Description:
Produce the drama of Beauty and how she overcomes the spell put on her by the wicked witch. Only if absolutely necessary allow the students to use a little of their own language. Teach them ‘wh…’ questions. Help them with ‘must’, ‘can’ and future verbs. Ask them to ask their parents to help them design sets, find props and pre-record sound effects and music. Encourage them to compose and perform their own music. It is recommend they see the film ‘Malificent’. Encourage them to research ballet, Russia and classical music – especially Tchaikovsky.
Main Objectives:
At the end of the session the students will be able to:
Materials:
Microphone, Audio software on laptop, Audio player, flashcards.
Units:
Enjoy:
If you have time as well as the film Malificent watch the beautiful 1959 Disney cartoon with your students.
Rewards:
At the end of the course, please send us the script with your own ending, the video of your stage play, and the audio file of your audio play. There will be prizes of parents’ courses for:
Send us the attachments.
From the start immerse the students in speaking English.
Only if necessary allow them to use a little of their own language.
You have a choice of helping your students to produce:
Tips for Productions for either Stage or audio production:
Perform a stage or an audio play of “Sleeping Beauty” – or both!
For the Stage Production
Encourage them to create the backdrops for the Stage production
For the Audio Production
For conventional English learning (which will also relate to the play).
| RIDDLE | ANSWER | 1ST HALF OF PROVERB | 2ND HALF OF PROVERB |
| Why did the chicken cross the road? | Because it wanted to get to the other side | An apple a day | Keeps the doctor away |
| What gets wetter as it dries | A towel | A friend in need | Is a friend indeed |
| What has hands but no legs | A clock | A watched pot | Never boils |
| What has to be broken before you can use it? | An egg | Actions speak | Louder than words |
| What begins with T ends with T and has T in it? | A teapot | Don’t cry | Over spilt milk |
| What is black and white and red all over? | A newspaper | Half a loaf | Is better than none |
| Which month has 28 days? | All of them | The pen is mightier | Than the sword |
| What has four fingers and a thumb but is not alive? | A glove | The early bird | Catches the worm |
| What comes down, but never goes up? | Rain | Rome wasn’t built | In a day |
| What goes up when the rain comes down? | An umbrella | There’s no place | Like home |
| What is at the end of the rainbow? | The letter w | Let sleeping dogs | lie |
Suggest they involve their families and ask them to help
Prepare the backdrops (see script below).
Prepare the props (see script below).
Prepare the costumes – start by drawing them and then putting them together.
Prepare the sound effects (e.g. Guards’ feet running towards us),
Prepare pouring tea into cup, sipping of tea, Clothes being changed
Record with the students using audio recording equipment.
Find online, create within the production or vocalize or use sound effect here.
Listen and think of using pre-recorded sound effects provided: crows, horse snorting and neighing, horse harness noise, Liyla sound,
Prepare any music. Again find online or you can use music provided: the Tchaikovsky opening music, Chinese ballad with birdsong (might be nice for the scene where Beauty meets the prince), the nutcracker battle music, the dance macabre, tchaikovsky liyla 1 music, Tchaikovsky peasant music.
Set up a microphone on a stand
Connect to recording equipment
Tell the students the microphone is their best friend.
Remind them of the exercise they did in the last course (see below)
But first tell them that as well as being their friend the microphone is also a ‘lie detector”
In other words they must really feel and think what they are saying before they open their mouths.
Also remind them to listen to each other and to respond to what the other says.
Although they may need to look at the script – if they have not learnt their part – eye contact can be helpful
Now get them to do the fun exercise again:
Line the students up in a row and having started to record, get them to follow one after the other in an entertaining parade:
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EACH STUDENT FACES INTO A WALL FAR FROM THE MICROPHONE, OR BEHIND AND FACING INTO A SCREEN, OR OUTSIDE THE DOOR, OR BY PUTTING HIS /HER HEAD OUT OF A WINDOW) |
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| 1. STUDENT: |
Hello, this is (name). Are you there Archie? |
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(TURNING TOWARDS MIKE, OR EMERGING FROM BEHIND SCREEN, OR ENTERING ROOM. THEN SPEAKING AS WALKING TOWARDS THE MIKE, ARRIVING AT AN ARM’S LENGTH FROM THE MIKE) |
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| 2. STUDENT: |
There you are. How are you, old boy? |
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(AT AN ARM’S LENGTH FROM THE MIKE) |
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| 3. STUDENT: |
Blossom what a pleasant surprise. |
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(MOVING TO CLOSE UP, AN ELBOW’S LENGTH FROM MIKE, BREATHING IN) |
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| 4. STUDENT: |
That’s a delicious scent. |
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(BREATHING IN MORE SOFTLY AND GETTING AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO MIKE) |
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| 5. STUDENT: |
(thinks) you bastard, Archie. |
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00;”>Get recorded sound effects ready. For example: thunder, spooky sounds for the witch, baby gurgling, baby crying, burning and crackling of wood, getting down from horse, wind and raven, horse trotting towards us, harness sound, horse snorts and whinnies.
Make sure that each student has a job to do either alone or as part of a team.
Get the students to encourage each other.
Get the students to write as many frequency
adverbs as they can on the board such as: often, usually. etc,
Then get them to make up sentences using these
adverbs, e.g. the wicked witch never does well, the good fairies are
usually happy, etc.
Get them to read their sentences in front of
the class.
In pairs get them to ask about their eating
habits, e.g. ‘What do you usually eat for breakfast?” “I
usually have toast and orange juice.” etc.
Ask each other what they like, answering with
verb + ing, e.g. “What do you like doing at the weekend?” “I
like going shopping.” What do like to eat?” “I like eating
chocolates.”
Get them to ask each other seven ‘wh’
questions: e.g. “Where does the play Sleeping Beauty start?”
“What is the name of the King?” “Who is Merryweather?” “When
will Luna prick her finger?” “Why is Liyla angry?” “Who is
Hubert?” “Which fairy gives Luna the gift of song?”
Get the students to ask each other ‘wh’
questions about anything, e.g. Where do you come from? Have you
got a family? Why are you here? What do you want?
Using ‘can’ and ‘could’ and ‘am able to’ and
‘was able to’. These auxiliary verbs express ability in the
present and past. Make up sentences, e.g. “What has to be broken
before you can use it?” “the Queen is able to have a child’ “the
good fairies could not break the wicked fairy’s spell” “When I
was young I was able to speak two languages”. Get the students to
write more sentences this way.
And get them to use the future tense too, e.g.
“When I am older I will be able to speak three languages”.
Modal verbs:
most often to talk about the present: can,
must, may, shall, ought, might
most often to talk about the past: could +
have, should + have, should + have,
may + have, might + have
most often to talk about the future: may,
might, will, could, should, would.
Modal verbs always require another verb with
them in the sentence; they cannot be the main verb of a sentence.
For Example:
I can speak English very well. I can
English very well.
You should clean your room. You should
your room.
Modal verbs are followed directly by the
infinitive of another verb without ‘to’ in front of the
infinitive.
For example:
We will dance together all night. We
will to dance all night.
They might tell the secret. They might
to tell the secret.
Get the students to write sentences using
modal verbs.
Get your students to have a competition to see who are the best at vocalising these sounds
The Teacher explains that in this course they will have fun making drama.
Through drama they will learn English without effort.
Also they will absorb a feeling for how to tell a story and have a sense of adventure.
The students will act.
They will work as a team.
Now read both the stage and the audio versions with them.
Discuss which version they would like to produce and perform
There are 11 speaking parts and 6 non speaking parts in the stage version and 11 speaking parts and possibly 2 vocalizations (the raven squawking and horse snorting and whinnying) in the audio version.
Discuss which part the students would like to play.
Some of the characters in the stage version, especially the non-speaking part can double as stage hands.
Some students might like to create the music.
They might like to use the Tchaikovsky ballet or Chinese music provided.
Others might like to create the sound effects.
Read both the stage version and the audio version with them.
Ask them which version they would like to produce and perform. Explain what is involved.
Explain that their family and friends will be able to come to the production (stage) or read and hear (Audio) what you have done.
Also their families and friends can help them prepare for the productions.
Later they can write some new endings to the play.
Get the students to write at least one sentence each about the three good fairies, King Stefan, the Queen, the wicked fairy, the raven, Luna, Philip.
Why do they do what they do? Get them to write what these characters are like.
Get them to use ‘wh’ and modal words in their sentences.
Ask questions of the different groups about the drama and find out which group can answer most questions about “Sleeping Beauty”, for example:
“Where does the play start?”
“In the stage version who are the first two characters to enter?”
“In the audio version who plays homage to the baby princess?”
“In the stage version who squawks?”
“In the stage version how is the baby Luna portrayed?”
“In the audio version how is the baby Luna portrayed?”
“Give a list of the ingredients in the birthday cake”
“What is a cradle?”
“What is the wicked fairy’s gift?”
“What is the ray of hope that Merryweather offers?”
“Why won’t it do any good to turn Luna into a flower?”
“What is Liyla’s domain?”
“What does Phillip give his horse to eat?”
For Stage help and encourage the students to paint and design backdrops or construct scenery for the Throne Room, Woodcutter’s Cottage, Liyla’s Domain, the Lake in the Forest.
Help and encourage them to find the props. Suggest they ask their families to help.
Get the actors/stage hands to practice moving the furniture and props.
Help them to prepare the music and the sound effects.
Let them practice playing the music in and fading it out.
Help and encourage them to design and create costumes.
While they are doing the above they can learn and practice their lines.
In the stage version tell them to think about where the audience will be and always face the audience as much as they can.
For Audio the teacher demonstrates how to use a microphone.
If you have technical assistance you can record and play back to the children.
As a review of the microphone exercise above, get them to stand a long way from the microphone and call ‘Hello. My name is ……………..’ Then move much closer to to the microphone and say much more softly ‘Hello. My name is ………………..’
Get each student to repeat.
When they are close to the microphone, in order not to ‘pop’ the microphone teach them to speak sideways or to put one finger in front of their mouths to deflect their breath from going into the microphone.
If you have recorded playback to students.
Let the students tell you the story of “Sleeping Beauty” in their own words.
Then get them write – if possible for homework – a synopsis in their own words of the stage or audio script.
Rehearse the play
Perform the stage and/or audio play
If you have the equipment and technicians and the extra time involved, audio record the play.
And/or Video the stage rehearsal and performance.
It will be very important for the students to see and hear what they have achieved. Praise them but also help and encourage them to do even better next time. (See at the bottom other plays they can perform.
Tell them not to be frightened to make mistakes. Mistakes are a useful learning process.
There will be phonics advice on the underlined words in the script. Refer to the audio file.
Listen to the Phonics advice.
Listen to and practice saying the words: fair queen, daughter, Luna, brilliant light, proclaimed throughout, homage, fearful curse, wicked, fateful prophecy, fiddle faddle, bonfire, etc.
Key pronunciation
Listen to stage pronunciation recording. Let the students listen to stress and intonation.
Sing the Lana del Rey version of Sleeping Beauty from the film Malificent
The Dance Class by French impressionist painter, Degas
Anna Pavlova, a famous Russian ballerina
Columbine and Harlequin, Tivoli Theatre, Denmark
Dancer from the Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, London
Interlaken, Switzerland
Leo Tolstoy
Encourage your students to find music from these composers that can be used in their plays.
Of course they can also find film, ethnic and more modern music and you can encourage them to do this too.
However Western classical music will supply many moods appropriate to drama.
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CAST |
COSTUMES |
PROPS |
BACKDROPS, FURNITURE AND SPECIAL EFFECTS |
MUSIC AND SOUND EFFECTS |
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Narrator |
Smart modern clothes |
Cradle |
Backdrop of throne room |
Compose and play your own music |
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Flora |
Fairy costume and peasant costume |
Doll to look like Luna as a new born baby |
Two Thrones |
Find your own music from disc or online |
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Fauna |
Fairy costume and peasant costume |
3 pairs of wings for fairies |
Backdrop of small room in castle |
Chinese music provided at beginning |
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Merryweather |
Fairy costume and peasant costume |
Spindle |
Table |
Tchaikovsky opening music |
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Liyla |
Evil Fairy costume |
teapot |
3 chairs |
Thunder |
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King Stefan |
King’s costume |
3 cups and saucers |
Standing mirror |
Spooky sounds |
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Queen |
Queen’s costume |
Model of pet raven with black cotton attached |
Backdrop of Liyla’s room with mountain outside window |
Tchaikovsky evil music |
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Liyla’s first servant |
Evil servant’s costume |
Book of dresses |
Backdrop of room in a small cottage |
Tchaikovsky peasant music |
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Second servant |
Evil servant’s costume |
Pink material |
A chair |
Tchaikovsky gentle music |
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Luna |
Luna’ peasant costume. Luna’s princess costume |
Scissor |
Two tables |
Tchaikovsky battle music (Nutcracker) |
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Prince Phillip as an adult |
Adult Prince’s costume |
Two bowls, one with flour in it, ≈ |
Backdrop of forest and lake |
Dance Macabre (Saint-Saens) |
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King Hubert |
King’s costume |
3 cups of different sizes, |
Lazer |
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NON SPEAKING |
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two eggs |
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Guards |
Guards’ costumes |
a large spoon for mixing |
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Prnce Phillip as a small boy |
Boy prince’s costume |
2 eggs |
PROPS CONTINUED |
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Raven |
Raven’s costume |
A teaspoon |
Bottle of wine |
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Back of horse |
Horse costume |
Birthday cake with candles, |
Empty plate |
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Front of horse |
Horse costume |
a taper with fire |
Plan of castle |
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crown |
beautiful dress |
Large key |
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Phillip’s hat |
Fish |
Drapes |
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Chain round Phillip’s hand |
Chicken leg |
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2 wine glasses |
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ACT 1. SCENE 1. |
IF THERE ARE CURTAINS THEY WILL BE DRAWN. IF THERE ARE NO CURTAINS WE SHALL SEE KING STEFAN AND HIS QUEEN SEATED ON THEIR THRONES AGAINST A BACKDROP OF THE THRONE ROOM. WE ALSO SEE A CRADLE. THE NARRATOR ENTERS |
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| NARRATOR: |
In a far away land, long ago, lived a king and his fair queen. |
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Many years had they longed for a child and finally their wish was granted. A daughter was born, and they called her Luna. Yes, they named her after the moon goddess for she filled their lives with brilliant light. Then a great holiday was proclaimed throughout the kingdom, so that all might pay homage to the baby princess. ESTABLISH THEME MUSIC: TCHAIKOVKY OR CHINESE MUSIC, TEA BALLAD BY STELIO. IF THERE ARE NO CURTAINS WE SEE KING HUBERT AND HIS YOUNG BOY, PRINCE PHILLIP ENTER. On this great and joyous day did all the kingdom celebrate the long awaited royal birth. And good King Stefan and his Queen welcomed their life long friends, King Hubert and his son Prince Philip, who would one day be married to the princess and unite both kingdoms. And so our story begins on that most joyful day… THE NARRATOR LEAVES. |
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| FAIRIES: | (AT THE CRADLE) Oh the little darling! | |
| FLORA: | (TO THE KING) Your Majesties | |
| Each of us the child may bless with a single gift. No more, no less. (AT THE CRADLE) Little princess, my gift shall be the gift of beauty. | ||
| FAUNA: | Tiny princess, my gift shall be the gift of song. | |
| MERRYWEATHER: | Sweet princess, my gift shall be… | |
| THE SOUND OF LIGHTNING AND THUNDER. EVIL LIYLA APPEARS | ||
| FLORA | Why, it’s Liyla! | |
| MERRYWEATHER | What does she want here? | |
| FAUNA | Shhh ! | |
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LIYLA |
Well, quite a glittering assemblage, King Stefan. Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and, how quaint, even the rebel. | |
| (MERRYWEATHER STARTS ANGRILY TO WALK TOWARDS LIYLA BUT IS HELD BACK BY FLORA) | ||
| LIYLA | I really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation. | |
| MERRYWEATHER | You weren’t wanted! | |
| LIYLA | Not wanted…? Oh dear, what an awkward situation. I had hoped it was merely due to some oversight. Well, in that event I’d best be on my way. | |
| QUEEN | And you’re not offended, your Excellency? | |
| LIYLA | Why no, your majesty. And to show I bear no ill will, I, too, shall bestow a gift on the child.(THE FAIRIES PROTECT THE CRADLE) | |
| Listen well, all of you! The princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who know her. But, before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday, she shall prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die. | ||
| QUEEN | Oh no! | |
| THE QUEEN TAKES THE CHILD FROM THE CRADLE INTO HER ARMS | ||
| LIYLA | Ha, ha, ha, ha! | |
| KING STEFAN | (CALLS FOR THE GUARDS) Guards! | |
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GUARDS RUN ONTO THE STAGE- Seize that creature! |
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| LIYLA | Stand back you fools! | |
| (SHE DISAPPEARS LAUGHING. THE GUARDS LOOK CONFUSED. THEY SHRUG THEIR SHOULDER AND WALK OFF) | ||
| FLORA | Don’t despair, your majesties. Merryweather still has her gift to give. | |
| KING STEFAN | Then can she undo this fearful curse? | |
| MERRYWEATHER | Oh no, Sire. | |
| FLORA | Liyla’s powers are far too great. | |
| FAUNA | But she can help! | |
| MERRYWEATHER | But . . . | |
| FLORA | Just do your best, dear. | |
| FAUNA | (GENTLE MUSIC IS PLAYED SOFTLY) | |
| MERRYWEATHER | Sweet princess, if through this wicked witch’s trick a spindle should your finger prick, a ray of hope there still may be in this, the gift I give to thee. | |
| Not in death but just in sleep the fateful prophecy you’ll keep, and from this slumber you shall wake when true love’s kiss the spell shall break. | ||
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THE STAGE HANDS BRING ON A SPINNING WHEEL. THE NARRATOR APPEARS. IF THERE ARE CURTAINS THEY ARE DRAWN, LEAVING THE SPINNING WHEEL IN FRONT OF THEM. IF THERE ARE NO CURTAINS WE SEE THE GUARDS AND OTHER STAGE HANDS REMOVE THE THRONES AND CRADLE AND REPLACE THE BACKDROP WITH THAT OF A SMALL ROOM IN THE CASTLE. FADE GENTLE MUSIC |
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NARRATOR: |
But King Stefan, still fearful of his daughter’s life, did then and there decree that every spinning wheel in the kingdom should on that very day be burnt. So it was done. | |
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EVIL AND DANGEROUS MUSIC PLAYS IN THE BACKGROUND. YELLOW AND RED LIGHTS FLASH (LASERS) AS THE SPINDLE IS REMOVED AND THE NARRATOR LEAVES. THE STAGE HANDS BRING ON TABLE WITH A TEAPOT AND THREE CUPS AND SAUCERS. THEY ALSO BRING ON A MIRROR. IF THEY WERE CLOSED THE CURTAINS OPEN |
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ACT 1. SCENE 2. |
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC PLAYS. THE FAIRIES ARE ALONE IN THE CASTLE. MERRYWEATHER AND FAUNA ARE DRINKING TEA. |
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FLORA: |
Silly fiddle faddle! | |
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FAUNA: |
Now, come and have a nice cup of tea, dear.(SHE POURS OUT A CUP AND PASSES IT TO FLORA.) | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
I’m sure it’ll work out somehow. | |
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FLORA |
Well, a bonfire won’t stop Liyla. | |
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FAUNA: |
Of course not. But what will? | |
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FLORA |
Well, perhaps if we reason with her. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
Reason? | |
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FAUNA |
With Liyla? | |
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FLORA |
Well, she can’t be all bad. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
Oh yes, she can. | |
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FAUNA: |
I’d like to turn her into a fat old toad! | |
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FLORA: |
Now, dear, that isn’t a very nice thing to say. | |
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FAUNA: |
Besides, we can’t. You know our magic doesn’t work that way. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
It can only do good, dear, to bring joy and happiness. | |
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FLORA: |
Well, turning Liyla into a toad would make me happy. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
But there must be some way … I have an idea! | |
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FAUNA |
What is it? | |
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FLORA |
What is it, Merryweather? | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
I’m going to … shh, shh, shh! Even walls have ears. | |
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SHE SNEAKS AROUND THE CORNERS OF THE STAGE.) Follow me! (WALKS TO CENTRE STAGE; THE OTHER TWO FOLLOW.)(WHISPER) I’ll turn her into a flower! |
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FLORA |
Liyla? | |
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FAUNA: |
Oh no, dear, the princess! | |
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FLORA: |
Oh she’d make a lovely flower. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
Don’t you see, a flower can’t prick its finger. | |
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FAUNA: |
It hasn’t any | |
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FLORA: |
That’s right | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
She’ll be perfectly safe. | |
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FAUNA: |
Until Liyla sends a frost. | |
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FLORA: |
Yes . . .oh dear! | |
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FAUNA: |
She always ruins our nicest flowers. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
You’re right. And she’ll be expecting us to do something like that. | |
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FAUNA: |
But what won’t she expect, she knows everything. | |
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FLORA: |
Oh but she doesn’t dear. Liyla doesn’t know anything about love, or kindness, or the joy of helping people. You know, sometimes I don’t think she’s really very happy. | |
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FAUNA: |
(GETTING EXCITED) That’s it, of course! It’s the only thing she can’t understand, and won’t expect. |
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| (TO HERSELF)Oh, oh, now, now … We have to plan it carefully, let’s see, woodcutters cottage, yes, yes, the abandoned one. Of course the King and Queen will object, but when we explain it’s the only way… | ||
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MERRYWEATHER |
Explain what? | |
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FLORA: |
About the three peasant women raising a child deep in the forest. | |
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FAUNA: |
Oh, that’s very nice of them. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
Who are they? | |
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FLORA: |
Close your eyes and turn around! | |
| (WHILE MERRYWEATHER AND FAUNA TURN AROUND TO FACE A MIRROR, FLORA CHANGES THEIR OUTFITS TO PEASANT DRESS.) | ||
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FAUNA: |
Uh … why, it’s … us! | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
You mean, we, us? | |
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FAUNA: |
Take care of the baby? | |
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FLORA: |
Why not? | |
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FAUNA: |
Oh, I’d like that! | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
Well, yes, yes, but will we have to feed it? | |
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FAUNA: |
And wash it and dress it and rock it to sleep. Oh I’d love it. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
You really think we can? | |
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FLORA: |
If humans can do it, so can we. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
And we have our magic to help us. | |
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FAUNA: |
That’s right | |
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FLORA: |
Oh, no, no, no, no, no magic! I’ll take those wands right now. Oh, better get rid of those wings, too. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
You mean, live like mortals? For sixteen years? | |
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(FLORA REMOVES MERRYWEATHER’S WINGS) Now, we don’t know how. We’ve never done anything without magic. |
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FLORA: |
And that’s why Liyla will never suspect. | |
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MERRYWEATHER |
But who’ll wash, and cook? | |
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FLORA: |
Oh, we’ll all pitch in. | |
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FAUNA: |
I’ll take care of the baby! | |
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FLORA: |
Come along now, we must tell their majesties at once. | |
| (IF THERE ARE CURTAINS THEY CLOSE. IF NOT WE SEE THE STAGE HANDS REMOVE THE TABLE AND CHAIRS AND MIRROR AND TEA THINGS AND THE BACKDROP OF SMALL ROOM IN CASTLE AND REPLACE IT WITH THE BACKGROUND TO LIYLA’S FORBIDDEN MOUNTAINS.) | ||
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NARRATOR: |
NARRATOR ENTERS So the king and his queen watched with heavy hearts as their most precious possession, their only child, disappeared into the night. |
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Many sad and lonely years passed by for King Stefan and his people. But as the time for the princess’s sixteenth birthday drew near, the entire kingdom began to rejoice. HEAR THE RUMBLE OF THUNDER For everyone knew that as long as Liyla’s domain, the forbidden mountains, thundered with her anger and frustration, her evil prophecy had not yet been fulfilled. BRING UP THUNDER AND FADE |
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ACT 2. SCENE 1. |
CURTAINS ARE PULLED BACK – EVIL MUSIC PLAYS. LIYLA TALKS TO HER SEARCH PATROL. HER PET RAVEN IS ALSO THERE. |
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LIYLA: |
It’s incredible, sixteen years and not a trace of her! She couldn’t have vanished into thin air. Are you sure you searched everywhere? |
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FIRST SERVANT: |
Yeah, yeah, anywhere, we all… | |
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SECOND SERVANT: |
Yeah, yeah! | |
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LIYLA: |
But what about the town, the forests, the mountains? | |
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FIRST SERVANT: |
We searched mountains, forests, and houses, and let me see, in all the cradles. | |
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LIYLA: |
Cradle | |
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FIRST SERVANT: |
Yeah, yeah, every cradle. | |
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LIYLA: |
(ANGRY) Cradle? | |
| (TO HER PET RAVEN. NOTE: THE RAVEN CAN BE A SMALL PERSON DRESSES AS A RAVEN OR IT MAY BE A MODEL OF A RAVEN. . IF IT IS A MODEL IT HAS BLACK COTTON ATTACHED TO IT SO IT CAN BE FLOWN OFF STAGE.) | ||
|
LIYLA: |
Did you hear that my pet? | |
| THE RAVEN SQUAWKS. THIS CAN BE A RECORDING OR IF AN ACTOR IS PLAYING THE RAVEN IT CAN BE A VOCALIZATION BY THE ACTOR | ||
|
LIYLA: |
All these years, they’ve been looking for a baby! (LAUGHING) Oh, oh, ha, ha, ha… |
|
|
SERVANTS: |
(JOIN LAUGHTER) Ha, ha, ha… | |
|
LIYLA: |
(LIYLA ABRUPTLY STOPS LAUGHING AND TURNS ANGRY) Fools! Idiots! Imbeciles! |
|
| (DRIVES HER SEARCH PATROL AWAY AND ENDS UP ALONE WITH HER PET AGAIN) | ||
|
LIYLA: |
Oh, they’re hopeless. A disgrace to the forces of evil. | |
| (TALKING TO THE RAVEN) My pet, you are my last hope. Circle far and wide, search for a maid of sixteen with hair of sunshine gold and lips red as Luna’s. Go, and do not fail me. | ||
|
THE RAVEN GOES – IF AN ACTOR HE RUNS OFF. IF HE IS A MODEL HE IS FLOWN OFF BY PULLING THE BLACK COTTON. IF THERE ARE CURTAINS THEY CLOSE – BRING UP EVIL MUSIC AND THEN FADE. THE BACKDROP OF LIYLA’S FORBIDDEN MOUNTAIN IS REPLACED WITH A ROOM IN A SMALL COTTAGE. STAGE HANDS BRING ON A CHAIR AND TWO TABLES: ONE WITH A SHEET OF PINK MATERIAL AND SOME SCISSORS ON IT AND THE OTHER WITH INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING A CAKE: TWO BOWLS, ONE WITH FLOUR IN IT, THREE CUPS OF DIFFERENT SIZES, TWO EGGS, A LARGE SPOON FOR MIXING, SOME YEAST IN ANOTHER SMALL BOWL, A TEASPOON. |
||
|
ACT 2. SCENE 2. |
CURTAINS OPEN. BEAUTIFUL MUSIC. NARRATOR APPEARS. |
|
|
NARRATOR: |
And so for sixteen long years the whereabouts of the princess remained a mystery, while deep in the forest, in a woodcutter’s cottage, the good fairies carried out their well-laid plan. |
|
|
Living like mortals, they had raised the child as their own and called her Luna. On this her sixteenth birthday the good fairies had planned a party and something extra special for her surprise. CURTAINS OPEN – MUSIC FADES. THE FAIRIES SIT OVER A BOOK OF DRESSES. |
||
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MERRYWEATHER: |
How about this one? |
|
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FLORA: |
This is the one I picked. |
|
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FAUNA: |
Oh she’ll look beautiful in it. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Now I thought a few changes here… |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
Aha |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Don’t forget a pretty bow… |
|
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FLORA: |
And there’s the shoulder line. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
We’ll make it blue. |
|
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FLORA: |
Oh no, dear, pink. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
But . . . |
|
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FLORA: |
Of course, we’ll need a few pleats. |
|
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FAUNA: |
Yes, but how are we going to get her out of the house? |
|
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FLORA: |
Oh, I’ll think of something. (LUNA APPEARS ON STAGE AND FINDS THE FAIRIES) |
|
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LUNA: |
Well, and what are you three dears up to? |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Up to? |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Up to? |
|
|
FLORA: |
Up to? |
|
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FAUNA: |
Eh, eh, eh, we, we, well, we, we… |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Want you to pick some berries. |
|
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FLORA: |
That’s it, berries! |
|
|
LUNA: |
Berries? |
|
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FAUNA: |
Lots of berries. |
|
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LUNA: |
But I picked berries yesterday. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Oh, we need more, dear. |
|
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FLORA: |
Lots, lots more |
|
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FAUNA: |
Yes! (THE FAIRIES PUSH LUNA OUT OF THE HOUSE) |
|
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FLORA: |
Now don’t hurry back, dear. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
And don’t go too far |
|
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FLORA: |
And don’t speak to strangers. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Goodbye, dear! |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Goodbye! |
|
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FLORA: |
Goodbye! |
|
|
LUNA: |
Goodbye! |
|
|
(THE FAIRIES CLOSE THE DOOR AND GET BACK INSIDE) |
||
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MERRYWEATHER: |
I wonder if she suspects. |
|
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FLORA: |
Of course not, come on. Will she be surprised! |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
A real birtday party. |
|
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FAUNA: |
With a real birthday cake. |
|
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FLORA: |
Yes and a dress a princess can be proud of. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
I’ll get the wands |
|
|
FLORA: |
Yes, you…the wands? |
|
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FAUNA: |
Oh no. |
|
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FLORA: |
No magic! |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
But the sixteen years are almost over. |
|
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FLORA: |
We’re taking no chances. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
But, I never baked a fancy cake. |
|
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FLORA: |
Oh, you won’t have to, dear. |
|
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FAUNA: |
I’m going to bake the cake. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
You? |
|
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FLORA: |
She’s always wanted to, dear, and this is her last chance. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
Well . . . |
|
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FAUNA: |
I’m going to make it fifteen layers with pink and blue, forget-me-nots… |
|
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FLORA: |
And I’m making the dress. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
But you can’t sow, and she’s never cooked! |
|
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FLORA: |
Oh. it’s simple |
|
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FAUNA: |
All you do is follow the book. |
|
|
(FLORA DIRECTS MERRYWEATHER TO STAND ON A CHAIR) |
||
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FLORA: |
Up here dear, you can be the dummy. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
Well, I still say we ought to use magic. |
|
|
(FLORA THROWS A SHEET OF PINK CLOTH ABOVE MERRYWEATHER AND BEGINS CUTTING WITH A PAIR OF SCISSORS. FAUNA HAS LAID ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR THE CAKE BEFORE HER.) |
||
|
FAUNA: |
(READS FROM THE BOOK) Flour, three cups. |
|
|
(SEARCHING) Cups, cups, cups, cups, cups… (FINDS THREE CUPS OF DIFFERENT SIZES AND USES THEM TO POUR FLOUR INTO THE BOWL) One, two, three.(FLORA HAS CUT A CIRCULAR HOLE INTO THE SHEET) |
||
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
What’s that for? |
|
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FLORA: |
Well, it’s got to have a hole in the bottom. |
|
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FAUNA: |
That’s for the feet to go through. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
It’s pink! |
|
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FLORA: |
Oh, lovely shade, isn’t it? |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
But I wanted blue |
|
|
FLORA: |
Now, dear, we decided pink was her color. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
You decided! |
|
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FAUNA: |
(STILL READS FROM THE BOOK) Two eggs, fold in gently. Fold? Oh well. |
|
|
(FAUNA PUTS TWO EGGS INTO THE BOWL AND STARTS TO FOLD (MIX) THEM IN.) |
||
|
(MERRYWEATHER IS COMPLETELY WRAPPEDED INTO THE PINK CLOTH) |
||
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MERRYWEATHER: |
I can’t breathe! |
|
|
(FLORA CUTS THE CLOTH OPEN AT THE TOP. MERRYWEATHER TAKES A LOOK AT THE DRESS) |
||
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
It looks awful. |
|
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FLORA: |
That’s because it’s on you, dear. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
(AT HER CAKE) Now yeast, one teaspoon? |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
One teaspoon! |
|
|
FAUNA: |
One teaspoon, of course. |
|
|
(FLORA MEASURES PART OF THE DRESS) |
||
|
FLORA: |
Oh gracious how the child has grown. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Oh, it seems only yesterday we brought her here. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Just a tiny baby |
|
|
(MERRYWEATHER WEEPS A TEAR) |
||
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FLORA: |
Why Merryweather! |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Whatever’s the matter, dear? |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
After today she’ll be a princess, and we won’t have any Luna. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Oh Merryweather! |
|
|
FLORA: |
We all knew this day had to come. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
But why did it have to come so soon? |
|
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FLORA: |
After all, we’ve had her for sixteen years. |
|
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MERRYWEATHER: |
Sixteen wonderful years. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Good gracious, we’re acting like a lot of ninnies! Come on, she’ll be back before we get started. |
|
|
(IF THERE ARE CURTAINS THEY CLOSE – BEAUTIFUL MUSIC PLAYS STAGE HANDS REMOVE ALL THE OBJECTS AND FURNITURE AND THE BACKDROP AND REPLACE THEM WITH A BACKDROP OF A FOREST AND LAKE.) |
||
|
ACT 3. SCENE 3 |
CURTAIN OPENS | |
|
LUNA IS WALKING THROUGH THE FOREST. SHE STARTS TO SING. SHE SITS BY A LAKE AND BEGINS TO HUM. PRINCE PHILLIP RIDES ON HIS HORSE NEARBY AND HEARS LUNA’S HUMMING. THE HORSE IS TWO ACTORS (BACK AND FRONT) DISGUISED AS A HORSE. (TURNS HIS HORSE AROUND, BUT IT STRUGGLES BACK) |
||
|
(TO HIS HORSE) Hear that, Samson? Beautiful! What is it? Come on, let’s find out. Oh, come on! For an extra bucket of oats, and a few carrots? |
||
|
PHILLIP: |
(HORSE NODS WITH HIS HEAD) Hop boy! (LUNA BEGINS TO TALK TO AUDIENCE – PRINCE PHILLIP STOPS IN THE BACKGROUND) |
|
|
LUNA: |
Oh dear, why do they still treat me like a child? … Why do Flora and Fauna and Merryweather never want me to meet anyone. |
|
|
(TO THE AUDIENCE) But you know something? I fooled them. I have met someone! A prince…he’s tall and handsome and … and so romantic. Oh we walk together, and talk together, and just before we say goodbye, he takes me in his arms, and then … I wake up. Yes, it’s only in my dreams. But they say if you dream a thing more than once, It’s sure to come true. And I’ve seen him so many times! LUNA BEGINS TO SING AGAIN AND DANCE AS IF SHE IS DANCING WITH HER PRINCE |
||
|
(SINGS) “Some day my prince will come Some day I’ll find my love And how thrilling that moment will be When the prince of my dreams comes to me. He’ll whisper “I love you” And steal a kiss or two . Though he’s far away I’ll find my love some day Some day when my dreams come true. Some day I’ll find my love Someone to call my own And I’ll know him the moment we meet For my heart will start skipping a beat . Some day we’ll say I do Things we’ve been longing to Though he’s far away I’ll find my love some day Some day when my dreams come true.” |
||
|
PHIILIP |
You know, there is something so strange about your voice. | |
| (HE IS NOT HEARD BY LUNA . HE GETS DOWN FROM HIS HORSE AND SPEAKS LOUDER) | ||
|
PHIILIP: |
Too beautiful to be real. Maybe you’re a mysterious being – a wood sprite!… | |
|
LUNA: |
Oh? | |
|
(TURNS AROUND AND SEES PHILLIP) Oh! (SHE TRIES HALF-HEARTEDLY TO RUN OFF, BUT IS HELD BY PHILLIP) |
||
| I’m awfully sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. | ||
|
LUNA: |
Oh it wasn’t that. It’s just that you’re a, a … | |
|
PHIILIP: |
A stranger? | |
|
LUNA: |
Hmm-hmm. | |
|
PHIILIP: |
But don’t you remember? We’ve met before! | |
|
LUNA: |
We, we have? | |
|
PHIILIP: |
Of course, you said so yourself: Once upon a dream! | |
| (PHILLIP LAYS HIS ARM AROUND LUNA) | ||
|
PHIILIP: |
Who are you, what’s your name? | |
|
LUNA: |
Hmm? Oh, my name. Why, it’s, it’s … Oh no, no, I can’t, I … Goodbye! (RUNS OFF) |
|
|
PHIILIP: |
But when will I see you again? | |
|
LUNA: |
(OFF STAGE) Oh never, never! | |
|
PHIILIP: |
Never? | |
|
LUNA: |
(OFF STAGE) Well, maybe someday. | |
|
PHIILIP: |
When, tomorrow? | |
|
LUNA: |
(OFF STAGE) Oh no, this evening . | |
|
PHIILIP: |
Where? | |
|
LUNA: |
(OFF STAGE) At the cottage, in the glen. | |
|
IF THERE ARE CURTAINS THEY CLOSE. MUSIC PLAYS. PHILIP AND THE TWO ACTORS PLAYING THE HORSE LEAVE. THE BACKDROP IS REPACED WITH THE COTTAGE BACKDROP AND STAGE HANDS BRING ON A BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH CANDLES, A TAPER WITH FIRE FOR LIGHTING THEM AND A BEAUTIFUL DRESS. |
||
|
ACT 2. SCENE 4. |
INSIDE THE COTTAGE. FAUNA IS LIGHTING THE CANDLES ON THE CAKE AND ADMIRING A BEAUTIFUL DRESS | |
|
FLORA: |
Look what you’ve done! I told you not to use your magic! | |
|
Shh, listen! WE HEAR LUNA HUMMING OFF STAGE |
||
|
FAUNA: |
It’s Luna! | |
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
She’s back, enough of this foolishness. | |
|
(THEY ALL HIDE) (LUNA ENTERS. SHE IS FOLLOWED, UNSEEN, BY LIYLA’S RAVEN ) |
||
|
FLORA: |
Flora, Fauna, Merryweather! Where is everybody? | |
|
LUNA: |
(SEES DRESS AND CAKE) Oh! |
|
|
FAIRIES: |
Surprise, surprise! | |
|
FAUNA: |
Happy birthday! | |
|
LUNA: |
Oh you darlings, this is the happiest day of my life. Everything’s so wonderful, just wait till you meet him. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Him? | |
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Luna! | |
|
FLORA |
You’ve met some stranger? | |
|
LUNA: |
Oh he’s not a stranger, we’ve met before. | |
|
FLORA: |
You have? | |
|
FAUNA: |
Where? | |
|
LUNA: |
Once upon a dream! (STARTS HUMMING AND DANCING) |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
She’s in love. | |
|
FLORA: |
Oh no. | |
|
FAUNA: |
This is terrible! | |
|
LUNA: |
(STARTLED) Why? After all, I am sixteen. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
It isn’t that, dear. | |
|
FLORA: |
You’re already betrothed. |
|
|
LUNA: |
Betrothed? | |
|
FLORA: |
Since the day you were born. | |
|
FAUNA: |
You will marry prince Phillip, dear. | |
|
LUNA: |
But that’s impossible! How could I marry a prince, I’d have to be… | |
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
A princess. | |
|
FAUNA: |
And you are dear! Princess Luna. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Tonight, we’re taking you back to your father, King Stefan. | |
| (THE RAVEN, STILL UNSEEN, FLIES OFF) | ||
|
LUNA: |
But, but I can’t! He’s coming here tonight, I promised to meet him. | |
|
FAUNA: |
I’m sorry, child, but you must never see that young man again. | |
|
LUNA: |
Oh, no, no! I can’t believe it. No, no! | |
| (LUNA SITS ON THE FLOOR AND STARTS TO CRY) | ||
|
FLORA: |
And we thought she’d be so happy. | |
|
PERHAPS THE CURTAINS CLOSE – ROYAL MUSIC PLAYS PROPS, FURNITURE AND BACKDROP ARE REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH BACKDROP FROM ACT 1. SCENE 1, THE THRONE ROOM. A TABLE AND DISHES AND FOOD INCLUDING A FISH AND A CHICKEN LEG AND TWO WINE GLASSES AND AN EMPTY PLATE ARE BROUGHT IN. |
||
| (FADE MUSIC AND OPEN CURTAINS) | ||
|
ACT 3. SCENE 1. |
(STEFAN’S CASTLE. HE’S STANDING AT THE WINDOW, LOOKING OUTSIDE. KING HUBERT IS WITH HIM, EATING A CHICKEN LEG WITH HIS HAND.) | |
|
STEFAN: |
(SIGHS) No sign of her yet, Hubert. | |
|
HUBERT: |
Of course not. Good half hour ’till sunset. (TAKES A BITE) Ah, excellent bird! (LOOKS AT STEFAN) Oh now, come on, wake up, battle’s over, girl’s as good as here. | |
|
STEFAN: |
I’m sorry, Hubert, but after sixteen years of worrying, never knowing… | |
|
HUBERT: |
The past, all in the past. | |
| (STEFAN CLAPS HIS HANDS. THE LACKEY ARRIVES WITH A BOTTLE OF WINE) | ||
|
STEFAN: |
Tonight, we toast to future with something I’ve been saving for sixteen years. (HE FILLS TWO GLASSES) |
|
|
HUBERT: |
Here’s to the future! | |
|
STEFAN: |
Right, Hubert, to the future! | |
|
HUBERT: |
Cheers! | |
|
STEFAN: |
Cheers | |
|
HUBERT: |
A toast to this night | |
|
STEFAN: |
The outlook is rosy | |
|
HUBERT: |
The future is bright | |
|
STEFAN: |
Our children will marry Our kingdoms unite – Cheers! | |
|
HUBERT: |
Ah, excellent vintage. And now, to the new home, hey? | |
|
STEFAN: |
New home? | |
|
HUBERT: |
Children need a nest of their own, what? Place to raise their little brood, hey? | |
|
STEFAN: |
Well, I suppose in time… | |
|
HUBERT: |
Of course. To the home! Cheers! | |
|
STEFAN: |
Cheers! | |
|
HUBERT: |
A toast to the home | |
|
STEFAN: |
One grander by far than a palace in Rome | |
|
HUBERT: |
Let me fill up your glass, That glass was all foam. | |
|
BOTH: |
Cheers! | |
|
HUBERT: |
(CLAPS HIS HANDS) The plans! | |
| (A SERVANT BRINGS IN A CASTLE’S PLAN IN FRONT OF STEFAN’S FACE) | ||
|
HUBERT: |
Well, what do you think? Nothing elaborate, of course. Forty bedrooms, Dining hall – Honeymoon cottage, really. | |
|
STEFAN: |
You mean, you’re building it already? | |
|
HUBERT: |
Built man! Finished. The love birds can move in tomorrow. | |
|
STEFAN: |
Tomorrow? But Hubert, they’re not even married yet. | |
|
HUBERT: |
Take care of that tonight. To the wedding! | |
|
STEFAN: |
Now hold on, Hubert. I haven’t even seen my daughter yet, and you’re taking her away from me. | |
|
HUBERT: |
Getting my Phillip aren’t you? | |
|
STEFAN: |
Yes, but… | |
|
HUBERT: |
Want to see our grandchildren, don’t we? | |
|
STEFAN: |
Of course, but… | |
|
HUBERT: |
There’s no time to lose! We’re getting on in years. To the wedding! | |
|
STEFAN: |
Now be reasonable, Hubert. After all, Luna knows nothing about this. | |
|
HUBERT: |
Well? | |
|
STEFAN: |
Well, it may come as quite a shock… | |
|
HUBERT: |
Shock? My Phillip a shock? (ANGRY) What’s wrong with my Phillip? |
|
|
STEFAN: |
Nothing, Hubert. I only meant… | |
|
HUBERT: |
Why, doesn’t your daughter like my son | |
|
STEFAN: |
Now, now … I’m not so sure my son likes your daughter! Now, see here… |
|
|
HUBERT: |
I’m not so sure my grandchildren want you for a grandfather | |
|
STEFAN: |
Why, you unreasonable, pompous, blustering, old windbag! | |
|
HUBERT: |
Unreasonable, pompous… (HE GRABS A FISH AND HOLDS IT LIKE A SWORD) En garde, sir! |
|
|
STEFAN: |
I warn you, Hubert, this means war. (USES A PLATE AS A SHIELD) |
|
|
HUBERT: |
(THEY START TO FIGHT, FISH AGAINST PLATE, THEN ABRUPTLY BREAK INTO LAUGHTER.) | |
|
HUBERT: |
What’s this all about anyway? | |
|
STEFAN: |
Nothing Hubert, absolutely nothing. | |
|
HUBERT: |
The children are bound to fall in love with each other. | |
|
STEFAN: |
Precisely. And as for grandchildren, I’ll have the royal woodcarvers start work on the cradle tomorrow. | |
|
HUBERT: |
Splendid! King size, of course. | |
|
STEFAN: |
Certainly. To the woodcarver’s guild! | |
| (THEY BOTH DRINK A TOAST) | ||
|
HUBERT: |
Cheers! | |
|
STEFAN: |
Cheers! To the woodcarvers! | |
| (STEFAN LEAVES. THEN WE HEAR AN ANNOUNCEMENT OUTSIDE ) | ||
|
ANNOUNCER: |
His royal highness, Prince Phillip | |
|
HUBERT: |
Phillip? (PHILLIP ARRIVES – RUNNING FRANTICALLY) Phillip! Phillip! Phillip, stop, Phillip! (PHILLIP STOPS, HUBERT RUNS TO HIM) |
|
|
HUBERT: |
Hurry, boy, hurry, and change into something suitable. You can’t meet your future bride looking like that. | |
|
PHILLIP: |
Well, I have met her, father. | |
|
HUBERT: |
You have? where? | |
|
PHILLIP: |
Once upon a dream. | |
|
(STARTS TO SING, LIFTS HIS FATHER AND STARTS TO DANCE WITH HIM) (SINGS AND HUMS) I know you, I walked with you once upon a dream I know you, that deep in your eyes is so familiar a gleam And I know it’s true that visions are seldom all they seem But if I know you, I know what you’ll do You’ll love me at once, the way you did once upon a dream But if I know you, I know what you’ll do You’ll love me at once The way you did once upon a dream.” |
||
|
HUBERT: |
Oh Phillip, stop it, stop that, why, Phillip, Put me down! (PHILLIP PUTS HIM DOWN) Now, what’s all this dream nonsense? |
|
|
PHILLIP: |
It wasn’t a dream, father. I really did meet her! | |
|
HUBERT: |
The Princess? Good heavens, we must tell Stefan! Why this is the most… | |
|
PHILLIP: |
I didn’t say it was the Princess. | |
|
HUBERT: |
You most certainly did, you said … | |
|
PHILLIP: |
I said I met the girl I was going to marry. I don’t know who she was, a peasant girl I suppose. | |
|
HUBERT: |
A peasant g-g-girl? You’re going to marry a … | |
| Why Phillip, you’re joking! You can’t do this to me! Give up the throne, the kingdom, for some, some nobody? By Harry, I won’t have it. You’re a prince, and you’re going to marry a princess! | ||
|
PHILLIP: |
Now father, you’re living in the past. This is the fourteenth century. Nowadays… | |
|
HUBERT: |
Nowadays I’m still the king, and I command you to come to your senses. | |
|
PHILLIP: |
… And marry the girl I love. | |
|
HUBERT: |
Exactly! | |
|
PHILLIP: |
Goodbye, father! (RUNS OFF) | |
|
HUBERT: |
Goodbye, father! Marry the girl you … No, no, Phillip, stop, come back, hold Phillip! Phillip! Oh, how will I ever tell Stefan? | |
|
LIGHTS DIM REMOVE THE THRONE ROOM BACKDROP, THE REMAINS OF THE MEAL AND THE PLAN OF THE CASTLE. BRING ON THE BACKDROP OF THE SMALL ROOM IN THE CASTLE FROM ACT 1. SCENE 2.. |
||
|
ACT 3. SCENE 2. |
THE FAIRIES AND LUNA, WITH HER HEAD DOWN, WALK CAUTIOUSLY UNNOTICED INTO A SMALL ROOM. IN THE CASTLE) | |
|
FLORA: |
All right, in here, dear. | |
| MERRYWEATHER CLOSES THE DOOR AND SIGHS. WE HEAR THE SOUND EFFECT OF THE DOOR CLOSING | ||
| Lock the door, Merryweather! Fauna pull the drapes! And now, dear, if you’ll just sit here. | ||
| MERRYWEATHER PRODUCE A LARGE KEY AND WE HEAR IT TURNING IN THE LOCK. FAUNA PULLS BLACK DRAPES ACROSS THE WINDOW | ||
|
FLORA: |
This one last gift, dear child for thee, the symbol of thy royalty. | |
| FLORA PRODUCES A CROWN OUT OF A BAG SHE IS CARRYING | ||
|
FLORA: |
A crown to wear in grace and beauty, as is thy right, and royal duty. |
|
| (THE FAIRIES SET THE CROWN ON HER HEAD. LUNA AGAIN BREAKS INTO TEARS.) | ||
|
FLORA: |
Now, dear | |
|
FAUNA: |
Come; let her have a few moments alone. | |
| (THEY GO TO THE SIDE OF THE STAGE) | ||
|
FLORA: |
It’s that boy she met. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Whatever are we going to do? | |
|
(INSIDE THE ROOM, THE LIGHTS DIM AND HYPNOTIC MUSIC PLAYS. LIYLA APPEARS. THEN THERE’S A SPOTLIGHT OR LAZER LIGHT VISIBLE. LUNA GETS UP IN A SPELL, AND STARTS WALKING TOWARDS THE SPOTLIGHT OR LAZER LIGHT.) |
||
|
FAUNA: |
I don’t see why she has to marry any old prince. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Now, that’s not for us to decide, dear. | |
| (THE MYSTERIOUS LIGHT MOVES BEYOND THE STAGE. LUNA DISAPPEARS BEHIND THE CURTAINS) | ||
|
FAUNA: |
Maybe we should tell King Stefan about the boy. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Well, why don’t we? | |
| (THEY HEAR A NOISE AND TURN AROUND) | ||
|
FLORA: |
Listen! Liyla! | |
|
FAIRIES: |
Luna, Luna! | |
| (THEY RUN TO MIDDLE STAGE) | ||
|
FLORA: |
Oh why did we leave her alone? | |
|
FAIRIES: |
Luna, Luna! – Luna, Luna! Where are you? Luna! | |
|
(THEY RUN OFF STAGE) (LUNA APPEARS FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STAGE FOLLOWING THE LAZER LIGHT OR SPOTLIGHT. THE STAGE SHOULD BE AS DARK AS POSSIBLE. UNDER COVER OF THE LIGHTS THE STAGE HANDS BRING ON THE SPINNING WHEEL .. LUNA STARTS TO REACH TOWARDS IT WITH HER LEFT HAND.) (THE FAIRIES RUN ON STAGE) |
||
|
FAIRIES: |
Luna! Don’t touch anything! | |
| (LUNA HOLDS BACK. WITHOUT SEEING HER, WE HEAR LIYLA SAYING:) | ||
|
LIYLA: |
Touch the spindle. Touch it I say! |
|
| (THE STAGE LIGHTS UP AND LUNA TOUCHES THE SPINDLE WITH THE MIDDLE FINGER.) | ||
|
FAIRIES: |
Oh! | |
|
LIYLA: |
(LIYLA APPEARS) You poor simple fools. Thinking you could defeat me, me, the mistress of all evil. Well, here’s your precious princess. |
|
| (LUNA FALLS, LYING FACE-DOWN ON THE FLOOR. LIYLA DISAPPEARS, LAUGHING.) | ||
|
FAUNA: |
Luna! | |
|
FLORA: |
Oh Luna! Oh, I’ll never forgive myself. | |
|
FAUNA: |
We’re all to blame! | |
|
(THEY START CRYING OVER LUNA’S’S MOTIONLESS BODY.) |
||
Dramatised for AUDIO by Nicole Bonnah and Shaun Macloughlin.
| CAST | PRERECORDED SOUND EFFECTS | LIVE SOUND EFFECTS | MUSIC |
| Narrator | Thunder | Guards feet running towards us | Compose and play your own music |
|
Flora |
Spooky sounds | Sipping of tea | Find your own music from disc or online |
| Fauna | Baby gurgling | Pouring tea into cup | Chinese music provided at beginning |
| Merryweather | Baby crying | Clothes being changed | Tchaikovsky opening music |
| Liyla | Burning and crackling of wood | Getting down from horse | Tchaikovsky evil music |
| King Stefan | Getting down from horse | Wine being poured | Tchaikovsky peasant music |
| Queen | Wind and raven | Unfolding thick paper | Tchaikovsky gentle music |
| Liyla’s first servant | Horse trotting to us | Fighting something like fish against sword | Tchaikovsky hypnotizing music |
| Second servant | Horse struggling with bridle | Knocking on door | Tchaikovsky battle music (Nutcracker) |
| Luna | Horse snorts and whinnies | Horse snorts and whinnies (vocalization) | Dance Macabre (Saint-Saens) |
| Prince Phillip | |||
| NON SPEAKING | |||
| Raven | Squawks |
The Shorter Version of the Audio Script
| SCENE 1 |
INTERIOR. THRONE ROOM. LARGE ECHOEY HALL |
|
| NARRATOR: | (CLOSE MIKE, SO NO ECHO) In a far away land, long ago, lived a king and his fair queen. | |
|
Many years had they longed for a child and finally their wish was granted. A daughter was born, and they called her Luna. Yes, they named her after the moon goddess for she filled their lives with brilliant light. Then a great holiday was proclaimed throughout the kingdom, so that all might pay homage to the infant princess. ESTABLISH THEME MUSIC: TCHAIKOVKY OR CHINESE MUSIC, TEA BALLAD BY STELIO. On this great and joyous day did all the kingdom celebrate the long awaited royal birth. And good King Stefan and his Queen welcomed their life long friends, King Hubert and his son Prince Philip, who would one day be married to the princess and unite both kingdoms. The evil fairy, Liyla, was not invited, but the good fairies Flora, Fauna and Merryweather were honoured guests. And so our story begins on that most joyful day… (BRING UP SOUND OF HAPPY GURGLES FROM BABY) (NOW WE HEAR THE ACOUSTIC/ECHO OF THE THRONE ROOM} |
||
|
THE FAIRIES: |
(AT THE CRADLE) Oh, the little darling!(PITCHING UP TO THE KING) your Majesties. | |
|
KING STEFAN: |
Yes dear fairies | |
|
FAUNA: |
Each
of us the child may bless with a single gift. No more, no
less.
Little princess, my gift shall be the gift of beauty. |
|
| FLORA: | Tiny princess, my gift shall be the gift of song. | |
| MERRYWEATHER: | Sweet princess, my gift shall be… | |
| THE SOUND OF LIGHTNING AND THUNDER. EVIL LIYLA APPEARS. HER HIDEOUS LAUGHTER COMES TOWARDS THE MICROPHONE. | ||
| FLORA: | Why, it’s Liyla! | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
What does she want here? |
|
|
FAUNA |
Shhh! |
|
|
LIYLA |
Well, quite a glittering assemblage, King Stefan. Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and, how quaint, even the rebel. |
|
| (MERRYWEATHER STARTS ANGRILY TO WALK TOWARDS LIYLA BUT IS HELD BACK BY FLORA) | ||
|
LIYLA |
I really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
You weren’t wanted! | |
|
LIYLA |
Not wanted…? Oh dear, what an awkward situation. I had hoped it was merely due to some oversight. Well, in that event I’d best be on my way. | |
| QUEEN | And you’re not offended, your Excellency? | |
|
LIYLA |
Why no, your majesty. And to show I bear no ill will, I, too, shall bestow a gift on the child.(THE FAIRIES PROTECT THE CRADLE) | |
| Listen well, all of you! The princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who know her. But, before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday, she shall prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die. | ||
| QUEEN | Oh no! | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
What does she want here? |
|
|
FAUNA |
Shhh! |
|
|
LIYLA |
Well, quite a glittering assemblage, King Stefan. Royalty, nobility, the gentry, and, how quaint, even the rebel. |
|
| (MERRYWEATHER STARTS ANGRILY TO WALK TOWARDS LIYLA BUT IS HELD BACK BY FLORA) | ||
|
LIYLA |
I really felt quite distressed at not receiving an invitation. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
You weren’t wanted! | |
|
LIYLA |
Not wanted…? Oh dear, what an awkward situation. I had hoped it was merely due to some oversight. Well, in that event I’d best be on my way. | |
| QUEEN | And you’re not offended, your Excellency? | |
|
LIYLA: |
Why no, your majesty. And to show I bear no ill will, I, too, shall bestow a gift on the child. | |
| Listen well, all of you! The princess shall indeed grow in grace and beauty, beloved by all who know her. But, before the sun sets on her sixteenth birthday, she shall prick her finger on the spindle of a spinning wheel and die. | ||
| QUEEN: | Oh no! Give me my granddaughter! | |
| SHE MOVES TO THE CRADLE AND TAKES THE BABY WHO CRIES | ||
| LIYLA: | Ha, ha, ha, ha! | |
| KING STEFAN: | (CALLS FOR THE GUARDS) Guards | |
| WE HEAR FEET RUNNING TOWARDS US | ||
| Seize that creature! | ||
| LIYLA: | Stand back you fools! | |
| SHE DISAPPEARS LAUGHING. THE BABY STOPS CRYING. | ||
|
FLORA: |
Don’t despair, your majesties. Merryweather still has her gift to give. |
|
| KING STEFAN: | Then she can undo this fearful curse? | |
| MERRYWEATHER: | Oh no, sire. | |
| FLORA: | Liyla’s powers are far too great. | |
| FAUNA: | But she can help! | |
| MERRYWEATHER: | But… | |
| FAUNA: | Just do your best, dear. | |
| FLORA: | Yes… | |
| GENTLE MUSIC IS PLAYED SOFTLY | ||
| MERRYWEATHER: |
Sweet princess, if through this wicked witch’s trick a spindle should your finger prick, a ray of hope there still may be in this, the gift I give to thee. |
|
|
Not in death but just in sleep the fateful prophecy you’ll keep, and from this slumber you shall wake when true love’s kiss the spell shall break. FADE GENTLE MUSIC |
||
| BRING UP EVIL AND DANGEROUS MUSIC. NOISY OF BURNING AND CRACK OF BURNING WOOD. THEN TAKE BENEATH NARRATION | ||
|
NARRATOR: |
But King Stefan, still fearful of his daughter’s life, did then and there decree that every spinning wheel in the kingdom should on that very day be burnt. | |
|
And so it was done. FADE BURNING AND EVIL MUSIC |
||
|
SCENE 2 |
INTERIOR SMALL ROOM. | |
|
FLORA: |
Silly fiddle faddle! | |
|
FAUNA: |
Now, come and have a nice cup of tea, dear.(SHE POURS OUT A CUP AND PASSES IT TO FLORA.) | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
I’m sure it’ll work out somehow. | |
|
FLORA |
Well, a bonfire won’t stop Liyla. | |
|
FAUNA: |
Of course not. But what will? | |
|
FLORA |
Well, perhaps if we reason with her. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
Reason? | |
|
FAUNA |
With Liyla? | |
|
FLORA |
Well, she can’t be all bad. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
Oh yes, she can. | |
|
FAUNA: |
I’d like to turn her into a fat old toad! | |
|
FLORA: |
Now, dear, that isn’t a very nice thing to say. | |
|
FAUNA: |
Besides, we can’t. You know our magic doesn’t work that way. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
It can only do good, dear, to bring joy and happiness. | |
|
FLORA: |
Well, turning Liyla into a toad would make me happy. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
But there must be some way … I have an idea! | |
|
FAUNA |
What is it? | |
|
FLORA |
What is it, Merryweather? | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
I’m going to … shh, shh, shh! Even walls have ears. | |
|
Follow me! (SHE MOVES AWAY FROM THEN BACK TO MICROPHONE) I’ll turn her into a flower! |
||
|
FLORA |
Liyla? | |
|
FAUNA: |
Oh no, dear, the princess! | |
|
FLORA: |
Oh she’d make a lovely flower. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
Don’t you see, a flower can’t prick its finger. | |
|
FAUNA: |
It hasn’t any | |
|
FLORA: |
That’s right | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
She’ll be perfectly safe. | |
|
FAUNA: |
Until Liyla sends a frost. | |
|
FLORA: |
Yes . . .oh dear! | |
|
FAUNA: |
She always ruins our nicest flowers. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
You’re right. And she’ll be expecting us to do something like that. | |
|
FAUNA: |
But what won’t she expect, she knows everything. | |
|
FLORA: |
Oh but she doesn’t dear. Liyla doesn’t know anything about love, or kindness, or the joy of helping people. You know, sometimes I don’t think she’s really very happy. | |
|
FAUNA: |
(GETTING EXCITED) That’s it, of course! It’s the only thing she can’t understand, and won’t expect. |
|
| (TO HERSELF)Oh, oh, now, now … We have to plan it carefully, let’s see, woodcutters cottage, yes, yes, the abandoned one. Of course the King and Queen will object, but when we explain it’s the only way… | ||
|
MERRYWEATHER |
Explain what? | |
|
FLORA: |
About the three peasant women raising a child deep in the forest. | |
|
FAUNA: |
Oh, that’s very nice of them. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
Who are they? | |
|
FLORA: |
Close your eyes and turn around! | |
| (MAGIC MUSIC) | ||
|
FAUNA: |
Wow! I’ve lost my wingsY | |
|
FLORA: |
You’ll get them back later | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
Hmm I rather like this peasant dress | |
|
FLORA: |
I’m glad you like my magic | |
|
FAUNA: |
Uh … why, it’s … us! | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
You mean, we, us? | |
|
FLORA: |
Yes | |
|
FAUNA: |
Shall we take care of the baby? | |
|
FLORA: |
Why not? | |
|
FAUNA: |
Oh, I’d like that! | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
Well, yes, yes, but will we have to feed it? | |
|
FAUNA: |
And wash it and dress it and rock it to sleep. Oh I’d love it. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
You really think we can? | |
|
FLORA: |
If humans can do it, so can we. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
And we have our magic to help us. | |
|
FAUNA: |
That’s right | |
|
FLORA: |
Oh, no, no, no, no, no more magic! I’ll take those wands right now. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
You mean, live like mortals? For sixteen years? | |
| Now, we don’t know how. We’ve never done anything without magic. | ||
|
FLORA: |
And that’s why Liyla will never suspect. | |
|
MERRYWEATHER |
But who’ll wash, and cook? | |
|
FLORA: |
Oh, we’ll all pitch in. | |
|
FAUNA: |
I’ll take care of the baby! | |
|
FLORA: |
Come along now, we must tell their majesties at once. | |
|
NARRATOR: |
So the king and his queen watched with heavy hearts as their most precious possession, their only child, disappeared into the night. | |
|
Many sad and lonely years passed by for King Stefan and his people. But as the time for the princesses sixteenth birthday drew near, the entire kingdom began to rejoice. HEAR THE RUMBLE OF THUNDER For everyone knew that as long as Liyla’s domain, the forbidden mountains, thundered with her anger and frustration, her evil prophecy had not yet been fulfilled. BRING UP THUNDER AND FADE |
||
|
SCENE 3. |
EXTERIOR. | |
|
WE STILL HEAR DISTANT THUNDER AND WE HEAR ATMOSPHERE OF WIND AND CROWS. EVIL MUSIC PLAYS. |
||
|
LIYLA: |
It’s incredible, sixteen years and not a trace of her! She couldn’t have vanished into thin air. Are you sure you searched everywhere? |
|
|
FIRST SERVANT: |
Yeah, yeah, anywhere, we all… | |
|
SECOND SERVANT |
Yeah, yeah! | |
|
LIYLA: |
But what about the town, the forests, the mountains? | |
|
FIRST SERVANT: |
We searched mountains, forests, and houses, and let me see, in all the cradles. | |
|
LIYLA: |
Cradle | |
|
FIRST SERVANT: |
Yeah, yeah, every cradle. | |
|
LIYLA: |
(ANGRY) Cradle? | |
|
LIYLA: |
Did you hear that my pet? | |
| THE RAVEN SQUAWKS. THIS CAN BE A RECORDING OR IF AN ACTOR IS PLAYING THE RAVEN IT CAN BE A VOCALIZATION BY THE ACTOR | ||
|
LIYLA: |
All these years, they’ve been looking for a baby! (LAUGHING) Oh, oh, ha, ha, ha… |
|
|
SERVANTS: |
(JOIN LAUGHTER) Ha, ha, ha… | |
|
LIYLA: |
(LIYLA ABRUPTLY STOPS LAUGHING AND TURNS ANGRY) Fools! Idiots! Imbeciles! Go! |
|
|
FIRST SERVANT: |
(RUNNING AWAY) Good bye your ladyship. | |
|
SECOND SERVANT |
Goodbye. | |
|
LIYLA: |
Oh, they’re hopeless. A disgrace to the forces of evil. | |
| (TALKING TO THE RAVEN) My pet, you are my last hope. | ||
| THE RAVEN SQUAWKS | ||
| Circle far and wide, search for a maid of sixteen with hair of sunshine gold and lips red as Luna’s. Go, and do not fail me. | ||
| WE HEAR THE SQUAWKING DISAPPEARING. BRING UP AND THEN FADE EVIL MUSIC | ||
|
SCENE 4. |
INTERIOR COTTAGE. |
|
|
NARRATOR: |
And so for sixteen long years the whereabouts of the princess remained a mystery, while deep in the forest, in a woodcutter’s cottage, the good fairies carried out their well-laid plan. | |
|
(BRING UP PEASANT MUSIC) Living like mortals, they had raised the child as their own and called her Luna. On this her sixteenth birthday the good fairies had planned a party and something extra special for her surprise. They looked at a book of dresses. |
||
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
How about this one? |
|
|
FLORA: |
This is the one I picked. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Oh she’ll look beautiful in it. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Now I thought a few changes here… |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Aha |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Don’t forget a pretty bow… |
|
|
FLORA: |
And there’s the shoulder line. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
We’ll make it blue. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Oh no, dear, pink. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
But . . . |
|
|
FLORA: |
Of course, we’ll need a few pleats. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Yes, but how are we going to get her out of the house? |
|
|
FLORA: |
Oh, I’ll think of something. |
|
|
LUNA: |
(APPROACHING) Well, and what are you three dears up to? |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Up to? |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Up to? |
|
|
FLORA: |
Up to? |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Eh, eh, eh, we, we, well, we, we… |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Want you to pick some berries. |
|
|
FLORA: |
That’s it, berries! |
|
|
LUNA: |
Berries? |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Lots of berries. |
|
|
LUNA: |
But I picked berries yesterday. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Oh, we need more, dear. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Lots, lots more |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Yes! (THE FAIRIES PUSH LUNA OUT OF THE HOUSE) |
|
|
FLORA: |
Now don’t hurry back, dear. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
And don’t go too far |
|
|
FLORA: |
And don’t speak to strangers. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Goodbye, dear! |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Goodbye! |
|
|
FLORA: |
Goodbye! |
|
|
LUNA: |
Goodbye! |
|
|
(THE FAIRIES CLOSE THE DOOR AND GET BACK INSIDE) |
||
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
I wonder if she suspects. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Of course not, come on. Will she be surprised! |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
A real birtday party. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
With a real birthday cake. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Yes and a dress a princess can be proud of. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
I’ll get the wands |
|
|
FLORA: |
Yes, you…the wands? |
|
|
FAUNA: |
Oh no. |
|
|
FLORA: |
No magic! |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
But the sixteen years are almost over. |
|
|
FLORA: |
We’re taking no chances. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
But, I never baked a fancy cake. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Oh, you won’t have to, dear. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
I’m going to bake the cake. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
You? |
|
|
FLORA: |
She’s always wanted to, dear, and this is her last chance. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Well . . . |
|
|
FAUNA: |
I’m going to make it fifteen layers with pink and blue, forget-me-nots… |
|
|
FLORA: |
And I’m making the dress. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
But you can’t sow, and she’s never cooked! |
|
|
FLORA: |
Oh. it’s simple |
|
|
FAUNA: |
All you do is follow the book. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Now dear, up on the chair, if you please, you can be the dummy. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
(CLIMBING ONTO THE CHAIR) Oh very well. But I still say we ought to use magic. | |
|
FLORA: |
Now I’ll make a hole in the material with these scissors. | |
| WE HEAR SNIPPING OF MATERIAL | ||
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
Don’t cut me. | |
| (MEANWHILE FAUNA READS THE CAKE RECIPE) | ||
|
FAUNA: |
Now for the recipe. Let’s see. Flour, three cups. | |
| MOVING CUPS | ||
| Cups, cups, cups, cups, cups … One, two, three. | ||
| (WE HEAR MORE SNIPPING OF SCISSORS) | ||
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
What’s that for? |
|
|
FLORA: |
Well, it’s got to have a hole in the bottom. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
That’s for the feet to go through. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
It’s pink! |
|
|
FLORA: |
Oh, lovely shade, isn’t it? |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
But I wanted blue |
|
|
FLORA: |
Now, dear, we decided pink was her color. |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
You decided! |
|
|
FAUNA: |
(STILL READS FROM THE BOOK) Two eggs, fold in gently. Fold? Oh well. |
|
|
(BREAKING OF EGGS AND MIXING IN BOWL |
||
|
(MEANWHILE FLORA IS WRAPPING FAUNA INTO THE MATERIAL) |
||
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
You’re making it too tight. I can’t breathe! |
|
|
FLORA: |
Look in the mirror. What do you think? |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
It looks awful. |
|
|
FLORA: |
That’s because it’s on you, dear. |
|
|
FAUNA: |
(AT HER CAKE) Now yeast, one teaspoon? |
|
|
MERRYWEATHER: |
One teaspoon! |
|
|
FAUNA: |
One teaspoon, of course. |
|
|
FLORA: |
Now let’s measure the dress. Oh gracious how the child has grown. |
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MERRYWEATHER: |
Oh, it seems only yesterday we brought her here. |
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FAUNA: |
Just a tiny baby |
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(MERRYWEATHER WEEPS A TEAR) |
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FLORA: |
Why Merryweather! |
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FAUNA: |
Whatever’s the matter, dear? |
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MERRYWEATHER: |
After today she’ll be a princess, and we won’t have any Luna. |
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FAUNA: |
Oh Merryweather! |
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FLORA: |
We all knew this day had to come. |
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FAUNA: |
But why did it have to come so soon? |
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FLORA: |
After all, we’ve had her for sixteen years. |
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MERRYWEATHER: |
Sixteen wonderful years. |
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FLORA: |
Good gracious, we’re acting like a lot of ninnies! Come on, she’ll be back before we get started. |
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FADE |
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SCENE 5 |
EXTERIOR. COUNTRYSIDE BIRDSONG | |
| LUNA SINGS A COUPLE OF LINES THEN HUMS: | ||
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(SINGS) “Some day my prince will come Some day I’ll find my love . |
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SHE CONTINUES TO HUM WE HEAR A HORSE TROTTING TOWARDS US |
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PHILLIP: |
(TO HIS HORSE) Hear that, Samson? Beautiful! | |
| SAMSON SNORTS AND NEIGHS | ||
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PHILLIP: |
Who is it? Come on, let’s find out. | |
| (SAMSON STRUGGLES. WE HEAR BRIDLE) | ||
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PHILLIP: |
Oh, come on! For an extra bucket of oats, and a few carrots? | |
| WE HEAR JINGLING OF HARNESS AND HORSE MUNCHING | ||
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PHILLIP: |
That’s it, boy | |
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LUNA: |
(TALKING TO HERSELF) Oh dear, why do they still treat me like a child? Why do Flora and Fauna and Merryweather never want me to meet anyone. THE HORSE STOPS MUNCHING |
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PHILLIP: |
Listen, boy | |
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LUNA: |
But you know something? I fooled them. I have met someone! | |
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A prince…he’s tall and handsome and … and so romantic. Oh we walk together, and talk together, and just before we say goodbye, he takes me in his arms, and then … I wake up. Yes, it’s only in my dreams. But they say if you dream a thing more than once, It’s sure to come true. And I’ve seen him so many times! LUNA BEGINS TO SING AGAIN AND DANCE AS IF SHE IS DANCING WITH HER PRINCE (SINGS) “Some day my prince will come Some day I’ll find my love And how thrilling that moment will be When the prince of my dreams comes to me. He’ll whisper “I love you” And steal a kiss or two . Though he’s far away I’ll find my love some day Some day when my dreams come true. Some day I’ll find my love Someone to call my own And I’ll know him the moment we meet For my heart will start skipping a beat . Some day we’ll say I do Things we’ve been longing to Though he’s far away I’ll find my love some day |
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PHILLIP: |
You know, there is something so strange about your voice. | |
| (HE IS NOT HEARD BY LUNA . HE GETS DOWN FROM HIS HORSE AND SPEAKS LOUDER) | ||
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PHILLIP: |
Too beautiful to be real. Maybe you’re a mysterious being – a wood sprite!… | |
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LUNA: |
Oh? | |
| (SHE SEES PHILLIP) | ||
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LUNA: |
Oh! | |
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PHILLIP: |
I’m awfully sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. | |
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LUNA: |
Oh it wasn’t that. It’s just that you’re a, a … | |
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PHILLIP: |
A stranger? | |
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LUNA: |
Hmm-hmm. | |
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PHILLIP: |
But don’t you remember? We’ve met before! | |
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LUNA: |
We, we have? | |
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PHILLIP: |
Of course, you said so yourself: Once upon a dream! | |
| (AS HE HE LAYS HIS ARM AROUND HER) | ||
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LUNA: |
Oh. | |
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PHILLIP: |
Who are you, what’s your name? | |
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LUNA: |
Hmm? Oh, my name. Why, it’s, it’s … (RUNNING AWAY) Oh no, no, I can’t, I … Goodbye! |
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PHILLIP: |
(CALLING AFTER HER)But when will I see you again? | |
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LUNA: |
(FROM A DISTANCE) Oh never, never! | |
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PHILLIP: |
Never? | |
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LUNA: |
Well, maybe someday. | |
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PHILLIP: |
When, tomorrow? | |
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LUNA: |
Oh no, this evening . | |
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PHILLIP: |
Where? | |
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LUNA: |
At the cottage, in the glen. | |
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FADE. |
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Students can see how this audio version has been adapted from the stage version and they can adapt further scenes themselves. |
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The teacher gives the students rewards, perhaps an English through Drama certificate.
For their homework please let them draw any character or action from “Sleeping Beauty” Also write his/her name on the picture.
Or for homework continue with finding the answers to research questions.
Or best of all get the students to complete their own version of the script.
Once they have done this your school or drama club can also produce and perform the full version of Sleeping Beauty. You can also print the first five scenes of The Audio Script.
You can submit your students’ pictures to the English through Drama website. The best pictures will go on the website. If they wish we shall add their name, school and / or country.
Also encourage your students to submit their pictures.
We have several pages with advice on creating an audio play. Have a listen! You might be inspired to create your own audio play!
We have advice on the use of music in plays and particularly the music of the great classical composers and of film music. Have a listen !
