The Tinderbox has been devised by Young Company, and the material beautifully crafted and written by Silva Semerciyan. This story has allowed us to investigate the past, the present and the possibilities of ‘what if’. I was attracted to the dual worlds of fantasy and reality, but also to themes that are both timeless and relevant to the world that we live in now - from the brutality and reasons for war, to the valuing of women based on their appearance. What initially drew me to the story was the exciting combination of a War, a Soldier, a Princess and magic. The Tinderbox by Hans Christian Andersen is just seven pages long, but the questions it raises and leaves unanswered are what make this story ripe to devise with.
Tinderbox: A metal box for holding tinder and usually a flint and steel for creating a spark and/or a potentially explosive place or situation
Then, the dog took her back to the palace. She was so lovely that the prince kissed her. The soldier ordered, “Get me the princess! I want to see her!” The dog disappeared and immediately returned with the princess. He stuck the box again and the dog with big eyes stood before him. One night, the soldier decided to see the princess.
He ordered, “Bring me some money!” Without any hold, his pockets were full of money once again. They would bring anything he ordered for. The dog asked, “What is your order, Sir?” Now the soldier understood that if he struck the tinderbox once, the dog from the copper chest would come, if he struck the box twice, the dog from the silver chest would appear, and if he struck the box thrice, the dog from the golden chest would come to him. Suddenly, the box opened and the dog with big eyes stood before him.
One evening, he took out the tinderbox and struck a few sparks. Only the King can go there as he fears that his daughter will marry a common soldier.” The soldier said, “I want to see her!” By now, he had spent all his money. The soldier asked, “Why can’t I see the princess?” They replied, “Oh! You can never see the princess as she lives in the palace which is surrounded by the towers from all sides.