Basic+Plot

SUMMARY: Farruscad, a new King, neglects his royal duties and responsibilities in search of his bride, Cherestani, who, unbeknownst to him, must evade and later cruelly mistreat Farruscad to win her mortality. Cherestani has been tasked with an unfair charge: if she can abuse and torture Farruscad without him cursing her name, Cherestani will live (and die) happily with her King. If not, she will be imprisoned in the body of a snake for 200 years and therefore forced to outlive her beloved. Farruscad fails this charge and curses her name but begs for another chance. He is given three even greater feats to win his love and, with some help from mythical sources, eventually succeeds. However, instead of the traditional fairy tale ending, I am planning to take a more modern approach where the story does not easily tie itself together.

GENERAL PLOTLINE ACT I:

The play opens with Farzana and Zemina lamenting the potential loss of their beloved queen, Cherestani, to the mortal world. Cherestani has asked the fairy Lord, Demogorgon, to grant her mortality so that she may live and die with her mortal love, Prince Farruscad. Demogorgon has agreed to grant her mortality if Farruscad can go through a series of seemingly impossible trials without damning Cherestani. If Farruscad fails, Cherestani will be turned into a Serpent for 200 years, forced to watch Farruscad live and die until she is eventually returned to human form. Farzana and Zemina plot against Cherestani's wish, vowing to prevent Cherestani's success.

We meet the main players of the tale wandering through a desert: Truffalfino and Brighella (who explain the magical courtship of Farruscad and Cherestani), Pantalone and Farruscad (Pantalone irritated and exhausted, Farruscad focused only on finding his lost Cherestani). Togrul and Tartaglia, Farruscad's faithful counselor and servant (respectively) join the party to help bring Farruscad back to his Kingdom, which is being ravaged by a giant and his soldiers.

Throughout the act, Farruscad's court (Truffaldino, Brighella, Pantalone, Togrul and Tartaglia) attempt to send Farruscad back to his Kingdom and away from his obsessive search for Cherestani. This is done primarily through attempted (and failed) trickery. The act ends with the entrance of Cherestani warning Farruscad of the horrors yet to come.

ACT II:

Act II opens with the players (Truffaldino, Brighella, Pantalone, Togrul and Tartaglia) noting the mystical, horrific quality filling the space (omens abound...) and try new (and more desperate) tactics to return Farruscad to his Kingdom. Farruscad, on the other hand, is spiraling into an obsessive, defeatist depression, inching ever closer to damning Cherestani (thereby losing her forever).

Farruscad's sister (Canzade) appears, with news that the giant Morgone has demolished their Kingdom. Canzade reunites with her lover (Togrul) and chastises her brother for allowing the destruction of their Kingdom. Badur enters (under the guise of Farruscad's trusted adviser) with the news that the city was destroyed not by Morgone, but by Cherestani. Farruscad's sister and counselors turn against him and Farruscad finally curses Cherestani for her treachery.

The act ends as Cherestani appears, proves Badur's deceit and is changed into a serpent.

ACT III:

The final act separates Farruscad from his advisers and servants (Truffaldino, Brighella, Pantalone, Togrul and Tartaglia) who spend most of this act desperately looking for the Prince. Farruscad, on the other hand, is forced into a series of battles to win Cherestani back from Serpent-dom.

First Farruscad fights a bull and wins by cutting off his right horn. Next, Farruscad fights a seemingly indestructible giant (who continuously reanimates after fatal blows) until Farruscad again wins by cutting off the giant's head. Finally, Farruscad is forced to fight a serpent (who is Cherestani), a battle that can only be won "with a kiss."

Farruscad wins the last battle and peace and happiness are restored to all...except that's not quite how we'll play the ending in this production...

ADAPTED PLOTLINE: ACT I:

The play opens with Farzana, Zemina and Badur lamenting the potential loss of their beloved queen, Cherestani, to the mortal world. Cherestani has asked the fairy Lord, Demogorgon, to grant her mortality so that she may live and die with her mortal love, Prince Farruscad. Demogorgon has agreed to grant her mortality if Farruscad can go through a series of seemingly impossible trials without damning Cherestani. If Farruscad fails, Cherestani will be turned into a Serpent for 200 years, forced to watch Farruscad live and die until she is eventually returned to human form. Farzana, Zemina and Badur plot against Cherestani's wish, vowing to prevent Cherestani's success and kill Farruscad.

We meet the main players of the tale wandering through a desert: Truffalfino and Brighella (who explain the magical courtship of Farruscad and Cherestani), Pantalone and Farruscad (Pantalone irritated and exhausted, Farruscad focused only on finding his lost Cherestani). Togrul and Tartaglia, Farruscad's faithful counselor and servant (respectively) join the party to help bring Farruscad back to his Kingdom, which is being ravaged by a giant and his soldiers.

Throughout the act both Farruscad's court (Truffaldino, Brighella, Pantalone, Togrul and Tartaglia) and the fates from the beginning (Farzana, Zemina and Badur) attempt to send Farruscad back to his Kingdom and away from his obsessive search for Cherestani. This is done primarily through attempted (and failed) trickery. The act ends with the entrance of Cherestani, warning Farruscad of the horrors yet to come.

ACT II:

Act II opens with the players (Truffaldino, Brighella, Pantalone, Togrul and Tartaglia) noting the mystical, horrific quality filling the space (omens abound...) and try new (and more desperate) tactics to return Farruscad to his Kingdom. Farruscad, on the other hand, is spiraling into an obsessive, defeatist depression, inching ever closer to damning Cherestani (thereby losing her forever).

Farruscad's sister (Canzade) appears, with news that the giant Morgone has demolished their Kingdom. Canzade reunites with her lover (Togrul) and chastises her brother for allowing the destruction of their Kingdom. Badur enters (under the guise of Farruscad's trusted adviser) with the news that the city was destroyed not by Morgone, but by Cherestani. Farruscad's sister and counselors turn against him and Farruscad finally curses Cherestani for her treachery.

The act ends as Cherestani appears, proves Badur's deceit and becomes a serpent.

ACT III:

The final act separates Farruscad from his advisers and servants (Truffaldino, Brighella, Pantalone, Togrul and Tartaglia) who spend most of this act desperately looking for the Prince. Farruscad, on the other hand, is forced into battle by Farzana but helped by Zemina, who guides him through a series of trials to win Cherestani back from Serpent-dom. Farzana and Badur try to thwart Farruscad's successes.

First Farruscad fights a bull (and wins with Zemina's help) by cutting off his right horn. Next, Farruscad fights a seemingly indestructible giant (who continuously reanimates after fatal blows) until Zemina helps Farruscad again with the hint to cut off the giant's head. Finally, Farruscad is forced to fight a serpent (who is Cherestani), a battle that he can only win "with a kiss."

Farruscad wins the last battle and peace and happiness are restored to all...except that's not quite how we'll play the ending in this production...