Sleeping Beauty (NHB Modern Plays)

By Rufus Norris

The classic tale of Sleeping Beauty's curse – as seen through the eyes of the fairy who curses her. Written by acclaimed director Rufus Norris for the Young Vic Theatre, London.
Once upon a time there was a beautiful Princess who was loved by everyone. Well... almost everyone. Cursed by a wicked fairy, she pricks her finger and falls into a deep sleep.
One hundred years later, a Prince wakes her with a kiss. But the Prince isn't as brave as he should be – and his mother's a bit of an ogress...
Based on Perrault's 17th-century classic, Rufus Norris's Sleeping Beauty goes beyond the kiss into a perilous world of beastly shadows, nasty smells and a forest full of enchanted trouble.
It was first performed at the Young Vic Theatre, London, in December 2002.
'Outstanding... mixes the mythic and the macabre... What makes the show so dazzling is Norris' ability to appeal to children and adults alike. Kids around me seemed entranced, as I was, by the unfolding narrative' - Guardian
'Weird and wonderful... Rufus Norris' darkly and drolly imaginative version... Both direct and sophisticated, primal and glintingly allusive, this Sleeping Beauty continues the Young Vic's proud tradition of mounting the best Yuletide show in London' - Independent

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nick Hern Books
• Release date: Dec 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781788505147

Rufus Norris

Rufus Norris is a British theatre and film director. He has been Director of the National Theatre, London, since 2015.

Book preview

ACT ONE

In the forest. At the centre of stage a spindle, which slowly turns.

FOREST CREATURE (sung).

Once upon a time

Once upon a place in a different time . . .

Dawn breaks, the spindle disappears and the forest slowly comes to life, with strange creatures appearing from everywhere.

seed and acorn hoof and horn

all that dies must be reborn

from dusk til dawn til eve til morn

flesh shall grow then grow forlorn.

GOODY, a very shabby fairy, appears from her den.

GOODY. Oh no . . . another day.

FOREST CREATURE (sung).

love and anger joy and scorn

soon must fade, so soon must fade

for all shall meet with death’s sharp thorn

then flower anew come sun and dawn

seed and acorn hoof and horn

all that dies must be