Burnaby Central Secondary students are staging a classic fairytale with a dark twist.
The school theatre company’s spring show is The Ash Girl, onstage March 4 to 6.
In Timberlake Wertenbaker’s dark take on the classic Cinderella story, Ashgirl’s dismal existence is interrupted when an invitation to a ball arrives from the mysterious Princess Zehra. With the help of the fairy in the mirror and her animal friends, Ashgirl finds a way to the ball, where she meets the misunderstood Prince Amir.
But when their evening is cut short by the end of the magic spell that made it all possible, Ashgirl must face not only her stepmother and stepsisters but the added obstacle of the seven deadly sins that dwell deep in the forest.
The students, under the direction of teacher Cassady Ranford, have been at work on the show since October.
“Ashgirl’s journey is sure to resonate with any person that has struggled with their own inner darkness,” said a press release about the show. “The cast and crew have worked together to bring the script to life by building an atmosphere of tension, hilarity and authenticity. While the tale of Cinderella has been told many times before, this show has a fresh and relevant take on what it is like to battle with your own demons, and the cast of Burnaby Central’s The Ash Girl navigates the challenge of this difficult subject matter with maturity and respect.”
The show is recommended for adults and older children (over eight years old).
It’s on Wednesday, March 4 to Friday, March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Burnaby Central Theatre, 6011 Deer Lake Pkwy.
Tickets are $8 for students and alumni, $12 for adults. They’re available at the door or by emailing [email protected] to reserve tickets.
