Attending VTSU Castleton’s performance of “Once Upon a Mattress” was like walking into a fairy tale that got a little confused on its path to happily ever after—and I mean that in the best way possible. This three-hour adventure, which played from Nov. 14-17, was an elaborate retelling of “The Princess and the Pea,” complete with head-bobbing songs, funny characters, and a few moments that had you checking your watch.

The story revolves around Princess Winifred (“Fred” to her pals), who arrives in a kingdom with a no-marriage policy set by the intrusive Queen Aggravain. She’s introduced as the next contender to marry the desperate Prince Dauntless, but Fred is no average princess—she’s loud, unrefined, and, quite frankly, a queen in her own right. Watching her march to her drum (and swim an actual moat) was empowering and refreshing. The actress, Kathryn Osburn, played Winifred with fierce charm, making every scene she appeared in an optimistic performance.

Then there’s the strange relationship between Prince Dauntless and his mother, Queen Aggravain. Let us face the elephant in the room: their relationship was … awkward. The queen’s obsession with keeping Dauntless to herself was so intense that it felt like a mama’s boy fever dream. However, props to the actors, Vidur Katyal and Siobhan Gallagher, for nailing this bizarre, unpleasant tension. The Queen’s dramatic dominance was cringe-worthy and captivating, and Dauntless’ eventual rebellion against his mother was satisfyingly enjoyable. When he eventually stood up to his mother, the audience practically cheered and gasped—because we’d had enough of Aggravain’s controlling behavior.

Now, for the comedy standouts: the Jester, the Wizard, Prince Harry, and the Minstrel. These four stole every scene they were in, injecting much-needed brightness and excellent comedic timing into the show. The Jester’s antics and silly songs were witty and foolish, and the Wizard’s dry wit had the audience applauding. Prince Harry’s exaggerated chivalry and the Minstrel’s hilarious commentary gave the show a spark that kept it moving during its more drawn-out sections. But let’s not forget the King, who added an unexpected layer of comedy to the show. His character, cursed to be mute, relied on excessive physical humor that involved running around trying to “catch” women and get handsy. The actor, Hunter Day, was committed to the role of the King and brought uncomfortableness to the stage. 

Three hours is a long time to sit through any play, let alone one as openly whimsical as this. There were times when the speed slowed, and it felt like happily ever after would never come. However, the vibrant musical numbers and the cast’s dedication to the story drew us back.

Overall, “Once Upon a Mattress” was a mixed collection of wonderfully strange characters, awkward relationships, and some killer voices. It isn’t every day that you get to see a princess storm a castle (or a moat) while a jester and wizard argue in the background. While the play may have slightly overstayed its welcome, the cast’s charisma and the sheer ridiculousness of the plot made for one of the best plays that’s taken the stage yet.