WITCHWOOD A musical for Secondary Schools and Youth Theatres Music and lyrics by Kate Edgar. Book by Colin Wakefield WITCHWOOD is a full length Musical in Two Acts, suitable for mixed or single sex casts, ranging in number from 50 to 300. It is set in a wood (Witchwood) threatened with destruction by proposals for a major road development.The central group is the family whose home and livelihood are most at risk,and the main image is the Great Oak of Witchwood, which will have to be felled to make way for the road. The action moves through the four seasons- a complete annual cycle of the Wood - from Summer, when the plans are first announced, to the following Spring, when the Wood is cut down. WITCHWOOD tells the story of the growing resistance to the plans and of the resultant clashes between (and within) the family, protestors, politicians and developers. It is packed with humour as well as action and, though 'issue based', is primarily designed to entertain and to provide strong acting and musical opportunities for individuals and groups. CAST A) The Woodlanders The Family. GRANNY FORRESTER: Old. Strong. Resilient. She has lived all her life in the Wood. GEOFF: Her son, the present Estate Manager. His living and home are under threat. SUSAN: His wife. Intelligent. A conciliator. RED: Their first daughter (or son). Tough. Outspoken. A rebel. BILLIE: Their second daughter (or son). A dreamer. In her element in the Wood. The Animals. A CHORUS: The closest we get to 'spirits' of the Wood. They may change the foliage of the Great Oak (and the other trees) with the passing of the seasons. B) The Outsiders/Visitors The Developers. WOLF: The Chief Developer/Surveyor. Ruthless. Articulate. SPARROWand STARLING: His two 'comedy' henchpersons. Incompetent. MEASURESand LINE: His two 'heavy' henchpersons. Efficient and sinister. DEVELOPERS/SURVEYORS /BUILDING CONTRACTORS The Politicians MRS.TARA MACADAM: The Secretary of State for the Environment. Bossy. ENTOURAGE OF CIVIL SERVANTS: Faceless. Efficient. Well-briefed. The Media WILMA (or WILLIAM) WHITTINGTON: News at Ten Reporter. TV CREW: Director, Cameraperson, Boom Operator, Runner etc. The Protestors CHORUS OF PECKHAM GIRLS: School class from the Inner City, initially in the Woodon a Nature trail. Aggressive and forthright. Bored at first, but fired by the cause. TWO TEACHERS: Harrassed, fraught and underpaid! CAMPING FAMILY: Wife (JENNIFER) and Husband (JULIAN) with children JANET andJOHN.'Model' family from the 1950's readers. THE PROTESTORS: Large group of 'professional' protestors. SPARKY: Their leader. WOLF's main antagonist: old rivals from past campaigns. CROW and ANGEL: SPARKY's chief cohorts. THE MALVERN MUMS: Large group of JENNIFER's friends. They provide material support for the PROTESTORS. Lots of scope for hearty comedy. Forces of Law and Order RIOT POLICE, PARAMEDICS etc. CASTING NOTE: WITCHWOOD was commissioned by Malvern Girls' College and first performed there on May 1st 1998. An all-girl cast of 210 was drawn mainlyfrom the 15-17 range, with the PECKHAM GIRLS played by 14 year olds and theANIMALS by 11-12's. Only three girls had to play men and this could be entirelyreversed for a boys' school, with appropriate adjustments to the text. Castingfor a mixed school or group would be easier still. The Groups (i.e ANIMALS, PROTESTORS, DEVELOPERS, PECKHAM GIRLS, MALVERN MUMS) can be of any number. The Musical can be successfully performed with as few as 50 or as many as 300. The Peckham and Malvern references can be changed to suit the locality and casting. MUSIC There are sixteen Choral/Group Numbers (including Reprises), and three Solos. These can be performed just with a piano, but the more instruments thatare available - particularly percussion and wind - the better. DESIGN The set, costume and lighting designs can be as simple or ambitious as time and resources allow. The central image is the Great Oak of Witchwood and its foliage should change with the four-season cycle of the Musical. The stage should suggest the depth and density of the Wood, but must leave maximum space for the actors: the full cast is on stage for the penultimate scene. The Great Oak itself should be very sturdy - strong enough for at least two people to sit in its branches. But it will fall at the end.