Alice IN WONderlllNd

A PARTICIPATION PLAY FOR CHILDREN

by WILLARD SIMMS

© Copyright, 1975, Pioneer Drama Service

Performance License The amateur acting rights of this play are controlled exclusively by PIONEER DRAMA SERVICE, INC., P. O. Box 4267, Englewood, Colorado 80155, without whose permission no performance, reading or presentation of any kind may be given. On all programs and advertising this notice must appear: "Produced by special arrangement with PIONEER DRAMA SERVICE, INC., Englewood, CO."

COPYING OR REPRODUCING ALL OR ANY PART OF' THIS BOOK IN ANY MANNER IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN BY LAW.

All other rights in this play, including those of professional production radio broadcasting and motion picture rights, are controlled by the PIONEER DRAMA SERVICE, INC., to whom all inquiries should be addressed.

PIONEER DRAMA SERUlCE.INC. Denver. Colorado

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CAST OF CHARACTERS

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SARAH...................................30ALICE.....................................81RABBIT.................................. 16CATERPILLAR....................... 20DODO BIRD...........................15QUEEN..................................32

SETTING: Two large, dark curtains areat either end of the playing area. Props,set pieces, etc. can be stored behindthese curtains and brought out atappropriate times. Characters can maketheir entrances and exits, and canchange costumes behind the. curtains ifnecessary.As the play opens, Alice (about 12 or so)and Sarah (Early 20's) are onstage.Alice is asleep.

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SARAH: Hello. I didn't mean to interrupt you, but then it's time to begin, isn't it? Have you ever been to Wonderland? My sister Alice has. She goes there often - in her dreams. Do you suppose we could accompany her, just this once? All of us? I'm sure we could. Don't be afraid to use your imagination, because that's all it takes, you know. We'll do a play - and you and you and you - why everyone here will take part in it.

ALICE: (Opens her eyes) Oh Sarah, this is such a lovely, peaceful afternoon. I could layout in this field forever.

SARAH: It is beautiful, isn't it?

ALICE: Forever and ever.

SARAH: Could you, Alice? Because I know how much you love exciting adventures.

ALICE: Oh yes, always, except for . except for some of the time.

SARAH: When you're older like me you'll find

ALICE: I'll never get older! I'm going to fall asleep in the sunshine and dream for a thousand years.

SARAH: If only that were possible.

ALICE: But it is possible! I'll make it possible! You'll see.

SARAH: (To audience) That's my little sister, Alice. She often talks like that; she wants the world to be so much more inter-esting than it is. Look, she's asleep already. Let's join her shall we? In her dream? We can do it too, because everything's possible in a play. Alice's dreams often begin in a forest. And all of us here - can create that forest for her. Won't that be fun; just like magic? First we'll need some trees. Now this group (Selects about a third of the children) could you be the trees? Just hold your arms in the air like branches. That's good. Now have you heard the wind blowing through the trees? How does it sound? (She makes a "whoooooo-ing" sound like the wind, until the children join in.) Now, how do the branches of the trees wave in the wind? (She demonstrates) Now, let's try it all together; the sound of the wind and the branches blowing in the breeze. (SARAH leads the children, waving her arms and "whoooooo-ing" like the wind) Good, very good. Next - how about some sqllirrels? Tiny squirrels that scurry about searching and storing nuts. We don't always see them, but you can certainly hear them aCl-lrrying

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about. Scurry, scurry, scurry. This group here, all the way to the back, can you be squirrels, and make a scurrying noise? Scurry, scurry, scurry. Let's hear you one more time. Scurry, scurry, scurry. Fine - very good. And now all we need are some birds. Birds that get upset with the squirrels scurrying about so much and start chirping and squacking. This group here, all of you, why don't you be the birds? You're all resting peacefully until the squirrels begin scurrying about frantically as someone passes through the forest. And so you go - cheep, cheep, squack!! Cheep, cheep, squack! Let's try it once again together. Cheep, cheep, squack! Excellent, we're going to have a wonderful forest. Shhh. I think Alice's dream is beginning.

ALI CE: (Gets up and stretches) Ohhh, I must have fallen asleep for a moment. But I don't recognize this place, I wonder where i am?

SARAH: Come on now, first the trees, swaying in the wind. Come on, trees. (Gets the children to act it out)

ALICE: Are those trees? Could I be in a forest? No, no it's too quiet for a forest.

SARAH: All right squirrels, start your scurrying. Scurry, scurry, scurry. (Gets them to join in)

ALICE: What's that? Why it sounds like little animals of some sort. (Walks closer)

SARAH: Very good. Now for the birds. Come on, birds, time for you. Cheep, cheep, squack. (Gets them to join in)

ALICE: Oh, now I hear birds. Yes, those are birds, and they sound rather angry. And squirrels, that's what that other noise is. And look at the trees, blowing in the wind. I'm in a forest, an en-chanted forest! My, what a strange and special place this must be.

(A white RABBIT, wearing an elegant waistcoat and carrying a large watch ENTERS)

RABBIT: Oh, this watch is impossible! I never should have bought a gold watch from a silversmith - it can't keep the right time, it's too confused.

SARAH: Very good. That's enough of the forest for a while, let's watch now.

ALICE: What? Am I seeing what I'm seeing?

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RABBIT: Well, no matter what o'clock it is, it's time for me to go, I can't keep the Queen waiting. Why am I always late?

ALICE: A white rabbit wearing a waistcoat and carrying a watch?

RABBIT: She can be so unpleasant when she wants to be. Which is all the time, of course.

ALICE: I'm going to have to look into this.

RABB IT: So I'm off. The last thing I want to do is lose my head. (EXITS)

ALICE: Wait! Wait for me, I want to talk to you. Oh, he's gone. I wonder if I should follow him. He went through that rabbit hole right over there. Yes, yes, I'm going to do it - this could be quite an adventure! Oh, but it's too small, much too small - how am I ever going to get through? (There is a small curtain STAGE RIGHT which ALICE is attempting to squeeze through, unsuccess­fully) Oh, this just isn't fair!

(A large bottle with a sign saying "Drink Me" clatters up and down in front of a curtain at the other end of the stage.)

ALICE: What? What was that? (Turns and sees the bottle, attached to a stick operated behind the curtain) That bottle - it's moving. How peculiar. The sign says "Drink Me." I wonder if I should? Maybe it's just what I need to get through that rabbit hole. I'll try it. (She drinks from the bottle and begins moving toward exit. If possible, the curtain should be widened as ALICE approaches it, to give ,the impression "that ALICE is becoming smaller) It's work­ing. It's working. I'm getting smaller. Just a little bit more, and I can squeeze through.

(ALICE EXITS and there is a brief blackout. Lights come up on the RABBIT, now wearing a tie and gloves, and checking his appearance fastidiously)

RABBIT: Oh, I do look splendid. Always look either your very best or your Vf#!y worst for the Queen. She simply won't tolerate anything in between. (Bumping noises are heard and ALICE rolls onto the stage)

ALICE: Oh goodness, how strange! (Gets up, dusts herself off) How odd, it felt like I was falling up instead of down. But, of course, that's impossible, isn't it? Rabbit holes always go down. Well I wonder where I am? Why, there's the white rabbit. Hello. Hello, here I am.

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RABBIT: Hello? Who's saying hello? I don't like anyone saying hello to me when I'm in a hurry.

ALICE: It's only me, Alice. I just wanted to talk with you, if I could.

RABBIT: Impossible. Some other time. I'm in a rush, in a hurry, in a lather. Oh, my ears and whiskers, I can't stand around talk· ing to the likes of you.

ALICE: But I only wanted to ask ... I

RABBIT: Can't ask, then I'll have to answer. Goodbye. Goodbye. Meet me at the Queen's if you must. If you dare. I must be on my way now. It's important. I'm important. But you probably already knew that. No time to tarry. (EXITS)

ALICE: I never knew that rabbits could be in such a hurrv. wonder if he's involved in the government. Usually governments move so slowly, like syrup, but perhaps it's different here. Every­thing is so curious.

CATERPILLAR: (ENTERS, smoking a hooka pipe) Hmmm ... That's a shallow observation.

ALICE: It is not. And you're curious, too. You're certainly large for a caterpillar. Or perhaps I'm just small for a girl.

CATERPILLAR: Possibly. It all depends on your point of view.

ALICE: Where did you come from?

CATERPILLAR: Why, from where I've been, of course. Where else would I come from? WHO are you?

ALICE: Well I .. I hardly know anymore. Everything is so strange.

CATERPILLAR: What kind of answer is that? Explain yourself.

ALICE: But I'm afraid I can't explain myself, because I'm not my-self, you see. Maybe you should tell me who you are first.

CATERPILLAR: Incorrect. I know who I am, but I don't know who you are. Therefore, you should explain yourself first.

ALICE: No, you should tell me who you are first!

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CATERPILLAR: Would you like me to recite? I'm quite good.

ALICE: Recite what?

CATERPILLAR: Why my recitation, of course. I shall begin at the beginning and carry through until the end!

"You are old, Father William," the young man said, "And your hair has become very white. And yet you incessantly stand on your head Do you think at your age, it is right?"

"In my youth," Father William replied to his son, "I feared it might injure the brain; But now that I'm perfectly sure I have none, Why I do it again and again."

"You are old," said the youth, "one would hardly suppose

That your eye was as steady as ever; Yet you balanced an eel on the end of your nose . What made you so awfully clever?"

"1 have answered one question, and that is enough." Said his father. "Don't give yourself such airs! Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff? Be off· .or I'll kick you downstairs!"

SARAH: You do that rather well.

CATERPILLAR: Quite so, I'm glad you noticed. (To ALICE) And now . if you'd like some advice, the tea party is waiting.

ALICE: A tea party? Will the white rabbit be there?

CATERPI LLAR: To find that out, one must go and see.

DODO BIRD: (ENTERS) Impossible. We haven't had our caucus race yet.

CATERPI LLAR: Ah, so ignorance will be represented after all. Or rather . misrepresented.

DODO BIRD: You have no right to lalk tike that. I mean, talk like that.

CATERPI LLAR: Perhaps we shall meet again. When this creature is not around. Until then, remember, you belong where you go anq

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you go where you belong, you find what you seek and you seek what you find - but not always in that order. Farewell. (EXITS)

DODO BIRD: Well, we seem to have an abundance of dacer, I mean racers.

ALICE: That caterpillar - doesn't seem to like you.

DODO BIRD: Bad judgment that's all, bad judgment· happens in the best of families. Well, is everyone ready or shall I come in all over again?

ALICE: What?

DODO BIRD: Perhaps I should re-enter, as if I'd cust jome. Er, just come.

ALICE: I'm confused.

DODO BIRD: You're confused? Really? Ferpect. Nothing better for a caucus race than confusion. you know, and dodo birds are extinct. But I'm Not extinct. Are you ready to race?

ALICE: But where's the course?

I mean perfect. I'm a dodo bird,

sot instinct.

DODO BIRD: Why under your feet, naturally. Who ever heard of running a race where the course wasn't under your feet?

SARAH: Do you want all of us to enter?

DODO BIRD: Absolutely! Everyone here. The bore the metter. The more the better.

ALICE: But where do we run to?

DODO BIRD: Where do you run to? Why to where you are. You pun in race. You run in place. Like this. (Demonstrates) And the one who gets there first is also the one who gets there last. So we all win. And we all lose. It's absolutely fair. And fun.

SARAH: Well, it can't hurt to try. (To audience) Shall we enter? Why not? Just stay right there in your seats and move your feet and legs up and down as if you were running. Let's try it. That's remarkable. You can run in the race without even getting up. All right. We're ready now, Dodo.

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DODO BIRD: Remember - stay where you are and run any way you like. To your marks everyone - Ready. Set. Go! (Begins to run in place)

SARAH: Come on, everyone, run! Or at least walk!

ALICE: Oh, I'm winning, I think I'm winning!

DODO BIRD: Good, very good, then keep it up.

SARAH: Oh, this feels good.

DODO BIRD: Sight quo. I mean quite so. Wonderful! All right, that's enough, the race is over.

ALICE: It is? But then who won?

DODO BIRD: Why everyone won, of course.

SARAH: Even the children in the audience?

DODO BIRD: Especially them. Everyone of them.

SARAH: Then we must congratulate them. (They ALL go into the audience and congratulate the children.)

DODO BIRD: Well, time to be off for another race, with other

racers. Queet the meen: I mean meet the Queen. Don't for-

get to stop by the tea party; they're waiting. Goodbye (EXITS)

ALICE: Who's waiting? Things here keep getting curioser and curio-ser. But a tea party - maybe the white rabbit will be there. It's certain to be an interesting - Oh, but how am I supposed to get there?

SARAH: Come on everyone, we'll need to have the forest again. And the animals. Get ready.

ALICE: (Looks out at the audience) I know what I'll do. Go for a walk to another part of the forest. Everything here is always in another part of the forest, so that's how I'll find the tea party. (She begins walking, although really not moving very far, across the stage) Oh this forest is so strange, so magical, I just know it's enchanted.

SARAH: We're in the forest again. First we need the trees. (The

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trees come in on cue) Now let's hear the squirrels scurry about. (The squirrels scurry, scurry, scurry) Now, how about the birds. (The birds go cheep, cheep, squack) Now it's time for Alice to go to the tea party. Do you know who will be at the tea party? That's right. The Mad Hatter, the March Hare and the Dormouse. But wait! We don't have enough actors for the tea party. (She steps off and picks up a large hat and puts it on) There, I'll be the Mad Hatter. But where can I find a March Hare and a Dormouse. Would you help me? Now, who would like to be the March Hare? (She selects a child for the March Hare) Now we need ~a Dormouse. He's always very sleepy. Can anyone here act sleepy? Very good. (Selects a second child) Now we must hurry and set the stage for our party. (The three of them return to the stage, bring out a table and five chairs along with teapot and cups. A LICE approaches the table.)

ALICE: There it is. There's the tea party. It's begun. Hello, here I am.

HATTER: (Played by SARAH) There's no room. March Hare, tell her there's no room.

HAR E: There's no room.

HATTER: Dormouse, tell her there's no room.

DORMOUSE: There's no room.

ALICE: But there's plenty of room. Why, here are two extra chairs. (Sits down)

HATTER: Have some tea. (SARAH pretends to pour tea from teapot, but nothing comes out)

ALICE: But I don't see any tea.

HATTER: There isn't any.

ALICE: Then it wasn't very polite of you to offer me any.

HATTER: It wasn't very polite of you to sit down without being invited. Tell her it wasn't polite, March Hare.

HARE: It wasn't polite.

ALICE: But the Dodo Bird told me to stop by; and there are two extra places.

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HATTER: Those are for the people who aren't here.

ALICE: When are they coming?

HATTER: Who?

ALICE: Why - - the people who aren't here.

HATTER: They're not coming, you see. Th;lt's why they're not here.

ALICE: Well, then, why don't you let me sit here temporairly? Just until the people who are not here don't come.

HATTER: What do you think, March Hare? What do you think, Dormouse? Wel" all right. You may have a brief visit - - until the people who won't come don't come. (Looks at watch) What day of the month is it?

ALICE: The fifth.

HATTER: Oh. Two days wrong. The March Hare told me that butter wouldn't make it run faster. I used the very best butter, too. The Dormouse looks sleepy. Perhaps I should pour some tea on him. (Tilts teapot over Dormouse)

ALICE: But there's no tea in the pot.

HATTER: That's right. Just what I was going to say myself. Twinkle, twinkle, little bat. How I wonder what you're at. Up above the world you fly. Like a tea tray in the sky.

ALICE: This is a very strange party.

HATTER: The Queen's parties are never like this, you know.

ALICE: Who's that?

HATTER: The Queen of Hearts - - the ruler of Wonderland. She's always having her guests heads cut off.

ALICE: Sounds most unpleasant to me.

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,1: :' "y,

HATTER: The Dormouse looks sleepy again. Perhaps I should pour some tea on him again.

ALICE: told you - - there's no tea in the pot.

HATTER: That's right. Just what I w.as going to say myself. Once upon a time there were three sisters; Elsie, Lucie and Tillie, and they all lived at the bottom of a well.

ALICE: What did they live on?

HATTER: March Hare - - tell her what they lived on. It was mo­lasses, wasn't it?

HARE: Molasses.

ALICE: But they couldn't have done that. They'd have become very ill.

HATTER: And so they were. Very ill. Here, take some more tea.

ALICE: But I've had nothing yet; so I can't take more.

HATTER: You mean you can't take less. It's very easy to take more than nothing.

ALICE: Why did they live at the bottom of the well?

HATTER: It was a molasses well.

ALICE: But there's no such thing.

HATTER: You're interrupting the story, isn't she?

ALICE: All right, I suppose it's possible to have a molasses well. won't interrupt again.

HATTER: You're absolutely right. You can't interrupt again because the story's finished now. As a matter of fact, the tea party is over, and my friends, the March Hare and the Dormouse are going back to their seats. (The children are escorted back to their seats during the fol/owing dialogue)

ALICE: What a strange story.

HATTER: You should hear the ones the White Rabbit tells. They're even stranger.

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ALICE: Oh yes, the white rabbit.

HATTER: He's the Queen's messenger, you know. The one who's in charge of the guests for her parties.

ALICE: Yes, that's who I'm following. If he's not here, I must be on my way. Thank you for the tea party. And the stories. Goodbye. (She starts back across stage) This forest certainly reaches a long way.

SARAH: (Taking off "Mad Hatter" hat and resuming her normal charac· ter) Time for the forest again. Let's hear the wind in the trees. (Pause) And the scurry of the squirrels. (Pause) And the chirp· ing of the birds. (Pause)

ALICE: This forest certainly reaches a long way. But you never know whether you've come in on the beginning, the middle or the end. Or whether you're coming or going, or ...

RABBIT:. (Suddenly appears) I'm almost there, I'm almost there. And my job is finally done, although had to hurry so much.

ALICE: Well, here you are again.

RABBIT: Oh, my ears and whiskers, how do you keep finding me? Never mind, I don't have time to listen to your answer. Look· up ahead . it's the Queen.

QUEEN: (ENTERS, along with the CATERPILLAR) Croquet can be so boring when the players aren't good. Of course I am blessed with a royal talent for the game. (Calls offstage) That one . that one over there . he's going out of turn! Off with his head!!

CATERPILLAR: Most amusing.

RABBIT: A fine day, your majesty, a fine day.

QUEEN: Speak to the King about it, he's in charge of days. I, as head of the Royal Command of Soldiers, am in charge of the knights.

CATERPILLAR: The knights in armor, that is.

RABB IT: The guests have all been notified, your majesty, and have duly arrived.

QUEEN: I know. A few impertinent ones have already lost their heads. Who is this?

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ALICE: My name is Alice, your majesty.

QUEEN: Alice - is that a boy's name?

ALICE: I've never heard it used as one before.

QUEEN: Good. for yourself. Court, please.

Then as it is so appropriate - you may keep it White Rabbit, bring on the members of the Royal

I want to see who I'm beating at croquet.

RABBIT: Very good, your majesty.

SARAH: (To audience) We need some members of the Royal Court. Three should be enough. Who wants to be a member of the Royal Court? You won't have to do much. Royalty never does. How about you and you and you? Come on, we'l] get these royal sashes on you and you can join the Queen. Just follow her about, looking grave and somber. That's right, very good. Now we need some soldiers. We will also need some wickets for the croquet match. (SARAH selects two children for soldiers and two for wickets) Now, you two should make excellent soldiers to guard the Queen. And you wickets; when the Queen tells you, stand with your legs out like this, feet wide apart. You're going to help them play croquet. Ready, everyone? All right. It's time for the Royal match.

QUEEN: Come on everybody. Miss your turn and lose your head. Lose your head and miss your turn.

CATERPI LLAR: From anyone else - a shallow observation. But from you, dear Queen, brilliant!

QUEEN: It was terribly clever. Well everyone, take your mallets. Members of the court, here are your mallets. But where are the croquet balls?

RABB IT: I'm afraid they're gone, your majesty. The giant turtles have taken them all down to the lake, and are trying to hatch them as eggs!

QUEEN: What?! But how can we play without balls?! All right then, you, Rabbit, blow up those balloons, we'll use them for balls.

And I want them perfect! You two, form wickets here, please. Correct. Now remember everyone, there is only one rule. The Queen must always win. Places. Well are we ready to take a whack at it? All right, Rabbit, give out the balls. Now Court, after I hit, you hit. In turn - like this. Fine. But you must never do as well as I do.

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(They begin taking turns hitting their balloons. The QUEEN has the wickets change their positions as ALICE lines up her shots. She also plays out of turn)

QUEEN: I win, I win!!! (To ALICE) With practice, my dear, you'd become even worse. Off to the trial everyone, off to the trial. I do hope the jurors are ready.

SARAH: Oh, my - - we need a jury box, and a jury, too. I know; we'll use the table from the tea party. The croquet game is over, too. Will you wickets help me with the table and chairs, and be members of the jury? Thank you. And you soldiers, stand by and guard the courtroom. But wait; we have three extra chairs. We need three more members for the jury. Who would like to help serve on the jury? (SARAH selects three more children for the jury box)

QUEEN: Herald, read the charges!

RABBIT: The Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, all on a summer's day. The Knave of Hearts, he stole those tarts, and took them quite away.

CATERPILLAR: Those are last weeks charges! Please, let's keep this up to date.

RABBIT: I'm doing the best I can. My ears and whiskers!

QUEEN: Yes, up to date. Today's charges for today's victim -

I mean, today's defendant.

CATERPILLAR: What can you expect - from someone so unpuncc

tillious?

QUEEN: (To the jury) Consider your verdict carefully.

RABB IT: No, not yet. First we have the trial.

QUEEN: That only slows things down. Still, if we must, we must. Call the first witness.

RABBIT: First witness!! Calling the first witness! Mad Hatter take the stand.

(SARAH puts on the "Mad Hatter's" hat and takes the witness stand.)

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QUEEN: You are the notorious Mad Hatter?

HATTER: Of course, of course, exactly what I was going to say myself.

CATERPILLAR: Show some respect, this is the Royal Court.

HATTER: The Royal Court? Hooray, then let's' play some royal tennis. I wasn't invited to the croquet match, you know.

QUEEN: Will the witness please pay attention before she loses her head?!!!

HATTER: Exactly what I was going to say myself Twinkle, twinkle, little bat. How I wonder what you're at. Up above the world you fly. Like a tea tray in the sky.

QUEEN: This witness is impossible!! Call the next witness.

HATTER: This tea party is getting entirely too many people. And none of them invited. (Removes hat and stands aside)

RABBIT: Next witness!! Calling the next witness! Alice, take the stand.

ALICE: (Surprised) Me? You want to hear from me?

CATERPI LLAR: Who are you?

RABB IT: Take the stand, please. No questions, only answers.

QUEEN: Your name is Alice?

ALICE: Yes your majesty.

CATERPILLAR: What do you know about this business?

ALICE: What business?

QUEEN: You heard the herald!! No questions, only answers! Now what do you know about this business?

ALICE: Nothing.

QUEEN: Absolutely nothing?

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ALICE: Absolutely nothing.

CATERPILLAR: Liar.

ALICE: But why?

QUEEN: No questions, only answers! You know a great deal, don't you? A very great deal.

ALICE: But I don't; I promise you I don't!

CATERPILLAR: Illogical. You can't promise you don't know any-thing unless you don't know what it is that you know you're pro­mising not to know.

ALICE: Why is everything here so confusing?

CATERPILLAR: Why are you so confusing?

QUEEN: Order! Order in the court! I ask the questions, understood? When did you first enter into the conspiracy?

ALICE: But I'm not in any conspiracy!

QUEEN: This witness is impossible!

ALICE: But I'm not impossible, and I don't know anything about any conspiracy, and I don't know why I've been called to testify, and I don't know what I'm supposed to say!

CATERPI LLAR: This is a very ignorant witness, your majesty.

QUEEN: Ignorant, but untrustworthy. Have you ever seen the Knave of Hearts?

ALICE: No, I never have.

QUEEN: Do you know what he looks like?

ALICE: No, I'm afraid I don't.

QUEEN: Ha! Then how do you know you've never seen him?!

CATERPI LLAH: One for the Queen, one for the Queen!

ALICE: I know I've never seen him because I've never been here before. I'm leaving! But the only thing is - I don't know where to go.

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QUEEN: Irrelevant and immaterial.

ALICE: Oh, who cares about you and your silly trial! None of this makes any sense and I'm not going to put up with it any longer!

QUEEN: Wait! First we must have the verdict. What do you say, jury? Guilty or not guilty? (She polls the children in the jury, one by one) Very good. Now it's time for my verdict, and I find the defendant guilty. Off with her head. Off with her head.

CATERPILLAR: She never uses it anyway.

SARAH: (To the children on stage) Quick, all of you, I think you'd better get back with the others. Take off your costumes and go back into the audience. We'll need you for the forest again. (She leads children back into audience)

QUEEN: Guards! Guards, what are you doing, you can't desert me! This creature can't be allowed to insult the Queen!

CATERPILLAR: This Alice is insolent, incompetent, and in trouble.

QUEEN: The Royal Court - my obedient servants - gone.

SARAH: Ready? First the trees, swaying in the wind. And now for the squirrels, scurrying about. And then the birds, cheeping. Come on, everyone!

ALICE: Oh, there it is, there it is! It's the enchanted forest! That's how I came, isn't it? And so then this - this must all be a dream.

QUEEN: Caterpillar! Rabbit! Off with her head!!

ALICE: Because then maybe I can just wish it all away and wake up. (Closes her eyes and concentrates) I'm trying, I'm trying

QUEEN: Wait, wait, what's happening?

CATERPI LLAR: Something seems to be calling to us; beckoning, from very far away.

RABB IT: My feet are moving without my telling them to. (They are ALL headed OFFSTAGE)

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QUEEN: But I can't leave; I'm not finished with her!

CATERPILLAR: Metaphysics, it's all metaphysics.

RABBIT: I'm late again, I just know it. For somewhere. I'm leaving

(The three of them EXIT. A LICE resumes the position she had at the opening of the play)

SARAH: My, that was fun. But it turned out to be quite a close call.

ALICE: (Waking up) Oh Sarah, I'm so glad it's you. had the strangest dream.

SARAH: You often do, Alice.

I've just

ALICE: But this one was especially strange. I'm glad it's over,

SARAH: It's all right. You're back now; in the field behind our house.

ALICE: I think you were in my dream. And - and all of them 'too. Everyone her~ was in it.

SARAH: Were they?

ALICE: But t.hat's not possible, is it? Well, I'm not going to worry about it. But tell me, Sarah, what are all of these children doing here?

SARAH: Taking part in a play.

ALICE: Oh. Was it fun?

SARAH: That's somethin,g you'll have to ask them, Alice. The next time you have another one of your strange dreams. In Wonderland.

CURTAIN

17

For preview only

PROPERTY LIST

Watch (RABB IT)

Bottle with sign "Drink Me"

Hooka pipe (CATERPILLAR)

Large hat (SARAH)

Teapot and cups

Sashes (CHI LOREN)

Balloons

Croquet mallets

For preview only

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