Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

When dreams come true
By Marisa de Silva
The Academy of English and Drama, under the direction of Nirmali Hettiarachchi and assisted by the staff of the Academy, presents The Ash Girl by Timberlake Wertenbaker, from March 31 to April 3, at 7 p.m., at the Lionel Wendt. The proceeds of the play will be in aid of tsunami victims.

This play is an imaginative re-telling of the classic Cinderella story and is all about dreams, the making of dreams and how they come true or not, as the case may be. The theme bravely addresses the reality of romance, something we tend to forget when wrapped up in the glitter and razzle-dazzle of falling in love.

In The Ash Girl, Timberlake returns to the Central European roots of the fairy tale and its 1812 Grimm Brothers’ interpretation to explore the conflicting emotions a teenage girl feels about parents, sisters, boys and growing up to be a responsible and self-aware adult. The play focuses on questions we should all be asking ourselves.

Timberlake Werten-baker is a modern South African playwright, who is also the award winning playwright of Our Country’s Good. She was Resident Writer at the Shared Experience Theatre Company in 1983 and the Royal Court Theatre 1984 – 1985.

With her mother dead and abandoned by her father, the Ash Girl lives huddled deep in the protection of the ashes with her stepmother and two stepsisters. She has nothing in common with them and is very unhappy. She longs for her father’s return. She thinks of herself as ugly and only worthy of being a servant in the household. She seeks solitude.

When an invitation to the Ball, addressed to all the daughters of the house, arrives from Prince Amir, Sophia can’t believe that she can go too. Prince Amir too has lost his father. His family has fled their home and are desperately trying to make a new home for themselves. His mother, Princess Zehra, feels he should marry a native of this new land they are in. But Amir cannot bear the thought of marrying a girl he does not love. These characters walk into a deadly forest where the Seven Deadly Sins, personified as animals lie in wait to lure them to strife and destruction. Of course there are some good animals in the forest that try to help the humans, but they are not very strong. The only way the humans can triumph is by strengthening what is beautiful and good in their natures. Will they have the courage and determination to do this?

The play is about forgiveness too. Past sins are revealed and absolution is sought. Will it be given?

Sophia (an ancient word for ‘wisdom’) is the Ash Girl, a general dogsbody in the house. She does all the housework, sews and cooks for the family. She is covered in ashes, yet she is beautiful and worthy of a prince. Will she have the courage to let the inner beauty of her soul shine through? Will she have the strength to fight the forces opposing her happiness? Will she take the initiative and seek her love?

Ruth wants to paint. Judith wants to be a scientist. But their mother believes the only way a girl can be happy is by marrying a wealthy man who could give her material comforts. Will she succeed?

Will the Ash Girl’s dreams come true? Will the terrible monsters be vanquished?
Would you go as far as Judith or Ruth to marry a Prince?

Menik Neydorff will be in charge of choreography, and costume designing will be done by Vishan Gunawardene.

Sponsorship is sought for students from less privileged schools to see the play.
Tickets will be available at the Lionel Wendt.

Top