Study Guide Contents Beauty and the Beast Synopsis..............................3 Origin of the Tale..................................................6 Meet the Characters..............................................7 Our Production....................................................10 Locations and Terms............................................11 Belle and Cassandra............................................12 Write Your Own Fairytale....................................13 Behind the Scenes Shadow Puppets....................14 Compare London and Devon..............................15 Build Godwin’s Ship............................................16 Belle’s Maze........................................................17 Word Scramble....................................................18 Discussion Questions..........................................19
Plot Synopsis Belle is frightened by a troubling nightmare of a thunderstorm. When her saucy sister Cassandra wakes her up, we soon find out that Belle has this same nightmare quite often. Cassandra teases Belle for her shy ways. Cassandra’s boyfriend Daniel arrives and he tells tales of his wild adventures on the sea for Belle. Daniel speaks with Belle and Cassandra’s doting father, George Godwin. Daniel reports that Godwin’s merchant ships are soon to arrive from France, which excites the family due to the ship’s promise of wealth. Daniel also asks for his daughter’s hand in marriage, which the father’s gives his most gracious blessing. As soon as the sisters get used to the exciting new future for their family, all of their expectations are sadly crushed. Daniel returns with the news that a storm at sea has lost all of Godwin’s merchant ships. The family will lose everything. Cassandra claims that Daniel’s wealth will save the family when the couple marries, but alas, Daniel has been lying about his money all along—he is just a poor common man. Belle is awakened by her sister again, but this time she wakes up not in London, but in the family’s new cottage on the moors of Devon. Cassandra longs for the posh life of London, but Belle seems content in the peaceful countryside. Jan, a man who helps the family out of good nature, appears with a letter for Godwin. The message reveals that one of Godwin’s ships has washed up onshore, and Godwin plans to salvage what he can.
Pictured (Lto R): B. Anthony Wilson, E. Krause, L.Hoooper Photo by Mark Garvin
Belle urges her father to stay home, and Cassandra urges the opposite, hoping they can move back to London with the money from the recovered trade goods. Godwin promises Belle that he will return home safely, and asks his daughters what gifts they will want to receive on his return. Cassandra asks for a fancy dress, where Belle only requests a simple red rose. After Godwin leaves, Belle has a strange dream of him caught in a thunderstorm, then a vision of a large dark castle. Godwin wakes up confused in that very castle. He is joined by a housekeeper who informs him that he was thrown from his horse and her master has brought him here. When Godwin asks to see the master of the house, she tells him that her master wishes not to be seen. The next morning Godwin sees a bounty of roses, and picks one to bring home for Belle. Godwin is startled by the appearance of the castle’s mysterious master, the Beast. He demands Godwin’s life as a repayment for the rose, but he begs the Beast to spare him. The Beast agrees, but only if he is paid back with one of Godwin’s daughters.
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Synopsis Continued... Seeing no other way to survive, Godwin agrees. The housekeeper warns Godwin to never send a daughter to the castle, and Godwin magically reappears back home. Cassandra is let down by the information that the family will not be returning to London. Godwin then tells the girls the even more distressing news of his deal with the Beast. Belle agrees to go to the castle of her own free will to save her father. Belle arrives at the castle where she is met by the Housekeeper who tries to get her to turn back. Belle runs for her life through the woods. She is pursued and finds herself face to face with the Beast. He convinces her to go back to his castle on her own free will. At supper Belle begins to weep because she misses her family, and the Beast apologizes for his less-than-pleasant company. That night Belle is visited by another strange dream and when she awakes this time, she’s with the Beast in his garden. They continue to talk and get to know one another; the beautiful girl fascinates the Beast. He gets a thorn stuck in his paw, which Belle kindly removes. Belle and the Beast play music and sing together, and although they are both awful she seems to enjoy herself. It is soon dusk, and the Beast has to leave to be free and wild in the woods. Belle is left alone with the Housekeeper, who hands Belle a magic mirror where she can see her ill father’s reflection, and Cassandra taking care of him. Our story then shows the suffering Godwin tended by Cassandra. Jan arrives carrying a letter for Cassandra, saying it was from “a most dashing gentleman,” whom she discovers is Daniel. The letter begs for her forgiveness, but Cassandra is too embarrassed of her family’s poverty to agree to see him again. Back at the Beast’s castle, Belle knows she must go take care of her father. The Beast begs her to return soon. She agrees to his request, and then returns home the next morning where Godwin is still very ill. Belle tells her family that she plans to return to the Beast’s castle when her father recovers, Cassandra is infuriated and reveals that Belle has been gone for three months. Belle holds firm that she must return to keep her promise. Cassandra asks Jan to slay the Beast. Jan agrees to do it if Cassandra will see Daniel once more. Jan then reveals himself to have been Daniel in disguise the whole time, and the two profess their love for one another. Daniel then goes off to hunt for the Beast. Godwin and Cassandra beg Belle to stay with them and not return to the Beast’s castle. With their prodding, she finally agrees. Belle then picks up the magic mirror and spies Daniel closing in on the Beast’s property. She learns of Cassandra’s plot to kill the Beast, and runs away to the castle to stop Daniel.
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The Beast and the Housekeeper are together, and the Beast hears someone approaching and believes it is Belle. The Housekeeper taunts him with the knowledge that it is Daniel sent to kill him. Daniel enters, and the Beast tries to convince him to lay down his sword. Daniel lunges at the Beast and stabs him during the fight. Belle enters a moment too late and falls to her knees before the dying Beast. Godwin and Cassandra arrive just after, and the Housekeeper reveals that the Beast was once a young wealthy man, and she cursed him to live as the Beast because he did not return her love. The Housekeeper, now revealed to be a witch, turns Daniel, Cassandra, and Godwin to stone. Belle professes her love to the Beast, and with her kiss the spell has been broken. Belle’s family comes back to life, and the Beast magically transforms into a handsome prince. Finally defeated, the Housekeeper leaves in shame. The Beast, now human once more dances with Belle, and Cassandra and Daniel happily join in. Godwin announces that the couples are to be married and live their lives out in bliss. “One kiss from the lips of she who truly loves breaks a witches’ spell. ‘Tis true our looks may fade but beauty never does, so this our dreams end well” (Way 78).
Pictured (L to R): Matteo Scammell, Emilie Krause, Brian Anthony Wilson, Lauren Hooper, Kevin Meehan
Photo by Mark Garvin
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The Origin of the Tale
The classic story of Beauty and the Beast has been around for ages! Scholars and folklore specialists have traced the story all the way back to the ancient Roman writer Apuleius, and his tale of Cupid and Psyche. In 1740, a French writer named Madam Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Gallou Villeneuve (whew, try saying that name 3 times fast) wrote La Bell et La Bete (or, in English, Beauty and the Beast). Villeneuve’s version was a full descriptive novel that was intended for adults. Later on in 1756, Madame Jeanne Marie Le Prince de Beaumont shortened the original and adapted it into the tale that we are much more familiar with today. Throughout the years since, Beauty and the Beast has been adapted and reinvented in countless ways: written, illustrated, on film and onstage.
Pictured Here: Jean Marais and Josette Day in Jean Cocteau’s Beauty and the Beast, a French film from 1946.
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Character Descriptions Belle is a young, timid girl who has an amazing amount of compassion and kindness. She is haunted by strange dreams and nightmares, but she is special and often strikes people with her beauty. Cassandra is Belle’s sister, and could not be more different from her in personality. She is very outgoing, and loves parties, singing, and dancing. She is much more taken with gifts and material things than her sister. George Godwin is the loving and doting father of the two sisters. He was once a wealthy merchant, but now is struggling to make ends meet since he lost all of his ships in a thunderstorm. Daniel Knightly is Cassandra’s fiancé, a young man of adventure and talented storyteller. Jan is a simple countryman who helps Godwin and his family during their time in the country, but don’t think he’s as simple as he seems—looks can be deceiving. The Beast is a large wolf-like creature who spends all of his days alone in his castle on the moors. He is quick to anger, but deep down he has a good heart and is frustrated by his loneliness. The Housekeeper takes care of the Beast’s castle. She comes to the aid of Godwin and Belle when they find themselves trapped there.
Pictured: Emilie Krause, Photo by Mark Garvin 7
Costume Sketches by Richard St. Clair
Cassandra
Belle
Godwin
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Housekeeper
Beast
Jan
Daniel
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Our Production... The Cast
Lauren Hooper*............Cassandra E. Ashley Izard*..........The Housekeeper Emilie Krause............................Belle Kevin Meehan*.............Daniel Knightly, Jan Matteo Scammell..............The Beast Brian Anthony Wilson*...............George Godwin
The Production Team
Scenic Designer............David P. Gordon+ Costume Designer.............Richard St. Clair+ Lighting Designer.........Brian Sidney Bembridge+ Sound Designer..............Rob Kaplowitz Consultant on Shadow and Object Design......Sebastienne Mundheim
Emilie Krause Matteo Scammell Brian Anthony Wilson* E. Ashley Izard*
Lauren Hooper* Kevin Meehan*
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association, +Member of United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 10
Locations and Terms Buckingham Palace- The London home and workplace of England’s royal family. Devon- A rural county in Southwest England, with many hills and sandy shores. Tilbury Docks- The main port of London on the river Thames Convent Garden- an area of London on the West End Fervently- very strongly Moor- a large country area without trees Fortunate- lucky Pictured: Lauren Hooper and Emilie Krause Contradict- to say the opposite of what someone else is saying Inadequate- not enough, or not good enough Instinct- natural impulse Prim- stiffly formal Intention- an aim or plan Straightforward- uncomplicated and easy, or honest Unfounded- not based on fact Delirium- mental confusion Enjoin- to instruct or urge
Pictured: Emilie Krause and Matteo Scammell Photos by Mark Garvin
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Belle and her sister Cassandra are different in many ways, but in some things they are similar-Write their differences in the outside circles and their similaries where they overlap!
Belle
Both
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Cassandra
Write a fairy tale with yourself as the main character! Think of a fear that you’ve had to face like Belle and write a beginning, middle and end in the boxes below! Once Upon A Time...
And then... Finally...
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Here’s a backstage look at some Shadow Puppets! Do you remember when you saw them in the show?
Photos by Sam Tower
Try Your Own Shadow Puppet! Use this fearsome wolf out to try some shadow play at your house! Cut out the picture and glue it to a piece of cardboard. With a parent’s help, cut out the wolf and attach him to a stick or straw. Then grab a flashlight and watch your wolf come to life! Check out what happens when you hold the flashlight really close to the wolf? What happens when its further away?
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Draw the difference between Belle’s homes in London and in Devon: The City
The Country
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Help Godwin build his ship!
Help Belle find her way home from the Beast’s Castle!
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Beauty and the Beast Word Scramble! 1. ESOR __________________ 2. LAYMFI________________ 3. AETSB_________________ 4. OEOGS_________________ 5.BTUAEY________________ 6.SSTRSEI_________________ 7.THRFAE_________________ 8.MNREHACT______________ 9.OYMEN_________________ 10. IPSH___________________ 11.RESDS__________________ 12. IORRRM________________ 13. ICMAG_________________ 14. SADERM_______________ 15.REOSTF_________________
16. OELWVS________________
ANSWERS ON NEXT PAGE
Pictured: Kevin Meehan and Emilie Krause, Photo by Mark Garvin 18
Discussion Questions 1. Belle made a giant sacrifice when she decided to go to the Beast’s castle to save her father, can you think of anything that you’ve had to do to help someone else? 2. What are some of the differences between Belle’s home in the city and her home in the country? 3. Belle has many colorful dreams in the play, what’s the best dream you’ve ever had? 4. Have you heard the story of Beauty and the Beast before? How was it different? 5. Whit Maclaughlin, the director, wanted to tell this story using shadows. Why do you think he chose to tell the story this way? How would you choose to tell the story if it was up to you? Word Scramble Answers! 1. Rose 10. Ship 2. Family 11. Dress 3. Beast 12. Mirror 4. Goose 13. Magic 5. Beauty 14. Dreams 6. Sisters 15. Forest 7. Father 16. Wolves 8. Merchant 9. Money
Pictured: Emilie Krause, Photo by Mark Garvin
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