The Story of David Nixon’s Beauty and the Beast

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Once upon a time, in a land far away and in a time not so different from our own, existed a young prince whose life was caught up in a battle between good and evil. La FĂ©e MisĂ©rable has enslaved the willing heart of the young prince. Amidst the terror of the court, the good fairy, La Bonne FĂ©e, arrived to guide the prince from evil. As the air filled with explosions of light, innocent victims were caught in the crossfire and La FĂ©e Miserable stood triumphant over the prince. La Bonne FĂ©e could not break the power of La FĂ©e MisĂ©rable but she could cause the evil ugliness to come to the surface leaving the Prince with a clean heart but a beastly exterior. Faced with this reality, La FĂ©e MisĂ©rable deserted the Beast. As the Beast stared at La Bonne FĂ©e, holding a magnificent rose and a mirror, he heard her intone: When the day comes that this rose is picked, you will know it for both your hope and your doom. The man who picks this rose will have three daughters. If one of the daughters, out of love for her father, takes the curse of the rose upon herself and chooses to live with you at the castle you will have one chance, and only one, to overcome through love and tenderness the girl’s fear of your outward ugliness and to gain her love. Love is the only sacrifice that can break the enchantment.

ACT 1

In another time there lived a poor miner, Monsieur DespairĂ©, who had three daughters. Chantelle and Isabelle were lazy but their younger sister, Beauty, was of radiant and gentle spirit and worked very hard. One day the miner discovered a valuable gem (placed there by La Bonne FĂ©e) that could change the family’s fortunes. Chantelle and Isabelle wished for the riches they deserved; however, Beauty requested only a rose she had drawn. The miner set off with his treasure, but on the way was attacked by goblins who stole the gem. Lost in the forest, he was led by La Bonne FĂ©e to a beautiful garden. There, by the fountain where he quenched his thirst, he saw a beautiful rose. Feeling hope that at least Beauty may be happy, he plucked the rose. Immediately a Beast appeared. He threatened M. DespairĂ© who ran to the fountain which became alive with the image of his daughters. The Beast pointed to them and made M. DespairĂ© swear to have one of his daughters return to the castle. He sends him home escorted by his magic Peacock. As he gazed once more into the mirror and saw the lovely face of Beauty, all hope vanished and the Beast realized his ugliness would never win over such a lovely maiden. On arriving home the father was greeted by his children who were very dismayed at the turn of events. As the household went to sleep, Beauty - with her rose in hand - sneaked out and commanded the Peacock to return with her to the castle. On arriving at the massive castle doors Beauty was frightened by the darkness and eeriness of her surroundings. The doors slid open revealing a massive staircase that she began to ascend into her new life.

Inside the castle, where daylight has long since been banished, it was dark and cold. As Beauty entered, lights appeared magically in the gloom revealing an immense room. All the while the Beast had been watching Beauty; he eventually appeared. Rose in hand, Beauty faced her jailer and was at first frightened by the hideousness of the Beast and his wild behavior. As the encounter continued, the Beast yearned more and more to touch the delicate Beauty who, though curious, always pulled away from him. Finally the Beast revealed his inner sorrow and loneliness to Beauty. Seeing a moment to escape Beauty regarded the staircase; but being stirred by the pain of the creature, she chose to stay and help him. The Beast made one more attempt to caress Beauty and plead with her to be his wife. With the pain of her refusal he vanished.

Beauty was entertained by magical pillows. Amidst the play the Beast returned to guide Beauty to her room.

ACT 2

Beauty was no longer frightened but was intrigued by this wild yet passionate creature. One night in her dreams she came upon a handsome prince. As they danced together, Beauty looked into the eyes of the Prince and from time to time thought she saw both the Prince and the Beast.

One day, in the garden, the Beast once again told Beauty how much he loved her. Confused by her emotions Beauty could not accept love, only friendship. Seeing a vision of her ailing father in the fountain, Beauty begged the Beast to free her to visit her family. He could not deny her wish and sadly granted her request. The Beast gave her a mirror and a magic cape which instantly transported her home. The Beast, once more alone, was no longer filled with anger but with love - a love so strong that it would kill the Beast if Beauty did not return.

Beauty, though content at home, longed to keep her promise and return to the Beast. Her father was overjoyed to have her home once again, but her sisters were more envious than ever. Explaining to her father her wish to return to the castle, Beauty prepared to leave. Her sisters, coached by La Fée Misérable, decided to pretend that they could not possibly live without her at home. Torn between emotions, Beauty agreed to stay. Gleefully her sisters stole the magic cloak and mirror. Beauty cried herself to sleep. La Bonne Fée intervened and sent Beauty a dream in which she remembered her promise to the Beast and saw his pain at her failure to return. He was dying.

Startled awake, Beauty ran out into the forest. Before she realized what she was doing she became lost. La Bonne FĂ©e found her and restored the Beast’s gifts to her. Transported back to the castle, Beauty found the Beast on the verge of death. From out of the darkness La FĂ©e MisĂ©rable and her goblins appeared triumphant, taunting the Beast and threatening to destroy Beauty. In a final moment of gained strength, the Beast sacrificed himself for Beauty by intercepting a bolt of fire meant for her.

Beauty, unable to accept the Beast’s death, begged La Bonne FĂ©e to save him. As Beauty turned her head, the Beast was no longer; selfless love had broken the enchantment, and the Beast had become the Prince once more. As Beauty gazed into the Prince’s eyes, she realized the truth: that he is her Prince, her Beast, her love. The palace returns to a place of wonders, and the happy couple are joined by the others in celebration of the triumph over evil. It is the Prince and his Beauty who share the last dance of all.

As the tale recedes, the final words draw us to a close: To judge by appearance is to miss the beauty of our inner souls....and they lived happily ever after.

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