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

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Frederic

Lead

Male

Hugo

Lead

Male

Isabelle

Lead

Female

Lady Dorothy India

Supporting

Female

Geraldine Capulet

Supporting

Female

Diana Messerschmann

Supporting

Female

Joshua

Supporting

Male

Patrice Bombelles

Supporting

Male

Mother (Josephine)

Supporting

Female

Romuald Messerschmann

Supporting

Male

Guy-Charles Romainville

Supporting

Male

Madame Desmortes

Supporting

Female

Songs

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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

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

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

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress