The Sun, The Moon, and Talia by Ian Thal

Adapted from the pages of The Pentamerone of Giambattista Basile (1566-1632) for an ensemble of puppets and masked and unmasked actors, "The Sun, The Moon, and Talia" is one of the earliest known variants of the story best known in the English-speaking world as "Sleeping Beauty."  This version is imagined as a medieval crime story that is interrupted with some commedia dell'arte....
Adapted from the pages of The Pentamerone of Giambattista Basile (1566-1632) for an ensemble of puppets and masked and unmasked actors, "The Sun, The Moon, and Talia" is one of the earliest known variants of the story best known in the English-speaking world as "Sleeping Beauty."  This version is imagined as a medieval crime story that is interrupted with some commedia dell'arte.

As with many early fairytales, twenty-first century parents will likely not consider "Talia" to be appropriate for younger audiences.
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The Sun, The Moon, and Talia

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear:
    22 Oct. 2021
    “ A fantastic fairy tale for adults that gives us the authentic version we've never heard, a bit darker than what you're used to from them. Well done! ”
  • Ross Tedford Kendall:
    28 Dec. 2019
    “ The playwright returns to this story's roots to show the dark side of fairytales. An arresting story woven with pitch perfect language and fantastic imagery. Would love to see this staged, especially with the suggested puppetry. ”
  • Emma Goldman-Sherman:
    11 Aug. 2019
    “ I have a favorite moment in this play that I cannot reveal and spoil it for another, but this is well worth its 21 pages! As a lover of fairy tales, it is a pleasure to read this well-researched tale adapted here. Even if it isn't for children anymore (evil laughter, mwahahahaha...) This would be fantastic onstage! Marvelous! ”
View all 4 recommendations

Character Information

The characters in Talia may be played by a cast as small as five actor/puppeteers.

Talia A princess awakened from a long slumber.
King Marco Father to Talia, grandfather to Lunalina and Eliolino
King Demetrio A king.

Pulcinella A butcher in King Demetrio's kitchen, husband of Rotalinda
Rotalinda A cook in King Demetrio's kitchen, wife of Pulcinella

Pulcinella and Rotalinda may be played by masked actors

Eliolino “Little Sun”; Talia's son, Lunalina's twin brother.
Lunalina “Little Moon”; Talia's daughter, Eliolino's twin sister.

Eliolino and Lunalina may be puppets performed by the same actors playing Pulcinella and Rotalinda.

Astrologer A learned philosopher of King Marco's court.
Old Woman Who spins flax with spindle and distaff.

The Astrologer and the Old Woman may be either puppets or doubled by the actors playing Pulcinella and Rotalinda.

Queen Titania Wife of King Demetrio.
Monaciello A kind spirit on the woods, one of the little people of Italian folklore.
Soldier One of King Marco's soldiers
Scribe King Marco's scribe.

Titania, the Monaciello, the soldier and the scribe may be puppets.

  • Talia
    Female
    A fairytale princess awakened from a long slumber. Daughter of King Marco. Mother of Eliolino and Lunalina.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • King Marco
    Male, royal
    Monarch in a Neapolitan fairytale. Always uses the royal we. Father of Talia.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • King Demetrio
    Male
    In the original Neapolitan fairytale, Demetrio plays the "Prince Charming" role, but this is a deconstruction.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Eliolino & Lunalina
    Array,
    Male & Female
    The twin offspring of Talia and Demetrio. May be played by puppets.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Queen Titania
    Array,
    Female
    Wife of King Demetrio. Wicked queen of a Neapolitan fairytale. May be played by a puppet.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Pulcinella
    Male
    A butcher in King Demetrio's kitchen, husband of Rotalinda. A zanni of the commedia dell'arte. May be played under a mask.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Rotalinda
    Female
    A cook in King Demetrio's kitchen, wife of Pulcinella. May be played by a masked actor.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Old Woman
    Ancient, Array,
    Female
    She who spins flax with a spindle and a distaff. May be played either by a puppet or doubled by the actor either playing Pulcinella or Rotalinda.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Astrologer
    Ancient, Array,
    Male
    A learned philosopher of King Marco's court. May be played either by a puppet or doubled by the actor either playing Pulcinella and Rotalinda.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any adult age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender
  • Monaciello
    Ancient,
    Monaciello
    A kind spirit of the woods, one of the little people of Italian folklore. Dresses in a monk's habit. May be played by a puppet.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Any gender