About the AuthorAngela Carter (1940-1992) was the author of many novels (including Nights at the Circus)¸ collections of short stories, plays, and books for children.A rounded theatre practitioner, Bryony Lavery's skills extend to performer (most notably as Tinkerbell in Peter Pan at the Drill Hall), artistic director (Gay Sweatshop and Female Trouble), writer of children's theatre (including The Dragon Wakes, Madagaskar, and Down Among the Mini Beast) and of many cabarets (including Floorshow with Caryl Churchill for Monstrous Regiment in 1977). From 1989 to 1992 she was Tutor-Lecturer on the M.A. Playwriting Course at Birmingham University. She is an honorary Doctor of Arts at De Montfort University. 'Lavery is one of the best but most consistently underrated playwrights in the country: her talent is lavish. She is a wonderful technician and always surprising: it is never possible to second-guess her.' ? Kate Kellaway, ObserverProduct Description"All is yours, everywhere is open to you - except the lock that the single key fits. You must promise, if you love me, to leave it well alone."When a 17 year old virgin marries a mature and charismatic Marquis it seems like a fairy tale. But when the Marquis is called away on their wedding night, leaving her only her only his keys and a single instruction, her curiosity leads her to uncover a dark secret.Bryony Lavery's new stage adaptation of Angela Carter's story opened as a Northern Stage production in September 2008.