role of an Evangelist preacher tries to save a hard bitten bar girl. The Frenchman, in 18th century fashion attempts to seduce a married woman. While the Russian takes a passive role in a hilarious version of every Chekov play and refuses to play the game.
This witty comedy on the nature of romantic love was first performed in 1951 when Peter Ustinov, himself, played the Wicked Fairy.
Tuesday 21 May to Saturday 25 May at 8pm
Tickets: Adults £13, students/children £10. All tickets £10 on Tuesday 21st.
