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14. Fairy
Lullaby
The long-legged and
red-stockinged primary school fairies sing affectionately to
their teacher Hippolyta in a slow ring-dance, leading her
out of the circle and putting her to sleep on three school
desks behind it. An older, primmer teacher looks on from SR,
supervising their departure. This detail indicates Deguchi's
inventive economy and faithfulness to the text. Three
generations are brought together in this scene. Budding
sexuality is veiled by modesty, love and watchfulness, but
when the "one aloof" who "stands sentinel" is as old as the
Second Fairy is here, scenes of 'nodding off' can be
anticipated.
Compare to the more
sexually knowing - and drunkenly depressed - blues lullaby
of the Bar version (Bar 21.
Fairy lullaby), and the more theatrical shadow play of
the Mask version (Mask 10.
Fairies' lullaby). The same tune is used in each, but
differently arranged.
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