Cinderella (A Play in Three Acts)
By Brothers Grimm (Adapted for Theater)
Introduction to the Play: Cinderella
This play script is an adaptation of the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella, a timeless fairy tale about kindness, patience, and justice.
Cinderella is a kind-hearted girl who is mistreated by her Stepmother and Stepsisters. With the help of magical birds and a wishing tree, she attends the royal ball, where she captures the Prince’s heart. However, she must flee before midnight, leaving behind a golden slipper. The Prince searches for the true owner, leading to a dramatic conclusion where Cinderella finds happiness, and the wicked are punished.
This play teaches us that kindness and patience are always rewarded. Enjoy the story of Cinderella!
Cindrella Play Characters (7):
- Cinderella – A kind but mistreated young girl
- Stepmother – Cruel and selfish
- Stepsister 1 – Arrogant and jealous
- Stepsister 2 – Rude and vain
- Prince – The ruler searching for his true bride
- Father – A weak but well-meaning man
- Magical Birds – Help Cinderella (Can be played by 1-2 actors or represented with sound effects)
Act 1: Cinderella’s Home
(The scene is set in a simple house. Cinderella is sweeping. Her Stepmother and Stepsisters sit idly.)
Stepmother: (sternly) Cinderella! Have you cleaned the floors?
Cinderella: (softly) Yes, Stepmother.
Stepsister 1: And my dress? It must be spotless!
Stepsister 2: And my shoes? They must shine!
Cinderella: I will do it now.
Stepsister 1: (mocking) Ha! As if you could ever wear beautiful things!
Cinderella: (hesitant) May I go to the ball, too?
Stepmother: (laughs) The ball? You? In rags? Impossible!
Stepsister 2: But she may go—if she picks up every grain of lentils from the ashes!
(They throw lentils into the fireplace and laugh.)
(Cinderella kneels, crying. Suddenly, birds flutter overhead.)
Magical Birds: (chirping) “The good into the pot, the bad into the crop!”
(They quickly separate the lentils.)
Cinderella: (hopeful) Stepmother, I have finished. May I go?
Stepmother: (cruelly) No! You have nothing to wear! Stay home and work!
(They exit. Cinderella runs to a tree by her mother’s grave.)
Cinderella: (softly) Dear mother, please help me…
(The tree shimmers, and a beautiful golden dress and slippers appear. Birds chirp joyfully.)
Cinderella: Thank you!
(She runs off to the ball.)
Act 2: The Royal Ball
(The ballroom is bright. The Prince stands among many guests. Music plays.)
Prince: (to himself) So many ladies… but none capture my heart.
(Cinderella enters in a golden gown. The crowd gasps.)
Prince: (approaches) May I have this dance?
Cinderella: (nervous but nods) Yes, Your Highness.
(They dance. The Stepsisters glare in jealousy.)
Stepsister 1: Who is she?
Stepsister 2: I don’t know, but she looks familiar…
(The clock chimes midnight. Cinderella gasps and runs.)
Prince: Wait!
(She disappears, leaving behind a golden slipper. The Prince picks it up.)
Act 3: The Search for Cinderella
(The Prince and Father arrive at Cinderella’s home with the slipper.)
Prince: Every maiden must try this shoe.
(Stepsister 1 forces her foot in. It doesn’t fit.)
Stepsister 1: (whispers to Stepmother) I’ll cut off my toe!
(She does, and tries again.)
Prince: (noticing blood) No! This is not the right girl!
(Stepsister 2 tries. It doesn’t fit. She cuts off part of her heel.)
Prince: (sees blood again) Not her either!
(A bird chirps loudly.)
Magical Birds: “The true bride is still at home!”
Prince: Who else is here?
Father: (hesitant) Only Cinderella… but she is just a servant.
Prince: Bring her at once!
(Cinderella enters, tries the slipper—it fits perfectly! The Prince smiles.)
Prince: It is you! Will you be my princess?
Cinderella: (happily) Yes!
(The Stepmother and Stepsisters gasp in horror. The birds flutter overhead.)
Magical Birds: “The wicked shall be punished, the kind shall be rewarded!”
(The Stepmother and Stepsisters cower as Cinderella and the Prince leave together.)
Narrator: And so, Cinderella, who remained kind and patient, found happiness at last.
THE END.
