There is a lot to like about the 'Faerie Tale Theatre' series.
Many of their adaptations of various well-known and well-loved fairy tales are charming, clever and sometimes funny, a few even emotionally moving. 'Faerie Tale Theatre' puts its own magical spin (whether playing for laughs or straight), also adding elements and embellishing what already exists which gives the characters for example more depth, on the best of the episodes while still capturing the essence of the stories, while also giving further enjoyments in seeing talented performers in early roles or in roles that are departures from their usual roles.
Significant for being the last episode of 'Faerie Tale Theatre', "The Dancing Princesses" is, along with the likes of "Hansel and Gretel", "The Boy Who Left Home to Find Out About the Shivers", "The Princess and the Pea", "The Three Little Pigs", "The Snow Queen", "Rumpelstiltskin", "The Pied Piper of Hamelin", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and "Cinderella", one of the best episodes. While still above average, to me the only disappointments were "The Princess Who Had Never Laughed" and "Rip Van Winkle", with the still decent to pretty good "Puss in Boots", "Pinocchio", "Beauty and the Beast", "The Nightingale" and "Jack and the Beanstalk" also being lesser episodes.
"The Dancing Princesses" weak link is the costumes which did look hindered by budget, being rather plain in design and drab in colour. That is pretty much the only real wrong thing about the episode. Elsewhere visually, the interior and exterior sets are attractive enough and it's well photographed with all limitations being taken into account.
Other great elements are a sweeping music dance that makes one want to dance along with the princesses, and a sparkling witty script with lines that will make one laugh out loud. The romantic elements of the story are both adorable and touching, and there are no pacing longueurs. Parts are likely to make one well up with sadness.
A good cast helps and "The Dancing Princesses" does, great even. Taking acting honours is a truly charming Lesley Ann Warren at perhaps her most luminous. Roy Dotrice brings noble gravitas to the king, while Peter Weller, sharing sweet chemistry with Warren, is a likable soldier. The other princesses are also fun.
In summary, one of the best episodes of 'Faerie Tale Theatre'. 9/10 Bethany Cox