Ring Round the Moon

Adapted from Jean Anouilh’s play Invitation to the Castle (1947), Ring Round the Moon is a whimsical jaunt of love and matchmaking. Set in the winter garden of an estate during a ball, the poor but lovely dancer Isabelle has arrived at the invitation of Hugo, a charming scoundrel and twin brother to Frederic, a young man hopelessly in love. However, Hugo believes that Frederic loves the wrong woman--the manipulative millionairess Diana--and wants to use Isabelle to break up the engagement. At the same time, Isabelle must hide her identity (and melodramatic mother) to play the part of a wealthy socialite. Lady India, Hugo’s eccentric cousin, is the mistress of Diana’s father Messerschmann, but carrying on a secret romance with Messerschmann’s secretary, Patrice. And Madame Desmortes, the hostess of everyone, has just about had it with everyone’s secrets. A light confection of mistaken identities and heartbreak schemes, Ring Round the Moon is joyful and sublime in its portrayal of a Cinderella finding her true love at an unexpected ball.