Beauty and the Beast

A Fairy Extravaganza, in Two Acts

J. R. Planché

• Publisher: Left of Brain Books
• Year: 2021
• eBook ISBN: 9781396321078
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Classics
• Index: Literature

A story about a beautiful young maiden falling in love with a hideous beast seems to be a tale as old as time. Beauty and the Beast: A Fairy Extravaganza In Two Acts by J.R. Planche provides a Victorian take on the tale that blends in intriguing elements.
Planche's script was first performed as a play in 1841. It has beautiful Victorian English styling. As expected, there is a beauty and a beast. This version of the story also has a conflicted father, two evil sisters, and a queen, along with moments of great tragedy:
"All is lost now - Oh, for me, the sun is set forever -
This poor heart in future never
One hope of bliss can see."
This version of Beauty and the Beast is not the same one you enjoyed as a child. Despite any differences there remains an enjoyable story containing the key elements of any good fairy tale romance. It is the right match for anyone that enjoyed Beauty and the Beast as a child. More than just a romance story, it is entertaining and complex, and it has more mature themes that will provoke a multitude of emotions.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

__________

ACT I.

Scene I. — A Bower of Roses, not by Bendemeer’s Stream.

Enter a Troop of Zephyrs, to the “Gavotte de Vestris.”

Zephyr. How’s this! what, still asleep, my Rosy Posies?

Come ope your eyes and blow your little noses.

Not a leaf stirring yet — why, gracious powers,

Are you aware the time of day, my flowers?

Have you forgotten that your Queen proposes

This day to ope the Parliament of Roses?

CHORUS OF ROSES. — Ditto of Bridesmaids. — “Der Frieschutz.”

Sweet Zephyr, don’t make such a breeze,

We’re rather late this morning,

But don’t be angry, if you please,

We shan’t take long adorning;

Sleep, you know, will sometimes thus enthrall us,

You should earlier call us.

[Music. — The Queen of Roses appears.]

Zephyr. Behold your Sovereign! Silence, all and each,

To hear Her Majesty’s most flow’ry speech.

Queen. My Buds and Blossoms, I rejoice to say,

That I continue to receive each day

Assurances from all the foreign flowers

Of their good will towards these happy bowers—

I have concluded, on the best foundations,

A treaty with the king of the Carnations,

And trust ere long to lay the leaves before you.

I’m sorry now to be obliged to bore you

On an old subject, but, for your digestion

At Easter, we must have an Easter Question—

And, on my faithful Roses I depend

To bring the matter to a happy end.

The facts are these: a youth of royal race,

Of noble mind and matchless form and face,

Has been transformed by a malicious fairy,

Into an ugly monster, huge and hairy;

And must remain a downright beast outside,

‘Till some fair maid consents to be his bride.

My Buds and Blossoms, you will take that measure,

Of course, which best may work your Sovereign’s pleasure—

Which is, that through a Rose’s meditation,

The Prince may be restored to form and station.

Ere nightfall, I expect you’ll break the spell,

And so, my Buds and Blossoms, fare ye well.

CHORUS. — (“Coal Black Rose.”)

Queen of Roses, we’ll take care

To lay before this honorable House the affair;

If we can get two acts passed, without its being nettled,

The Beast will be re-formed, and the Easter question settled;

No rose, here that blows,

Will vote against a measure, ma’am that you ...

Table of contents

• CAST OF CHARACTERS.
• BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.
• ACT II.