A fearless retelling of the Cinderella story – from the stepmother’s perspective.

Single mother of two Mara struggles to find work, before marrying a wealthy widower. Her new husband still grieves his first wife, buried under a cherry blossom tree in the garden – a tree whose branches tap relentlessly on Mara’s window at night.

tap. tap. tap…

As Mara’s dreams unravel, a tragic chain of events is unleashed. Is this her Happy Ever After?

A solo play using live music, foley and song that gives humanity to this childhood bogeywoman, challenges stereotypes about a woman’s capacity for both great love and great cruelty, and demystifies the universal role of the stepmother.

“Aurora Kurth is a natural comedian with huge stage presence and a singing voice that could charm birds from trees.” – Cameron Woodhead, The Age

“Kurth is one of the most extraordinary comical cabaret performers this country has ever produced” – Clare Bowditch, ABC Radio

“Ania Reynolds shows a stunning display of musicality” – Nicole Precel, Sydney Morning Herald

Playwright: Hanna Pyliotis

Director: Megan Jones

Performer: Aurora Kurth

Composer & Musician: Ania Reynolds

Creative Producer: Lyall Brooks

Vocal Coach: Suzanne Heywood

Costumes: Emilie Bloom 

Image by Jacqueline Day on Unsplash


Access Information:

Visual rating 50%: Events are partly subtitled or include dialogue, background music and/or sounds, so d/Deaf and hard of hearing audiences can have some engagement with the event.

Aural Rating 50%: Has both sound and visual components, but sight isn’t essential to be able to engage with the event.