Overview
Synopsis
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.
Show Information
- Book
- Christopher Fry
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Invitation to the Castle by Jean Anouilh
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1950
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Unit/Single Set
- Time & Place
- Estate winter garden, springtime
- Cast Size
- medium
- Licensor
- Dramatists Play Service
- Ideal For
- College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Theatre, Includes Young Adult, Late Teen, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Male |
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Lead |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Male |
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Supporting |
Female |
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Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
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Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress