Beauty And The Beast
Adapted from a 12th century French Folk Tale
by Kathleen Lockwood

about the play: This 45-minute version of the classic story is ideal for summer camp or drama class use. It involves between 16 and 26 characters, depending on doubling.

Characters
La Sorceressa
Le Prince (later Beast)
Monsieur, Belle's Father, a Merchant
Belle, A Beautiful Girl
Renard, Belle's Jealous Friend
Louise: Belle's sister
Hyacinthe: Belle's other sister
Francois: Renard's friend
Jean: Renard's other friend
Fleur: Beauty's friend
Cara: Beauty's other friend
Chapeaux: Townsperson
Mon Frere: Townsperson
Tant Cherie: Townsperson
Capitan: Officer arriving with Monsieur
Jongleur: Traveler - sings and tells stories in mime
Canarie: Creature who dwells at the enchanted river
Parrot: Creature who dwells at the enchanted river
Oriole: Creature who dwells at the enchanted river
Chip Monk: Creature who dwells at the enchanted river
Squire Rell: Creature who dwells at the enchanted river
Pommes Frites: The Beast's Charge d'affairs
Poisson: The Beast's chef
Regarde: The Beast's gardener
Rosette: The Beast's maid
Corvette: The Beast's other maid

Scenes
Prologue: A magical clearing in the woods
Act I, Scene 1: In Front of Beauty's Cottage
Scene 2: On the Banks of an Enchanted River

Intermission

Act II, Scene 1: Inside Beast's Castle
Scene 2: Back at the River

From the Play…
Prologue
(Eerie lights come up downstage. Music under. LaSorceressa, a wicked sorceress laughs cruelly.
La Sorceressa: Soo, my handsome young Prince, you will pay dearly for trying to curb my style. I control all the people of this valley, not a Prince who is nothing but a puppy! Yes, a puppy, or cub. You're a cub. Come to me. Right here, now.
Le Prince: (A handsome prince tied up with a giant rope staggers into the light. He is trying to say something, through a gag.) Harraggh. mmmflmmmmm
La Sorceressa: What? (He repeats. She removes the gag.) Now, what have you to say for yourself?
Prince: You are a cruel, ruthless sorceress. You've never done a kind thing for anyone. I pledge my life to getting you out of my country.
La Sorceressa: Oh. So that's still your position, is it? (She re-gags him.) Then, hear this. You are hereby transformed into an ugly beast. (The prince groans.) You will live alone in an enchanted land. The only way you can ever leave the enchanted land and be restored to your human shape is if you're borne across the river by someone who loves you. (Laughs wickedly.) Oh, it's rich. What a twist! You'll be so ugly, no one will ever want to love you, let alone carry you over a river! This is really a good bad one. (The prince nods dejectedly.) I shall go ahead to prepare the palace of your lonely exile, Prince. When I return for you, you will be an animal. (Her wicked laugh rings out as the lights dim, and we hear a mournful howl.)
Blackout

About the Playwright:
Kathleen Lockwood began her award-winning writing career at age fourteen as a National Merit Scholarship finalist for her short story. Her loves for both theatre and writing combined with her discovery of Playwriting! She holds a BFA in Theatre Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University and has been associated with many Tidewater Theatres. She co-founded the Tidewater Dramatists Guild with Jean Klein in 1976, and served the City of Virginia Beach as Performing Arts Supervisor at the Kempsville Playhouse and with Shakespeare-by-the-Sea Festival. She founded Little Theatre for the Deaf and Shadows ‘n Lights Theatre Company under the auspices of VSAarts. Her adaptations of children’s stories and plays featuring characters with disabilities are featured on HaveScripts.com.