- 19 hours ago
Ep 7: Sapsorrow. A widowed King seeks a new wife, with tradition dictating that whoever is able to fit the late Queen's ring on her finger the King must marry. Unfortunately for Sapsorrow, the King's beautiful child out of his trio of daughters, she discovers that she fits the ring and rather than marry her own father runs away. Years later she returns, disguised as an old hag, where she finds herself falling in love with a handsome prince there. But will he be able to see behind her appearance for who she really is?
Starring John Hurt as the titular character narrating the tale, this story features Alison Doody, James Wilby, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Geoffrey Bayldon, Tim Barker, Kate Williams, Angus Barnett, Edward Tudor-Pole, Dawn Archibald, Robin Summers, Craig Givens, Anita Griffin, Matthew Hawkins, Caroline Pope, Barbara Rhodes and Arthur Sweet.
Starring John Hurt as the titular character narrating the tale, this story features Alison Doody, James Wilby, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Geoffrey Bayldon, Tim Barker, Kate Williams, Angus Barnett, Edward Tudor-Pole, Dawn Archibald, Robin Summers, Craig Givens, Anita Griffin, Matthew Hawkins, Caroline Pope, Barbara Rhodes and Arthur Sweet.
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00:00When people told themselves their past with stories,
00:13explained their present with stories,
00:16foretold the future with stories,
00:20the best place by the fire was kept for the storyteller.
00:30Beginning as I do at the beginning,
00:41and starting as I must at the start,
00:44let me show you fate through the round of this ring.
00:49The girl whose finger fits this ring,
00:52she'll become queen, the law decrees it.
00:55What a lucky girl, you might think.
00:57Hmm?
00:59Oh, no.
01:16A king had three daughters.
01:18Two were bad, one was good.
01:20Long without a wife,
01:21the king's only joy had been the joy of the proud father.
01:24But the girls were growing up.
01:27Soon there would be suitors.
01:28Soon the palace would be empty.
01:30I must find myself a wife to comfort me, thinks.
01:35The wedding ring.
01:36Passed on from queen to queen,
01:38finger to finger,
01:39since any could remember.
01:42Only when the ring fits,
01:44can the king marry.
01:45See who wishes to wed our king
01:51must come forward and try the ring.
01:55The lucky bride will want for nothing.
01:58She can't do that.
01:59Well, he's too old to be getting married.
02:01He ought to be dying shortly.
02:02I don't think he's too old.
02:04What?
02:05What's she whispering on about?
02:06No.
02:07I know what will happen.
02:08Some harpy will step forward,
02:10and the ring will fit,
02:11and they'll get married,
02:12and then he'll die,
02:13and she'll get everything.
02:14That's what'll happen.
02:17The more the sisters sulked
02:19at the prospect of a stepmother,
02:21the viler they were to sapsorrow their sister.
02:25When their father set off to find his bride,
02:27they teased, taunted, and tormented her.
02:30They starved her.
02:33You're too fat, they'd say,
02:34stealing from her plate.
02:36They're vile, those sisters.
02:38Indeed.
02:39But they reckoned without her friends.
02:42The creatures who lived in sapsorrow's pockets,
02:45under her bed, perched on her chair.
02:47When she went to her room,
02:49she'd find berries and all kinds of nuts and fruits,
02:52delicious things.
02:59I miss you.
03:02We bride every night.
03:03Arise, bloodshot.
03:05They are, I know.
03:06No bride, then?
03:07No.
03:08The ring was a cruel shape.
03:10None could wear it.
03:11Oh, it's fate.
03:12It's not intended.
03:13Perhaps I don't know.
03:14You don't need a wife when you've got her.
03:17Don't we love you enough, Daddy?
03:19I know, I know.
03:20Where's your sister?
03:22Well, who knows?
03:24Flatting with the guards, stuffing herself.
03:27No.
03:28No, next.
03:30It's bound to fit someone, eventually.
03:32How disgusting.
03:35I mean, we should be queens, actually.
03:37Together.
03:38I know.
03:39I mean, what if the ring were to fit you?
03:42Or me?
03:44Then what?
03:48That's enough.
03:48Too late.
03:49Too late.
03:51Can't you control these women?
03:53Get them out of here.
03:55Well, he wouldn't want to marry us.
03:58But then, he couldn't marry anybody.
04:00Which is even better.
04:04Come on.
04:04Oh, look, it's hopeless.
04:16What do you try?
04:17You've got fat fingers.
04:18I have not.
04:25Ow.
04:26It's stuck.
04:28Ow.
04:28It's completely stuck.
04:30Well, ow.
04:31Ow.
04:32Well, do something.
04:32Oh, the blood's getting stuck.
04:36Look, it's swelling.
04:38Can I help?
04:39Help me.
04:40No, go away.
04:41Go on.
04:42I let her.
04:43She's better than you at these things.
04:47Hello.
04:49Is everybody all right?
04:51What was all the hue and cry?
04:54Hue and cry, Daddy?
04:55The cry is coming from this room.
04:57I heard them.
04:58Pick it up.
04:59Well?
05:00And then, little sap sorrow does a thing she will long regret.
05:05Obediently, she bends and, oh, folly.
05:08She stoops and, oh, rash.
05:11She picks up the royal ring and slips it on for safekeeping.
05:15What?
05:15I know.
05:18Where's your mother's ring?
05:21Well, she was playing with it, Father.
05:23Yes, we didn't want to sneak.
05:25I wasn't.
05:26She wasn't.
05:27Stay out of it, you.
05:28Little one.
05:30I wasn't.
05:31That's not fair.
05:32What's that?
05:33On your finger?
05:35Oh, no.
05:37Not on your ring finger.
05:40It fits.
05:41It fits.
05:44It fits.
05:47No sooner done, no sooner said, the news is afire in the palace, sweeping the corridors.
05:52The ring fits the king's daughter.
05:54I cannot marry my father.
05:56But you cannot ignore the law.
05:58But we cannot ignore the law.
06:00You cannot marry your father.
06:02But I cannot shame the king.
06:04But you cannot marry your father.
06:06But the ring...
06:08Is the ring.
06:09Is the ring.
06:12Sire, it is the law of the land.
06:16The ring fits your child's finger.
06:20You must marry her.
06:22Then I should cut off my finger.
06:25Why did you play with the ring?
06:26Why did you tamper with it?
06:28The ceremony, when must it take place?
06:32As soon as the preparations allow.
06:34Then first find me a dress of the palest silk.
06:39The colour of the moon.
06:42I will not wed till I have it.
06:44Very well.
06:46We will find this dress.
06:49The princess in her woe plans a plan and schemes a scheme.
06:54To find such a gown will take time.
06:57And meantime, you must all help me.
07:04Beautiful.
07:05But now I must have one of sparkling silver.
07:20Like the stars.
07:23For my trousseau.
07:26Sire, where would we find such a dress?
07:28Do as she bids.
07:31All in silver.
07:32Sparkling.
07:33The stars.
07:34And off again went the king's men.
07:37Scouring the land for such a dress.
07:40And all the while, in Sapsoro's room,
07:43another garment is being made.
07:45More marvellous.
07:47More magical.
07:48Beautiful.
07:58Beautiful.
07:59Beautiful.
08:01Just like the stars.
08:04Sire, the council wait on you.
08:07Your people grow impatient.
08:09When do you marry?
08:12Daughter.
08:13This gown is for the wedding feast.
08:16The first one for the procession.
08:19But now I must have one for the church.
08:22Gold it should be.
08:25Gold as the sun.
08:27Bring me such a dress.
08:29And the next day we shall wed.
08:34Gold, she says.
08:35All gold, like the sun.
08:38Bring her such a dress.
08:39They shall be married on the morrow.
08:41Gold, she's spoiled.
08:44And while the tailor's cut cloth spun with pure gold,
08:48Sapsoro stayed shut up in her room.
08:52She never appeared.
08:54Only her creatures.
08:55Flying in, slithering out.
08:58Busy, busy.
09:00Scurrying about.
09:06Princess?
09:07Yes?
09:08I have here a dress such as none before has seen.
09:12Of gold, dazzling.
09:16A hundred hands have sewn it.
09:22It is what I asked for.
09:24Very like the sun.
09:27Then we must marry on the morrow.
09:31We must.
09:33We marry.
09:36On the morrow.
09:37They can't.
09:44They can't get married.
09:46Well, the law says they must.
09:49And the girl has the three gowns she asks for.
09:52No, the ring fits.
09:53The feast is prepared.
09:55Married on the morrow.
09:56Listen.
09:57Bells tolled.
09:59The streets fill.
10:00Only Sapsoro stays silent in her room.
10:04Your highness, come out.
10:09The king awaits you.
10:11Yes, it's Sapsoro.
10:25A strange thing of fur and feathers.
10:29For such has been the secret work of the past weeks.
10:33This creature.
10:34This creature.
10:35There she is, the ill-fated princess, hurrying away, her past discarded, her future.
10:42Who knows?
10:47Two years later, a poor creature of fur and feathers tended geese in a king's garden and scrubbed the pots in his kitchen.
10:56So that's the princess.
10:58Princess of slops, yes.
11:00Princess of peelings, perhaps.
11:02Princess of the kitchen floor, certainly.
11:04And one day, this princess meets a prince.
11:09Where's the cook?
11:10Do you know?
11:12You don't know.
11:14Can you speak?
11:16Never mind.
11:18Give the cook a message, will you?
11:20Tonight there's a great ball at the palace.
11:21I've seen the menu and want goose added.
11:24He knows how I like it.
11:25Roast goose with orange.
11:27Baked in pastry.
11:30What's that look?
11:31It's a look.
11:32If there was a tax on looking, we'd all be beggars, sire.
11:38What's your name?
11:39No name.
11:41They call me the straggletag.
11:43Well, Miss straggletag, you don't stare at princes.
11:50It's not polite in one so low.
11:53Or one so ugly.
11:56Why eat geese?
11:57They don't harm you.
11:59I happen to like geese.
12:01So do I.
12:03That's why I don't eat them.
12:05Pass on my message and take that via manners.
12:08Roast goose with orange.
12:10A dozen.
12:11That night they sat, the geese, twelve cove stairs on the royal table.
12:18While around them, many danced, many daughters wore their mother's pearls.
12:22And the prince was there.
12:23And the prince was there, handsome, admired, and separate.
12:28Parents looked on and hoped.
12:31But the prince stood and smiled, but did not dance.
12:35Until, late, unannounced, mysterious, a woman enters in a dazzling gown, pale silk like the moon.
12:44And what could he do, the prince, but walk towards her?
12:48What could he do, but lead her to the floor?
12:51And they danced.
12:53It was meant.
12:55As left to right, morning to night, dark to light.
12:58They belonged.
13:06But when the music stops...
13:10Wait!
13:10I don't know your name!
13:12Wait!
13:12Oh, my dears, the prince is left mystified, excited, tingling.
13:19He's hooked, line and sinker.
13:26The prince is sent down for clean towels.
13:28Where is everybody?
13:30Upstairs, they're all busy.
13:32Another ball so soon.
13:33We've barely recovered from the last one.
13:36Oi, thing!
13:37You go, then.
13:42You sent down for towels?
13:52I hope they're clean.
13:54I'm sorry.
13:57Do I disgust you?
14:00You amaze me.
14:02Look.
14:04Cats chase mice.
14:06Hens lay eggs.
14:07And what does that mean?
14:09It means some things have to do with other things.
14:11I have nothing to do with you.
14:14You don't disgust me because I don't think about you.
14:19I see.
14:20Now, go away.
14:23And keep below stairs.
14:28And stop gawping!
14:31No, he can't see for the feathers, this prince.
14:33He can't see for the fur.
14:36That night, the second ball, beauties come and beauties go.
14:39Dance is a dance, but the prince stands alone, hoping, staring at the great doors.
14:46But nothing.
14:47No sign.
14:49Then, shh!
14:51Ah, shh!
14:52Then, a dividing of the room.
14:55And there she is, in a dress sparkling with silver, like the stars.
15:01I must go.
15:09Don't.
15:10Please.
15:12I think of nothing but you.
15:14I find that hard to believe.
15:16It's true.
15:17I can't sleep.
15:19I...
15:19Where do you live?
15:21Or I might find you.
15:22I live where hens catch mice and cats lay eggs.
15:25What?
15:25Please, don't go.
15:38What's the matter?
15:39What?
15:40You look so sad.
15:44No one.
15:45No one else in the whole palace, in the whole kingdom, speaks to me like this.
15:50Are you in love?
15:51Is that the problem?
15:52You couldn't possibly understand what I'm feeling.
15:55Or are you worried you might only love your sweetheart for her beautiful gowns?
15:59Or is she in the humblest rags?
16:01Or is she the poorest?
16:03Absolutely.
16:04If you see, my darling has eyes like...
16:07Yes.
16:08They're perfect.
16:10A voice like...
16:12Hmm?
16:13It's perfect.
16:14It's not her gowns.
16:19Well, how can you possibly understand?
16:22Then you should marry her.
16:23I want to.
16:26I want to, but I can't find her.
16:29I see.
16:32I...
16:32I have a problem like yours.
16:36What advice would you give me?
16:39Well, I don't know your beau.
16:42What's he like?
16:44Handsome.
16:45Rich.
16:46Really?
16:48Proud.
16:49Ah!
16:54You see, when I think about him, it makes my head hurt and my tummy ache.
17:01And my skin tingle and my heart do little somersaults.
17:06Me too.
17:07Me too.
17:09Oh, yes.
17:10We're in love.
17:11And it's terrible.
17:12Oh, I don't think I'm in love.
17:14Oh, you're definitely in love.
17:16Little somersaults?
17:18Tingling skin?
17:19Oh.
17:20Definitely.
17:22Straggletag!
17:24Straggletag!
17:24Where the devil have you got to?
17:25I have to go.
17:26Yes.
17:27And, listen, don't tell anyone we've spoken.
17:31As you wish.
17:32It's just, you know, Prince and...
17:36Straggletag!
17:38Prince and Straggletag.
17:42Oh, yes.
17:43The prince is lovesick, all right.
17:45Even before it's dark, he's there on the terrace in front of the ballroom.
17:49Tonight, he shivers.
17:51I'll see my love tonight.
17:53She still hasn't come.
17:57And this is the last of them.
17:58Could I please have the dishes?
18:00Ooh, look at this one.
18:01What's the hurry?
18:03Meeting a sweetheart?
18:05That's why the prince is still waiting.
18:08She hasn't finished the dishes.
18:09Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha
18:39It's wonderful, but bells toll, evening's end.
19:09Next day, a proclamation rings out around the palace.
19:15The prince will marry the girl who fits the golden slipper.
19:19Well, she thinks, what was true of the finger is true of the foot.
19:25She was cursed by the ring.
19:27Can she be blessed with the slipper?
19:33There's a queue now, but it fits nobody.
19:36I might try. You never know.
19:39You, you've got feet like a Yorkshire pudding.
19:42I have not.
19:43And what about our little beauty? Are you gonna try?
19:47I might.
19:49Ha!
19:50So up she goes.
19:51Really?
19:52And blow me, who's trying on the royal slipper?
19:57I think of a jest.
19:59If I just...
20:01I've done it.
20:03I've done it! It fits!
20:05That's absurd.
20:06It fits!
20:07You're not the one.
20:08I am! It fits! Look!
20:10I claim this handsome prince for my husband!
20:15According to the proclamation, the prince must marry the woman who can wear the golden slipper.
20:22Princess Bad Sister.
20:24Princess Bad Sister!
20:26From?
20:27From?
20:28From far away.
20:29From far away!
20:30From far away!
20:31Daughter of?
20:32Of nobody!
20:33We have no parents, you see.
20:35Mummy died a long time ago, and Daddy died last year.
20:38Well, he was ancient.
20:39Princess Bad Sister of far away, daughter of nobody.
20:43She will marry the prince on the morrow.
20:45Hooray!
20:46Now, can I just take the silly shoe off, please?
20:51Why?
20:52Well, it doesn't match.
20:53And it's the titsy-witsy bit tight.
20:56Just a pinch.
20:57Ouchy-wouchy!
20:59In fact, I think I may just have to have a tiny baby scream.
21:03Ah-ha!
21:04Ah!
21:05Sister!
21:06Do you think you could possibly help me to take this lovely slipper off my footsie-wotsie?
21:11Because I'm going to have to scream very loudly shortly.
21:15I think my leg is turning a little bit on the maroon side.
21:18It is.
21:19Ah-ha!
21:20Get this show off my butt!
21:25Ow!
21:26Sire, I claim my right to try the slipper.
21:30Ladies!
21:31Darling, I think, not creatures.
21:34What is it?
21:35Get it out of it!
21:36Get rid of it!
21:37It's called straggletag.
21:38So, may I?
21:42Very well.
21:43Ooh!
21:44Ooh!
21:45Ooh!
21:50Ooh!
21:51It fits!
21:52It can't!
21:54It does fit.
21:56Will you keep your promise?
21:58Don't be ridiculous!
21:59You can't!
22:00You've got to marry that thing!
22:01Yes.
22:02I'll marry you.
22:05I'll keep my promise.
22:07Well!
22:09See you for the love of Sorry!
22:10I promise.
22:16Ah!
22:17Hey!
22:18Oh.
22:19Hey!
22:20I'm sorry!
22:22Hey!
22:23Hey!
22:24Hey!
22:25Hey!
22:26Hey!
22:27Hey!
22:28Hey!
22:30Hey!
22:31Hey, wait!
22:32Hey!
22:33Hey, great!
22:34Hey!
22:35Hey!
22:36My princess, it's you.
22:45Darling, darling, they repeated to each other, dearest, dearest.
22:50And what the prince didn't know, he very soon did.
22:52They talked and talked, explaining this and explaining that, stories of rings, stories
22:58of fur and feathers.
23:00And they wept for her dear father, smiled for poor Straggletag, forgave the bad stuff,
23:06sisters, danced for a day without going away, and, and, well, after that they were so out
23:13of breath they lay down and slept, and glory be, if I don't wake them soon, they'll never
23:18get wed.
23:36And, well, after that they were so out of breath, I was so out of breath, and, well, after that,
23:43I was so out of breath.
23:46And, well, after that, I was so out of breath.