Lion sits in shadow flanked by Saytrs, Stage Right. He is deep in thought. Enter Professor Digory and Polly Stage Left. Spot Stage Left, Tracking.

Professor: The situation may be grave Polly, but it is far from impossible.

Polly: (Stopping Digory by grabbing his arm) I just don’t see how she can be defeated Digory. She has been nothing but trouble since we released her from her own world.

Professor: We faced her first as children Polly. We have experience on our side now, and we also have ……�?(Suddenly notices Aslan. Lighting up. ) Aslan! You are here?

Polly: (At first joyful) Oh, Aslan! (Now more concerned. Places a comforting hand on his shoulder) You seem so troubled? Is the situation as bad as all that? Is the White Witch really such a threat to Narnia?

Lion: (Sadly, yet hopefully) She is indeed dear Polly. She is indeed, …………�?unless one who trully loves Narnia can see the hope that lies beyond his own vision. But let us speak of more pressing matters first. Digory my child, how is it with you?

Professor: I am well Aslan, and better now for seeing you.

Aslan: (Raising himself with an obvious strength renewed) But I am with you both always.

Polly: And so you have always been�?

Professor: �?and always will be Aslan.

Aslan: Then I am pleased, as indeed I have always been with both of you. Are you ready for what lies before you?

Prof./Polly: I (They both chuckle nervously) …�?We both are!

Professor: What did you mean Aslan when you spoke of one who trully loves Narnia? …�?. and seeing what lies beyond vision? Aren’t you able to help us?

Polly: Yes Aslan! Can you help us?

Aslan: My children! You must look within yourselves for that is where I am. Faith, in which you are both well blessed, is where you should seek victory.

Professor: I see Aslan. And I understand.

Polly: So do I. At least I hear you and I think I understand Aslan.

Aslan: If you hear, then you will also see my child. I am well pleased,…�? Well pleased indeed. (Aslan turns and begins to Exit Stage Right)

Professor: (Taking a step towards the departing Lion) Shall we see you again Aslan? (Polly again grabs Digory by the hand and places it on his heart)

Polly: He is still here Digory. He will never leave us.

Aslan: Your hearts are strong my children. Listen well!

(blackout)

It is pre-dawn in the Forest and an army has gathered in Formation. A Full moon casts a Silvery light over the scene. The sound of wind is replaced by music: Witches Enter on Cue of first verse of The Witches Lament from Stage Left.

White Witch: (Bemused) Isn’t it wonderful to be held in such high esteem by ones subjects?

Wicked Witch: It’s almost humbling deary. But I did detect a hint of malice in their praise. I’m certain however that none of it was directed to my good self.

(Enter Guard stage Right)

Guard: Your Wickedness! We bow before you and report that there is news of two new comers from the world of man.

White Witch: Out with it man. Newcomers! What newcomers?

Guard: A professor your sickness. And his matronly consort.

White Witch: A professor and a granny? Oh dear! This can be none other than that pesky little Digory and his equally unpleasant little sidekick Polly wants a cracker. I’ll give her a cracker she’ll never forget.

Guard: By your leave your Sadisticness!

White Witch: Yes! Yes! Go and play somewhere else for goodness sake. (Guard Exits stage Right)

Wicked Witch: And who pray tell are these Senior Citizens my dear?

White Witch: It’s a long story my decidedly unattractive friend. Suffice to say that in his younger days this Professor did me the favour of ringing my bell which changed my destiny forever.

Wicked Witch: You mean he gonged you? Red Symons be praised!

White Witch: What are you on about you crooked cow? He wakened me from a magical sleep by ringing the enchanted bell within my palace.

Wicked Witch: Well that was indeed an opportunity lost.

White Witch: Meaning?

Wicked Witch: He should have rung your neck rather than ringing your chimes.

White Witch: Enough of this social by play broom rider! Tonight is Halloween and you stand there bickering while all of Narnia marches upon us. Where is my Wand and Battle Cape? (Claps her hands) Guards! Guards!

(Enter Guards with Wand and Cape stage Right)

Guard 1: ( Helping the Witch put on her cape) Your Evilness! News of the advancing Narnians. Aslan has left Narnia for places unknown.

White Witch: Aslan gone? (Taking the wand from the second guard) Then we are indeed well positioned to gain victory. With the kitten turned chicken the Narnians will have little wishbone for a good fight.

Guard 2: It appears that you are correct your wickedness, for there is a peace proposal on its way in the form of a negotiation party.

Wicked Witch: What’s that? A party? I love parties! Slumber parties, birthday parties, tupperware parties, even political parties send me into rage mode.

White Witch: Put a sock in it my dear. The party approaches. (To the guards) Ensure the Jabberwocky is at the ready. We don’t wish to be caught flatfooted should this party prove treacherous.

Wicked Witch: Treacherous? Then it is a political party after all!

(Exit guards stage Right. Enter Reepercheep, Scarecrow and White Rabbit stage Left)

White Witch: And whom pray do we have here? A mouse no less; a bag of straw; and a pair of lucky feet in the guise of a pocket watch. With such a watch to contend with we must surely be alarmed.

Reepercheep: Your Majesty. I am sent by my High King to seek a peaceful outcome to your aggressive intentions upon the good people of Narnia. As today is King Peter’s birthday, he wishes to offer you the chance to leave Narnia before Midnight when he himself must leave, and as a token of his good intent, he has asked me to deliver to you a gift which is worthy of your Highness’s power and beauty. (Offers the gift to the Witch)

White Witch: A gift? For me? (Accepts gift and passes it to the other witch)

Wicked Witch: (To the audience) I hope it’s vanishing cream.

White Rabbit: I’m late�?I mean you’re not late! That is…it’s not to late your Majesty. You have the power to prevent what will be an horrendous battle.

Scarecrow: Yes your Whiteness.(Shaking watch at his ear) My new watch confirms that there is still time. The little mouses hands are yet to reach toward the 12, but when they do……�?/P>

(Guards re-enter stage Right)

Wicked Witch: What is all this nonsense? (To the White Witch) Do you intend to simply walk away with a gift and leave the real prize to these,�?.these nesting rodents.(Reepercheep goes for his scabbard while the White Rabbit and Scarecrow attempt to hide behind him)

White Witch: (Cheerfully to the Witch) I have every intention of accepting this gift. (Changing to a more aggressive attitude) But I have absolutely no intention whatsoever of honouring these cowards with surrender. (To Reepercheep) On the contrary little mouse, tell your King that before he leaves Narnia and escapes to the sanctuary of his mother’s skirts, he will know defeat and kneel before the new Queen of Narnia.

Reepercheep: (Drawing his sword slowly and raising it to salute.Guards advance noticably) Your Wickedness! I will take back to my King your wish to be destroyed. But remember this, you were offered an honourable withdrawal. You will be Tolled once and once only.(Replaces sword) There will be no come back.

Wicked Witch: Away with you rodent! Bring soldiers upon your return. Soldiers do you hear, not mattresses and the ingredients for a stew. Be gone, I say.

Scarecrow: (Bravely approaching the Witches) Well I never! How rude! You madam should show a little more respect. This is Reepercheep, the Kings Military advisor and Hero of Narnia. He’s also very good at telling the time on my watch, see�?I>.(points to his watch as he shows it to the Witch who is unimpressed) Oh dear! It's stopped. (Returns to hide behind Reepercheep)

White Rabbit: Yes, dear Ladies! This is indeed Reepercheep. He’s a Mouse and not a man. He’s a real tough brute…�?

Scarecrow: Yeah! Real tough!

White Witch: Spare us the details, please…�?

( As the Rap concludes, Reep, White Rabbit and

Scarecrow exit stage Left)

White Witch: What is all this gaiety and display of false allegiance. Get out of here, all of you, and prepare for battle.(To one of her confidants) Feed that Jabberwocky, but not too much, he needs an appetite for Narnians if he is to serve us well. (Turning to the Witch) And as for you my dear! Your support was indeed much appreciated, but for goodness sake take those silly dancing shoes off before the battle begins. I will have no more dancing before the blood begins to flow.

Wicked Witch: As you command my dear. What’s in the package? Aren’t you going to open it? I love surprises, I really do.……�?B>(All exit)

(Curtain Down)

Act 2: Scene 3: Front of Curtain

(Enter Peter and Professor

Reepercheep: Sire! Your message has been delivered, along with

your little surprise Professor.

Professor: Marvellous.

Peter: Wonderful Reep. And she responded as predicted?

Scarecrow: She certainly did sir. Hook, line and broomstick.

Reepercheep: Sire she was so busy insulting all and sundry, that

she saw no sign of treachery in the Professor’s gift.

She was so intent on insults and dismissing us

that……�?.

Scarecrow: That she wouldn’t dance.

Tinman: Did you ask her to dance?

Scarecrow: Of course not!

Tinman: Then what do you expect? A lady must be asked

By a gentleman before she will dance. Have you no idea of etiquette?

Scarecrow: Etiquette? What’s that? Does it have anything to do with telling the time? If it does then there is little hope for me I’m afraid.

Reepercheep: Enough you two. Sire, what are your orders?

Peter: Inform the troops Reep. Sharpen your claws and sword. We march upon the enemies of Narnia at sunset.

Reepercheep: As you command Sire. Come you two, follow me.

Scarecrow: Did you hear that? He must be Lion. Did you hear him? Follow me, he said.

Tinman: When we get back to Oz, I’m finding that horse quick smart. I’m convinced he took more than your arm. There is a question of sanity at stake here.

(Exit Reep, Tinman and Scarecrow stage Right)

Professor: Peter, do you think our plan will succeed? After all, there is no guarantee that the bell will work even if the Witch has the curiosity or the courage to ring it.

Peter: Digory, as you and Polly know more about the power of the magic rings than anyone else and since you were the one who rang the enchanted bell to awaken the witch in her dark world in the first place, I have every confidence that the ploy will work.

Professor: That’s if she has the courage.

Peter: I don’t doubt her courage. I’m putting my faith in her curiosity,…………and her vanity.

Professor: Look! Here come the others

(Spot Left. Enter Susan, Lucy, and Polly)

Professor: Ladies! It is such a pleasure to catch up with you all. Though you dear Polly, have been easier to catch over recent years.

Polly: (Blushing) Oh, Digory! Not in front of the children!

Professor: But my dear, either you’ve slowed down or I have found a new lease of life.

Polly: Well, certainly I have aged gracefully Digory, however you my dear have always been a fast one.

Susan: Please Digory! �?Polly!…We have no time to squabble over whose heart races fastest.

Polly: Susan’s right Digory. We shall pursue this later.

Lucy: Peter, we only have a few hours before midnight and you have even less in Narnia. Polly tells us that the bell created from the rings will rid the Witch from Narnia forever.

Susan: Are you sure it will work Peter?

Peter: As sure as theory will allow Susan. If Polly and Digory’s plan goes according to theory we shall indeed be rid of the White Witch once and for all.And well before midnight.

Professor: It now rests in the hands of the witch herself. We must put our faith in the Lion, and with his help all will be well.

Polly: Now Peter, it is your birthday today is it not?

Peter: It is Polly. It is also my last day in Narnia and naturally that makes me a little sad.

Polly: I’m sure it does but have you thought about presents dear boy? What would you like most of all.

Peter: More than anything Polly, I wish to hear the sound of that bell.

Lucy: I’ll second that. And then perhaps we can all enjoy a birthday celebration.

Susan: (Quietly to her sister) Have you sent all of the invitations Lucy?

Lucy: Yes! Tumnus delivered them when we first arrived. Apparently, Reepercheep thought that the liquid paper was a splash of your nail polish. I think he fancies you Susan.

Susan: Well I certainly like Reepercheep Lucy. In fact I love the little fellow, …�?in a veterinarian sort of way. Are you still having trouble spelling Reepercheep? Why do you think we call him Reep and not Cheep? He’s far from CHEAP Lucy……�?/P>

(All exit excitedly chatting)

(Witches enter form stage right. There is gathering of the White Witches army. The bell is sitting on a rock of centre.)

White Witch: Yes my dear. It is the bell that wakened me from my dreams when that creep Digory and his parrot friend rang it and broke the magic spell. He must have brought it to Narnia by way of the rings. They are missing and I can only assume that the Narnians stole them so that the professor could secure my little gift here. (Blows the bell a kiss) Isn’t it precious?

Wicked Witch: Precious maybe. But it is a little small. What do you intend to do with it?

White Witch: I shall use it to awaken our Jabberwocky when the time arrives. But what is this?

Guard: Your Wickedness! The Narnians approach - armed and ready for battle.

White Witch: Make ready all of you. The enemy advances.

(All scatter. Witches raise wands in order to strike)

Scarecrow: (To Reepercheep) Yes Reep! The White Rabbit also warned her. And you can’t be fairer than that.

Reepercheep: I agree! (Raising his hand to halt the advance) Your Majesty! We have come to offer you a final honourable chance to surrender. Should you refuse, then be assured that Narnia will fight to the last man and destroy your army forthwith!

Wicked Witch: So the mouse still pretends to be a man of Narnia.

White Witch: He does indeed my dear. And how dear mouse, do you intend to defeat my army? With these few men at arms and a sword or two.?

Edmund: Witch, we shall beat you with one hand tied behind our backs!

Scarecrow: Well I for one have had some experience in single - handed combat.

Tinman: And what an ‘armless character you turned out to be my friend.

Reepercheep: I propose to defeat you as I have promised dear lady, by the mere toll of a bell.

Wicked Witch: Oh my goodness. Now the rodent plans to gong you.

White Witch: Well we shall just see about that. The only bell around here is mine and it will unleash such destruction upon Narnia that all of you shall seek mercy where it shall not be found. (Grabbing hold of the Wicked Witches hand) Come my dear! Let the battle begin!

(The White Witch seizes the bell and rings it. There is a flash of smoke and lights flash intermittantly. Witches disappear. The sound of the bell begins softly and rises to a defeaning peel. Then silence.)

White Witch: (Heard from a distance) We may be gonged, but we won’t be forgotten.

Blackout.

Soft Lighting. A Statue appears. A Human pyramid.

Curtain Down

Act 2: Scene 5: Front of Curtain

(Enter White Rabbit. Stage left.)

White Rabbit: I’m late again. (To the audience) Can you believe it? I’m late that’s for sure, but this time I’m late for a party. Do you like parties and celebrations? Yes, I thought you did! Well this party is rather special. It is Peter’s birthday, as I’m sure you’re all aware, and I’ve just received my invitation. (Noticing Scarecrow and Tinman as they enter stage right) Hey you two! Are you heading to the party?

Tinman: We certainly are. It should be some celebration!

Scarecrow: Wow, that Reepercheep can fight! I’ve never seen anyone wield a sword with such a sting. Did you see that Jabberwocky? He didn’t stand a chance.

White Rabbit: He was certainly taken down a peg or two. Excuse me madam, but would you like to accompany me to the party. With my two rabbit’s feet, you’re sure to be the belle of the ball.

Scarecrow: Not bells again. No more peeling for me thank - you very much. I think I’ll just find a quiet corner and offer straws to people for their fancy drinks.

Tinman: No quiet corners for me Stuffy! I’m in for the long haul. And when I’m well oiled, just you watch these tin legs fly. (Dances across to stage Left)

Are you two coming? (Exits)

White Rabbit: Yes, yes! (To the lady in the audience) What was that madam? You’ve had a better offer? Oh well! Better late than never I suppose. (To Scarecrow) Shall we?

Scarecrow: Indeed! (To Stage Left) Wait for us!

( Both Exit)

Act 2: Scene 6: Drawing Room

(There is a Party in progress, with guests mingling. Music can be heard and softens as Peter, Edmund, Lucy and Susan gather at centre front)

Susan: Well Peter! Your last visit to Narnia was really something to remember wasn’t it?

Peter: It most certainly was Susan. But I’m certain that from now on, things will be different there. Different and definitely more pleasant.

Edmund: I’m glad to finally see the end of those witches!

All: Yes, so am I!

Lucy: Happy Birthday Peter. (Kisses him on the cheek)

Edmund/Susan: Yes, Happy Birthday brother. (Susan kisses Peter. Edmund pats him on the back)

Edmund: (To audience) Now that the battle has been won, we hope that all of you will also find that visits to Narnia are full of magic.

Lucy: (To audience) And don’t go climbing into wardrobes, or winning chess games by capturing the White Queen too soon. You never know just what you may find!

Susan: (To audience) And don’t forget to read lots of stories. You’ll find wonderful places and people inside.

Peter: (Summoning everyone to join in) Come on everyone! Let’s Party!

(Curtain)