This one-act comedy retells the myth in which Hades, god of death, kidnaps Persephone, goddess of life and spring. But while Persephone is usally presented as the sad-eyed queen of the underworld, here she is a happy breath of spring that makes life glitter wherever she is—even in Hades. Her conflict with the dead, who are tyring their best to rest in peace, makes one of the most imaginative as well as meaningful literary works of the decade.

In Greek mythology Persephone, the daughter of Demeter (Mother Earth), bit into a forbidden pomegranate and was sentenced to spend a month in the underworld for each of the six seeds she swallowed. That's why Earth has six months of bad weather (Demeter is crying for her daughter) and six months of happy, bright spring and summer. But according to this dramatization, when Persephone descended into Hades, she took along a happy breath of spring that made life glitter in the dark underworld. Some of the dead don't like the glitter. But the irresistible charm of Persephone infects even the darkly handsome King of the Dead and the crotchety old ferryman, Charon. A romantic comedy, the play visualizes the havoc that youthful innocence can create in the somber world of harsh realities. In addition to the comic conflicts surrounding the situation, however, there is a deeper theme of the relation of life and death. The myth presents Persephone, as life, mated to Hades, as death. This coupling is significant, since life and death are in fact inseparable, inevitably linked together. In this insoluble link there is also a hint of the nature of real love.

The play is comedy and should be played with the light, happy touch that comedy demands. Although it has its serious moments and dramatic episodes (which, of course, should be played seriously and dramatically), Persephone is essentially a happy, buoyant person; and since it is her play, the overall tone must be happy and buoyant. Set, the throneroom of Hades; Time, the morning of the earth. A Director's Script (prompt book) is available from the publisher. It contains drawings of costumes and set, details on all technical aspects of staging, discussion of characterization, plot, and theme. For all groups.

Ford Ainsworth was a veteran playwright who wrote for his students—college and high school— and felt that a script had served its purpose when his students produced it. This one was written for presentation in the University Interscholastic League One-Act Play Contest, where it was one of the top winners among nearly one thousand entries. Ainsworth has the rare ability to make historical and mythological characters come alive. His brilliant characterizations, his perseptive understanding of the depth as well as the humor of the myth, and his ability to tell a story through dialogue make this the kind of play that audiences go away saying, "fantastic," "exquisite," "a play that will live through the ages." We are proud that Mr. Ainsworth chose our company to publish his play. "We won first place in the Nebraska State Finals!"—Ann Bowman, Bruning High School.

Also by Ainsworth: The Bridge, Charity Case, Farewell to Galatea, The River Between, The Sheep Thief (The Second Shepherd's Play)