Bluebeard is a well-known fairy tale about a serial killer who is on a constant mission to find new wives. This version is adapted to play Marion Adams and illustrated by Brinsley Le Fanu. It belongs to the collection Books for the Bairns and was selling for one penny.
After the cover, a few pages of commercials follow. Then comes the title page with a list of characters.
If for some reason, you are not familiar with the plot, here is a pretty faithful summary of the Bluebeard story, illustrated by Joseph Edward Southall. From the list above we clearly see some differences already. Apart from the title character, father, Fatima, and Anne, there is only one of the brothers - Hachish (in the original there are two and without names), and a few additional characters as Mouna, Fairy, and 'wives' (later follows an explanation for practical and probably budget reasons we need at least two, with Mouna temporarily being one of them, I suppose Fairy could be another, but we can go up to eight - meaning, Fatima is the ninth wife, what is another diversion from the original with 'only' seven wives).
In the opening scene, we get familiar with the family in financial troubles. They are trying to find an opportunity to earn some money. Could Fatima and Anne get jobs?
Then Hachish enters. He has great news. a rich man is looking for a wife. Fatima would make a perfect match.
Anne would like to become a wife, too, but Fatima is not so sure. Will she like the man? Others try to convince her it really doesn't matter. Even if he has a blue beard! Being rich is more than enough to make a great husband.
So they are getting ready for the wedding celebration. Father Alcazar is not very happy due to all the expenses.
Then Hachish finds out the dark truth. Bluebeard has a room with the heads of his ex-wives. Everybody agrees that Fatima and Anne should not be informed about that.
Right after the ceremony Bluebeard has to leave the castle. hi gives his bride the keys, suggests she explore his wealth in all the rooms and forbids her to enter one of them. He says he has some business papers inside.
A dilemma is already present. Why not explore all the rooms? Oh, well, let's see what they can find in others. Alcazar uses the opportunity to fill his pockets with all kinds of treasures.
Finally, the girls stop at the blue chamber as the forbidden room is called. Fatima still resists the temptation ...
... but Anne finally convinces her they should take a peek.
The little key to the forbidden chamber is ready for use.
A horrifying scene reveals them - this room serves as storage for dead Bluebeard's wives.
They escape from the harsh truth about Fatima's husband. But it's too late.
The key to the forbidden room is now covered with red rust. And it can't be cleaned. It looks like it's a magic key that will instantly reveal Fatima's break of promise.
The girls tried all the cleaning stuff available, yet nothing helps. Soon, Bluebeard returns.
He is not prepared for all the soap in the room. But he still doesn't forget to demand the keys. Yes, including the little one.
Nothing helps. Fatima has to admit her treason.
Bluebeard demands punishment. His ninth wife should die just like his other eight.
Before it was too late, Fatima's father and brother arrive. They pull Bluebeard by his beard and it falls off! Bluebeard instantly transforms into a handsome young man.
A Fairy appears and explains how this young man became a victim of an evil witch who enchanted him into a serial killer. Now, after his transformation into original form, his wives will come to life again.Which one will be his beloved wife?
Well, Fatima is the one and it all ends well.
-----------------------------------------
The happy end of Bluebeard is just one of the adaptations in this play. To read the original tale with also strikingly beautiful illustrations by Joseph E. Southall, visit his view on Bluebeard.
