The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe By C. S. Lewis (Adapted by Jared McDaris) scene 1

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

By C.S. Lewis

(Adapted by Jared McDaris)

SCENE 1
Darkness. Moderate, soothing rain is heard in the distance, punctuated with gentle, faraway thunder. Lights slowly rise. The set is somewhat tumbledown and features a number of oddities: a suit of armor, an old globe, a falling-apart armoire, and the like. Chief among them, far USC, is an enormous old Wardrobe. Far SR, unlit and in the shadows, is a lamppost.

LUCY Pevensie, a young girl, wanders onstage SL and looks about as if discovering everything for the first time. She sees something (or someone) DS and hesitantly approaches it, not yet touching anything. She smiles sheepishly and reaches out toward the thing (or person), but before she can make contact…
SUSAN (offstage)

Lucy!
LUCY stops, looks back SL, then turns back to the thing (or person). She reaches out again…

SUSAN & PETER (offstage)

Lucy!
LUCY stops and steps back. The rest of the Pevensie children enter SL after her: PETER (the eldest), SUSAN (the second-eldest), and EDMUND (the third-eldest).

SUSAN

Lucy! Don’t wander off like that.

LUCY

Sorry. Look at this place! Look at all these things! Isn’t it amazing?

EDMUND

When is it going to stop raining?

PETER

Don’t be a pill, Edmund. Lucy, you really shouldn’t run off like that. This is a big place, and it looks like the Professor isn’t keen to keep an eye on us. If you got lost or hurt while wandering off alone, what would happen then?

SUSAN

That Professor is a frightful one. (joking) He might leap out of nowhere and grab you.

PETER

Don’t scare them, Sue. He’s just an old grownup, and he’s in charge until we can go home. So let’s not go running off and bumping into something valuable.

EDMUND

Who put you in charge?

PETER

Seeing as Mother and Father told Susan and me to look after you two, I suppose they did.

EDMUND

We don’t need looking after, King Peter.

LUCY

(more amused than annoyed) I don’t mind. Thank you Susan. Thank you Peter.

EDMUND

I want to go home!

SUSAN

No one’s interested in your whining, Edmund.

LUCY

It’s not so bad, Ed. Look at this place. (crosses to a curious object) With a little imagination, we could be looking at a castle, or a stove, or a treasure chest! Who wants to search for treasure?

PETER

There, Lucy’s got the right idea. Susan, what do you make of this globe?

SUSAN

(seizing the game excitedly) Well, it’s a globe, so… so… hum…

EDMUND

(sneers) Fascinating.

PETER

Edmund—
LUCY

Look, though! We don’t even need imagination. There’s so many incredible things in this old mansion, like…
LUCY notices the giant wardrobe for the first time. The lighting gets slightly colder. As each of the four children turn to examine the Wardrobe, the lightning gets slightly, but not entirely, colder.
LUCY

Look at this.

PETER

I say. That’s quite a wardrobe.

SUSAN

What do you think is inside?

EDMUND

Clothes.
PETER

Don’t be a pill, Edmund.
LUCY slowly approaches the Wardrobe. From nowhere, a single, low musical note builds. There is a sense of building anticipation. LUCY finally opens it, revealing four enormous FUR COATS. The children sense something, but no one seems to think it’s anything important.
EDMUND

I’m booooored! Let’s go.

EDMUND stomps out of the room, followed by PETER.
PETER (exiting)

Ed!
LUCY and SUSAN stare at the Wardrobe.

SUSAN

(Not sure what to say) They are nice coats. (She waits, looks toward Peter and Edmund, then…) Come on, Lucy.

SUSAN leaves.
LUCY

Those coats do look lovely… (she creeps toward them and touches one) They’re so soft!

LUCY steps into the wardrobe and pulls it to, without actually closing it (that would be foolish). Once she’s inside, the lighting grows colder and colder.
LUCY

My! This Wardrobe is even bigger on the inside… Where is… why, these coats aren’t nearly so soft… they feel like trees… I say, there’s a frigid draft in here.

Slowly, the Wardrobe rotates 90 degrees, its back opening SR. The FUR COATS exit and line up, their backs turned. Their backs are green, revealing them to now be FIR TREES. A trail of white spotlights creates a path leading from the Wardrobe to the SR Lamppost, which slowly lights up.
SCENE 2
LUCY emerges from the back of the Wardrobe, holding a smaller (but still oversized) fur coat. She looks around and wanders through the trees as she slowly puts her fur coat on. Eventually, she emerges CS and stares in wonder at the world around her.

Then, from SR, TUMNUS enters. TUMNUS is a Faun: a young man with goat legs, curly hair, and small goat horns. Upon spying LUCY he lets out a yelp and falls backward to the ground. LUCY is too shocked to help him up. TUMNUS looks up at LUCY from the ground.
LUCY

Good evening.

TUMNUS

Good evening, good evening… (he gets to his feet) Excuse me – I don’t want to be inquisitive – but should I be right in thinking that you are a Daughter of Eve?

LUCY

My name’s Lucy.

TUMNUS

But you are – forgive me – you are what they call a girl?

LUCY

Of course I’m a girl.

TUMNUS

You are in fact Human?

LUCY

Of course I’m human.

TUMNUS

… To be sure, to be sure. How stupid of me! But I’ve never seen a Son of Adam or a Daughter of Eve before. I am delighted, that is to say – (he seems about to say something else, then…) Delighted, delighted. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tumnus.

LUCY

I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. Tumnus.

TUMNUS

And may I ask, o Lucy Daughter of Eve, how you have come to Narnia?

LUCY

Narnia? What’s that?

TUMNUS

This is the land of Narnia, where we are now; all that lies between the Lamppost and Cair Paravel on the eastern sea. And you – you have come from the wild woods of the west?

LUCY

I – I got through the wardrobe in the spare room.

TUMNUS

(crestfallen) Ah. If only I had worked harder at geography when I was a little Faun, I should no doubt know all about those strange countries.

LUCY

But they aren’t countries at all. It’s only just back there – at least – I’m not sure. It’s summer there.

TUMNUS

Meanwhile, it’s winter in Narnia, and has been for ever so long, and we shall both catch cold. Now Lucy Daughter of Eve, from the far land of Spare Oom where eternal Summer reigns around the bright city of War Drobe, won’t you come have tea with me?

LUCY

Thank you very much, but I was thinking I should get home.

TUMNUS

It’s only just around the corner and we shan’t stay long. Come! I’ll play us a tune as we go.

TUMNUS produces a flute and starts to play as they slowly make their way SL. It is a drowsy, dreamy tune. By the time they reach SL, LUCY is dragging her feet and ready to collapse. LUCY lies down SL and sleeps. As he finishes the song, TUMNUS steps offstage briefly. After a second of silence, he returns. Time passes.

Suddenly, LUCY starts awake.
LUCY

Oh! What time is it?

TUMNUS

It’s late now.

LUCY

Late? I’m sorry Mr. Tumnus, I did love that tune, but I really must go home. I only meant to stay a few minutes.

TUMNUS

Wait! You should – We can – Maybe… (suddenly, he bursts into tears and starts wailing loudly)

LUCY

Oh Mr. Tumnus! What’s wrong? Please, Mr. Tumnus, tell me what’s wrong. Here!

LUCY hands TUMNUS and handkerchief, which he quickly drenches with his tears.
TUMNUS

(between sobs) I’m crying… because I’m such a… such a bad Faun.

LUCY

I don’t think you’re a bad Faun at all. You are the nicest Faun I’ve ever met.

TUMNUS

You can’t know that many Fauns, then…

LUCY

Well… I suppose not.

TUMNUS

I’m worst Faun that’s ever lived! … After what I’ve done!

LUCY

What have you done?
TUMNUS

I’m in the service of the White Witch! She has all of Narnia under her thumb. She’s the reason it’s always winter here; always winter and never Christmas; think of that!

LUCY

That does sound awful. But you don’t have to serve her, do you? What is it you do?

TUMNUS

That’s the worst of it. I’m a kidnapper for her. Look at me. Would you think me the sort of Faun to meet a poor innocent child in the wood, one that had never done me any harm, and pretend to be friendly with it, and invite it to my home, all for the sake of lulling it asleep and then handing it over to the White Witch?

LUCY

Oh Mr. Tumnus, I can’t believe you’d ever do such a thing.

TUMNUS

Lucy. I’m doing it right now. (pause) I had orders from the White Witch, if ever I saw a Son of Adam or a Daughter of Eve, to capture them and hand them over. I never thought I’d meet one. And now I’ve pretended to be your friend and asked you to tea, and all the time I’ve been meaning to hand you over to her!

LUCY

You wouldn’t, Mr. Tumnus. You won’t, will you?

TUMNUS

If I don’t, she’s sure to find out. And she’ll turn me to stone with her magic, and I’ll be an ornament in her evil castle until the Four Thrones of Cair Paravel are filled, and who knows how long that will be? (pause) But I can’t turn you over to her; no one deserves that. I’ll see you back to the lamppost, and there you can find your way back to Spare Oom and War Drobe. Come, we must go as quickly and quietly as we can.

LUCY and TUMNUS sneak back SR, starting at every sway of the FIR TREES and every birdcall. Finally, they arrive at the Lamppost.
TUMNUS

Can you make your way back from here?

LUCY

I think so; yes.

TUMNUS

Then be off home as quick as you can. And… c-can you ever forgive me for what I meant to do?

LUCY

Why, of course I can. And I hope you don’t get into trouble on my account.

TUMNUS

Farewell, Daughter of Eve. (he holds up the drenched handkerchief she gave him) Perhaps I may keep the handkerchief?

LUCY

Rather!
LUCY quickly hugs TUMNUS, then hurries along the white-light path to the FIR TREES. TUMNUS dashes off. As LUCY finds her way through the trees, the white-light path fades away, leaving the Lamppost in darkness again. The FIR TREES follow LUCY back into the Wardrobe, which rotates back into its original position. When LUCY bursts out into the Spare Room, the lighting is back to normal and the FIR TREES have again become FUR COATS.

SCENE 3
LUCY

I’m here, I’m here. I’ve come back, I’m all right.

SUSAN (offstage)

Lucy?
LUCY

I’m here, the spare room. I’ve come back.
SUSAN (entering)

What on earth are you talking about, Lucy?

PETER and EDMUND enter after SUSAN.
LUCY

Why, haven’t you all been wondering where I was?

PETER

You’ve been hiding? You’ll have to hide longer than that if you want us to start looking for you.

LUCY

But I’ve been away for hours. Haven’t I?

EDMUND

Batty! Totally batty!

PETER

What do you mean, you’ve been away for hours?

LUCY

What I said. It was just after breakfast when I went into the wardrobe, and I’ve been in the forest and had tea, and it’s been hours.

SUSAN

It still is just after breakfast, Lucy. Don’t be silly.

PETER

She’s not being silly. It’s a game, right? A little imagination?

LUCY

No I’m not. It’s – it’s a magic wardrobe. There’s a forest inside it, and there’s snow, and there’s a Faun and an evil White Witch and it’s called Narnia; come and see.

PETER and SUSAN cross to the Wardrobe and open it, revealing the huge FUR COATS and the upstage wall. PETER knocks on the back wall, just to make sure.
PETER

Jolly good hoax, Lu. You had me half-fooled for a moment there.

LUCY

(on the verge of tears) No, really and truly. It was all different a moment ago. Honestly it was. I promise.

EDMUND

Typical loony child’s stuff. We’ll all go mad if we’re stuck here much longer.

LUCY

(sobbing) You’re horrible!

SUSAN

Lucy, that’s enough. Leave the wardrobe alone and let’s go.

PETER

Let’s check out the library. I’ll bet there’s some impressive maps and adventure stories there, even if it is an old professor’s library.

PETER leaves, eventually followed by SUSAN.
LUCY

But it’s true! There was…

EDMUND

Grow up, Lu.

LUCY

You’re only a year older than me!

EDMUND

At least I don’t convince myself there’s witches and monsters in old wardrobes, and cry like a baby when no one will play along.

Still sobbing, LUCY retreats back into the Wardrobe, seeming to vanish.
EDMUND

Lucy! Don’t be such a baby! (silence) Come on, Lu. Come out.

Hesitantly, EDMUND follows LUCY into the Wardrobe, shutting the door behind him. Again, the lighting begins to grow colder, the white-light path slowly comes up, and the Wardrobe slowly rotates 90 degrees.
EDMUND

Lucy, just… where are you? Lucy? It’s enormous in here. Lucy, where…

SCENE 4
The enormous FIR TREES again emerge from the Wardrobe, and EDMUND enters after them, not wearing a coat. As he weaves his way through the woods, he shivers violently. At last, he emerges into the center of the woods.
EDMUND

Lucy! … I believe you! Sorry… Hullo! … (sneers) Typical girl…

Jingling bells can be heard. EDMUND is at first startled, then excited. Before anyone appears, however, he is inexplicably overcome with a feeling of dread.
EDMUND

Lu? … Is that… Mr. Tumnus? Lucy?

A procession of seven DWARVES appears, each wearing jingling bells on their clothing. They walk in two rows of three, with the seventh leading the pack. They have surly looks on their faces, especially the one in the lead. Behind them comes a very tall, very pale woman dressed all in white: The WHITE WITCH. At first, they don’t seem to notice EDMUND, as he stands terrified and shaking. Until…
WITCH

Hold!
The procession stops, and it does not take long for the DWARVES to spy EDMUND.

WITCH

What are you? (pause) What are you!?

EDMUND

I…
WITCH

Bring him to me!
The DWARVES seize EDMUND and bring him to the WITCH.
WITCH

What are you? Answer me!

EDMUND

Huh? What do you mean?

WITCH

How dare you speak so casually to the Queen of Narnia?

DWARF

Perhaps we should fix his throat.

DWARVES

Yes!
EDMUND

I’m sorry, I didn’t know!
WITCH

Didn’t know?

The QUEEN and DWARVES laugh at EDMUND’s ignorance.
SECOND DWARF

Well then, creature, this is the Queen of Narnia, Empress of all that you see. Bow before her Majesty.

The DWARVES force EDMUND to bow.
THIRD DWARF

Now, in your final moments, tell us what you are!

FOURTH DWARF

A Dwarf without a beard?

FIFTH DWARF

An overgrown Elf?

DWARVES

What are you!?

EDMUND

I don’t – I’m a boy! A boy!

They all freeze.
WITCH

Do you mean to say… that you are a Son of Adam?

SIXTH DWARF

A human?
DWARVES

A human!?
EDMUND

Of course! I mean – Yes, ma’am.

WITCH

At long last, a Son of Adam!

SEVENTH DWARF

Shall we fix him for you, Majesty?

WITCH

I will finish him myself…

The WITCH produces a golden wand and raises it above her head. The Lighting goes darker, bluer, and EDMUND shivers. The DWARVES move as far from the boy as they can while still restraining him. The WITCH looks about to strike when, suddenly, she takes a breath. The Lighting returns to normal, and the DWARVES all exhale. EDMUND is still terrified.
WITCH

(Suddenly warm and kind) Oh, my dear Boy; why you must be freezing. Come over here and share some of my cloak.

EDMUND

Ma’am?
WITCH

Come, there’s no need to be frightened.
EDMUND and DWARVES

There isn’t?

WITCH

Of course not. Please, come sit with me: my cloak will keep us warm.

The DWARVES release EDMUND at once, and he stumbles at the sudden freedom. Very cautiously, EDMUND makes his way over to the WITCH’s open arms. Once within reach, the WITCH gently takes him and wraps him in part of her cloak, and they sit upon the cold ground.
WITCH

Tell me, would you like something to drink? Some hot chocolate perhaps?

EDMUND

Yes ma’am.

The WITCH waves her wand, and the DWARVES produce a chalice of hot chocolate, seemingly from nowhere. A DWARF hands it to EDMUND, who drinks. As he drinks, his fear and suspicion melts away.
WITCH

There, that’s better. Now, it’s very dull to drink without eating. What would you like to eat? Anything in the world, dear boy. Just name it.

EDMUND

Well… ma’am… might I have some Turkish Delight?

WITCH

(laughs warmly) Of course, by dear Boy.

The WITCH waves her wand, and the DWARVES produce a box of Turkish Delight, again seemingly from nowhere. A DWARF hands it to EDMUND. At first he is hesitant, but with each bit he becomes greedier and less aware of his surroundings, almost drunk on the sweets.
WITCH

Isn’t that nice?

EDMUND

Mmm, uh hum…

WITCH

Now tell me, sweet boy… where are you from?

EDMUND

Mm, London. Ma’am.

WITCH

Oh? And where is that?

EDMUND

It’s through the Wardrobe. In the Spare Room. It’s just over there.

WITCH

Why, I’ve never heard of such places.

EDMUND

It was strange, mum. We just stepped into the Wardrobe, and then here we were.

WITCH

We?
EDMUND

Lucy and me. My sister.
The DWARVES freeze.
WITCH

You have a sister? Here?

EDMUND

Yes. She’s with some Faun or something. Tumnus. Mr. Tumnus. He’s her friend or something.

WITCH

Tumnus. The Faun. Interesting. This Lucy… is she your only sister?

EDMUND

No, there’s Susan too. And Peter.

The DWARVES’ tension increases.
WITCH

Two Sons of Adam… and two Daughters of Eve?

EDMUND

(He’s confused, but more interested in eating) Mm? Mmhmm.

WITCH

Why… you must invite them to come visit me.

EDMUND

They’re nothing special.

WITCH

Well, I can see they’re nothing special next to you, my handsome boy, but I would still love the company. Dear boy, what is your name?

EDMUND

Edmund.
Edmund finishes the Turkish Delight and looks around, hungry and despondent. His face is smeared with sticky pastry and looks a bit foolish.

WITCH

Edmund: such a strong and intelligent name. Edmund, my dear boy, I am sad. Though I rule over all of Narnia, I have no children of my own. If I only had a son, he would become Prince of Narnia and be given anything he wanted. And of course, one day, he would become king.

EDMUND

I could be a king.

WITCH

Would you? I should so love that, Edmund.

EDMUND

Do you have any more Turkish Delight?

WITCH

Not just now, I’m afraid. Won’t you come visit me sometime soon and bring your sisters and your brother with you? At my house there are such delights that you couldn’t imagine, and I have entire rooms full of Turkish Delight that you could eat all day long.

EDMUND

Why can’t I go now?

WITCH

Oh Edmund, my house is so lovely, so enchanting, that once you were there you’d never want to leave. And then how should I meet your brother and sisters?

EDMUND

Who needs them?

WITCH

Well, if they’re your brother and sisters, I’m sure they’re very lovely. And besides, a Prince needs to have courtiers. … And servants.

EDMUND

Ohhhh… Okay. Ma’am.

WITCH

Wonderful. Now, you see those two hills off in the distance there? Between those two hills is my house. Just bring them there the next time you visit, and you shall have all the Turkish Delight you could ever desire. And no need to tell them about me: let it be a surprise. They’ll just love that, I’m sure.

The WITCH stands and lets EDMUND out from her cloak. The DWARVES eye him in an unfriendly manner.
WITCH

I do hope you’ll come visit soon. With your brother and sisters. Thank you so much for your delightful company. Fare well. (she turns to the DWARVES, all kindness instantly gone from her voice) Onward!

The DWARVES fall into position and march offstage, followed by the WITCH. For a moment, EDMUND is alone, freezing, and miserable from eating too much sweets. Then, a voice is heard.
LUCY (offstage)

Edmund! Edmund!

LUCY runs on from the woods, wearing her fur coat from the Wardrobe.
LUCY

Edmund! It’s you! You got in too! That’s wonderful! Now we can go tell Peter and Susan and we can all visit.

EDMUND

Where have you been? I’ve been calling for you.

LUCY

I went to see Mr. Tumnus! He’s still all right, the Queen hasn’t gotten him.

EDMUND

Queen?
LUCY

She’s not really a queen, she’s a terrible White Witch. She calls herself the Queen of all Narnia, but all the animals hate her. Well, all the good ones, at least. She’s the reason it’s always Winter here. Always Winter and never Christmas; isn’t that horrible? (silence) How long have you been here?
EDMUND

Just got here. Looking around. Let’s go tell the others!

The two run back into the woods, then into the Wardrobe. Once again, the woods transform into the Spare Room, and the two children burst out of the Wardrobe.
SCENE 5
LUCY

Susan! Peter! We’re here!

PETER and SUSAN reenter the room.
PETER

Lu? What’s wrong?

LUCY

We were there again! Edmund’s been too! Back to Narnia!