Lit by Limelight Script - Final Script - Act Two

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Lit by Limelight: The Adventures of a Little Tin Soldier 

 

A Play in Two Acts

 By

 Jenny de Reuck

 

 Copyright Jenny de Reuck and Murdoch Print, 2009

 

Act 2

 

 Scene 10:         The Arrival of the Muses in Fremantle.

 Lights up on the apron revealing the Muses in a different ‘Frieze’ formation. They relax their poses as they move into the action. Music establishes their presence.

 Melpomene:            What an unusual place this is, Thalia.

 Terpsichore:          Are you sure this is it? It seems very far away from everything.

 Thalia:                            Depends how you look at things, Terpsichore. You’re so self-

centred! It was just here, in Fremantle Town, that I dropped the Flask. I was playing with the Fairies in the Banksia Garden, you see, and had to leave in a rush to make the meeting. (Turning around, trying to orientate herself.) Now where is it?

 There is a movement on the balcony SL as Barnacle and Swab come into view about to descend the ladder. Barnacle leads the way!

 Euterpe:                (Looking about her.)Well, where is everyone? And more to the point, where are the precious Contents you say you dropped here – apparently at the Ends of the Earth!

 Melpomene:            ‘Frieze’ positions, girls. There’s someone up there. They must not see us!

 The Muses adopt their positions.

 Barnacle:               Be careful with that barrel of rum, Swab. We don’t want to disappoint Captain Courageous, do we!

 Swab:                    I’ve got it right and tight, Master, never fear. (Looking over his shoulder) But what’s happened to that Bad Man and the prisoner, then?

 Barnacle:               Don’t you worry about them, Swab. Punch has locked him up in his Puppet Theatre. He’ll never escape from there. (Enjoying himself hugely)I have everything under control!

 Swab:                    Seemed like that Bad Man was the one who had everything under control, Master.

 Barnacle:               Don’t contradict me, Swab. He’s a minor – ‘player’ – in this drama! I, Buccaneer Barnacle, have the Lead Role.

 Swab:                    (Rudely) You could have fooled me!

 They should be in the auditorium by this stage.

 Barnacle:               (Barely controlling his annoyance) Watch it, Swab. You could end up like that Toy Soldier if you’re not careful! There’s plenty of room for mutineers in the Puppet Theatre prison, I assure you. Now follow me to the Puppet Theatre. And don’t drop that barrel! Its ‘Contents’ are worth their weight in gold (laughs evilly) - to me!

 Swab follows him out through the auditorium, exiting into the foyer, watched by the Muses. 

 They release themselves from their poses simultaneously.

 Euterpe:                (Intensely, illuminated by the events she’s just witnessed)There’s something going on here, I know it!

 Melpomene:            (A little impatiently) Well, dah-ling! That’s blindingly obvious!

 Terpsichore:          What’s blindingly obvious, Melpomene, is that we must follow those two – I sense the presence of something very powerful (she twirls, executing a pirouette to perfection). I feel strangely re-charged.

 Thalia:                            I think the Contents of the Flask of Imagination are quite close by. (Looks at the children in the audience). Mmnn. I wonder … (She stops herself. Then,  speaking to them) Something tells me that Amelia and the toys are going to need you.

 Melpomene:            (Pragmatically) They’re the audience, Thalia. Of course we need them. (Gesturing to the others) We all do! (Under her breath, enjoying the moment of character-audience interaction) Some more than others…

 Thalia:                            No, it’s more than that, Melpomene. Can’t really say why I feel this, but there’s something about XXX Primary School children …  (She looks at them,  thinking profoundly) I know we’re going to need you. But not yet. Not just yet.

 Euterpe:                Well, we won’t learn anything standing about here, chatting. (She blows a note on her flute and takes up a Pied Piper position before leading them out through the auditorium.

LFX The lights dim and the music cue follows them out. Black out on stage as the scene for the Black Albatross is set.

 

Scene 11: On the Deck of the Black Albatross,

 SFX Ocean, seagulls. Nautical music cue for the Pie Rats – Captain Courageous, Harry Hornpipe, Bilge - and Mog, the Ship’s Cat, who are standing on the deck of the “Black Albatross”. Captain Courageous speaks in clipped English tones; is always extremely positive and cheerful. First Mate, Harry Hornpipe, is the pragmatic one, and will express himself ‘piratically’. Bilge and Mog have an ongoing issue – one’s a rat, the other’s a cat – which should be played out in mime with strategically aimed ‘stage business’.

 Captain Courageous:                   (Peering through a telescope.) I say, Harry, no sign of Buccaneer Barnacle yet!

 Harry Hornpipe:              Don’t expect we’ll be seeing him back tonight, Cap’n. Seemed to me he had Other Plans.

 Captain Courageous:                   Well, we’ve missed the tide but I can’t say I’m sorry. What country, friend, is this?

 Harry Hornpipe:              The Swan River Colony, Cap’n. And that’s Fremantle Town over there. (Peers into the middle distance).

 Bilge:                              (In a broad – sulky – Yorkshire accent)I want a buffet.

 Captain Courageous:                   (Kindly) Of course you do, Bilge. It’s been weeks since we dined on those delicious delicacies at the Cape of Good Hope and we’re all in need of an old fashioned pie. (To all of them) We’re not called the “Pie Rats” for nothing, are we?

 Harry and Bilge:               (Together)Arrghh  

 Mog:                               (Who will be dressed ‘piratically’ in a bandanna, with eye-patch and ear-rings, but femininely) Miaow.      Some of us are anything but – remember.

 Captain Courageous:                   (Putting his arm around Mog’s shoulders.) Ah, yes, Mog. Of course I remember. The bravest of all who sailed on the ‘Sulphur’ – sadly now at the bottom of the ocean.

 Harry Hornpipe:              (Gesturing wildly with his cutlass) Sent to a watery grave by you, Captain Courageous and this Band of Brothers –

 Bilge:                              Aarghh!

 Captain Courageous:                   Aarghh!

 Harry Hornpipe:              Aarghh!

 Bilge:                              (Getting into the swing of things but a little too intimate for Mog’s liking) Aarghh!

 Mog:                               Miaow.

 Mog stares her down and she subsides, always a little afraid of her natural predator!

 Captain Courageous:                   Ah, Harry, those were the days, weren’t they? Sailing the Seven Seas, fighting Evil wherever we discovered it! What battles they were! You and I, Harry, side by side –

 Harry:                                      (Recalling, fondly, the days gone by) Yes, Cap’n, side by side, you and I!

 Bilge:                              (Joining in) What good times they were, Captain Courageous!

 Mog:                               (Bringing them back to earth) Until Lieutenant Barnacle joined us!

 Captain Courageous:                   Ah, Mog! How misunderstood is Barnacle. Striving ever to match our – ratty – qualities. You know he’s different.

 Harry:                                      (With a nod to the wise, tapping his nose) Not really like us.

 Bilge:                              You can say that again! A true Pie Rat has one thing on his mind and one thing only!

 Captain Courageous:                   Exactly! (Struggling to remember what it is)

 Harry:                                      A buffet?

 Bilge:                              Pies, Harry Hornpipe! Pies. (Rubs his tummy) And it’s been months since we left the Cape of Good Hope. What I wouldn’t give for one now.

 Mog:                               (Sizing her up) I’m imagining a tasty morsel as you speak! (She miaows and licks her lips/paws)

 Captain Courageous:                   Well, Pie Rats, let us waste no more time. Let’s dash ashore and find a Pie Shop – and see what’s happened to poor Barnacle. So misunderstood! And Swab. I wonder what’s kept them so long?

 Bilge and Harry position a gang-plank from the stage to the floor of the front row which they descend in rank order and they exit through the auditorium one behind the other, following an energetic Captain Courageous out. Stage business with Mog deciding to use the stairs – she’s clearly a lot smarter that the others.

 As she does so she spies a poster advertising Dame Desdemona’s ‘Auditions’ (as in Scene 6).

 Mog:                               What have we here? Auditions?! At Dame Desdemona’s Dolls House. (Looks intently at the poster)  And they’ve only just started. (Aside to the audience) I don’t believe it! This just might be my chance to escape from a life on the ocean wave and these grotty Pie Rats! (Imagining it) The stage… the footlights … oh, this could be a dream come true.

 Bilge:                              (Returning to bellow for her.) Come on Mog. Cap’n says: “We haven’t got all night”.

 Mog:                               I’m on my way – to the Auditions in the Dolls House and a starring role in the Dolls House Theatre!

 She dashes across the front of the auditorium, up the steps, SR and out through the SM’s exit.      

 

Scene 12:         Amelia’s Bedroom

 The curtains part to reveal Amelia, once more, in her bedroom. The Dolls’ House is visible on the floor, its doors open. This is the scene in which she will shrink to the Dolls’ size and enter the Drawing Room. The scrim and LFX will be crucial for the effect.

 Music establishes the Childhood theme. She is playing with toy versions of Pantaloon, Columbine, Pierrette and Harlequin. The actors, playing the roles, should be visible, grouped lifelessly, around her as the curtains part.

 Lights up on the Muses on the balconies SL and SR as the dolls hold their freeze on the apron.

 Melpomene:            Well, this should be interesting! What have we here?

 Euterpe:                They could be just what we’re looking for!

 Terpsichore:          That little dancer down there – I have my eye on her.

 Thalia:                            (Giggling) Ooh! Look at that. See what that naughty boy’s doing.

 Harlequin, taking advantage of the ‘freeze’ and apparently oblivious of the presence of the Muses, comes slowly but obviously to life as the theme music for the Commedia plays, frisks the frozen Pantaloon and relieves him of his purse, grinning mischievously first at the audience and then, in a brief acknowledgement, saluting Thalia. [This could be another opportunity for a choreographed movement piece that takes the dolls from inanimate soft toys to animated Commedia characters.]

 Pantaloon:              (Jerks into awareness to discover the loss of his most precious possession – his purse!) Oh no! What’s happening? My gold … my precious gold! It’s gone!

 Thalia:                            It’s working! Did you see that? I did it. I inspired him.

 Pantaloon stares around him wildly, then takes a swipe at Harlequin who pretends to be an inanimate doll puppet once again.

 Pantaloon:              (Hands to his mouth in an excess of horror) Perhaps I dropped it in Dame Desdemona’s drawing room. (Screams) Aah! My gold! My gold! I must find my gold!

 Exits SL (behind the curtain to Dame Desdemona’s drawing room where he will be visible scrabbling for it on the floor when the curtain flies for Scene 11.

 Melpomene:            It’s an auspicious start, Thalia. I acknowledge that. But do be quiet everyone. We must watch, listen and discover whether this is the spot where the missing ‘Contents’ are to be found.

 Euterpe:                If this is, indeed, the spot where you dropped the Flask, Thalia, it might explain why this is working.

 Terpsichore:          Shshsh, Sister. You’re missing this. Listen Pierrette’s speaking!

 They will remain illuminated as the scene below unfolds.

 Pierrette:              Amelia, you promised! You said you’d write me a new role    and I was SO looking forward to it.

 Amelia:                  (A little confused) I know I did, Pierrette – and it’s in the script.

 Pierrette:              You can’t just stop now.

 Amelia:                  I just don’t know what’s happening … I keep forgetting the plot.

 Columbine:             That’s because you’re out here (gestures to include the bedroom) and not in there! (She gestures to the Dolls House on the floor.) We need you with us, Amelia. We need you to join us inside the Dolls House!

 Harlequin:              (Doing the measurements) Okay. Not going to happen! Not a chance!

 Columbine:             (A little impatiently) Don’t be so literal about things, Harlequin.

 Harlequin:              (Hurt) I’m not being ‘literal’, Columbine.

 Pierrette:              (Soothing him) Of course not, Harlequin. (To Columbine) He’s not like that!

 Harlequin:              (Mollified a bit by Pierrette’s support) It stands to reason, Columbine – look at the size of Amelia and look at the size of her Dolls House. Not going to happen!

 Fairy theme music plays as Honeysuckle, Violet and Woolly appear from behind the curtain, their magic wands extended.     

 Amelia:                  (Laughing) Oh, Harlequin – how could you forget! There’s ALWAYS magic! Honeysuckle, Violet, Woolly, my old friends. So GOOD to see you!

 Honeysuckle:                   We came as fast as we could -

 Violet:                             - with our magic wands!

 They all wave them in unison. SFX ‘magic’

 Woolly:                 To take you to the toys, Amelia. They need you as they’ve never needed you before!

 The toys will prepare Amelia for this moment. Music cue suggests the momentous nature of the event which will see Amelia’s transformation (magically) from a full sized little girl to a miniature of herself, capable of entering the Dolls House.

 Thalia:                            (Excitedly from the balcony, to her sisters) I TOLD you I dropped it here – and that’s Honeysuckle down there! And Violet and Woolly. They’re my friends, too, Amelia.

 Columbine:              (Getting serious about the process.)Be brave, Amelia! Remember, we need you now.

 Pierrette:              (Clutching Harlequin) Oh, Harlequin, what if this doesn’t work?

 Harlequin:              (Prosaically) Well, then she’ll probably flatten that dolls house.

 Honeysuckle:                   Shshshsh! I must concentrate. Ready, Amelia?

Amelia:                  Yes!

 Honeysuckle:                   Ready, Violet? Woolly?

 Together:               (Wands at the ready, outstretched) Yes!

 Honeysuckle:                   Well, all together then, one, two, three –

 They wave their wands but nothing happens and they turn to each other in despair.

 Violet:                             Oh, no! It’s not working!

 Woolly:                 I can’t believe it! (Tries a few more flourishes without success)It must work!

 On the balconies the Muses quickly confer.

 Melpomene:            Come on girls! Let’s help them all out here! It’s our role after all!

 As each Muse offers her ‘gift’, the fairies wave their wands and the SFX and music should highlight the magical qualities of their efforts. LFX will enhance the moment as the limelight engulfs the stage.

 Euterpe:                (Leaning into the ‘action’) You shall have music, Amelia.

 Terpsichore:          (Following suit) You shall have dance, Amelia.

 Thalia:                            (From the ladder) Laughter from me, Amelia!

 Melpomene:            (Drawing herself up to her full height, perhaps on the railing itself.) And drama from me, Amelia.

 As they finish and the fairies wave their wands, LFX will create the illusion we want of Amelia shrinking. In the next scene she will appear in the Drawing Room but here we are going for the ‘illusion’ of shrinking.

 Amelia:                  Thank you Honeysuckle, Violet. And you, too, Woolly! I won’t let you down. We will work this out and we’ll do it together.

 Harlequin, Columbine, Pierrette and the Fairies will cheer Amelia through the Transformation:

 Together:               Good luck, Amelia! You’re one of us, now. Hurray!

 Honeysuckle:                   (To the others) We must re-charge our wands. The magic’s quite used up. Will you come with us, Columbine, Harlequin, Pierrette?

 Violet:                             You could keep a look-out for us while we charge them. It’ll only take a few minutes

 Woolly:                 Yes, and you can warn us if you see Punch anywhere. I know he’ll be back soon.

 Columbine:             Of course we’ll come with you. But let’s hurry.

 Pierrette:              (Heroically) I’ll be the look-out. Never fear.

 Harlequin:              Punch had better not trifle with me!              

 They exit quickly SL

 LFX Down on the Balconies – Slow Fade.

 

Scene 13: Dame Desdemona’s Drawing Room

 Dame Desdemona and Madam Butterfly, with the Generalissimo Fantastico seated between them, are having a traditional dolls’ tea-party. Initially they should be in doll-like poses, becoming animated as the music concludes.

 Pantaloon’s rear end is seen protruding from beneath the neatly set table, partially obscured by the table cloth. He will take a little longer to become animated so the dolls don’t initially notice him. Hopefully the audience will find some amusement in the sight!

 Desdemona:            (Waking up and adjusting her large head-dress) One lump or two, Madam? (Offering her the sugar bowl and tongs)

 Butterfly:              (Adjusting hers and completing the pouring of a cup of tea that’s been suspended for a while).Two, thank you! (Passing round a plate) Generalissimo, a fairy cake for you?

 Generalissimo:        Most kind of you – I think I’ll have (pauses, counting) three. Takes them daintily. Delicious.

 Pantaloon, speaking from beneath the table. Still on his hands and knees.

 Pantaloon:              My gold! My precious gold! It’s not here after all!

 At this point Signorita Tapasita enters, carrying a large apple pie which should be exuding ‘steam’ though its vents. She will pause at the sight of Pantaloon’s rear end protruding from underneath the table.

 Signorita:               What a horrible sight! I shall drop this Apple Pie! (She will pronounce it ‘App- pleh Pie’ possibly)

 She totters from one side to the other, apparently about to drop it. By this time everyone’s jumped up though Pantaloon may still be on the floor.

 Generalissimo:        Don’t do that! Lovely lady. Let me help you.

 Signorita:              (Coyly) Thank you kind Sir.

 Together they place it carefully on the table as Pantaloon crawls forward howling in anguish.

 Pantaloon:              I am nothing without my gold. Oh, what is to become of me!?

 Desdemona:            (Admonishing him) You are not very impressive even WITH your gold, Sir. Cease this unbecoming behaviour in my drawing room –

 Butterfly:              (Allied with her for once) – a Ladies’ drawing room.

 Together:               Immediately!

 Pantaloon is pulled up short as it’s never his intention to alienate the Ladies of the Dolls’ House.

 Pantaloon:              (Bowing obsequiously). My apologies, Ladies. Your humble servant. Truly – TRULY sorry. (Working himself up again) This is all Harlequin’s fault! Just wait till I find him! That useless Servant!

 Signorita:              (Oblivious to the emotions being played out.)A slice of pie, anyone. Apple Pie?

 Amelia rushes forward into the action from SL. The toys will simply absorb her presence and treat her as one of them.

 Amelia:                  This is ridiculous. Have you all forgotten the dangers we face?

 Desdemona:            What are you thinking of, Child? Speaking in that intemperate manner to your elders – and betters.

 Butterfly:              (Disapprovingly) Children should be seen and not heard in my view.

 Signorita:              (Looking at her more closely than her housemates) Not this child, if my instincts are correct. Amelia?

 Amelia:                  Oh, yes, Signorita. You understand! (To the others) We have to rescue the Little Tin Soldier and find the Contents of the Flask of Imagination before  –

 Butterfly:              (The light dawns on her) - before that wicked creature, Punch –

 Desdemona:            (Intensely dramatically) -  destroys forever the Magic of Childhood!

 Amelia:                  (Desperately) You can’t just sit here drinking tea and eating Apple Pie!

 Generalissimo:        But of course, Amelia, that’s precisely what we should do!

They all look at him in astonishment. Even Pantaloon stops his persistent search for his gold as the Generalissimo continues

 Generalissimo:        We need a hero at this point and Signorita Tapasita’s ahead of us all on that score

 Signorita:              (Deflecting the compliment) Eez nothing, just a leetle quality I have. Sometimes I see the future… eez nothing.

 The Pie Rats’ musical theme can be heard. It gets gradually louder and as the Generalissimo finishes, there’s a loud knock at the door.

 Generalissimo:        And if I’m not mistaken, here he is!

 Captain Courageous bursts onto the scene, followed by Harry and Bilge.

 Courageous:            I say! Is that Apple Pie I smell? (To the Ladies of the House who should be astonished at [smitten by?] this dashing visitor) Captain Courageous, Leader of the Pie Rats, at your service (bows low before them) in return, merely, for a single (said with relish) slice of that scrumptious crust I see on the tea-table!

 Harry:                            (Leaning in over him) It’s been too long, Cap’n. I can hardly contain me-self. Arrghh!

 Bilge:                     (Leaning in over Harry) Nor me, Cap’n Courageous! I must have a slice!

 Courageous:            Behave yourselves, Harry! Bilge! Down, girl. Down I say. (Indicating their refined hostesses) Not in front of the Ladies.

 They subside a little, but remain focused on the pie, like naughty schoolboys/girls.

 Together:               Aarghhh!

 Butterfly:              (Fanning herself) How very gallant of you, Sir.

 Desdemona:            (Not to be outdone) So extraordinarily – dashing!

 Amelia:                  (Hugging Signorita) That’s brilliant! You’ve lured them here with that Apple Pie. Our forces are gathering strength!

 Generalissimo:        The Campaign – she begins!

 Harry:                            (Horrified) Not on an empty stomach, Cap’n!? Surely?

 Bilge:                     You promised us a buffet, Cap’n! (Wheedling) But I’ll settle for a pie, even a crumb from the crust of that one!

 Desdemona and Butterfly, having conferred briefly during the above exchange, rise as one, holding hands for support.

 Desdemona:            Madam Butterfly and I have something to say!

 Butterfly:              Indeed we have.

 Desdemona:            A Drawing Room tea party is no place to plan a Course of Action.

 Butterfly:              We propose to retire while you, Captain, and you, Generalissimo summon the rest of the troops to the Dolls House for a Council of War!

 Desdemona:            (Dramatically) For it is nothing less than War that we now face.

 Pantaloon:              (Nervously) Are you sure about that?

 Desdemona:            Yes, Pantaloon. I am sure. It is War with Punch for nothing less than the Salvation of Childhood.

 Butterfly:              We need everyone at the Council of War. Everyone!

 Pantaloon:              (Trying to be unobtrusive) Not me! (All a bit too vehemently which surprises the others. He tries a quick recovery from this patently cowardly utterance) Of course I’ll be doing whatever I can behind the scenes. You know, ordering equipment … uniforms …(Starts creeping out SL) Back in a moment. Some important business to attend to. Must find my gold you know. (Yelling) Harlequin! Wait till I get my hands on you …

 He exits, abusing Harlequin as he goes, SL

 Amelia:                  (Exasperated at him) That’s so typical of Pantaloon! You’d think he’d be with us at a time like this!

 Desdemona:            (Dismissively) Totally unreliable, dear. We shall of course need the Banksia Fairies – where have they flown to, Butterfly. They were here a moment ago –

 Butterfly:              They’ve returned to the Garden no doubt. But they must be summoned!

 Generalissiom:        We must not forget Harlequin, Columbine or Pierrette – they, too  will be needed!

 Amelia:                  (Enthusiastically) And, of course, most important of all! We must send word to Colonel Contentious –

 Courageous:            (He’s been trying to prevent his men from greedily devouring the pie which the Generalissimo and Signorita Tapasita have sliced for them) Did you say Captain Contentious?

 Amelia:                  He’s Colonel Contentious now! You should see how fine he looks!

 Harry:                            (His mouth full) Not that doddery old idiot!

 Courageous:            Colonel Contentious?(Wistfully recalling) A Brother in Arms – we fought side by side at Waterloo, Amelia.

 Harry:                            More like you fought and he thought about what he wanted to wear into battle

 Mimics Contentious preening himself. Turns back to the pie into which which Bilge has made serious inroads.

 Courageous:            (Ignoring these observations) Ah, such fond memories. That was before I took to Life as a Buccaneer.

 Generalissimo:        It’s decided, then. We shall summon Colonel Contentious and his army -

 Harry:                            (Rolling his eyes) Heaven help us all!

 Generalissimo:        - and all the toys in the cottage and return within the hour to plan our attack on the Villainous Punch. Captain Courageous, Amelia, (as an afterthought he includes the other Pie Rats) Harry, Bilge, come with me. Ladies, your humble servant. (He bows)

 Bilge:                     (Wiping crumbs from his whiskers) Delicious. Must get your recipe off you.

 They all exit USR as the Soldiers’ theme is heard faintly. Except for Signorita Tapasita who starts clearing the things on the tea-table. There is a loud knock at the door (SFX) and the music stops. Mog peeps in from DSR brandishing the poster.

 Mog:                      Excuse me. I’m here for the auditions. I hope I’m not too late!

 Signorita Tapasita looks at her. 

Signorita:              Oh, no, leetle kitten. It eez never too late.  (To the audience) You will see! This show, “The Adventures of the Leetle Tin Soldier”, WILL go on.

 Mog:                      (Looks at her, puzzled.) Miaow?

 Curtain flies in as they freeze in position. Music for the soldiers will play the scene to its close.

 

Scene 14: The Tin Soldiers on Manoeuvres in Fremantle

 Lights (LFX) up on the apron. SFX Soldiers theme music overlaid by horses’ hooves.

 Colonel Contentious is leading a ‘charge’ but he should veer, dangerously, towards the edge of the stage, pull up short and be bumped into by the closely following Carbine and Brown Bess. Siege, Cannon and Pellet come in ‘girly’ disorder, carrying their muskets like handbags.

 Contentious:           (Pulling himself together) Captain Carbine! Assemble your troops.

 Carbine:                Sergeant Siege, Corporal Cannon, Private Pellet. Atten-tion!

 Siege:                    (Rolling her eyes). Here we go again. I so don’t enjoy this part.

 Carbine:                Soldiers! Prepare for Musket Drill. Get ready to ‘present arms’.

 Cannon:                  Oh, no. Not again!

 They shuffle around trying to get their guns into the correct position for the ‘drill’. Cannon starts to giggle as she drops her musket and holds out her arms to the amusement of Pellet and Brown Bess.

 Brown Bess:           (To the nearest soldier – probably Pellet) I wouldn’t try that old joke on him, Private. You know, ‘present arms’ (he stretches out his arms himself and giggles mirthlessly). He doesn’t think it’s funny anymore.

 Pellet joins in. The joke’s patently new to her.

 Carbine:                (Ominously). Something amuses you, Private!

 Pellet:                    (Looking dead ahead of her, but exploding with laughter as Brown Bess shakes with silent – possibly wheezy - laughter beside her) No, Captain Carbine, SIR! Nothing (snorts) amuses me. (Snorts with laughter.)

 Carbine:                (Through clenched teeth) I shall try that again! Soldiers! Present arms!

 During the exchange above Colonel Contentious will be struggling to dismount and will draw out the process until, to his horror, he will discover as he slips to the ground in an undignified ‘slither’ that he has torn a tassel/wrenched some gold braiding/lost a button.

 Contentious:           (Shrieking) My coat. My beautiful raiment. Quite, quite ruined!

 Siege:                    (Breaking ranks, dashes over to him followed by Cannon, genuinely concerned) Not ruined, Sir! Your lovely coat. Surely not!

 Contentious:           (Breathing heavily) I knew I should not have ventured outside in this. Cost me a fortune. Now look at it! Ruined!

 Cannon:                  (Determined to reassure him) I have a needle and thread back at the billet, Sir. Now don’t you worry. I’ll have it fixed for you in no time.

 Contentious:           (Petulantly) I loathe all this outdoor stuff. Galloping about. Giving commands. Plays absolute havoc with my wardrobe.

 Siege:                    (Confidentially) I hate it too, Colonel. I only joined up for the uniform! Oh, to wear one like yours one day, Sir.

 Cannon:                  It would be a dream come true for us, wouldn’t it Siege.

 Carbine:                (Desperately trying to regain control). Atten-tion!

 Contentious:           Oh, do be quiet, Carbine. I must say your ‘men’ have a far greater understanding of important military matters –

 Carbine:                - but, Colonel Contentious, Sir!

 Contentious:           Don’t interrupt me, Captain. I am retiring to my billet with these helpful young soldiers (indicates Siege and Cannon)

 Siege and Cannon:   (Jumping for joy) Oh, goody! No more musket drill for us today! Yay!

 Contentious:           - and I’m leaving you with the rest of the unit to prepare to defend the Colony.

Pellet:                    That’s not fair. I want to come too!

 Siege and Cannon:   (Pleading, hanging urgently onto his arms either side of him) Oh, yes, do let her come too, Colonel.

 Siege:                    She’s got such an eye for fashion – you’ve no idea!

 Contentious:           Very well, then, come along Private Pellet. We shall return when I have re-attached my tassel.

 The Tin Soldiers make soothing sounds as they exit SL ad libbing about the changes they’re planning to make to the Colonel’s attire.

 Carbine looks at the one remaining ‘soldier’ Brown Bess and goes through the ‘catechism’ of Musket Drill – as fast as humanly possible - as they mount their hobby-horses. The music plays the soldiers’ theme and SFX horses hooves charging accompanies them. Exit SR

 Carbine:                Let’s go over it then: “Prime and load”

 Brown Bess:           “Handle Cartridge”

 Carbine:                “Prime”

 Brown Bess:           “’Bout”

 Carbine:                “Draw Ramrods”

 Brown Bess:           “Ram Down the Cartridge”

 Carbine:                “Return Ramrods”

 Brown Bess:           “Make Ready”

 Carbine:                “P’sent”.

 Together:               “Fire”

 Carbine:                Let’s try that again… from the top: “Prime and Load” …

 They start again and are heard still reciting the drill as they trot off-stage SR.

 LFX Fade down slowly as the scene end

 

Scene 15:         Punch’s Puppet Theatre Prison

 Music for the villainous crew: Punch, Barnacle and Swab. LFX sets the scene for the prison which is the interior of the Puppet Theatre. There should be ropes and puppet bodies (the baby, the policeman and the hangman puppets spring to mind) dangling from the ledge. Generally, the atmosphere will be ominous and gloomy. Short burst of smoke FX from smoke machine while the scene behind builds for the confrontation in the Banksia Garden.

 Curtains open to reveal Tristan bound tightly. Punch skulks in from behind one of the curtain legs, SR.

 Punch:                    Well, that looks good. (Surveying his handiwork) Everything’s going according to plan. It won’t be long now and I’ll have the precious “Contents” of the Flask in my clutches. (Laughs wickedly) All I have left to do is relieve Pantaloon of his bag of gold – (sniggers) like taking candy from a baby - and the “Contents” will be mine! Barnacle has no idea of its true value! Oh, what fun this is!

 Tristan:                 You’ll never get away with this, you Villain. Never!

 Punch:                    You think so, do you? Well, I’ve got news for you! I will get what I want, my hero, but you haven’t a chance! Your precious Columbine –

 Tristan:                 (Through clenched teeth) How dare you speak of her, you evil creature! 

 Punch:                    I’ve seen how you look at her. (Taunting him) But she has eyes only for Harlequin. (Laughs nastily).     Anyway that should be “had” – past tense. She’s turning into a rag doll as we speak!

 Tristan:                 I don’t believe it!

 Punch:                    She’ll never dance again.

 SFX rustling outside the Puppet Theatre. Judy’s voice is distinctly heard in the distance.

 Judy:                    Punch! Pulcinello! I know you’re in there.

 Punch reacts in utter horror at the prospect of the Wife of his Bosom discovering him!

 Punch:                    Oh! It’s that relentless woman! She’ll upset everything. She will not find me here. (Picks up the truncheon he usually uses as a prop) And you, my hero, will not tell her anything!

 Tristan:                 In here. He’s in here, Judy. Quickly!

 He whacks Tristan loudly (SFX) on the head (in fact hitting the well-padded ‘busby’) and dashes out SL just as she enters SR from behind the curtain legs. Tristan has fallen to the floor in the process which will need to be choreographed carefully.

 Judy:                    (Dropping to her knees beside Tristan.) What has he done to you! Oh, when I get my hands on him. He’ll wish he’d never been born!

 She starts untying his wrists and bandaging his head.

 Tristan:                 Oh, thank you Judy! But we haven’t a moment to lose. We must stop him before he reaches the Banksia Garden.

 Judy:                    (Finishing the task) The Banksia Garden? Whatever is he going there for? He hates being outdoors.

 Tristan:                 I’ll explain as we go. We’ve no time to waste. Buccaneer Barnacle has the precious Contents of the Flask of Imagination and if Punch gets his hands on them –

 Judy:                    So that’s his game, hey? Oh I know him so well. Not again, surely! He wants nothing less to banish childhood, doesn’t he? To banish creativity - other than his own – so that he and his kind can control all the stories in the world.

 Tristan:                 Exactly. And Judy, he’s prepared to stop at nothing to do this. We must catch him before it’s too late.

 Judy:                    (Hitting her palm with her slap-stick and tapping her foot ominously.) We’ll catch him, my boy. Never fear. And when I do, he’ll be sorry he ever considered such a horrible plot. To the Banksia Garden, Tristan! Lead the way.

 Music reaches a crescendo as they exit SL after Punch as the Curtain closes on the scene.

 LFX dim on the apron as the state changes. Silence, briefly.

 

Scene 16:  The Banksia Garden, with midnight approaching.

 Music establishes the mood which should be very different from the first time we were here. The Banksia Buskers will be grouped together providing musical accompaniment but again, the tone will be different from that of Scene 6.  For a start, because Buccaneer Barnacle and Swab will appear in it once again, the fairies will be on the alert and far more stressed about what’s happening. They should be invisible to the unimaginative Villains (though Swab is probably youthful enough to see them). Columbine, Harlequin and Pierrette are part of the team determined to prevent Punch from achieving his ends.

 Harlequin, Columbine and Pierrette should be allied each with a Fairy, ‘helping’ them charge their wands. Cables (like mobile chargers) attach to selected banksia candles to achieve this end..

 Mist probably once more fills the space contributing to its other-worldly feel.

 Musicians play the theme music that sets the mood for this scene.

 Woolly:                 (From within the mists in his banksias area) Coo –ee!

 Violet:                             (From her seat on the swing. Answering) Coo-ee

 Honeysuckle:                   (Running in from USL) Have you charged your wands yet? We must get back to the Dolls’ House as quickly as we can.

 Violet:                             Nearly done. (Looking closely at it) Eighty-five percent charged. Yours, Woolly?

 Woolly:                 A hundred percent charged! I beat you again, Violent!

 Violet:                             Don’t call me that, Woolly! You’re so annoying.

 There’s the sound (SFX) of footsteps in the undergrowth. Everyone is on the alert.

 Pierrette:              Quiet! There’s someone coming. Hide everyone! It isn’t Punch.

 Harlequin:              (Looking in the direction from which the sound is coming) Looks like they’re up to no good. Duck down behind this banksia branch. We mustn’t be seen!

 Columbine:             Shshsh! What are they up to?

 Harlequin pulls the girls down next to him. The Fairies all become very still as Barnacle and Swab enter, cautiously, from USR looking around them as they come in. SFX and Music indicate their status as ‘villains’.

 Barnacle:               (Pulls out a map with a large ‘X’ marked on) Well, this is where our partner in crime, Punch – Pulcinello – told us to meet him. It’s nearly midnight and he’s nowhere to be seen!

 Swab:                    (Owls hoot, SFX hissing sounds, the swing with Violet on it begins to move.) I don’t like this place, Master. Don’t like it at all!

 Barnacle:               Don’t be such a ninny, Swab. Keep a lookout for Punch. He should be here by now.

 Again like a Jack-in-the-Box, Punch emerges suddenly from behind a banksia. He should look a little disheveled and is out of breath having fled from his wife’s clutches in some terror. Stage business as the characters react: Swab shrieks in fright at his arrival. The puppets jump up as he’s subdued by Barnacle. [Choreograph the physical theatre in this scene.] The Fairies stay as still as the flowers they represent – except for the slow movement of the swings, perhaps, which Swab will watch as if hypnotized.

 Punch:                    And here I am, Barnacle, just as I promised. It’s not midnight yet. You’ve brought the precious ‘Contents’ I assume? (He should be breathing a little heavily after his rush to the garden.)

 Swab:                    (Looking at Violet, Honeysuckle and Woolly by turns, in mounting terror) Master, there’s something funny going on here. (Desperately trying to get his attention)

 Barnacle:               Not now, Swab! I haven’t got time for this. (To Punch) First things first, my friend. What have you brought for me?

 Punch:                    (Rubbing his hands together, furtively).Well, there’s been a … er … ‘small hitch’ in my plan to locate the gold I promised, but if you hand over the ‘Contents’ (tries desperately to see whether Barnacle has them) I’ll ensure you get it before the stroke of midnight… (weakly) I promise…

 During this exchange Captain Carbine and Brown Bess will emerge, unseen by the Villains and ‘leopard crawl’ their way towards the Villains. Only Swab will be aware of the gathering danger, but he will be patently ‘gobsmacked’ and will merely tremble in silence as the ‘guerillas’ creep forward.     

 Barnacle:               Not so fast my colourful friend. Don’t think you can fool Buccaneer Barnacle!

 Leaping to his feet and aiming at Barnacle. Brown Bess merely leaps to his feet.

 Brown Bess:           In the name of her Majesty the Queen of England.

 Carbine:                Buccaneer Barnacle, the Villainous Pie Rat. I thought so! (Aims his musket at him as Punch dashes behind Barnacle to avoid being shot)Don’t move a muscle. You have been warned! We are here to defend the Colony.

 Buccaneer:             (Sneering). Right! You and whose army?

 The puppets and the fairies, stirred by the rousing patriotic music that infuses the scene, all stand to attention to declare their loyalty and their determination to defeat Barnacle and Punch. Swab starts to beat a strategic retreat clutching the Barrel of ‘Rum’

 Together:               This army, Barnacle. Punch!

 Columbine:             We know what you’re up to, both of you. And you’ll never succeed.

 Pierrette:              Never!

 Harlequin:              Never!

 As she is speaking Tristan rushes onstage DSR followed by Judy, out of breath, a few moments later.

 Punch:                    You! (Venomously) How did you escape?

 Tristan:                 (To Carbine) Stop him, Captain Carbine  – he must be stopped!

 Judy:                    What on earth do you think you’re doing Punch?

 Punch:                    (Aghast) Judy! You?

 Carbine:                It’s too late, Punch! The game’s up!

 In the choreographed sequence which follows, Judy lunges at Punch, who dodges away. A shot is fired and Tristan is hit. Instead of falling to the floor, he goes through a sequence of movements that render him less and less animate and more and more toy-like, eventually standing stiffly to attention, motionless. The fairies and the toys watch in horror, and Carbine looks at him, aghast. Pushing through the others Columbine kneels down beside him trying to stop the process.

 Columbine:             No, Tristan. This can’t be happening! (Looking around, wildly) We must get him to the Dolls House immediately. Amelia can’t let this happen!

 The music will signal the ominous turn of events.

 Punch makes use of this distraction to rush US ready to make his escape.         

 Punch:                    It’s out of her control now. I, Punch – Pulcinello – am the Story-teller. You’re doomed. All of you!

 Harlequin:              Not if we can help it!

 Punch:                    Catch me if you can, then. It’s MY story now!(Calling from USC where he pauses before he makes his escape) Barnacle, we have unfinished business! (He dashes off USR)

 Barnacle:               Indeed we have my colourful friend! (Looks around him) Swab!? Swab! Now where’s that idiot got to. (Dawns on him) And he’s got my barrel of - RUM! (To the audience) Which way did he go?

 The Fairies all join in to send him the wrong way but after a brief exchange Barnacle heads off after Swab and Punch.

 As this is going on there is the sound (SFX) of a bugle and the ‘cavalry’ led by Colonel Contentious enters from USL.

 Contentious:           Follow that rogue.

 Siege:                    He’s heading for the High Street.

 Cannon:                  Charge!

 Pellet:                    Wait for me…

 They roar off in line, one behind the other.

 Carbine:                Help me lift him, Harlequin, Brown Bess. He needs Amelia.

 Sombre music plays as the scene ends. The Curtain flies in on an LFX slow fade to black.

The Fairies and the Toys gather round the rigid figure of Tristan. Columbine bursts into tears as she observes the rigidly inanimate Tristan. Harlequin and Pierrette, to one side, unconsciously take each other’s hand.

 LFX Lights down on the stage. Slow Fade.

 Scene 17:         High Street, Fremantle.

 Lights up in the auditorium as the Muses enter from the Foyer.

 Thalia:                            This is your fault, Melpomene. You’ve turned this into a tragedy and it was never meant to be that.

 Melpomene:            How dare you criticize me, Thalia. That (gestures to where the last scene took place) was “The-a-tre” (dramatically emphasizing her syllables).

 Terpsichore:          It was, I agree. But completely inappropriate. I mean (indicates the audience) look who’s watching                

 Euterpe:                I confess I absolutely loved that last piece of music, Melpomene, but I’m the first to admit that it’s entirely wrong for our audience this morning/afternoon/evening!

 Thalia:                            (Directly to them.) You want a happy ending, don’t you?

 Hopefully most will agree. The others, perhaps excepting Melpomene, should encourage the ‘correct’ response.

 Thalia:                            You see! No-one wants the Little Tin Soldier to die. That’s a horrible ending.

 Melpomene:            Oh, all right. I’ll see what I can do to change things.

 Euterpe:                (Ignoring her) Luckily for all of us the Contents of the Flask haven’t yet fallen into the wrong hands –

 Terpsichore:          Well, Sisters, what are we waiting for? Punch is still on the loose –

 Melpomene:            And Buccaneer Barnacle. (Confidentially, aside) He does make a marvelous villain, though!

 Thalia:                            (To the audience) We’re going to need your help, you know. We always do in children’s theatre. Especially if we’re going to turn things round –

 Melpomene!            – and have everything end happily!

 Euterpe:                Right! To the Dolls’ House on the High Street. Lead the way Melpomene!

 Melpomene:            Follow me!

 Terpsichore:          To find out how Amelia’s play will end!

 Thalia:                            (To the audience) Wait right here! We’re going to need your help.

 They exit DSR following Melpomene.

 Scene 18:         Back at the Victorian Dolls House

 This scene will take on the appearance of a farce with rapid-fire entrances and exits. All the toys and the fairies will be involved in what should become, essentially, a chase-scene involving all the characters.

 SFX horses’ hooves, gunfire, cannon fire – it should all be over the top, really.

 The lights (LFX) are on in the rooms of the dolls’ house and, as in Scene 9 they’re each in their allotted space, preparing for the Council of War which in fact will never occur as battle has already begun!

 Signorita Tapasita and Mog are standing as they were at the end of Scene 13 but in the living room downstairs.

 Music establishes the mood which should build from the somber to the chaotically vibrant and festive.

 Desdemona:            What is that hideous racket, Butterfly?

 Butterfly:              (Clutching her bosom) I have no idea, Desdemona. It sounds like a battle scene to my unaccustomed ears.

 Desdemona:            If only Generalissimo Fantastico were here! What can be keeping him?

 Signorita:               (Prophetically, in ‘visionary’ mode) The Battle has begun. I feel it. I see it!

 Mog:                      (Prosaically) I hear it! Miaow!

 On cue, Swab bursts through the centre door of the Dolls House looking frantically about her.

 Desdemona and Butterfly shriek

 Desdemona:            What is the meaning of this! Who is this vile creature?

 Swab:                    (Still clutching the barrel) Steady on. I’m not that bad!

 Mog:                      Miaow! It’s Swab! A lowly deck-hand from “The Black Albatross”!

 Swab:                    Mog! (Puts the barrel down in Madam Butterfly’s room and starts down the stairway)

 Butterfly:              I’m still none the wiser! (Looking him up and down as he descends) You’re a Pie Rat!

 Mog:                      And you’ve been with Buccaneer Barnacle, haven’t you? Up to no good!

 Swab:                    (Clearly terrified) He’s up to no good and he’ll be after me, that Barnacle. (Over his shoulder) And that Bad Man!

 There’s a wicked laugh from the doorway on the second storey as Barnacle appears. The ladies give a shriek of horror as he stands on the landing enjoying this moment!

 Barnacle:               Thought you could escape me, Swab! Thought you could evade Buccaneer Barnacle did you? You fool! (Draws a sword and brandishes it dangerously about)

 As he speaks there is the sound of the Cavalry Charge and up through the window SR come the Tin Soldiers, Siege, Cannon and Pellet – transformed into Drum Majorettes if the budget allows it -  led by Colonel Contentious.

 Contentious:           In the name of her Majesty, the Queen, drop that cutlass you scoundrel!

 Barnacle:               I’m not afraid of you, Colonel! I’ve sent better men than you to the bottom of the ocean. Prepare to defend yourself!

 Contentious (and his army) having their bluff called, will attempt a half-hearted ‘defense’ as the dolls, Swab and Amelia gather together, anxiously, in the kitchen. They are clearly not up to this task, as Barnacle pushes the attack back and down the stairs.

 Barnacle:                         Arrgh. You’ll never defeat me, Contentious! Prepare to meet your doom.

 With his cutlass against the Colonel’s precious coat, the game appears to be up. But there is a noise at the back of the auditorium and music FX heralds the arrival of Captain Courageous and the rest of the Pie Rats as well as Fantastico.

 Captain Courageous:                   Barnacle, this is mutiny! Drop your cutlass at once! I, Captain Courageous, demand it!

 Barnacle:                         (Thrown, but not quite ready to give up) You don’t get Buccaneer Barnacle that easily!

 Captain Courageous:                   In that case, you leave me no option! Come along chaps, to the rescue! Aarrgh!

 Contentious:                     Well, I must say (mops his brow as Barnacle turns to face the new antagonists), that’s a relief.

 They pour down through the auditorium SR and onto the stage and, with marginal support from Siege, Cannon and Pellet who soon head for cover behind Colonel Contentious, the fight is joined.

 Harry Hornpipe:              We’ll make him walk the plank! Aarrgh!

 Bilge:                              Aarrgh! We’ll keel-haul him!

 Fantastico:                      (Brandishing a sword and possibly singing his line) We’ll not let him win!

 Organised – choreographed – chaos as the fight develops. Barnacle will be valiant but ultimately fall to Fantastico and Courageous.It is disrupted by a sad procession which enters from DSR. Tristan is carried in, stiffly upright, by Carbine and Brown Bess and set carefully against the stairwell CS. The procession is led by the Fairy musicians who will walk on playing their instruments and seat themselves DSL for the scene. The Commedia characters and the Fairies make up the procession and will group themselves around him.  Columbine will have a black veil over her face as Chief Mourner.

  At the same time Pantaloon will appear through the window carrying the ‘provisions’ (a bag of army supplies) he promised as his way of avoiding the conflict and make his way down the stairway.

 Columbine:             (To Amelia) Poor, poor Tristan! Surely this isn’t how it ends, Amelia?

 Music cue for Punch who appears through the door on the top storey of the Dolls House.

  Punch:                    Well, no, it isn’t. Not quite! You see, it’s my story now and I am in full control of you all. I have found the “Contents” of the Flask of Imagination – (he picks up the barrel of rum that Swab has placed in Butterfly’s boudoir) –

 Barnacle:               That’s mine! I poured the precious “Contents” into that barrel. They’re legally mine! And you haven’t paid me for it yet. You thieving puppet.

 Punch:                    Nor will I! And it’s just as well because Pantaloon appears to have lost the gold I was going to ‘borrow’ in order to pay you.

 Pantaloon:              My gold! You stole my gold! (He lunges at him, but fails to reach him as Punch dances away.)

 Harlequin:              (Sheepishly, prodded by Pierrette who plans to reform him!) No he didn’t! It was I, Harlequin, who ‘borrowed’ it. I’ve had it with me since Scene 12 … for ‘safe-keeping’. (He throws the bag of gold, with a little encouragement from Pierrette, to Pantaloon who catches it rhapsodically.)

 Punch:                    There’ll be no ‘happy ever after’ for your story Amelia. That Tin Soldier will never stir again (Laughs nastily) Not while I have the “Contents”. (He holds the barrel high)

 Barnacle lunges at him but is restrained by the Pie Rats and the Soldiers.

 Amelia:                  (Stepping CS and looking toward him.) That’s what you think, Punch! But we have other ideas, don’t we? (She embraces the audience in the question and the Muses in the auditorium SL and SR)

 The Muses have entered at the back of the auditorium during Punch’s last speech and the LFX reveal Melpomene and Euterpe SR; Terpsichore and Thalia, SL. Thalia is holding the Flask in one hand her mask in the other.

 Thalia:                            Yes, we do and now’s our chance to restore the limelight so that Tristan – and all the toys – can perform Amelia’s play for you.

 The others all agree. They will encourage the audience through the rest of the scene.

 Punch:                    (With an insane laugh) You cannot defeat me! I have all the Imagination in my hands – it’s MY story, I tell you.

 Pantaloon:              Give that to me, you scurvy thief! (Pantaloon lunges at Punch, there is a brief tussle, the barrel tips over and the lid falls off.)

 Everyone reacts in horror.

 Together:               (Looking at Punch, Barnacle and each other) It’s Empty!

 Amelia:                  Nothing can contain the Imagination, Punch. You should have realized that. (To the audience) They have it – just as you said, Thalia. I have it, and all you toys have it.

 LFX dim on the stage with a spot coming up on Tristan. Music cue will anticipate the transformation of Tristan back to ‘life’.

 Columbine:             Of course! We should have known! (She turns towards Tristan) Oh, look, it’s Tristan. He’s coming back to us.

 The Little Tin Soldier slowly regains his ‘animated’ status as we watch and the toys led by a relieved Captain Carbine give three cheers.

 Carbine:                Three Cheers for Tristan! Hip, Hip Hooray. Hip, Hip Hooray. Hip, Hip Hooray!

 Columbine embraces him and he blushingly holds her hand.

 Tristan:                 It wasn’t just me. It was all of us, really.

 Punch:                    (From his spot on the second storey.) Defeated by a box of toys and a bunch of primary school children! How humiliating. I won’t forget this! You’ll be sorry! (Waves a fist and is about to exit through the central doorway when Judy’s head appears.)

 Judy:                    (Brandishing her slapstick) No, husband! I won’t forget this. You’ll be sorry! Doomed to play the same role for the next 100 years!

 Everyone:              Hurray for Judy!

 She subdues and restrains him with Pantaloon’s (somewhat lecherous) assistance.

Judy:                    (Beaming) My one chance to shine! Glad I took it! (Slapping Pantaloon’s hand firmly with her slapstick) Stop that!

 Harry Hornpipe:    (Bringing Barnacle forward assisted by Swab and Bilge) Arrgh! Now your turn, Barnacle. Make him walk the plank, Cap’n!

 Bilge:                     Keel-haul him Cap’n!

 Captain Courageous:         A far greater punishment awaits Buccaneer Barnacle, I’m afraid. The truth about his nature! And banishment from “The Black Albatross”!

 Barnacle:               The truth?

 Captain Courageous:         You’re not one of us, Barnacle! You’re not a Pie Rat.

 Barnacle:               I’m not?

 Captain Courageous:         No, you’re a QUOKKA, mistaken for a rat by ignorant sailors of old. Not a true Pie Rat! (His hand on his heart, gazing out into the middle distance)

 Pie Rats:                (Striking an identical pose. Together) Arrgghh!

 Barnacle:               (On a strangled cry) Oh, no! Not a quokka. How humiliating!

 Signorita Tapasita: (Prophetically, with Mog at her side.) But I see a future for you, Barnacle… you will endure your banishment, be reformed and return, one day, a hero …. But, wait, there’s more… Pierrette your part is changing and you find true love … (Harlequin and Pierrette make eye contact and head off together) … just like Columbine and Tristan and … Pantaloon and Judy!

 Everyone roars approval.

 Signorita:              The Fairies, the Pie Rats and the Toy Soldiers will always be a part of Childhood – there will be stories about you forever!

 The Fairies acknowledge the musicians as they all exclaim in delight at Signorita’s prophecy.

 Violet:                             But will I ever have an important part to play, Signorita Tapasita?

 Woolly:                 Of course you will, ‘Violent’. Every story needs a Bad Fairy!

 Honeysuckle:                   (Groaning) Don’t you ever give up, Woolly? That’s enough from you! (She taps him with her wand and he subsides, laughing)

 Mog:                      (Leaning in towards Tapasita in a feline movement). Miaow? (Not wanting to be left out).

 Signorita:              (Laughing but still in Prophetic Mode) You, Mog, have a role to play in Pantomimes for decades to come!

 Everyone:              (Guessing correctly) “Puss in Boots”

 Signorita:              - and in a musical that takes the world by storm!

 Everyone:              “Cats”!!

 Amelia:                  (Giving her a gentle prod) Dame Desdemona…

 Dame Desdemona:   Oh, goodness, that’s my cue. (Pulls herself together hastily) With the limelight restored, thanks to all of you here today (she includes the audience and the Muses in her sweeping gesture) the play can begin. Amelia’s play.

 Madam Butterfly:   Everyone in position, please!

 Generalissimo:        Welcome, one and all, to the Dolls House performance of “The Adventures of a Little Tin Soldier”.

FINIS

 Go to...  Act One

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2007 Children's Theatre Notice Board

2006 Children's Theatre Notice Board

...or... 2005 Children's Theatre Notice Board

 

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Contact Andrew @ thechaseison@optusnet.com.au

This page last updated: 12th April 2009