Merlin and the Cave of Dreams

Book excerpt: Adapted for the stage, the story of Arthur facing monsters conjured by Merlin, in his quest to become King, is perfect for schools and family audiences. The King is dead and the Green Kingdom is in turmoil as is seeks a new heir. Only the all-powerful wizard Merlin knows that the future lies in the hands of the young boy Arthur. Taken away from the only home he has ever known, Arthur slumbers in Merlin’s mystical Cave of Dreams. Here, his past and future are revealed in a glorious vision that will transform his life and lead him on a magical adventure. Can Arthur outwit the giants and slay the dragons that stand in his way? Will he pull the sword from the stone and claim his rightful kingdom? CHARLES WAY: Charles began writing plays in 1978 when he joined Leeds Playhouse TIE team. He has written over 40 plays, many of them for young people. His plays 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'The Search for Odysseus' were both nominated as Best Children's Play by the Writer's Guild with 'A Spell of Cold Weather' winning the award in 1996. His play about the percussionist Evelyn Glennie, 'Playing from the heart' was nominated as Best Children's Show by the TMA. Other plays include: 'The Flood', 'One Snowy Night' [Chichester Festival Theatre], and 'The Night Before Christmas ' [Polka Theatre]. Charles' plays for adults include adaptations of Bruce Chatwin's 'On the Black Hill' and Halldor Laxness' 'Independent People'. In Wales, he has long associations with Gwent Theatre, The Sherman Theatre and Hijinx Theatre, for whom he has written 'In the Bleak Midwinter', and 'Ill Met by Moonlight.' He was recently commissioned by the National Theatre to write 'Alice in the News', which children all over Britain have performed. Other new plays include: 'Still Life ' [Plymouth Theatre Royal], and 'The Long Way Home', for New Perspectives Theatre/CIAO Festival. In 2004, Charles won the Arts Council's Children's Award for his play 'Red Red Shoes' [Unicorn Theatre/The Place] and 'Merlin and the Cave of Dreams' [Imagination Stage] was nominated in USA for a Helen Hayes award for the outstanding new play of 2004 . Charles has written many plays for radio, and a TV poem for BBC2, 'No Borders', set on the Welsh borders, where he lives and has spent most of his creative life.