Asher, Sandra Fenichel. The Insulting Princess. Encore Performance Publishing, 1988. Contact publisher regarding price. 23 pp. Reviewer: Elizabeth Moss Reading Level: Primary Rating: Dependable Genre: Fairy Tales; Plays; Folklore; Subject: Drama--Reviews; Princesses Juvenile drama; Theme: Be nice and be yourself. Production Requirements: Simple sets and costumes. Acts: 1 Run Time: 60 min. Characters: 2 females, 7 males Cast: Adults Time Period: Long ago Princess Greta insults all of her suitors using rhymes. The King and Queen do not know what to do with their daughter. They decide to issue a proclamation giving half the kingdom to anyone who can cure Princess Greta of her insulting rhymes. Alfred, the baker, succeeds, winning the kingdom as well as the heart of Greta. The premise of the plot is clichéd and does not, inherently, suggest too much action. The play can be rather slow at times as not a lot happens on stage. The characters, however, add some sparks of entertainment. The King and Queen jokingly banter with each other throughout the play. This can be delightful, though it can seem at times too child-like and unsuitable to a king and a queen. The language of the play can also be engaging and witty, though at times, it comes off as kindergarten slang rather than real words There is a dance movement between Princess Greta and Baker Alfred where they insult each other going through the letters of the alphabet that could be enjoyable. The play has several moments that could be fun and engaging. However, the challenge would come in making the moments of fun make up for the lack of action and plot.
