Cinderella
The World's Favorite Fairy Tale
by Lowell Swortzell
The story of Cinderella as she is known in China, Russia and by Native Americans. Told by Cinderella herself, in person. Three plays and a framework which can be performed together (60 minutes) or independently. With a multicultural study guide by Nancy Swortzell. 10 or more players
. $ 8.95
This collection of Cinderellas from around the world was chosen, the playwright tells us, from at least 345 variants from around the world, each incorporating local color and culture into the timeless tale of "Poor Girl Makes Good." What better way for today's young people to explore these other cultures than by the enactment of three of the most playable versions? The Perrault Cinderella every American child knows and loves introduces us to Plum Blossom, the Chinese Cinderella, Vasilisa, the Russian Cinderella, and Rough Face, the Cinderella of the North American Micmac tribe.
The World's Favorite Fairy Tale can be presented as a whole, for an hour-length dramatization involving between 10 and 25 actors. Or you may study and present its individual scenes, each 15 to 20 minutes long, separately, perhaps in classes exploring other cultures or youth theatre workshop groups. To facilitate such a project, Nancy Swortzell has prepared an extensive study guide included in this edition. She has workshops designed for children before or after a performance of Cinderella, and projects for groups working on each of the individual tales. The final section of the study guide offers "Extensions of Cinderella for Fantasy and Fun." The classroom teacher or drama specialist will find it an invaluable resource with enough material for a semester or two
Once again our school has benefitted from a great script from New Plays. Not only were we able to present a wonderful play that the audience loved but the experience of seeingthe fairy tale in different cultures allowed us to learn more about our world and the people who make up our community. Drawing support and cultural awareness from our city gave our students the opportunity to meet and experience these stories and new styles of theatre. They learnt that many parts of the world have their own Cinderellas too! It was a great time and a positive experience in many ways. Thank you for having this script in your collection.
Lyle Johnson, Drama Director
A. E. Peacock Collegiate
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Our audiences loved the play. It was easy to get school groups because of the multicultural aspects of the show and once here, the children were enchanted. For our evening performances the play had the same appeal to a general family audience. Once the word of mouth got around about the show, we had to turn away both school groups and family patrons. Because of our success with Cinderella: The World's Favorite Fairy Tale, I cannot recommend it too highly.
Rex Stephenson
Ferrum College
Ferrum, Virginia
Sample Pages
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