Madame Leprince de Beaumont
“BEAUTY AND THE BEAST”
A wealthy merchant lived in his city mansion with his three daughters. All of them were beautiful, but the youngest was kind-hearted and pure, unlike her elder sisters, who were greedy and self-centered.
One day, a storm at sea destroys the merchant’s fortune.
Several years later, the merchant learns that one of his trading ships has returned. Before setting off, he asks each daughter what gift she would like. The elder sisters request jewels and elegant dresses, while Beauty asks only for a single rose — a flower that did not grow where they lived.
The merchant begins his journey, but the ship is caught in a storm and sinks, leaving him the only survivor. Lost in the dark, he discovers a magnificent palace where an invisible host offers him a lavish table. He eats, drinks, and spends the night there.
In the morning, as he prepares to leave, he sees a beautiful rose in the palace garden and picks it, remembering his promise to Beauty. At that moment, the Beast appears and accuses him of stealing the most precious thing in the garden. The merchant begs for mercy and explains that the flower is meant as a gift for his daughter. The Beast agrees to let him go on one condition: either the merchant returns to the palace himself, or his youngest daughter must come in his place.
The sorrowful merchant returns home. He tries to hide the truth, but Beauty learns everything and goes to the Beast voluntarily to save her father.
The staging and direction of this new production, enriched with vivid and captivating stage design, are by Anar Mammadov.
