A spoken prologue announces that the play we are about to see is an ancient tale that is as much in our minds as it is on the stage.

Judith has run away from her family and her bridegroom to be with Bluebeard in his castle. Bluebeard asks if she wants to return to them, but she says she would rather die. Bluebeard orders the doors locked.

In the darkness, Judith wonders about the rumours that surround Bluebeard. She sees the walls of the castle weeping and declares passionately that she will brighten his dark castle, warm the icy walls and let light in. Seeing seven doors barred before her, she demands he open them. He offers her a key and the walls breathe a sigh of anguish.

She opens the first door to find an horrific torture chamber. Terrified, she sees the walls are bleeding, but when asked if she is frightened, she recovers her composure and demands the other keys, declaring her love. She opens the second door and discovers a powerful armoury with bloodstained weapons. Unfazed, she demands to enter every doorway. As the castle walls begin to tremble, he gives her three more keys. She opens the third door and discovers a treasury full of ostentatious wealth, but the jewels are stained with blood. Behind the fourth door is a beautiful garden with blood soaked soil.