Walpole Children's Theatre

Directed by Elizabeth Smith

Summer 2009

by Vera Morris

In the kingdom of Never Nod there’s celebration.  A princess has been born to the King and Queen.  Her name is Briar-Rose.  Unfortunately, that nasty witch, Evilina, who lives in Tumbledown Castle with a giant spider for a companion, is not invited.  She shows up anyway and pronounces her revenge.  At age 16, the princess will cut her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into a deep sleep from which she’ll never awake.  Some good witches counter the curse by saying the princess can be awakened by the kiss of true love.  The King bans all spinning wheels.  Evilina is not so easily defeated and, on that fateful birthday, the princess does, indeed, cut her finger on a spinning wheel.  It’s up to Prince Alexander to come to Briar-Rose’s rescue — and the court’s too.  They’re all asleep!  The prince must fight a Wall of Thorns, a False Princess and, most frightening of all — the awesome Dark Knight!  This captivating, frolicsome version of the always-popular classic has it all — charm, action, romance, comedy, thrills, plus zany and lovable characters.