Beauty And The Beast

About the Play

Beauty and the Beast (French: La Belle et la Bête) is a traditional fairy tale written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740 in La Jeune Américaine et les contes marins (The Young American and Marine Tales). Her lengthy version was abridged, rewritten, and published first by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756 in Magasin des enfants (Children’s Collection) and by Andrew Lang in the Blue Fairy Book of his Fairy Book series in 1889, to produce the version(s) most commonly retold. It was influenced by some earlier stories, such as “Cupid and Psyche”, written by Lucius Apuleius Madaurensi in The Golden Ass in the 2nd century AD, and “The Pig King”. an Italian fairytale published by Giovanni Francesco Straparola in The Facetious Nights of Straparola.

Variants of the tale are known across Europe. In France, for example, Zémire and Azor is an operatic version of the story, written by Marmontel and composed by Grétry in 1771, which had enormous success well into the 19th century; it is based on the second version of the tale. Amour pour amour (Love for love), by Nivelle de la Chaussée, is a 1742 play based on de Villeneuve’s version. According to researchers at universities in Durham and Lisbon, the story originated around 4,000 years ago.

All proceeds from this production went to HARVEST PROJECT

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DIRECTOR’S NOTES
Beauty and the Beast was originally a French fairy tale published in the 18th century. In the 270 years since, it has been the inspiration for operas, plays, ballets, movies, television shows, stage musicals – and that wonderful Christmas tradition, the pantomime. The story’s enduring fascination lies in its theme: don’t judge others by their outward appearance because true beauty is to be found within.

We have been blessed to work with a cast and crew that are not only talented, but have true inner beauty. Seldom have we experienced so much generosity, kindness and plain old fun. Special thanks to Shirley, Margaret and Bob for their extraordinary support. And thank you to North Vancouver Community Players for giving us this opportunity. – Peter Zednick & Mitchell Mackay

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
We are very pleased to present Beauty and the Beast as our children’s show this year.  We know you will enjoy a wonderful hour of fun and laughter.  Please remember to boo and hiss at the Bad Guys and cheer and encourage the Good Ones!

Our Christmas production always supports a North Shore charity and this year the proceeds of the show will go to the Harvest Project,  together with a few baskets full of non-perishable food items for their Food Bank.   Be sure to listen for Santa’s bells heralding his arrival at the end of the show and Merry Christmas, everyone. – Sue Worrow