From close-to-home to far away: we’re shifting gears with this episode of Midnight Audio Theatre. The last few episodes focused on stories connected to Ohio. Now, we’ll take your ears to a kingdom far, far away from the Buckeye State.
When it comes to turning fairytales into audio dramas, Voices in the Wind Audio Theatre is one of the best. Over the years, they’ve turned many classic tales into full-length audio features – long-time listeners will remember Voices in the Wind’s takes on The Wizard of Oz, Cinderella, and Snow White.
Now, we’re featuring their newest release: Sleeping Beauty.
Dramatized for audio by Diane Vanden Hoven and George Zarr (who also produced, composed and directed), Sleeping Beauty has been transformed from a short children’s tale into a wonderfully charming full-length story. It follows the standard plot: upon the birth of Princess Aurora, an evil fairy places a curse on her and declares that before the sun sets on her 16th birthday, she will die by pricking her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel. To protect her from the evil spell, the King agrees to place Aurora in the care of three spirited good fairies who live in a cottage in the woods.
All of the familiar favorite characters are here, but their personalities are more fully developed. We’re treated to banter between the good fairies that makes them feel like sisters; an Aurora who’s a little more realistic in her reactions to everything going on around her, and several minor characters step to the fore to give us a better glimpse at their thoughts and how they affect the story. All-in-all, it’s a lovely production that is good for all ages.
You’ll hear Part One now, and Part Two in our next episode (#371). Sit back, close your eyes, and we’ll meet you in a magical land from long ago.
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