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

SUSAN

Lucy, I’m sorry, but I think we’ve really heard enough about that Wardrobe.

LUCY

No! It’s true! Edmund’s been this time, and we can all go. Tell them, Edmund.

Silence.
PETER

Well? Is it true, Ed?

EDMUND is very obviously making a decision, then a smug, superior look comes across his face.
EDMUND

Oh yes, we were playing a bit of make believe. Imagination, you know. I fear she’s taken it a little too seriously, though. Typical little girl, I’m afraid.

LUCY

You’re horrible!

LUCY rushes out of the room, followed by SUSAN.
SUSAN (exiting)

Lucy! Come back.

EDMUND

What did I tell you? Typical child.

PETER

You rotten beast! That was a terrible thing to do, Ed. She’s upset enough already, and you have to play along like that and make things even worse.

PETER starts to head out, and EDMUND favors him with a horrible glare. Before PETER can leave, though, SUSAN and LUCY rush back in, scared stiff.
LUCY

It’s the maid!

SUSAN

If she finds us here with all these antiques she’ll tear us apart.

Footsteps are heard.
PETER

She’s got no reason to come in here…

The Footsteps grow unusually loud, then stop.
SUSAN

Shh…
EDMUND

No one was saying anything.
SUSAN, PETER, & LUCY

SHHHHH!!!

Someone is trying a doorknob off SL. The door sounds locked.
SUSAN

Hide!
The kids look around furiously for a place to hide. It isn’t long before they’re all staring at the Wardrobe. SUSAN approaches and opens it up again.

PETER

Sorry Lu, but we’ve got nowhere else.

The four kids rush into the Wardrobe and pull the doors to. As soon as they do, the sounds stop. The Lighting instantly dims, leaving only a special on the Wardrobe.
EDMUND

You’re stepping on my foot.

PETER

Shh!
SUSAN

Let me… I say… there’s an awful lot of room in here.
PETER

Sure is… Where’s the back of this Wardrobe?

SUSAN

Is there a draft? It’s getting awfully cold.

Again, the Wardrobe turns, the FIR TREES emerge, and Narnia slowly appears. As one, the four children stumble and fall out of the back of the Wardrobe.
SCENE 6
LUCY quickly rises and crosses to CS, delighted to be back. Everyone else takes a little more time to recover, but PETER and SUSAN are soon near CS themselves, looking around. EDMUND is hiding in the FIR TREES. Time passes.
PETER

I’m sorry I didn’t believe you, Lucy. Will you forgive me?

LUCY

Of course.

SUSAN

I’m sorry too, Lucy.

LUCY

It’s okay. We’re here; that’s what matters.

SUSAN

Is this some sort of… magical world? With Fauns and witches? Where do we go?

PETER

I think we should let Lucy decide. She knows this place, and she’s certainly earned it.

EDMUND

What about those two hills over there? I wonder what’s over there.

LUCY

Oh no, we can’t go there. That goes straight to the White Witch’s house. Mr. Tumnus said so.

EDMUND

You can’t believe everything a Faun says.

Pause. PETER and SUSAN turn and glare at EDMUND.
PETER

You’ve been here before, haven’t you? And you lied and said you hadn’t, you horrible monster!

SUSAN

How could you do that to your own sister!?

LUCY

It’s okay! It’s okay. Let’s go visit Mr. Tumnus. He’ll serve us some tea and we can all relax and learn some more about Narnia.

PETER

You’re kinder than I, Lu. Let’s grab some coats: it’s pretty cold here.

PETER and LUCY grab some fur coats from the Wardrobe.
SUSAN

Is that right? Maybe we shouldn’t be taking the coats without permission.

PETER

It’ll be all right. We’re not taking them out of the house. We’re not even taking them out of the wardrobe.

PETER, SUSAN, and LUCY share a laugh as they put their coats on. PETER gruffly tosses a coat to EDMUND, who makes a show of dropping it. LUCY starts to lead them on the path to TUMNUS’ house, and EDMUND puts his coat on once no one is looking.
SUSAN

(following Lucy) I wonder what else is here. Do you think there might be elves or talking animals?

LUCY

Mr. Tumnus says almost all the animals in Narnia can talk. Most of the good ones are…

LUCY comes to a stop, shortly followed by the others. The Lighting reveals that TUMNUS’ house is in ruins. Sitting on the floor is a Note.
EDMUND

Nice place.

SUSAN

What happened?

PETER picks up the note and reads.
PETER

“The former occupant of these premises, the Faun Tumnus, is under arrest and awaiting his trial on a charge of High Treason against her Imperial Majesty Jadis, Queen of Narnia, also of comforting her enemies, harboring spies and fraternizing with Humans. Signed Maugrim, Captain of the Secret Police. Long Live the Queen.”

SUSAN

I don’t know that I’m going to like this place after all.

PETER

Who’s this queen, Lu?

LUCY

That’s the White Witch. She’s not really a queen at all, she’s taken over all of Narnia by force. All the wicked creatures serve her and she’s the reason it’s always Winter here, and never Christmas. She’s a horrible beast.

SUSAN

Then we should go. Now!

PETER

I think she’s right. Narnia’s a beautiful place, Lucy, but it’s not safe. We should go.

LUCY

We can’t! It’s my fault! Tumnus got arrested because of me! I have to help him!

SUSAN

But… what can we do?

LUCY

There’s still lots of good animals around. One of them must know where he is.

PETER

I don’t like it. (pause) But you’re right. Let’s look around and see what we can do.

The Children exit the house back onto the trail. They look around.
PETER

This place suddenly seems less friendly.

The trail winks out, and a single light appears USR. A robin’s chirping can be heard.
SUSAN

Look there: it’s a robin.

PETER

I think – I think he’s watching us.

The Children approach the USR light. As they do, the light winks out and another appears SR. They follow it again. The robin slowly leads them round and about along the stage.
EDMUND

(to Peter, quietly) Why are we following this bird? How do we know it’s a good bird?

PETER

Well… Lucy did say most of the animals were against the Witch.

EDMUND

Well, since you mention it, how do we know we’re on the right side? Maybe the queen – I know, they call her a witch – is in the right after all. I mean, this Tumnus has been arrested. He’s a criminal. How can we even trust him, let alone this bird?

PETER

Well what else can we do?

Suddenly, light winks out entirely, and the birdsong fades. Silence.
EDMUND

Well, well.

From off DSL, a “psst” is heard.
LUCY

What was that?

From the shadows of the now cleared out DSL, a BEAVER emerges. He creeps toward the children, beckoning them toward him.
SUSAN

I think he wants us to follow him.

EDMUND

Are we just gonna follow every mangy stray animal that happens upon our path?

BEAVER

I’m mangy? Take a look at yourself!

There is a shock as the children get used to a talking Beaver.
BEAVER

Begging your pardon, young sir, but it’s not safe out here. Come inside, and we’ll get you warmed up and cared for.

LUCY and SUSAN start toward the BEAVER, but stop when they see the boys aren’t following.
SUSAN

What are you waiting for?

PETER looks at SUSAN, then looks back at EDMUND, hesitating. The BEAVER produces a handkerchief and shows it to LUCY: it is the same handkerchief she gave to Tumnus. LUCY very pointedly walks in with the BEAVER, followed by SUSAN. Soon after, PETER follows. Finally, EDMUND comes after in a huff.
SCENE 7
The BEAVER’s home is revealed. Various brick-a-brack, greatly resembling the odds-and-ends from the Spare Room, can be found stacked in a corner, among them a sewing machine. Near the sewing machine is MRS BEAVER. She steps away as soon as the children enter and begins fussing over them immediately.
MRS BEAVER

Oh at last! At last! Four children! Two Daughters of Eve! And there! Two Sons of Adam! It’s finally happening!

SUSAN

What’s happening?

BEAVER

All right, all right, let’s all relax and warm up a bit first.

The Children are led in and relax on the floor. The BEAVER takes their coats and hands them to MRS BEAVER, who sets them near the brick-a-brack pile.
MRS BEAVER

I never thought it would happen, not in my own time, but here they are. And he’s here too, it’s all finally happening!

PETER

What’s finally happening?

MRS BEAVER

You! You’re here to stop the Witch’s evil, and sit upon the Thrones of Cair Paravel! At last!

SUSAN

Wait. What are we supposed to do?

BEAVER

All right, sweetheart, all right. Tumnus said they didn’t know anything; looks like he’s right. We’ll have to explain.

LUCY

Mr. Tumnus? You’ve seen him?

BEAVER

He sent me word, right before he got arrested. (he offers the handkerchief to LUCY) He sent this as a sort of token. You were wise not to trust me, but there’s my proof.

LUCY

(accepts the handkerchief) Where is he? Can you take us to him?

BEAVER

Take you there? No, I might as well kill you here before taking you to him. It’s no good trying to help Tumnus, now that she has him.

LUCY

Why? What do you mean?

BEAVER

The White Witch has him in her castle, see, and once he’s there… She’s got a magic golden scepter, and with it… she can transform people to stone. (silence) If Tumnus has been arrested by the Secret Police, there’s no question he’s been found guilty, so there’s no question he’s just another statue in her courtyard now. They’re all over her castle: Fauns, badgers, the good dwarves, horses, river folk, even a lion I’ve heard. They’ll be stone until the Four Thrones of Cair Paravel are filled, until…

LUCY

Until?
BEAVER

Aslan’s on the move.
The light in the Beaver’s home grows subtly warmer. Everyone seems to grow a little happier, braver, warmer, except EDMUND, who looks sicker and more uncomfortable.
PETER

Who’s Aslan?

MRS BEAVER

Who’s Aslan? He’s the king. He’s the lord of the whole wood.

BEAVER

But not often here. Not in my time or my father’s time.

MRS BEAVER

But the word is he’s come back.

BEAVER

He is in Narnia at this moment.

MRS BEAVER

He’ll settle the White Queen all right.

BEAVER

It is he, not you, that will save Tumnus.

EDMUND

Won’t she just turn him into stone too?

The Beavers laugh heartily.
BEAVER

I’d like to see her try.

MRS BEAVER

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight, / At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, / When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, / And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.”

BEAVER

You’ll understand when you see him.

SUSAN

We get to see him?

MRS BEAVER

That’s why we brought you here. We’ll lead you to meet him.

LUCY

Is – is he a man?

BEAVER

Aslan a man? Certainly not. He’s the king of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-sea. Don’t you know who is the King of Beasts. Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great Lion.

SUSAN

Ooh! Is he – is he safe?

MRS BEAVER

He’s a lion. All who stand before him hear their knees knocking, or else are great fools. No, he’s not safe, but he’s good. There’s nothing greater, nor more terrifying than he. … You’ll understand when you see him.

BEAVER

Word is we’re supposed to take you to meet him, tomorrow, at the Stone Table.

EDMUND has been slowly edging away from the group as the conversation intensifies. Now, as soon as he can, he sneaks away and exits.
MRS BEAVER

It’s down the river, a ways away, but we’ll take you there quick enough.

LUCY

But what about Mr. Tumnus?

BEAVER

The quickest way to help Tumnus is to meet Aslan. He’ll set everything to right.

MRS BEAVER

It’s all happening now! You four here, and Aslan come as well. It must be time for the White Witch’s overthrow at last.

PETER

What’s so special about us?

BEAVER

There’s a prophecy here. It goes: “When Adam’s flesh and Adam’s bone / Sits at Cair Paravel in throne / The evil time will be over and done.” Four thrones are there, meant to be filled by two Sons of Adam and two Daughters of Eve. And now here you all are, and Aslan’s come.

MRS BEAVER

That’s why you’ll never find a Man or Woman here in Narnia. The Witch is always watching for them.

BEAVER

If she knew about you four, your lives wouldn’t be worth a shake of my whiskers!

PETER

Well, then, all I can say is thank you for your help. I’m very excited… and a little scared… to meet this Aslan. If he can help the one who helped Lucy, then let’s meet him.

Silence.
LUCY

I say… where’s Edmund?

Pause.
SUSAN

Who saw him last?

PETER

Edmund! Where are you?

LUCY

Where’s he gone?

PETER

Come on, we’ve got to go look for him.

BEAVER

No, son of Adam, what you’ve got to do is get to the Stone Table. Now.

SUSAN

I thought we were going tomorrow.

LUCY

And anyway, we’ve got to find Edmund.

BEAVER

There’s no point looking when we already know where he is. … Has Edmund ever been to Narnia before? Apart from you three?

PETER

No.
SUSAN

Yes. Remember? He came with Lucy before the four of us got in.
PETER

That’s right, and then he lied about it, the little beast.

BEAVER

And did he tell any of you what he’d been doing when he was here?

LUCY

No… I asked him, but… no…

BEAVER

I’m sorry, but… I thought so as soon as I saw the look on his face. He looked sick, like someone who’d eaten the White Witch’s poisoned food. He’s betrayed us all. He’s gone off to join the Witch.

SUSAN

No! He can’t have done that!

BEAVER

Can’t he?

Silence.
PETER

Then we’ve got to get to the Witch’s house and save him.

MRS BEAVER

I’m sorry, Son of Adam, but that’s the last thing you should do. Once she gets her hands on Edmund, she’ll use him as a hostage, as a trap, to get a hold of the rest of you. Once she has all of you, that’ll be the end of the prophecy, the end of any possibility of rescue. The end of Narnia.

LUCY

… But… he’s our brother…

BEAVER

And the best we can do for him is get to Aslan. Now. Before he reaches the Witch and tells her about you. About the Stone Table. About Aslan!

SUSAN

… But…
MRS BEAVER

Aslan is the only one that can save us. We have to go. Now!
PETER

All right. Let’s go.

The BEAVER helps the children gather up their coats. PETER holds EDMUND’s coat briefly, then drops it. LUCY picks it up and holds it. MRS BEAVER is fiddling with her sewing machine.
BEAVER

What are you doing, woman?

MRS BEAVER

I’m bringing my sewing machine. I can’t stand the thought of that Witch touching it.

BEAVER

We’ve got to go now!

MRS BEAVER

All right, all right. But if my sewing machine is broken when we return—

BEAVER

– If we return—

MRS BEAVER

-She’ll hear about it.

Having gathered up what they need, the BEAVERS and children rush out.

Blackout.
SCENE 8
Cold, dismal lights slowly rise, leaving much of the stage in darkness. EDMUND appears, freezing, stepping very carefully about the area. Suddenly, he bumps into something. He starts and turns. A sudden blue light reveals a lion, poised to pounce. EDMUND shrieks and tenses, terrified. Time passes.

Eventually, EDMUND realizes…
EDMUND

It’s a statue…

EDMUND laughs, then sticks his tongue out at the statue. He flicks the lion statue on the face. He laughs again.
EDMUND

So much for Aslan.

Still laughing, EDMUND roars loudly at the statue.
MAUGRIM (offstage)

Who goes there!
A furious, deadly Wolf, MAUGRIM, leaps onstage and tackles EDMUND. His jaws dip perilously close to Edmund’s throat.
MAUGRIM

Who are you! … Speak! Or you’ll never speak again.

EDMUND

Ed – Edmund! The Son of Adam. The Queen asked me to come see her.

MAUGRIM

Is that so. Well then, fortunate favorite of the queen, or else not so fortunate… stay perfectly still, if you value your life.

MAUGRIM creeps away from EDMUND and heads USC. Cold light slowly rises there to reveal the WHITE WITCH on her throne. A DWARF stands at her left. MAUGRIM humbles himself before the WITCH’s right side.
MAUGRIM

The Son of Adam, Majesty, has come to call.

WITCH

How dare you come alone! I gave you specific orders to bring the rest with you!

EDMUND

I tried, Ma’am! I tried! I – I brought them to the beavers’ home. It’s not far from here.

WITCH

The beavers. They’re with them now?

EDMUND

Yes. They’re going to the Stone Table tomorrow. To meet someone named Aslan.

WITCH

What!?
EDMUND

They – they’re going to the Stone Table… to meet –

WITCH

Do NOT speak that name again! Maugrim, bring your fastest wolf with you to the beaver dam. If they’re not there, head for the Stone Table and cut them off. You know what to do when you find them.
MAUGRIM

Yes, my queen.

MAUGRIM fires off and exits.
WITCH

(to the DWARF) Let us make ready to leave at once.

DWARF

And the Son of Adam?

WITCH

The boy… (raises her wand) may still be useful to us. (lowers the wand) Bind his hands and bring him along.

DWARF

Yes, Highness.

The WITCH walks off, ignoring them. The DWARF quickly pulls a knife and levels it toward EDMUND, then drags the boy offstage after the WITCH.
SCENE 9
Immediately after, the BEAVERS and Children hurry across the stage.
BEAVER

Pick up the pace, children. The Witch has got her forces after you by now.

LUCY

I’m sorry: the coats are very heavy.

BEAVER

Drop it: you don’t need two.

LUCY

I know, but…

SUSAN takes the spare coat from LUCY, and they hurry offstage.

Immediately after, elsewhere, MAUGRIM and a SECOND WOLF dart across the stage and find the Beaver dam. They savage it briefly.
SECOND WOLF

(sniffs) They only just left.

MAUGRIM

(already moving) After them!

The Wolves dart offstage.

Immediately after, the WITCH appears and storms across the stage. She is followed by the DWARF, who is holding a rope leading to EDMUND’s wrist-restraints.
DWARF

Come along, little prince. (laughs)

WITCH

Move!
EDMUND

(stumbles) I’m trying.
DWARF

Little prince has little blisters. (laughs)

EDMUND

It’s all the slush. I think the snow’s melting.

WITCH

(stops and turns) What?

EDMUND

I… I’m sorry.

WITCH

(Continues on) Move!

The three hurry offstage.

Immediately, elsewhere, the Wolves rush across the stage.

Immediately, elsewhere, the BEAVERS and the Children hurry across. The sound of jingling bells is heard.
LUCY

(stops) What was that?

BEAVER

Hide!
The five travelers hide in a far corner. Cautiously, the BEAVER peeks offstage. There is a tense silence. Then, BEAVER rushes back on, excited.

BEAVER

Come on out! You won’t believe it! Come on out! Hurry!

They come out of hiding.
PETER

What is it?

BEAVER

Have you heard? How the Witch has made it always winter, and never Christmas? Lo and behold!

FATHER (offstage)

Don’t worry, children. You’re quite safe, for the time being.

FATHER CHRISTMAS enters. He is dressed more like an old huntsman than the usual red-and-white. He has a large bag with him.
FATHER

Greetings Peter, Susan, and Lucy. This is a good omen. The Witch has kept me long out of Narnia, but now Aslan is returned, and Spring is coming.

The Children stand in awe.
FATHER

And now, I have some presents to give. Mrs. Beaver, your old sewing machine is unharmed, but you’ll find a newer and better one when you return to your home. Mr. Beaver, your dam has been completed, just in time to hold the waters that will soon flow as the river melts. Now… Peter…

FATHER CHRISTMAS pulls a great Sword and Shield from his bag and hands them to PETER.
FATHER

Keep these well; I fear you’ll soon have need of them.

PETER

I will, Sir. Thank you.

FATHER

And Susan…

FATHER CHRISTMAS pulls a bow and arrows from his bag, along with a horn.
FATHER

This bow and these arrows are finer than any you will find in Narnia, or from your own home as well. And this Horn, whenever you blow it, someone will hear, and some help will arrive.

SUSAN

Thank you… Sir.

FATHER

And Lucy…

FATHER CHRISTMAS pulls a small knife and a small crystal vial from his bag.
FATHER

I hope you will not have to fight, but this knife will help defend you. More importantly, a single drop from this cordial will heal any illness and recover any wound.

LUCY

Thank you, Sir.

FATHER

These are tools, not toys. Keep them safe, and be prepared to use them.

PETER

We will.
FATHER

Now then, Spring is coming, and – like yourselves – I have much to accomplish. Good luck.
LUCY, SUSAN, and PETER

Thank you.

FATHER CHRISTMAS heads off. The children examine their presents.