Drama Workshop: Ideas For Teaching Drama
OUT OF THIS WORLD
By Andrew McCann
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE
In the Caves of Argoth
(A cave which opens from the mountain side. An eerie light casts a flickering, orange, flame-like glow from a source somewhere above and out of sight.)
(ENTER PROFESSOR, JANE, SALLY, JACKO and VARIOUS KRELLS, stage right)
PROFESSOR So these are the Caves of Argoth! Fascinating!
JACKO They're not nearly as dark as I would have expected!
1ST KRELL They are lit by the fire of eternal light. It has been burning since our ancestors first came here at the dawn of time.
3RD KRELL It is proof that their magic is still as powerful as it ever was, even though they are long since gone!
4TH KRELL (terrified) We were wrong to come here. We must turn back before it's too late!
PROFESSOR Nonsense! There is nothing to be afraid of!
4TH KRELL There are many things to fear!
PROFESSOR Be brave, my friend. Your fears lie only in your imagination.
VOICE OF ARGOTH All who enter the Caves of Argoth are doomed!
4TH KRELL (panic-stricken) It is Argoth! I warned you! Come, we must flee, before it's too late!
3RD. KRELL We have set foot on sacred ground and will be punished!
VOICE OF ARGOTH I, Argoth, Guardian of the Souls of the Dead shall lay my curse on all who enter here!
3RD KRELL We must go! Argoth has no mercy!
2ND KRELL You are right! Quickly, it is not too late!
SALLY M-maybe they're r-right, Uncle!
JANE L-let's g-go wh-while we c-can!
PROFESSOR If you're frightened, then go by all means, but I'm not going to let some mystical bully boy scare me! I intend to see this thing through.
1ST KRELL Much as we would like to help you, our fear of the curse of Argoth is too great!
2ND KRELL We must leave you!
VOICE OF ARGOTH Doomed are they who defy Argoth!
(THE KRELLS are all about to exit, stage right)
KRELLS Goodbye all of you!..........Farewell!.........Good luck! .......(etc.)
4TH KRELL Look after yourselves!
(A rocky cave wall is heard sliding closed and sealing off the cave exit.)
5TH KRELL The entrance to the cave is closing!
6TH KRELL There is no escape!
PROFESSOR Then it looks like we're all in the soup together!
(Another rocky wall is heard sliding open. The characters' movements suggest that this runs across the forestage.)
SALLY Look! Another doorway has opened in the rock!
PROFESSOR That's jolly decent of old Argoth! Wonder what he's got up his sleeve?
(All move towards the forestage, presumably through the rocky wall.)
4TH KRELL (standing at the edge of the forestage and looking down below, a golden glow flickering across his face.) Look down there! Caves of fire! We are doomed!
PROFESSOR Looks like molten lava to me. Can't see that there's anything to worry about as long as we keep away from the edge.
1ST KRELL Look, the face of Argoth rises out of the flames!
PROFESSOR Not a pretty sight!
VOICE OF ARGOTH The curse of Argoth shall seek thee out! None shall escape the fires of death!
3RD KRELL The eyes! They are burning into my head!
SALLYB Mine, too! They are pulling me forward!
PROFESSOR Don't look at him! Keep away from the edge! Can't you see he's got you in a trance!
VOICE OF ARGOTH Argoth calls thee forward into the fires of death!
(SALLY is being lured forward by the voice.)
PROFESSOR I warn you all! Turn away! Don't look at the eyes!
SALLY I am here, Argoth! What do you want of me?
VOICE OF ARGOTH Come nearer, that I may take my vengeance on those who have defied me!
(THE PROFESSOR grabs hold of SALLY to prevent her from stepping over the edge.)
PROFESSOR No, Sally! Don't listen!
(SALLY fights free of the PROFESSOR'S grasp.)
JACKO It's too late! She's going over!
(JACKO grabs hold of SALLY who continues to struggle.)
Don't struggle, Sally! You'll have us both over!
VOICE OF ARGOTH Come nearer! Argoth is waiting!
SALLY Let go of me! I must go forward! Argoth is calling me!
(She shoves JACKO away and leaps over the edge.)
PROFESSOR She's gone! It's too late! Don't look any of you! That's what Argoth wants!
JACKO We should have saved her!
JANE It's our fault. We should never have come here!
PROFESSOR This is no time to argue. We're all in a tight spot. Any one of us could be next.
(A moaning sound is heard. It is SALLY who has landed on a ledge below.)
JACKO It's Sally! She's all right!
JANE She's landed on a ledge of rock!
PROFESSOR So she has. Steady on, old thing. Don't move. I'll be right down! (To the others) The rest of you, keep well away from the edge.I'm pretty sure that Argoth is powerless unless he catches your eye!
(He clambers down to where SALLY is lying.)
SALLY Where am I ? What happened?
PROFESSOR Looks like you managed to knock yourself out, Sally old girl- and you couldn't have chosen a better time.
VOICE OF ARGOTH Vengeance shall be mine! None shall escape the wrath of Argoth!
SALLY What is it?....That voice?.....I don't understand....Oh, I remember now! .....That awful face!
PROFESSOR Don't worry. He can't harm you, as long as you don't look at him.
SALLY I'm not likely to do that again in a hurry! Once was enough, I can tell you!
JACKO (reaching downwards for Sally's hand) Grab my hand, Sally! I'll help you up!
PROFESSOR No, Jacko. We're staying down here. There's a tunnel leading off. It's the only way out by the look of things....
JACKO Great! We'll join you.
PROFESSOR Right, but do n't look downbelow whatever you do. That Argoth has caused us enough problems as it is.
(THE KRELLS, JANE and JACKO jump down one at a time.)
VOICE OF ARGOTH All ye who enter the Caves of Argoth are doomed!
PROFESSOR Oh, do shut up, Argoth! You've done enough belly aching to last a life-time!
JACKO Maybe he's had plenty of time to practise!
(THE PROFESSOR directs them through the tunnel.)
PROFESSOR Come on, all of you! This way....that's right.
VOICE OF ARGOTH I, the mighty Argoth in all my anger shall pour the fury of the fire of the mountains on all who defy me!!!!
PROFESSOR Look, Argoth, old chap- before we go, remember one thing. Do learn to control that temper of yours. You won't make any friends if you carry on like this, you know!
(Exit KRELLS, CHILDREN and THE PROFESSOR .)
VOICE OF ARGOTH Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(The sounds of violent bubbling and eruptions are followed by explosions.)
©Andrew McCann
Drama Workshop: Ideas For Teaching Drama