1 NARRATOR/BAKER: 'Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom, 'there lay a small village at the edge of the woods.' # I wish... # 'And in this village...' # ...more than anything. # '...lived a young maiden,...' # More than life. # More than jewels. # '...a carefree young lad...' # I wish... # (COW MOOS) # ...more than life. # '...and a childless baker...' BOTH: # I wish... # '...with his wife.' # More than anything... # More than the moon... BOTH: # I wish. # The King is giving a festival. # More than life. # I wish. # I wish to go to the Festival... # More than riches. # ...and the Ball. # I wish my cow would give us some milk. # More than anything,... # I wish we had a child. # ...I want a child. # I wish to go to the Festival. # I wish you'd give us some milk or even cheese. # I wish. # You wish to go to the Festival? 'The poor girl's parents had died.' You, Cinderella, the Festival? ALL: You wish to go to the Festival? The Festival? The King's Festival? 'And now she lived with her stepmother...' The Festival? Ha! '...who had two daughters of her own.' # Look at your nails. # Look at your dress. # People would laugh at you. # Nevertheless,... ALL: # She still wants to go to the Festival and dance before the Prince. # (THEY LAUGH) 'All three were beautiful of face, but vile and black of heart. 'The young lad had no father, and his mother... # I wish. # 'Well, she was at her wits' end.' # I wish my son were not a fool. # I wish my house was not a mess. # I wish the cow was full of milk. I wish the walls were full of gold. # I wish a lot of things. # Oh! What in heaven's name are you doing with the cow inside the house? I thought if he were nice and warm, he might produce some milk. It's a she! How many times do I have to tell you that only shes can give milk? 'And then, there was a hungry little girl, who always wore a red cape.' Hey! # I wish. # It's not for me. It's for my granny in the woods. # A loaf of bread, please, # to bring my poor old hungry granny in the woods. # Just a loaf of bread, MUFFLED: # Please. # (ALL LAUGH) Cinderella, If you can pick up these lentils and finish your chores in time, then you may go to the Ball with us. Come along, ladies. BOTH: Yes, Mother. Good luck. (PANTS) # Come, little birds, # down from the eaves and the leaves, # over fields, out of castles and ponds. # No, squeeze, pal. # (BIRDS CHIRP, CINDERELLA SINGS IN DISTANCE) (CONTINUES SINGING) # Quick, little birds, flick through the ashes. # Pick and peck, but swiftly sift through the ashes. # Into the pot. # (BIRDS CHIRP) Oh! Bull's-eye! What are you doing? Stop your pretending! Now, listen to me well, son. Milky-White must be taken to market. Mother, no! He's the best cow in the world! Was. SHE has been dry for weeks now. We've no food or money and no choice but to sell her. But Milky-White's my best friend! Look at her! # There are bugs on her dugs. # There are flies in her eyes. # There's a lump on her rump big enough to be a hump. # But... # We've no time to sit and dither while her withers wither with her. # And no-one keeps a cow for a friend. # Sometimes I wonder what's going on in that head of yours. # # Into the woods, it's time to go. # I hate to leave. I have to, though. # Into the woods, it's time, and so I must begin my journey. # Uh-uh-uh-uh! # Into the woods and through the trees to where I am expected, ma'am. # Into the woods, to Grandmother's house. # Stop it. I can't just... MUFFLED: # Into the woods, to Grandmother's house # Are you certain of your way? # The way is clear. # The light is good. # I have no fear, # nor no-one should. # The woods are just trees. The trees are just wood. # I sort of hate to ask it, # but do you have a basket? # Yes, we do. I don't suppose you're planning on buying any of these? Oh, shh, now. Don't stray and be late, all right? And you might save some of those sweets for Granny. Oh, my... Just leave it. She's a thief! # Into the woods and down the dell. # The path is straight. I know it well. # Into the woods, and who can tell what's waiting on the journey. # Into the woods to bring some bread to Granny, who is sick in bed. # Never can tell what lies ahead; # for all that I know, she's already dead. # But into the woods, into the woods, # into the woods to Grandmother's house and home before dark. # (BIRDS CHIRP) LUCINDA: Cinderella! FLORINDA: Get up here! # Fly, birds, # back to the sky. # LUCINDA: We're waiting! # Back to the eaves and the leaves and the fields and the` # Hurry up and do my hair, Cinderella. Are you really wearing that? # Here, I found a little tear. Cinderella, can't you hide it with a hat? # You look beautiful. I know. She means me. No, she didn't. # Mother said be good. Father said be nice. That was always their advice. # So be nice, Cinderella. Good, Cinderella. # Nice, good, good, nice. # Tighter! # What's the good of being good? Everyone is blind, always leaving you behind. # Never mind, Cinderella. Kind Cinderella. # Nice, good, nice, kind, good, nice. # Ow! Not that tight! Clod! (BOTH LAUGH) (KNOCK ON DOOR) Who might that be? We've sold our last loaf of bread! It's the Witch from next door. (CRASH!) (MICE SQUEAK) We have no bread. I don't want your bread. Then what is it you wish? It's not what I wish. It's what you wish. Nothing cooking in that belly now, is there? And there will never be. Unless... you do exactly as I say! In three days' time, a blue moon will appear. Only then can the curse be undone. What curse? The one I placed on this house. What are you talking about? In the past, when you were no more than a babe, your father brought his young wife and you to this cottage. They were a lovely couple. But not lovely neighbours. You see, your mother was with child, and she developed an unusual appetite. She admired my beautiful garden, and she told your father that what she wanted more than anything in the world... was greens, greens. Nothing but greens. Parsley, peppers, cabbages and celery. Asparagus and watercress and fiddleferns and lettuce. He said, "All right!" But it wasn't, quite, cos I caught him in the autumn in my garden one night. He was robbing me. Raping me. Rooting through my rutabaga. Raiding my arugula. And ripping up the rampion, my champion, my favourite. I should've laid a spell on him right there! I could've turned him into stone. Or a dog. Or a chair! (LAUGHS, SNORTS) But I let him have the rampion. I'd lots to spare. In return, however, I said, "Fair is fair. "You can let me have the baby that your wife will bear "and call it square." I had a brother? No. But you had a sister. Where is she? She's mine now, and you'll never find her. Small price to pay for what else your father stole from me. It cost me my youth, my beauty. My mother warned me she would punish me with the curse of ugliness if I ever lost any of them. Lost what? The beans. BOTH: Beans? The special beans. I let him go. I didn't know he'd stolen my beans. I was watching him crawl back over the wall, when ` Bang! Crash! ` a lightning flash. Well, that's another story. Never mind. Anyway... At last, the big day came. I made my claim. "Oh, don't take away the baby," they shrieked and squeaked. But I did, and I hid her where she'll never be reached. Your father cried, and your mother died. When, for extra measure ` I admit, it was a pleasure ` I said, "Sorry, I'm still not mollified." And I laid a little spell on them ` you too, son ` that your family tree would always be a barren one. Oh! (SOBS) How could you do that? And when your mother died, your father deserted you. Your father was no father, so why should you be? I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. (SOBS) Now there's no more fuss, and there's no more scenes, and my garden thrives. You should see my nectarines. But I'm telling you the same I tell kings and queens ` don't ever, never, ever mess around with my greens! WHISPERS: Especially the beans. (SIGHS) Yeah, but why do we have to go to the next village? Because everyone in this village knows the cow hasn't given a drop of milk in weeks. But that's cheating. We're starving, Jack! Don't you understand that? Now, you're not to accept less than �5 for her. Are you listening to me? Yes. How much are you to ask? No more than �5. LESS than five. ...than five! # Into the woods. The time is now. We have to live. I don't care how. # Into the woods to sell the cow. You must begin the journey. # Straight through the woods, and don't delay. We have to face the marketplace. # Into the woods to journey's end. # Into the woods to sell a friend. # (MILKY-WHITE MOOS) You wish to have the curse reversed? I'll need a certain potion first. Go to the wood and bring me back... One, the cow as white as milk. Two, the cape as red as blood. Three, the hair as yellow as corn. Four, the slipper as pure as gold. Bring me these before the chime of midnight in three days' time. 'Tis then the blue moon reappears, which comes but once each hundred years. Bring them, and I guarantee a child as perfect as child can be. Go to the wood! (SCREAMS) Whoa! (TRUMPETS PLAY FANFARE) Ladies, our carriage awaits! # Now may I go to the Festival? # The Festival? # Darling, those nails. Darling, those clothes. # The lentils are one thing, but darling, with those, # you'd make us the fools of the Festival and mortify the Prince. The Festival lasts three nights. Surely, you can let me be there for one of them. The King is trying to find his son a wife, not a scullery maid! We must be gone! Oh! FLORINDA: Stop it! Come on. Go! (HORSE WHINNIES) # I wish. # (SIGHS) Look what I found. Here, take this. I'm not wearing that. Why? It was my father's. You heard what she said. This is all his fault. I want nothing to do with him. Beans? Oh, these must be the Witch's beans. We'll take them with us. We? Yes! We? You're not coming. It's not safe out there. I can help you! No, I can do this on my own. # The spell is on my house. Only I can lift the spell. # No, no, the spell is on OUR house. We must lift the spell together. The spell is on OUR house. # Now, remind me, what am I to return with? You don't remember? # The cow as white as milk. The cape as red as blood. # The hair as yellow as corn. The slipper as pure as gold. # The cow as white as milk. The cape as red as blood. # The hair as yellow as corn. The slipper as pure as gold. # I still wish to go to the Festival. # The cow as white as milk. # But how am I ever to get to the Festival? # I know. I'll visit Mother's grave, the grave at the willow tree, # and tell her I just want to go to the King's Festival. # Into the woods, it's time to go. It may be all in vain, I know. # Into the woods, but even so, I have to take the journey. # Into the woods, the path is straight. You know it well. # But who can tell? # Into the woods to lift the spell. # Into the woods to visit Mother. # Into the woods to sell the cow. # To get the money. # To go to the Festival. # Into the woods to Grandmother's house. # Into the woods to Grandmother's house. ALL: # The way is clear. # The light is good. # I have no fear, nor no-one should. # The woods are just trees. The trees are just wood. # No need to be afraid there. # There's something in the glade there. (INDISTINCT CHATTER) ALL: # Into the woods without delay, but careful not to lose the way. # Into the woods, who knows what may be lurking on the journey. # Into the woods to get the thing that makes it worth the journeying. # Into the woods to see the King. # To sell the cow. # To make the potion. ALL: # To see, to sell, to get, to bring, # to make, to lift, to go to the Festival. # Into the woods. # To see, to sell, to get, to bring... # Into the woods. # To go to the Festival. # To see, to sell, to get, to bring. # to make, to lift, to go to the Festival. # Into the woods, then out of the woods # to see, to sell, to get, to bring, # to make, to lift, to go to the Festival. # Into the woods, then out of the woods, # and home before dark! # (BIRDS CHIRP) 1 (OMINOUS MUSIC) NARRATOR: 'Deep within the woods, Cinderella had planted a branch at the grave of her mother. 'And she visited there so often and wept so much 'that her tears watered it until it had become a magnificent tree.' I wish... KINDLY WOMAN'S VOICE: What is it that you wish, child? # Do you know what you wish? # Are you certain what you wish is what you want? # If you know what you want, # then make a wish. # Ask the tree, # and you shall have your wish. # (WIND WHOOSHES) (MAJESTIC MUSIC) Thank you, Mother. (UPBEAT MUSIC) (MUSIC SLOWS) NARRATOR: 'On her path to Granny's, 'the little girl suddenly found herself in a very unusual part of the wood.' (RUSTLING) (LOW GROWLING, SNARLING) (FOOTSTEPS DASH AWAY) Good day, young lady. Good day, Mr Wolf. Whither away so hurriedly? To my grandmother's. And what might be in your basket? Some bread. For Grandmother. So she'll have something good to make her strong. And where might your grandmother live? A good quarter of a league further in the woods. Her house stands inside a great oak tree. (SNIFFS) (OMINOUS MUSIC) (GROWLS) (SNARLS) # Look at that flesh ` # pink and plump. # Hello, little girl. # Tender and fresh. # Not one lump. # Hello, little girl. # This one's especially lush. # Delicious. # (SLURPS) # Hello, little girl. # What's your rush? # You're missing all the flowers. # The sun won't set for hours. # Take your time. # Mother said straight ahead, not to delay or be misled. # But slow, little girl. Hark and hush. # The birds are singing sweetly. # (BIRDS CHIRP) # You'll miss the birds completely. # You're travelling so fleetly. # Grandmother first, then Miss Plump. # What a delectable couple. # Utter perfection. One brittle, one supple. # One moment, my dear. # Mother said, "Come what may, # "Follow the path and never stray" # Just so, little girl. # Any path. # So many worth exploring. # Just one would be so boring. # And look what you're ignoring. # Think of those crisp, aging bones, # then something fresh on the palate. # Think of that scrumptious carnality twice in one day. # There's no possible way # to describe what you feel... # When you're talking to your meal. (SNARLS) For Granny. # Mother said not to stray. Still, I suppose, a small delay. # Granny might like a fresh bouquet. # Goodbye, Mr Wolf. Goodbye, little girl. And hello. (HOWLS) (BIRDS CHIRP) (SHRIEKS) What are you waiting for? Get the cape! You frightened me! Get it, get it, get it, get it! How am I supposed to get it? You go up to the little thing, and you take it! I can't just take a cloak from a little girl. Why don't you take it? It's the rules. Why do you think I asked you to do it in the first place? I'm not allowed to touch any of the objects. (WOMAN SINGS IN DISTANCE) (GASPS) Get me what I need! Get me what I need! Hello there, little girl. Hello, Mr Baker. Have you saved some of those sweets for Granny? I ate all the sweets and half a loaf of bread. So I see. Now, tell me, where did you get that beautiful cape? My granny made it for me. Is that so? I would love a red cape like that. You would look pretty foolish. LAUGHING: I would, wouldn't I? May I take a look at it? No! I need it badly. It's mine! Give it back! Give it back! (SCREAMS) STAMMERING: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I just wanted to make sure that you really loved that cape. Now, off you go to Granny's, and be careful that no wolf comes your way. I'd rather a wolf than you any day! Argh! (GROANS) Ah, you... (SIGHS) This is hopeless! (GROANS IN PAIN) I'm never going to find that red cape ` or a yellow slipper and a golden cow. Oh, wait, is it a golden slipper and a yellow cow? # The cow as white as milk. The cape as red as blood. # The hair as yellow as corn. The slipper as pure as` # What are you doing here? You forgot your scarf. You shouldn't be here. It's not safe in these woods. I want to help. No! # The spell is on my house. # OUR house. # Only I can lift the spell. # We must lift the spell together. BOTH: # The spell is on... A cow as white as... BOTH: Milk. Go. Hello there, young lad. Hello, sir. What might you be doing with a cow in the middle of the forest? I was heading towards market, but I seem to have lost my way. WHISPERS: "What are you planning on doing there?" What are you planning on doing there? Sell my cow, sir. (GASPS) No less than �5. �5?! Five p` Where are we supposed to get �5? Shh! She must be very generous of milk to fetch �5. Y-Yes, ma'am. Um, and if you can't fetch that sum, then what are you to do? I hadn't thought of that. This is all we have. EXAGGERATED: Beans? Oh, no, we mustn't give up our beans! Well, if you feel that we must. Beans in exchange for my cow? Oh, no, son. These are no ordinary beans. These beans, they carry magic. Magic? What kind of magic? Tell him. It's, uh... It's a magic that defies description. Yes. How many beans? Six. Five. Five. They're worth �1 each, at least. (MILKY-WHITE MOOS) Could I buy my cow back someday? Well... Yes. Possibly. So, yeah, this seems like we've made a fair trade. OK. Here you go. There's one, two, three, four, five. All right, well, good luck and pleasure doing business with you. (MILKY-WHITE MOOS DEEPLY) One day, I'll buy you back. Promise. (SNIFFLES) (MILKY-WHITE MOOS) Take the cow and go home. I was just trying to help. Magic beans? We've no reason to believe they're magic. Are we to dispel this curse through deceit? No-one would have given him more for this creature. We did him a favour. At least they'll have some food now. Five beans? Do you want a child or not? Of course I do. We have one chance. Don't you see that? And if we fail... I'm not sure I'm cut out to be a father. Why would you say that? Because of MY father. You're not him! I don't know. If you can't do this for yourself, can't you at least do it for me? OK. Fine. But will you take the cow and go home? I will find the rest of the things on my own. (WOMAN SINGS IN DISTANCE) (SINGING CONTINUES) Stay. (SINGING CONTINUES) Rapunzel! Rapunzel! Let down your hair to me! Rapunzel? NARRATOR: 'The old enchantress had given the name Rapunzel 'to the child she had hidden away and locked in a doorless tower. 'But little did she know that the girl's lilting voice had caught the attention of a handsome prince.' (GRUNTS) (GROANS IN PAIN) Ah! Rapunzel. Oh! (PANTS) Don't you look lovely today, my dear. Thank you, Mother. I brought your favourite. Blackberries. Fresh from the garden. NARRATOR: 'As the little girl approached her granny's oak tree, 'she was surprised to see the door standing open.' Oh, dear. How uneasy I feel. Perhaps it's all the sweets. (OMINOUS MUSIC) Granny? Come in, my dearie. My, Grandmother... you're looking very strange. What big ears you have. The better to hear you with, my dear. (SCREAMS) NARRATOR: 'And with a single bound, the big, bad Wolf had devoured the little girl. 'Well, it was a full day of eating for both.' (WOLF SNORES) (MUFFLED SCREAMING) (WOLF HOWLS) I can't believe I just did that. Wait! Aren't you going to help us skin that beast? No, no. No, thanks. What kind of hunter are you? I'm a baker. Wait a minute, I never thanked you! You need to be more careful, young lady. I'm sorry. I should have known better. # Mother said straight ahead, not to delay or be misled. # I should have heeded her advice, but he seemed so nice. # And he showed me things, many beautiful things, # that I hadn't thought to explore. # They were off my path, so I never had dared. # I had been so careful. I never had cared. # And he made me feel excited. Well, excited and scared. # When he said, "Come in," with that sickening grin, # how could I know what was in store? # Once his teeth were bared, though, I really got scared. # Well, excited and scared. # But he drew me close, and he swallowed me down, # down a dark, slimy path where lie secrets that I never want to know.# Whoa! # And when everything familiar seemed to disappear forever, # at the end of the path was Granny once again. # So we lay in the dark till you came and set us free. # (SLICING) # And you brought us to the light. And we're back at the start. # And I know things now, many valuable things, # that I hadn't known before. # Do not put your faith in a cape and a hood; # they will not protect you the way that they should. # And take extra care with strangers. Even flowers have their dangers. # And though scary is exciting, nice is different than good. # Mr Baker, you saved our lives. Here. Are you certain? Yes. Maybe Granny will make me another one out of the skins of that wolf. Thank you. Thank you! Ugh! # Now I know, don't be scared. Granny is right ` just be prepared. # Isn't it nice to know a lot? # And a little bit... # not. # 1 How could you do this? What sort of boy exchanges a cow for beans? But they're magic. The man said. Oh, get your head out of the clouds, Jack! Ow! Mother, no! Go on, get in there! You and your worthless adventures, Jack! Will you never learn? To bed without supper for you! (SIGHS) Beans! (DOOR SLAMS) (INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS) NARRATOR: 'The first night of the Festival Ball brought Cinderella her wish. 'The Prince danced only with her, till he turned, and she had slipped away.' (WOMEN GASP) (FAST-PACED MUSIC) MAN: That way! Quickly! I must find that girl. (CINDERELLA PANTS) (MILKY-WHITE MOOS) Oh! (GASPS) Oh! (CINDERELLA GROANS) Are you all right, miss? Yes. I just need to catch my breath. Oh, what a beautiful gown! Were you at the King's Festival? Yes. Ooh! Aren't you the lucky one? (CHUCKLES) Why ever are you in the woods at this hour? STEWARD: This way! Please don't let them know that I'm here. (RIDERS APPROACH) Oh, my God. Have you seen a beautiful young woman in a ball gown pass through? (PANTS) I don't think so, sir. If I may, My Lord, I think I see her over there! Onward! (GASPS) I've never lied to royalty before. I've never anything to royalty before! Thank you. If a prince were looking for me, I certainly wouldn't hide. (CHUCKLES NERVOUSLY) Uh... Well... What brings you here, and with a cow? Oh, um... (CHUCKLES) Well, my husband's somewhere in the woods. He's undoing a spell. Oh. Yes. But tell me, the Prince, what was he like? # He's a very nice prince. # And? And... # It's a very nice ball. # And? And... # when I entered, they trumpeted. # And? The Prince? Oh, the Prince. Yes, the Prince. # Well, he's tall. # Is that all? # Did you dance? Is he charming? They say that he's charming. # We did nothing but dance. # Yes? And? # And it made a nice change. # No, the Prince. Oh, the Prince. Yes, the Prince # He has charm for a prince, I guess. # You guess? # I don't meet a wide range. # And it's all very strange. # But why would you run away? It's not quite what I expected. What? Princes and castles and gowns? I have no experience with those things. But you will return to the Festival tomorrow eve? Yes. No. I don't know. You don't know? (BELL TOLLS) Oh, what I wouldn't give to be in your shoes. Well, your slippers. As pure as gold... I must get home. No, wait. I need your shoes! (MILKY-WHITE MOOS) Milky-White! (DRAMATIC MUSIC) One midnight gone! Already? Get the cow! Oh! (CROWS) (BREATHES DEEPLY) (SCREAMS) (SCREAMING CONTINUES) Mr Baker! Mr Baker! Good fortune! Good fortune, sir! Look what I have! Five gold pieces! How would you come by five gold pieces? # There are giants in the sky. # There are big, tall, terrible giants in the sky. # When you're way up high and you look below # at the world you've left and the things you know, # little more than a glance is enough to show you just how small you are. # When you're way up high, and you're on your own # in a world like none that you've ever known, # where the sky is lead and the earth is stone, # you're free to do whatever pleases you. # Exploring things you'd never dare, cos you don't care, # when suddenly there's a big, tall, terrible giant at the door. # A giant? # A big, tall, terrible lady giant # sweeping the floor. # And she gives you food, and she gives you rest, # and she draws you close to her giant breast, # and you know things now that you never knew before, # not till the sky. # Only just when you've made a friend and all, # and you know she's big, but you don't feel small, # someone bigger than her comes along the hall # to swallow you for lunch! # And your heart is lead, and your stomach stone, # and you're really scared, being all alone. # And it's then that you miss all the things you've known # and the world you've left and the little you own. # The fun is done. You steal what you can and run. # And you scramble down, and you look below, # and the world you know begins to grow. # The roof, the house and your mother at the door. # The roof, the house and the world you never thought to explore. # And you think of all of the things you've seen, # and you wish that you could live in-between. # And you're back again, only different than before, # after the sky. # There are giants in the sky. # There are big, tall, terrible, awesome, scary, # wonderful giants # in the sky! # There's your money, sir. Five gold pieces. Where's my Milky-White? Uh... Milky-White is at home with my wife. Let's go find them. No, wait. I'm not sure I want to sell. But you said I could buy her back. Well... Do you want more money? No, no. You keep that. I'll fetch some more. I'll just go back up the beanstalk. Wait! Wait! Wait! Hey! Wait! Wait! Wait! I said wait! What are you doing here? Well... (CHUCKLES) Oh, I see you got the cape! Yes, I've got the cape. Only two items left. Three. Two. We've the cape and the cow. You've got the cape! What have you done with the cow? She ran away. What? I never even reached home. I've been looking for her all night. How could you? Well, she might just as easily have run away from you. But she didn't. She might have done. But she didn't. But she might have done! But she didn't! (LIGHTNING CRASHES) SCREAMING: Who cares?! Cow's gone. Get it back. Get it back! (STAMMERS) We were just about to do that, but here, in the meantime, we've got this. Get away from me with that, you fool! I can't touch it, remember? Right. No, I forgot. By midnight tomorrow, bring me the items, or that child you wish for will never see the light of day! (SCREAMS) I don't like that woman. I'm sorry I lost the cow. I shouldn't have yelled. Will you go back to the village? I will make things right. (SIGHS) And we can carry on with our lives. No more witches or dim-witted boys or hungry little girls. Will you go? Please. Go. (RIDERS APPROACH) Ah! Good brother! I was wondering where you had gone. I've been searching all night for her. Her? The beautiful one I danced the evening with. Where did she go? Disappeared, like the fine morning mist. She was lovely? Oh! The loveliest. I'm not certain of that. I must confess, I too have found a lovely maiden. She lives here, in the woods. In the woods? Yes! On top of a tall tower that has no doors or stairs. Where? Two leagues from here, due east, just beyond the mossy knoll near the rose thickets. And how do you manage a visit? I stand beneath her tower and I say, "Rapunzel! Rapunzel, let down your hair to me." And she lowers the longest, most beautiful head of hair, yellow as corn, which I climb. Rapunzel? Rapunzel? Yeah. What kind of name is that? You jest! Never heard of such a thing. (LAUGHS) I speak the truth! She's as true as YOUR maiden. A maiden running from a prince? None would run from us. Yet one has. (SIGHS) # Did I abuse her or show her disdain? # Why does she run from me? # If I should lose her, # how shall I regain # the heart she has won from me? # Agony # beyond power of speech, # when the one thing you want # is the only thing out of your reach. # High in her tower she sits by the hour, # maintaining her hair. # Blithe and becoming and frequently humming, # A light-hearted air. # (VOCALIZES) # Agony # far more painful than yours, # when you know she would go with you # if there only were doors. BOTH: # Agony. # Oh, the torture they teach. # What's as intriguing... # or half so fatiguing... # as what's out of reach? # Am I not sensitive, clever, well-mannered, considerate, # passionate, charming, as kind as I'm handsome, and heir to a throne? # You are everything maidens could wish for. # Then why no? # Do I know? # The girl must be mad. # You know nothing of madness # till you're climbing her hair, and you see her up there # as you're nearing her, all the while hearing her... # (VOCALISES) # Agony. # Misery. # Woe. # Though it's different for each. # Always ten steps behind. # Always ten feet below. # And she's just out of reach. # Agony # That can cut like a knife. # I must have her # To wife. # (OWL HOOTS) (BRANCHES SNAP, BAKER'S WIFE GRUNTS) (SIGHS) (PANTS) Rapunzel, Rapunzel. Let down your hair to me. Is that you at this hour, my Prince? DEEP VOICE: Yes. (GRUNTS) (YELPS) WHISPERS: Excuse me for this. (SCREAMS) Oh! (PANTS) NARRATOR: 'As the Baker's wife bolted from the tower, 'the second night of the Festival was thrown into chaos 'when Cinderella, once again, ran from the Prince.' (FAST-PACED MUSIC) (PANTS) (BOTH GRUNT) What are you doing? So sorry, I need your shoe. (GRUNTS) MAN: I see her over there! (RIDERS APPROACH) (SCREAMS) Who is she? Where did she go? I have no idea, sir. Don't play the fool, woman. No, I was trying to hold her here for you. I can capture my own damsel, thank you. Of course. There's no sign of her, my liege. What are you waiting for? See if you can find her. Go! The woods can be a dangerous place. (EXHALES) On! (GASPS) BAKER: Moo! Moo! (WOMEN LAUGH) STEPMOTHER: I hope that skinny girl isn't there tomorrow night. I mean, who WAS that girl? (ALL SCREAM) Please, if you would be so kind, may I compare this ear of corn to your hair? You savage! (ALL SCREAM) Mongrel! He is revolting! (PANTS) (SIGHS) (MILKY-WHITE MOOS) (GASPS) Milky-White! (RUSTLING) Shh, shh. I thought you were returning home! It's you! You've got the cow! Yes, I've got the cow. We've two of the four. No, three. Two. Three! Compare this to your corn. (LAUGHS) Where did you find it? Just pulled it from a maiden in a tower. Three! Three. And I almost had the fourth, but she got away. We've one entire day left. Surely we can locate the slipper by then. We? Do you mean you're going to let me stay with you? Perhaps it will take two of us to have this child. # You've changed. You're daring. # You're different in the woods. # More sure, # more sharing. # You're getting us through the woods. # If you could see # you're not the man who started # and much more open-hearted # than I knew you to be. # It takes two. # I thought one was enough. It's not true. # It takes two of us. You came through. # When the journey was rough, It took you. # It took two of us. It takes care. # It takes patience and fear and despair # to change. # Though you swear to change, who can tell if you do? # It takes two. # You've changed. You're thriving. # There's something about the woods. # Not just surviving, # you're blossoming in the woods. # At home, I'd fear # we'd stay the same forever. # And then, out here, # you're passionate, charming, # considerate, clever... # It takes one # to begin. But then once you've begun, # it takes two of you. It's no fun. # But what needs to be done, you can do # when there's two of you. If I dare, # it's because I'm becoming aware of us, # as a pair of us, # each accepting a share # of what's there. # We've changed. # We're strangers. # I'm meeting you in the woods. # Who minds what dangers? # I know we'll get past the woods. # And once we're past, # let's hope the changes last # beyond woods, # beyond witches and slippers and hoods. # Just the two of us # beyond lies. # Safe at home with our beautiful prize. # Just the few of us. It takes trust. # It takes just a bit more, and we're done. # We want four. We had none. We've got three. # We need one. It takes two. # (BOTH LAUGH) JACK: Stop it! Stop my egg! (MILKY-WHITE MOOS) Oh, brilliant! My Milky-White! I've missed you so much! Where did you get this? From the giant's hen. A golden egg! I've never seen a golden egg before. And you can have it, along with the five gold pieces. What five gold pieces? Now I'm taking my cow. No! I do not wish to sell. But you took the five gold pieces. I didn't take, you gave. You said I could have my cow! Where are the gold pieces? I never said you could. I said you might. You would take money before a child? No, no, no, it's not like that... (MOOS IN PAIN) It's not like I've done a deal with him... Milky-White! (DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS) Milky-White is dead. What? (THUNDER RUMBLES) WITCH: Two midnights gone! 1 NARRATOR: 'As dawn broke, the Baker and his wife had but one day left to reverse the Witch's curse. 'As for Rapunzel's Prince, he returned yet again to the forbidden tower.' (HE YELLS, SHE GASPS) Oh! Nope! Bad idea! (GRUNTS) OK. Are you all right? Yep, yeah. Feel fine. Fine. (PANTS) (HORSE NEIGHS) (SCREAMS) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) # What did I clearly say? Children must listen. # No! Please! (GASPS) # What were you not to do? Children must see... # No! # ...and learn. # Why could you not obey? # Children should listen. # (SOBS) # What have I been to you? # What would you have me be? # Handsome like a prince? # Oh... but I am old. # I am UGLY. I embarrass you. # No! # You are ashamed of me. # No! # You are ashamed. # You don't understand. # I'm no longer a child. I wish to see the world. # Don't you know what's out there in the world? # Someone has to shield you from the world. # Stay with me. # Princes wait there in the world, it's true. # Princes, yes, but wolves and humans too. # Stay at home. # I am home. # Who out there # could love you more than I? # What out there # That I cannot supply? # Stay with me. # Stay with me. # The world is dark and wild. # Stay a child # while you can be a child # with me. # I gave you protection, and yet you disobeyed me. No. Your prince will never lay eyes on you again. He will never lay eyes on anything again. What did you do to him? It doesn't matter, because where you're going, no-one will ever see you again! CRYING: No! No! No! (SOBS) Hey, there. Nice cape. Stay away from my cape, or I'll slash you into a thousand bits! Whoa! I don't want it. Where did you get it? My granny made it for me from a wolf that attacked us. And she gave me this beautiful knife for protection. Oh, look what I have. A golden egg. Where did you get that egg? I stole a hen that lays golden eggs from the kingdom of the giant. I don't believe you. It's true. And you should see the giant's toy harp. It plays the most beautiful tunes without you even having to touch it. Of course it does. Why don't you go up to the kingdom right now, bring it back and show it to me? I could. You could not. I could! You could not, Mr Liar! I'm not a liar. I'll get that harp, you'll see! NARRATOR: 'Jack took the little girl's dare and, before he knew it, found himself fleeing from a giant.' (GIANT YELLS) GIANT: Bring back my harp! I'll grind your bones! (FAST-PACED MUSIC) (GRUNTS) OK, we don't have much time left. I don't know where to start. You can start by buying a new cow with the money you took from the boy. Right, OK, and where do I buy a cow? Just go to the next village. I'm sure you'll find a cow there. OK, and what are you going to do? I'm going to get the slipper. The yellow slipper. The golden slipper! T-The golden slipper, that's right. Where are you going to find it? I've met a maiden these two previous nights with golden slippers. Think you can get one? I'm sure of it. (GIANT YELLS) Wait. Why are we always separating? Because we have to if we're going to be together. OK? (THUD!) (SCREAMS) (BOTH PANTING) What? NARRATOR: 'The entire kingdom shook when the beanstalk came crashing down, killing the giant. 'As for the indecisive Cinderella, she fled from the Prince. Again.' MAN: After her! (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (INDISTINCT SHOUTING) (GASPS) # He's a very smart prince. # He's a prince who prepares. # Knowing this time I'd run from him, # he spread pitch on the stairs. # And I'm caught unawares. # Well, it means that he cares. # This is more than just malice. # Better stop and take stock while you're standing here stuck on the steps of the palace. # All right, what do you want? # Have to make a decision. # Why not stay and be caught? Should I give that a thought? What would be his response? # But then what if he knew who I am, when I know that I'm not what he thinks that he wants? # Or then, what if I am what a prince would envision? # But then how can you know who you are till you know what you want, which I don't? # So then, which do you pick? Where you're safe, out of sight and yourself, # but where everything's wrong? # Or where everything's right but you know that you'll never belong? # And whichever you pick, do it quick, # cos you're starting to stick to the steps of the palace. # It's my first big decision. # The choice isn't easy to make. # To arrive at a ball is exciting and all. # Once you're there, though, it's scary. # And it's fun to deceive when you know you can leave, but you have to be wary. # There's a lot that's at stake, but I've stalled long enough, # cos I'm still standing stuck in the stuff on these steps. # Better run along home # and avoid the collision. # Though at home they don't care, I'll be better off there, # Where there's nothing to choose, so there's nothing to lose. # So I'll pry up my shoes. # Wait, though, thinking it through, things don't have to collide. # I know what my decision is, which is not to decide. # I'll just leave him a clue. # For example... # A shoe. # And then see what he'll do. # Now it's he and not you who'll be stuck with a shoe # in a stew, # in the goo, # And I've learned something too, something I never knew # on the steps of the palace. # MAN: With me! Quick, men! She mustn't get away! The ball is over. Send everyone home. And the Princess? She won't get far with one shoe. (SHE PANTS) Don't come any closer to me! Please, just stop. Just hear me out. You have attacked me once before. I didn't attack you. I attacked your shoe. I need it. Look ` I have a magic bean in exchange for it. Magic bean? Yes. Nonsense! No! Wait, please! I haven't much time! I need that shoe to have a child. That makes no sense! Does it make sense that you're running from a prince? (VOICES APPROACH) I must go! Here, take my shoes. You'll run faster. Here. Thank you! Stop! Thank you, thank you. What is that you have in your hand? Nothing. It's mine. Lying will cost you your life. I don't care if it costs me my life, just get off! You will pay for this! No! Sire, I have succeeded in obtaining the other slipper. Please, kind Prince, let me have the slipper, and all will come to a happy end. Step back, peon! Do as she says, Steward! We only need one. Oh... Thank you. We must search immediately for the maiden who fits this slipper. Tonight? This very night! On! Forward! NARRATOR: 'And in her haste, the Baker's wife took no notice of a second beanstalk climbing skyward.' Let it be known that His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, will be visiting every house in this village tonight. All young maidens are hereby commanded to remain in their home until visited by the Royal Guard. Open the gates. His Royal Highness approaches. The Prince wishes to meet all the young maidens of this house. All young maidens, prepare to meet the Prince. 1 NARRATOR: 'As the Prince anxiously waited, the Stepmother took matters, 'and Florinda's foot, into her own hands.' # Careful, my toe. # Darling, I know. # What'll we do? It'll have to go. # But when you're his bride, you can sit or ride. You'll never need to walk. # (KNIFE SLICES) (SCREAMS) NARRATOR: 'Minus one toe, Florinda mounted the Prince's horse, 'unaware of the blood dripping from the slipper.' (CLEARS THROAT) 'Lucinda was next.' # Why won't it fit? # Darling, be still. # Cut off a bit of the heel, and it will. # And when you're his wife, you'll have such a life. You'll never need to walk. # (KNIFE SLICES, MUFFLED SCREAM) 'Minus a heel, Lucinda did her best to swallow the pain.' (WHIMPERS) It's a perfect fit, Your Highness. (GASPS) Have you no other daughters? Only a little, stunted kitchen wench, which her late father left behind. But she cannot present herself. She is too dirty. (STEPMOTHER LAUGHS) (SNAPS FINGERS) (GASPS) I would recognise these beautiful eyes anywhere. You... You are my true bride. (BOTH GASP) Get down. Get down. (BIRDS CAW) NARRATOR: 'As punishment for their cruelty, Cinderella's birds swooped down upon the stepsisters... 'and blinded them. 'As for Rapunzel, the Witch had banished her to a swamp in the darkest depths of the forest.' (INSECTS CHITTER, RAPUNZEL SINGS SOFTLY) Rapunzel? Rapunzel! Rapunzel! My darling? My darling! I'm here! Rapunzel? Rapunzel! (SNAKES HISS) Is that you? I'm blind. I can't see. How could she do this to you? Rapunzel. What? I can see you. Your hair! (CHUCKLES) I like it. (COW MOOS) BAKER: Come on. We don't have much time. (GRUNTS) Come on! I found you! You got the cow! And you've got the slipper! We've got all four! Yes, we've got all four! (BOTH LAUGH) (LIGHTNING CRACKS) I see a cow. I see a slipper. Yes. And the` the cape as red as blood. And the hair as yellow as corn. We've got all four! Wait a minute. That cow doesn't look as white as milk to me. Of course she is. Of course it is. Come on. She has to be. This cow has been covered with flour! You didn't get a real white cow? We had a cow as white as milk. Honestly, we did! Then where is she? She's dead! And we thought that you would prefer a live cow. Of course I would prefer a live cow! So show me the dead cow. I'll bring her back to life. Oh. You can...? Let's go! Yeah, OK! It's this way, this way! JACK'S MOTHER: Jack! Jack! Jack! Oh! There you are! I've been worried sick about you! There's a dead giant in our backyard! There is? You know there is! You could have been crushed! But, Mother, look! The most beautiful harp! You've stolen too much! You could have been killed climbing down that plant! BAKER: Come on, quick! We buried her under some leaves! Here, here, it's here! What's happening? She's going to bring Milky-White back to life. She can do that? She's a witch; she can do anything. Wow. Stand back. (CHANTS SPELL) (MILKY-WHITE MOOS, ALL GASP) Milky White, you're back! I can't believe it! It's almost midnight! Shh! Quiet! Feed the objects to the cow. What? You heard me. Feed them to the cow! Really? Just try it. Fill that with milk. I'll do it. She'll only milk for me. Good boy. Squeeze, pal. You can do it. It's not working. What? Wrong ingredients. Forget about your child. No, no, no! Wait. We followed your instructions. One, the cow is as white as milk. Correct? Yes. Two, the cape was certainly as red as blood. Yes. Three, there was the slipper. And four, I compared the hair to this ear of corn! I pulled this from a maiden in a tower. You what? What were you doing there? Nothing, I was passing by. I touched that hair! I told you I can't have touched any of the ingredients! Oh! How are we supposed...? The corn! The corn! What? You can use the silky hair off the corn! Yes. Pull it from the ear. Yes! Feed it to the cow. Quickly! It's working! She's milking! At last! (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (WIND WHISTLES) (THUNDER RUMBLES) (GASPS) That was quick! (BELLS TOLL) (CHEERING) (TRUMPETS PLAY FANFARE) NARRATOR: 'And it came to pass all that seemed wrong was now right. 'The Witch succeeded in reversing her mother's curse. 'Cinderella finally stopped running from her Prince. 'Jack was reunited with his beloved cow 'and his mother could now dress in the best a golden egg could buy. 'And the Baker and his wife were proud parents of a strapping baby boy.' Thanks for the slipper! (CHEERING) Attention! Let us cheer the newlyweds as they embark... 'And so, with the kingdom filled with joy, those who deserved to were destined to live happily ever...' (RUMBLING, CROWD SCREAMS) Jack! Rapunzel! Attention! Attention! Rapunzel! Let there be no panic! No panic! Jack! Jack! The Royal Prince wishes to address his loyal subjects. Attention! (CHATTERING) There is no need for worry. It was just an earthquake in a far quadrant of our kingdom. (RUMBLING) Nothing to fear at all. I will personally investigate the disturbance. Now everyone, back to your villages and on with your lives. 'But as they made their way back into the woods, their familiar paths were nowhere to be found, 'and their lives were about to take an unexpected turn.' BAKER: Here, here, watch out. I'm sure this is the way home. Everything's so different. Oh, look. Hello, little one. Hello, Mr Baker. Are you all right? What are you doing here, with a suitcase? I'm moving in with my granny. Our whole village collapsed, and I couldn't find my mother anywhere, and now I can't find my granny's cottage. What do you mean? Well, I went down the dell, but I didn't recognise anything. There was no path! Where is she? Where's Granny? Shh. Calm down, calm down. It's OK. We can help you find Granny's without the path. Will you just hold him for a few moments? Really? Yes. (BABY CRIES) You'll come with us. Why does he always cry when I hold him? You needn't hold him as though he was so fragile. He doesn't want me. He wants his mother. I can't take care of him all the time. I will take care of him when he's older. (VOICES APPROACH) Who might that be? It's the Steward and the royal family. Hello there. What brings you into the woods? The royal quarters have been destroyed. No! The kingdom is under attack. What is the royal family going to do? How should I know? I don't make policy, I just carry it out. I think it best we just go back to the village. We'll take the girl with us. Come with us, you're going to be fine. (RUMBLING) (ALL GASP, BABY CRIES) (SCREAMING) RUMBLING CONTINUES) It's a giant! It's a giant woman! GIANTESS: Where is the lad who killed my husband? There is no lad here! We haven't seen him! We will get him for you right away! Don't move! It was you who destroyed our house, not an earthquake! GIANTESS: And who destroyed MY house? I want him! Here, would you like a blind girl instead? (SCREAMING) How dare you! She wants the boy! Jack! Oh! Has anybody seen my Jack? He ran off again. Have you seen Jack? Shh! What? She's looking for him too. GIANTESS: Give him to me! (SCREAMING) Jack is just a lad! We had no food to eat, so he sold his cow in exchange for some magic beans. The boy! I want the boy! You leave my boy alone! I'm waiting! Be quiet, woman, or you'll get us all killed! STEPMOTHER: You must be quiet! Flouncing through our kingdom in your great, big clodhoppers, destroying everything in your path! You're just a big bully! I'm going to get my boy and hide him so you'll never find him! You'll never, never, ever...! Get back, woman! The boy is hiding in the steeple tower! You can find him there! Yes! That's true! Yes! Yes, we saw him there! GIANTESS: And if he is not, I will return tonight and find you. (SCREAMING) All of you! Are you OK? Look. What have you done to her? What? I didn't mean to hurt her. I was just thinking of the greater good. If we're going to get through this, we're going to do it if we all stick together. Some people are cut out to battle giants. Others are not. I don't have the constitution. And as long as I can be of no help, I'm going to hide. Let's go. Everything will work out fine in the end. Not always. STEWARD: Come along. I don't know where they think they're going. The giant's already destroyed the entire village. Only thing left of my garden are these beans. What are we going to do now? We have no choice. Find the boy and give her what she wants. But if we do, she'll kill Jack! And if we don't, she'll kill half the kingdom! We mustn't let her get Jack. We're not going to. It's OK. You promise? I promise. Shh. Just rest. Because it is our problem. 1 It's not OK to say she was asking for it. It's not OK to punch a hole in a wall to show your family who's boss. Or think you can demand their love and respect. And it's not OK to look the other way and say it's not our problem. Because it is our problem. And it's not OK. Ever. But it is OK to ask for help. 1 (RAPUNZEL SOBS) WITCH: Rapunzel? Rapunzel! You're safe! Thank goodness! Who are you? Surely you remember. Oh. Of course, you don't recognise me. Mother? (LAUGHS) This is who I truly am, my dear. Now you don't have to be embarrassed by me. (RIDER APPROACHES) But you must come with me. There is a giant in the land. My darling! Are you all right? Why did you run off? I was afraid. Come with me. No, no, no! She is not going with you. You will come with me. I will not come with you. Well, then, you leave me no choice. No! No! Oh my God. Wait. You are the one who blinded me. And locked me in a tower. To protect you! And banished me to an island in the middle of a swamp! I was just trying to be a good mother. (SCOFFS) Rapunzel, no! You will never be safe with him! Take me away from here. No! Don't you understand? I never want to see you again! Ever! But, Rapunzel, the giant! # No matter what you say, # children won't listen. # No matter what you know, # children refuse # to learn. # Guide them along the way, # still they don't listen. # Children can only grow # from something you love # to something you lose. # BAKER: Jack! ALL CALL: Jack! Jack, where are you? Jack! We're never going to find him. I think we should fan out. It will increase our chances. I'm not leaving you on your own. I'll be all right. What if we get lost? We count our steps from right here. I'll go too! No. You know what? You are going to stay right here with the baby. And we'll be right back. You would leave our child with her? He's asleep. He will be safe with the girl. I'm very capable of taking care of the baby. See? What if the giant comes back? What if, what if! 500 paces. Go. One, two, three... Wait, wait, wait. Here. Let me give you this. I don't want you to get cold. OK. BOTH: One, two, three, four, five... Jack! ...six, seven, eight, nine, ten... Jack! (BOTH CONTINUE COUNTING) ...167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174... Hello, Your Royal Highness. Well, hello. (CHUCKLES) Hello, again. We've met before, actually. Yes, of course. Yes. You must be here to slay the giant. The giant? Yes. Haven't you heard? We have a giant in our midst. Not an earthquake. Of course. Giant. LAUGHS: It's a lady giant. Which is very unusual. I should think so. And why are you alone in the woods? Um... Well, I came here with my husband. And we were... Well, you see, it's a long story. And he would let you roam alone in the woods? Well, no, actually. It was my choice. How brave. Brave? Yes. (SCOFFS) # Anything can happen in the woods. # May I kiss you? # Any moment we could be crushed. # Um... # Don't feel rushed. # (SIGHS) This is ridiculous! What am I doing here? # I'm in the wrong story. # Wait, wait, wait, we can't do this! You have a princess! Well, yes, I do. And I have a baker. Of course. You're right. How foolish. # Foolishness can happen in the woods. # Once again, please. # Um... # Let your hesitations be hushed. # Any moment, big or small, # is a moment, after all. # Seize the moment. Skies may fall any moment. # But this is not right! # Right and wrong don't matter in the woods. # Only feelings. # Let us meet the moment unblushed. # Life is often so unpleasant. # You must know that, as a peasant. # Best to take the moment present # as a present for the moment. # (BIRDS CHIRP) 476, 477, 478, 479, 480. 481, 482, 483... Excuse me, ma'am. You haven't seen a boy anywhere, have you? He's about so high. I'm sorry, may I be of some service? The tree has fallen. Mother's grave destroyed. I'm sorry. I shouldn't complain. I'm sure others have suffered worse after the earthquake. No, no, this isn't an earthquake. There's a giant terrorising the kingdom. Then I'm sure the Prince will see to it that the giant is rid from our land. (SCOFFS) The Prince? No doubt he's off somewhere seducing some young maiden. What? You look like the Princess, but dirty. Oh, my! You are the pr` I didn't recognise you, honestly. No, no. Please, get up. I'm not a princess here. I had to disguise myself. I'm not permitted to leave the palace unescorted. If you'd like, you could come with me. I mean, you'll be safe in our company. Thank you. It's this way. My wife is somewhere. We decided to walk 500 paces in one direction... I must leave you. Oh! Now I must go off to slay a giant. I shall not forget you. How brave you are to be alone in the woods. And how alive you've made me feel. What was that? # Was that me? # Was that him? # Did a prince really kiss me? # And kiss me? # And kiss me? # And did I kiss him back? # Was it wrong? Am I mad? # Is that all? Does he miss me? # Was he suddenly getting bored with me? # Wake up. Stop dreaming. Stop prancing about the woods. # It's not beseeming. # What is it about the woods? # Back to life, back to sense, # back to child, back to husband. # No-one lives in the woods. # There are vows. There are ties. There are needs. There are standards # There are shouldn'ts and shoulds. # Why not both instead? # There's the answer, if you're clever. # Have a child for warmth # and a baker for bread # and a prince for... # whatever (LAUGHS) # Never! It's these woods. # Face the facts, find the boy join the group, stop the giant. # Just get out of these woods. # Was that him? Yes, it was. # Was that me? No, it wasn't. Just a trick of the woods. # Just a moment. # One peculiar, passing moment. # Must it all be either less or more? # Either plain or grand? # Is it always "or"? Is it never "and"? # That's what woods are for. # For those moments in the woods. # Oh, if life were made of moments, # even now and then a bad one. # But if life were only moments, # then you'd never know you had one. # First a witch, then a child, then a prince, then a moment. # Who can live in the woods? # And to get what you wish only just for a moment. # These are dangerous woods. # Let the moment go. # Don't forget it for a moment, though. # Just remembering you've had an "and" when you're back to "or" # makes the "or" mean more than it did before. # Now I understand. # And it's time to leave the woods. # Which way was it? 172, 173, 174, 175... 172, 173, 174... (THUD!) (RUMBLING, THUDDING) (BRANCHES SNAP) (GASPS) (WOOD CREAKS) (PANTS) (GASPS) Check out the three essentials for a healthy home on our website. Damp homes are harder to heat, so air it out by opening windows and doors regularly to let fresh air circulate, use externally vented fans and dry clothes outside when you can. Check out the three essentials for a healthy home on our website. 1 (SOMBRE MUSIC) (BABY GURGLES) BAKER: She should be back by now. CINDERELLA: She wouldn't get lost. RED RIDING HOOD: I'm sure she'll return soon. I'm going to go and look for her. OK? Will you...? WITCH: Look who I found. You're hurting me! Let go of him! I'll let go of him when I give him to the giant. Leave him alone! Keep away from him! Stop! Stop! I said stop! Where did you find this? I'm sorry, sir. It's my wife's. I'm sorry. I came upon her. She was at the bottom of a cliff. What are you saying? How awful. No... No! This is all my fault. I shouldn't have let her wander off alone. I should have made her stay with me. Remorse will get you nowhere. My wife is dead! Wake up! When you're dead, you're dead. It's time we get this boy to the giant before we're ALL dead. Keep away from him! This is no time to be soft-hearted! He's going to the giant and I'm taking him! Yes! Yes, he's the one to blame! It's because of you there's a giant in our midst, and my wife is dead! # But it isn't my fault I was given those beans. # You persuaded me to trade away my cow for beans. # And without those beans, there'd have been no stalk # to get up to the giants in the first place. # Wait a minute. Magic beans for a cow so old, # that you had to tell a lie to sell it, which you told. # Were they worthless beans? Were they oversold? # Oh, and tell us who persuaded you to steal that gold. # See, it's your fault! # No! # Yes, it's your fault! # No! # Yes, it is! # It's not! # It's true! # Wait a minute, though. I only stole the gold to get my cow back ` from you. # So it's your fault! # Yes! # No, it isn't! I'd have kept those beans, but our house was cursed. # She made us get a cow to get the curse reversed. # It's his father's fault that the curse got placed and the place got cursed in the first place. # Oh, then it's his fault. # So. # It was his fault? # No! # Yes, it is, it's his. # I guess. # Wait a minute, though. I chopped down the beanstalk, right? That's clear. # But without any beanstalk, then what's queer # is how did the second giant get down here in the first place? Second place? # Yes. # How? # Hmm. # Well, who had the other bean? # The other bean? # The other bean? # You pocketed the other bean. # I didn't. Yes, I did. # So it's your fault? # No, it isn't, cos I gave it to my wife. # So it's her fault? # No, it isn't! # Then whose is it? # Wait a minute! She exchanged that bean to obtain your shoe, # so the one who knows what happened to the bean is you. # You mean that old bean that your wife` Oh, dear. But I never knew, and so I threw. Well, don't look here. # So it's your fault! # But... # See, it's her fault! # But... # And it isn't mine at all. # But what? # Well, if you hadn't gone back up again. # We were needy. # You were greedy. Did you need that hen? # But I got it for my mother. # So it's her fault, then! # Yes, and what about the harp in the third place? # The harp, yes. # She went and dared me to. # I dared you to? # You dared me to. She said that I was scared, so she dared me. # No, I didn't. ALL: # So it's your fault! # Wait a minute! # If you hadn't dared him to... # and you had left the harp alone,... # If you hadn't thrown away the bean in the first place. # If she hadn't raised them... # If you hadn't raised them... # Yes, it's you who raised the beans in the first place. # It's your fault! ALL: # You're responsible! You're the one to blame! It's your fault! # Shh! (THUNDER RUMBLES) # It's the last # midnight. # It's the last # wish # It's the last # midnight # Soon it will be boom. # Squish! # Told a little lie. # Stole a little gold. # Broke a little vow. # Did you? # Had to get your prince. # Had to get your cow. # Had to get your wish. Doesn't matter how. # Anyway, it doesn't matter now. It's the last midnight. # It's the boom... # Splat! # Nothing but a vast midnight. # Everybody smashed flat. # Nothing we can do. # Not exactly true. # We could always give her the boy. # No, of course. What really matters is the blame. Someone you can blame. # Fine. If that's the thing you enjoy, placing the blame, # if that's the aim, give me the blame. # Just give me the boy. # No. No. No. # You're so nice. # You're not good. You're not bad. You're just nice. # I'm not good. I'm not nice. I'm just right. # I'm the Witch. # You're the world. # I'm the hitch. I'm what no-one believes. # I'm the Witch. # You're all liars and thieves like his father. # Like his son will be too. # Oh, why bother? # You'll just do what you do. # It's the last midnight. # So goodbye, all. # Coming at you fast, midnight. # Soon you'll see the sky fall. # Here, you want a bean? # Have another bean. # Beans were made for making you rich. # Plant them and they soar. Here, you want some more? # Listen to the roar. Giants by the score. # Oh, well, you can blame another witch. # It's the last midnight. # It's the last verse. # Now, before it's past midnight, # I'm leaving you my last curse. # I'm leaving you alone. # You can tend the garden. It's yours. Separate and alone. # Everybody down on all fours. # All right, Mother, when? # Lost the beans again. Punish me the way you did then. # Give me claws and a hunch. # Just away from this bunch and the gloom # and the doom # and the boom! # Crunch! # (SHRIEKS) (SWAMP BUBBLES) JACK: Maybe I shouldn't have stolen from the giant. RED RIDING HOOD: Maybe I shouldn't have strayed from the path. CINDERELLA: Maybe I shouldn't have attended the Ball. BAKER: Yeah, maybe you shouldn't have. Where are you going? Away from here. But you said we had to find our way out of this together. It doesn't matter if we're together or we're apart. We need your help. You don't understand! I depended on my wife for everything! She was the one who helped. You would leave your child? (BABY CRIES) He'll be happier in the arms of a princess. But wait! (BABY CONTINUES CRYING FAINTLY) (GHOSTLY WHISPER) What are you doing here? Son... I don't want to talk to you. It's because of you all of this happened. Go away! I'm sorry. I did a foolish thing. Why would you do that? Why did you take the Witch's beans? They were there and I wanted them. I didn't think. I was being careless. Selfish. Yes. You stole and you got caught, and you did what you do. You just ran away. When your mother died, I was... I hated myself. I ran away from my guilt and my shame. And your son. Yes, and my son, and I'm sorry for that. Then what do you want? Aren't you making the same mistake? Aren't you running away? Be better than me... son. Do better. (PANTS) (POIGNANT MUSIC) (SOBS) See, so this is you, and you're going to come over here. If there were just some way we could surprise the giant. She's too tall to surprise. So, that's why I'm going to be behind here. Yeah, and then you can come here, climb on top... I knew you wouldn't give up. He wouldn't leave his baby. It looked like he was going to. Give me my son. Hey. (BABY CRIES) (BABY STOPS CRYING) What are we gonna do now? We need to rid this kingdom of the giant together. She'll be back soon, so here's the plan. We're gonna feed Jack to the giant. What?! No! We're going to use you as bait! Bait? To lure the giant to the tar pit. (BIRDS CHIRP) Oh! The birds can help! Good friends, we need your help now more than ever. (BIRDS CHIRP) What of the prince? That doesn't matter now. What's important is that we find a way to defeat the giant. Yes! Thank you, birds! You can talk to birds? The birds will do their part. OK, we don't have much time. I'm excited! First, we'll need a weapon. I wish I had my sling! We can make some. (OMINOUS MUSIC) Your father is being very brave. We're going to be very brave too. PRINCE: Are you all right, miss? The giant went in that direction. My darling! Oh, my darling! I did not recognise you. What are you doing here? And with a child? You must get back to the castle at once. There is a giant on the loose. I'm well aware of that. My love, what is it? Maybe I'm not your only love. I love you! Truly, I do. If you love me, why did you stray? Uh, I thought that if you were mine... I would never wish for more. If this is how you behave as a prince, what kind of king will you be? I was raised to be charming, not sincere. I think you should go. Is that what you really wish? My father's house was a nightmare. Your house a dream. Now I want something in-between. I shall always love the maiden who ran away. And I the faraway prince. (JACK GRUNTS) Careful. Not so fast. Don't worry. This is easier than the beanstalk. RED RIDING HOOD: They're up in the tree! Over there! We made slings out of my cape. I wanted to climb the tree too. Well, I'm glad you're here to help me. What's wrong? I think my granny and my mother would be upset with me. Why? They said to always make them proud. And here I am about to kill somebody. Not somebody. A giant who's done a lot of harm. But a giant is a person. Aren't we to show forgiveness? # Mother cannot guide you. # Now you're on your own. # Only me beside you. # Still you're not alone. # No-one is alone, truly # No-one is alone. # I wish... I know. Wait until my mother hears I've slain the giant. Jack, there's something you need to know. It's about your mother. What? She didn't make it. Was she killed by the giant? No. It wasn't like that. She was fighting with the giant, she was trying to protect you, and she was pushed by the Steward. And she fell. The Steward will pay for this. No, Jack! After we slay the giant, I will slay him! You'll do nothing of the kind. What he did was wrong. He should be punished. It's not as easy as that. # Mother isn't here now. # Wrong things, right things. # Who knows what she'd say? # Who can say what's true? # Nothing's quite so clear now. # Do things, fight things. # Feel you've lost your way. # You decide. BOTH: # But you are not alone. # Believe me, no-one is alone. # No-one is alone. # Believe me. # Truly. # People make mistakes. # Fathers. # Mothers. # People make mistakes. # Holding to their own. # Thinking they're alone. # Honour their mistakes. # Fight for their mistakes. # Everybody makes... # One another's terrible mistakes. # Witches can be right. # Giants can be good. # You decide what's right. # You decide what's good. # Just remember... # Just remember... # someone is on your side. JACK AND RED: # Our side. # Our side. # Someone else is not. # While we're seeing our side,... # Our side. # Our side. ALL: # ...maybe we forgot # they are not alone. # No-one is alone. # Someone is on your side. # No-one is alo... # (RUMBLING) (WOOD CREAKING) Go, Jack. Be careful. Yeah. (BABY CRIES) Here she comes. (GRUNTS) (DRAMATIC MUSIC) (BOTH GASP) GIANTESS: Where is the boy? We have him! Where? He's hiding in that tree! Here I am! (GASPS) You ready? Ready! (GIANTESS GROANS) (BIRDS SQUAWKING) (EXCLAIMS) Good birds! She does NOT look happy. Ooh! (GROANS) Look out, Jack! BAKER: Jack! Ah! Jack! (GROANS) (GIANTESS GRUNTS, BIRDS CHATTER) (GASPS) (BOTH GASP) Jack? Where are they? Jack! Jack! Mr Baker! Jack! Over here! Jack? Take him. Oh, be careful. Are you all right? Yeah. Careful, careful. Where is he? He's not with you? BAKER: Jack! Mr Baker! Jack! Help me! Jack, I'm here! (BOTH GRUNT) (PANTS) Are you all right? Yeah. OK? Yeah. You OK? You all right? Yeah. All right? Yeah? We did it. We did it! (LAUGHS) And now we can return home. What home? I have no-one to take care of me. And we have nowhere to go. So we'll move in with you. Well, it's... Of course. Of course you can come and stay with me. And you can come too. Only if you want to. I'll gladly help you with your house. There are times I actually enjoy cleaning. (BABY CRIES) Here. Hey, hey, hey. What's this? Shh. Shh. Come on, now. (CONTINUES CRYING) (CONTINUES SHUSHING) I know. I know, you miss your mother. I miss her too. Please. (SIGHS) Maybe I just wasn't meant to have children. BAKER'S WIFE: Don't say that. Of course you were meant to have children. But how can I go about being a father when I had no father to show me? # Just calm the child. # Yes, calm the child. # Look, tell him the story of how it all happened. Be father and mother. You'll know what to do. Alone. # Sometimes people leave you # halfway through the wood. # Do not let it grieve you. # No-one leaves for good. # You are not alone. # No-one is alone. # Hold him to the light now. # Let him see the glow. # Things will be all right now. # Tell him what you know. # Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom, there lay a small village at the edge of the woods. WITCH: # Careful the things you say. And in this village... # Children will listen. ...there lived a young maiden,... # Careful the things you do. ...a carefree young lad... # Children will see.. ...and a childless baker... # ...and learn. ...with his wife. # Guide them along the way. And one day, the baker and his wife were in there shop... # Children will glisten. ...when a witch burst in. # Children will look to you... And she blew the doors off the place. # ...for which way to turn,.. And she said that she had placed a curse upon them. # ...to learn what to be. (CONTINUES TELLING STORY INDISTINCTLY) # Careful before you say, "Listen to me." # Children will listen. WITCH AND CHORUS: # Careful the wish you make. # Wishes are children. # Careful the path they take. # Wishes come true, # not free. # Careful the spell you cast, # not just on children. # Sometimes the spell may last # past what you can see. # and turn against you. WITCH: # Careful the tale you tell. That is the spell. # Children will listen. # # Though it's fearful, though it's deep, though it's dark, and though you may lose the path, # though you may encounter wolves, # you can't just act. # You have to listen. # You can't just act. You have to think. # There are always wolves. There are always spells. # There are always beans or a giant dwells, and so # into the woods you go again. You have to every now and then. # Into the woods, no telling when. Be ready for the journey. # Into the woods, but not too fast, for what you wish, you lose at last. # Into the woods, but mind the past. # Into the woods, but mind the future. # Into the woods, but not to stray... # or tempt the wolf or steal from the giant. # The way is dark. The light is dim. # But now there's you, me, her and him. # The chances look small. # The choices look grim. # But everything you learn there Will help when you return there. # The light is getting dimmer. # I think I see a glimmer. # Into the woods, you have to grope. But that's the way you learn to cope. # Into the woods to find this hope of getting through the journey. # Into the woods, each time you go, there's more to learn of what you know. # Into the woods, but not too slow. Into the woods. It's nearing midnight. # Into the woods to mind the wolf to heed the witch, to honour the giant. # To mind, to heed, to find, to think, to teach, to join, # to go to the Festival. Into the woods. # Into the woods. # Into the woods, then out of the woods. # And happy ever after! # I wish...