Monday 29 December 2008
A delightful comedy of pride, gluttony, anger, sloth, greed, envy, lust and mistaken identity which works as fun for children and a sharp political satire for the grown-ups. In 1853 the English novelist and author of Vanity Fair spent Christmas with his two daughters in Rome, staying at a boarding house which catered for English visitors. Also staying there were a number of other small children and their governess. In his prelude to The Rose and the Ring Thackeray says that his story began as a series of character drawings he made to amuse the children. Then he and the governess, a Miss Bunch, made up the story between them about the adventures of the characters he had drawn—chief among them Giglio, Bulbo, Rosalba and Angelica who lived in the kingdom of Paflagonia and Crim Tartary.
Wednesday 07 January 2009
Listen Now - 07012009 |
Prince Bulbo was put into prison (by mistake) and all the men in the palace had fallen in love with Betsinda, the serving maid, because she was wearing the fairy ring.
Tuesday 06 January 2009
Listen Now - 06012009 |
The Countess Gruffanuff found the magic ring that Angelica had thrown away and put it in her pocket. Suddenly she appeared quite attractive and Giglio paid her lots of attention. Then Gruffy, not knowing its powers, gave the ring to Betsinda the maid, and everyone fell in love with her.
Monday 05 January 2009
Listen Now - 05012009 |
Princess Angelica was horrible to Prince Giglio. She threw the ring he had given her out of the window, not knowing that it was a fairy ring and that whoever wore it would appear beautiful to all the world.
Friday 02 January 2009
Listen Now - 02012009 |
Poor Prince Giglio took to his bed with grief because Angelica was so unkind to him. Angelica, on the other hand, was shown a portrait of Prince Bulbo of Crim Tartary and was instantly smitten by his handsome looks.
5.30am AEDT