Subject
Fantasy drama Books
Best books
Alice Gerstenberg
Alice in Wonderland A Dramatization of Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass"
"Alice in Wonderland" by Alice Gerstenberg and Lewis Carroll is a dramatic adaptation of the classic stories "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," written in the early 20th century. This play captures the whimsical and nonsensical adventures of Alice as she navigates a surreal world populated by peculiar characters and engaging dialogues. Thematically, the play centers around themes of identity, curiosity, and the absurdity of societal rules. The storyline follows Alice as she falls through a rabbit hole into Wonderland, where she encounters various fantastical creatures like the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts. Throughout her journey, Alice grapples with changes in her size, engages in illogical conversations, and participates in nonsensical games like croquet with live flamingos and hedgehogs. As she moves through this bizarre landscape, she learns to question authority and the structures of her reality. Ultimately, her adventures challenge her understanding of identity and logic, culminating in a surreal courtroom trial that emphasizes the ridiculousness of the world she has entered, before she awakens back in her own reality.
J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie
Dear Brutus
"Dear Brutus" by J. M. Barrie is a fantasy play written in 1917. On a magical Midsummer Night, dissatisfied guests gather at the mysterious Lob's house, where an enchanted wood appears. Inside, they experience alternate versions of their lives, exploring what might have been if they had made different choices. When they return to reality, each character must confront the question posed by Shakespeare: whether their faults lie in circumstances or in themselves.
J. M. (James Matthew) Barrie
A kiss for Cinderella: A comedy
"A Kiss for Cinderella: A Comedy" by J. M. Barrie is a play first produced in 1916. During World War I London, a young charwoman named Jane Thing cares for refugee orphans while dreaming of attending a royal ball like Cinderella. When a suspicious policeman investigates her activities, he discovers her innocent devotion to the fairy tale. The story blends wartime hardship with fantasy as Jane's dreams and reality intertwine, leading to an unexpected romance and revelations about identity and social class.
A. D. Nelson
The Fairy and the Witch
"The Fairy and the Witch" by A. D. Nelson is an allegorical sketch written in the early 20th century. This play is centered around the themes of good versus evil, represented by the characters of the Black Witch and the White Fairy. It is designed to be performed, particularly for celebrations like Hallowe'en, showcasing the transition from darkness to light as the witch's nefarious plans are thwarted by the fairy's benevolence. The storyline unfolds with the Black Witch attempting to conjure spells of darkness and chaos during Hallowe'en but finds herself increasingly powerless as her allies abandon her. The arrival of the White Fairy ushers in a critical confrontation where the fairy ultimately breaks the witch's rod—a symbol of her power—leading to the witch's demise. In a twist shaped by the pleas of children, the fairy restores the witch to life in mortal form, commanding her to forsake her evil deeds and embrace goodness. The play concludes on a note of triumph, emphasizing the victory of light and joy, suitable for a young audience, and reinforcing the messages of redemption and the importance of nurturing kindness.
E. H. (Edward H.) Rauch
Pennsylvania Dutch Rip Van Winkle: A romantic drama in two acts
"Pennsylvania Dutch Rip Van Winkle: A romantic drama in two acts" by E. H. Rauch is a theatrical adaptation of the classic story written in the late 19th century. The play reinterprets Washington Irving's original tale, transferring it to a Pennsylvania Dutch setting, and presents themes of timelessness, change, and the impact of the passage of time on personal identity and social dynamics. The story follows the titular character, Rip Van Winkle, a man who, after an encounter with a group of spirits in the wilderness, falls into a deep sleep for twenty years. Upon awakening, he discovers a transformed world, having missed the birth of his nation and significant changes in his village. The drama explores Rip's interactions with family and friends when he returns, highlighting how much his life, relationships, and society have evolved during his absence. Characters like his wife, Dame Van Winkle, and his daughter, Lorrenna, provide a poignant contrast to his dreamy escapism, showcasing the challenges of navigating personal connections in a rapidly changing world. Ultimately, the play is a blend of humor and nostalgia, engaging audiences with themes of community, family, and the inexorable flow of time.
Clifford Bax
Square Pegs: A Rhymed Fantasy For Two Girls
"Square Pegs: A Rhymed Fantasy For Two Girls" by Clifford Bax is a theatrical play written in the early 20th century. This whimsical work, presented in rhymed verse, captures a dialogue between two characters—Hilda, a modern girl from the Twentieth Century, and Gioconda, a Venetian girl from the Fifteenth Century. The play explores themes of time travel and the comparison of romantic notions across different eras. The story unfolds in an enchanted garden where Hilda and Gioconda meet, each yearning to escape their own time for the adventures of the other. As they share their woes regarding love, their conversations reveal the stark contrast between modern and historical romantic expressions. Hilda is disenchanted with her suitor's mundane and slangy proposal, while Gioconda finds herself frustrated by the limitations of her own age’s social conventions. Their bond deepens as they role-play their respective lovers, leading to a humorous and poignant realization that love's essence transcends time, ultimately concluding with both girls deciding to embrace their own lives with renewed appreciation.
F. Anstey
The Brass Bottle: A Farcical Fantastic Play in Four Acts
"The Brass Bottle: A Farcical Fantastic Play in Four Acts" by F. Anstey is a comedic play written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Horace Ventimore, a young architect, who inadvertently releases a Jinnee named Fakrash-el-Aamash from an ancient brass bottle. Through this encounter, the narrative weaves themes of magic and farce as Ventimore's life takes an unexpected turn filled with humorous complications and supernatural elements. The opening of the play introduces us to Horace Ventimore's modest living quarters in Westminster. As he prepares for a dinner with his fiancée, Sylvia Futvoye, and her parents, to whom he is keen to impress, we see contrasting perspectives from the Futvoyes about Horace’s aspirations and capabilities as an architect. Their arrival is soon followed by a twist of fate when Horace acquires the brass bottle at an auction, leading to the unexpected appearance of the Jinnee, who offers to grant wishes. This sets the stage for comedic chaos, with Horace caught between charming his guests and dealing with the absurd consequences of his newfound magical association.
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