Cinderella – Details, episodes & analysis

If youre expecting the traditional tale of glass slippers and pumpkin coaches, prepare for a delightful surprise! This is a pantomime as if Ibsen had penned it himself, set against a bleak and cheerless heath overlooking the fjord. Meet the Ibsenesque heroine, Mrs. Inquest, alongside her stepdaughter Hilda and her own daughter, Hedda, who is caught in an engagement with the hapless Tesman. Thus unfolds Calderons hilariously irreverent twist on Cinderella. A note from the editor of the 1922 volume, published posthumously, reveals that this play is more of a rough draft, initially set aside for refinement that never came. Yet, even in its unfinished state, it captures the essence of Calderons wit, making it too valuable to be lost. Ibsen fans will catch numerous references, while those less fond of his work may find themselves laughing out loud. (Summary by Ruth Golding)