1 ST D RAFT B ASE S CRIPT
by DavidWoollcombe
© Peace Child International September 26th 2024
Music
ThesongsandlyricsarebyDavidGordon,scoredfororchestrabyRichardArnell.Thecentral SymphonicInterludewillbein5xmovements,eachcomposedbyacitizenofoneoftheP5Nations, andselectedbyitsgovernment.
Cast
• 3xleadcastmembers:aboyandagirlaged16-25+anElderStory-telleraged,ormade-upto look,between60to70. Alsooneyoungerchild(10-12)whohasasmallactingpart.
• SATBchorusof40to200peopleofallagesfromwhichindividualscomeforwardtosingsolos;
• WorldOrchestramadeupofyouthfromNationalYouthOrchestrasfromEuropeandelsewhere;
Setting
Bare black stage with large screen at the back on to which images and Titles are projected throughout the show to illustrate the action. The 3 x Lead cast members and soloists stand at 3 x Microphones at the front of stage with the Chorus behind them. The orchestra, if you have one, is in front of the Chorus; the rhythm section or piano / synthesiser is either stage right or stage left of the Chorus.
Key Goals
1. Topresentapositive,upbeatvisionoftheUN’sfuturetotheworld,especiallyyoungaudiences; 2. TopresenttheUNinthecontextofthehistoryofglobalcollaboration–toshowhowfarwe’ve comebutalsohowfarwehavetogo,andhowurgently,toensurethesustainabilityofLifeon Earthforourown,andFuture,Generations;
3. ToalertglobalaudiencestotheUN’s80th Anniversaryanditsownplansforitsfuture;
4. Tocreateachoralstorythatschools,communitiesandfaithgroupsaroundtheworldmayuseto celebratetheUN’s80th AnniversaryandexploretheirownideasabouteffectiveUNreform;
THE PAST
The chorus and orchestra assemble on stage and tune up. The Conductor enters and takes a bow. The lights fade to black and the UN Secretary-General, Antonió Guterres, delivers a message of welcome on the screen at the Back. His picture fades as a thin wind sound sweeps across the stage. The Elder Narrator enter and lights two candles on either side of the lectern downstage centre. S/he reads: ElderNarrator Inthebeginning,Godcreatedtheheavenandtheearth.Andtheearthwas withoutformandvoid.Anddarknesswasuponthefaceofthedeep. AndtheSpiritofGodmoveduponthefaceofthewaters.AndGodsaid:Let therebeLight!AndtherewasLight.AndGodsawtheLight,thatitwasgood. AndGoddividedtheLightfromtheDarknessandhecalledtheLightDay,and theDarknesshecalledNight.Andtheeveningandthemorningwerethefirst day.
Music continues under – building….
OutoftheDarknesscameLight
OutofLightcameLife
OutofLifewasborntheLivingWorld
UntotheLivingWorldcameMankind
Music builds with the Choir joining in a massive crescendo – which falls away to silence….
MankindstoodbetweenHeavenandEarth–aloneandnaked–notknowingor understandingtheworldaroundhim,forhewaswithoutknowledgeofthese things.AndhecriedouttoHeavenfromwhencehisSpiritcame–
The two young soloists and / or Narrators come and stand either side of the Elder Narrator, and sing -
Song 1. IwhoamI
IwhoamI?Whatisthisworld
WhyamIhere?
IwhatamI?Whatismycause? WhymustIbe?
Isthereareasonforliving
Andhavingthisplaceofourown? Whatpowerconceivedme Abandonedmetotheunknown?
We,whoarewe,whatisthisplace? Whyarewehere?
We,whoarewetobesolost Andallalone?
Isthereareasonforliving
Andhavingthisplaceofourown?
Whatpowerconceivedme
Abandonedmetotheunknown?
I,whoamI,whatisthisplace? WhyamIhere?
GirlNarrator Whoarewe? Whyarewehere?
BoyNarrator IsthereareasonforLiving?
ElderNarrator PerhapstotrytoleavetheWorldabetterplacethanitwaswhenwegothere?
BoyNarrator Notmuchchanceofthat!We’realltoogreedy,murderousselfishpeople!
ElderNarrator WeateoftheForbiddenFruit!
BoyNarrator WeareallFallenPeople!
GirlNarrator No!We’reonlyherebecauseourparentslovedeachotherenoughtocreateus!
ElderNarrator Iwouldlovetothinkthat–but,formostofhumanhistory,ithasbeenour greedy,murderousselfishsidethathasbeenintheascendant.Listen(reading – music starts and builds under)
Itstartedwithastone,thencameastick
Soontherewasanarrowandaspear
Thentherecameaclub,aswordandagun!–Soonbulletswereflyingeverywhere!
Conflictragedallovertheworld
Hatredandenvyconsumedourminds!
Tribeagainsttribe,friendagainstfriend! NobodyseemedtoCare!
Apatternsoonemergedofthingstocome, AlltheproblemsMankindwouldface: Tribesofmen–notquitethesame–Competingforthefood
Andthebestbitofland
StartingoffthegamecalledWar
EmpiresroseandEmpiresfell:
TheDeathtollstartedtosoar!
Aseachgenerationpassingby Foundnewwaystokill:
• Battleshipsandfighterplanes
• Killerdronesandclusterbombs,
• Mercenariesandterrorists;
• Coldwarsanddirtywars,
• Undergroundandoverground
• Intheair–outinspace
WAR!!-definedthehumanrace!
Song 2. WAR
We'llfightourwaytodistanthills,abloodybattlehave We'llraiseourswordandkillthemall; We'llraiseourcountriesflag!
We'llkillourbrothers,killourfriends, Killeachothertilltheend!
We'llkillourwomen,childrentoo,
Killthemalluntilwe'rethrough Killthemalluntilwe'rethrough.
Godsaveourland,longliveourflag, Ontothewarwego-praisetoourdead Butwhosayswe'reright,whosayswe'rewrong Honourandpride-tothiswebelong!
Ohcomeandsaveus! Ohcomeandsaveus! Ohcomeandsaveusfromwhatwedo!
Ourworldisthrough!
Butwhocansaveus! Butwhocansaveus? Butwhocansaveusfromwhatwedo?
God-whereareyou?
GirlNarrator YesGod?! Whereareyou??
BoyNarrator ForgetGod!He–orShe–waspartoftheproblem!!
GirlNarrator God?! SurelyNot??
ElderNarrator Religiousimperialistsslaughteredmillions!Theydidn’tfollowthePeaceful teachingsoftheirProphets!
BoyNarrator ThinkabouttheCrusades!OrtheChristianMissionaries–Bibleinonehand, Gunintheothertellingeveryone:“MyGodisbetterthanyour’s!”
ElderNarrator Islamspreadinitiallythroughmilitaryconquest–justlikethePersians,the GreeksandtheRomansbeforethem.Empiresforcedpeopletocollaborate–
BoyNarrator Itgotworse!TheMongols,theOttomans,theBritish,theFrench,theRussians andAmericansallbuildingtheirEmpiresthroughslaughteringandslavery;
ElderNarrator RightuptoNowwiththeGermansmurderingtheirwaytoa1000-yearReich!
BoyNarrator -slaughteringsixandahalfmillionjewsalongtheway;
ElderNarrator HoutusmurderingamillionTutsisinRwanda–BurmesemurderingRohingas –aNorthKoreanEmperorenslavinghispeopleinacultofpersonality.
BoyNarrator -andthosesameJewsnowconductingagenocideagainstthePalestinians whoselandstheyoccupied,generouslysupportedbytheUSA&Europeans!
ElderNarrator -andRussiatryingtodothesametothepeopleofUkrainewhoseborders theysignedatreatyguaranteeing. War–war–andyetmoreWar!!
GirlNarrator STOP!!! (fiercely!) IthastoSTOP!! NOW(speaks – spitting with rage) ListentoMe! HeedtheWordsthatIsay! Weliveinoneworldsoourhomeisthesame! (music)
Song 3. ListentoMe
(Sings!) Thesamesunisourfire,thesamecloudsgiveusrain
Sowhateveryoudesireourfuture’sthesame
Saynotthatyou’rerighteous-northatyouaretrue!
SaynotthatI’mred–northatyouareblue
SayonlyweareFriends!–andwewanttoliveinpeace
Inthishereourworld,Letallwarscease!
Soopenyoureyes,takethetruthasitstands
Wehavebutoneearthsowemustsharetheland
Thesamemoonisourlantern,thesameskyisourroof
Sowhateveryourreasons,comefollowthetruth
Saynotthatyou’reChristian,norMuslimnorJew
Saynotthatyou’reBuddhist,northatyou’reHindu
SayonlyweareFriends!–andwewanttoliveinpeace
Inthishereourworld,Letallwarscease!
Forwherewouldwegoifthisworldwedestroy?
Wehavebutonehome,thisworld,toenjoy!
Thesameearthfillsourhunger,andweallbreathetheair
Sochangeyourdesires,thisworldwemustshare.
Saynotthatyou’rerich,northatyouarepoor
Saynotthatyou’reless,northatyouaremore!
Sayonlywearefriends–andwewanttoliveinPeace
Inthishereourworld,letallwarscease!
Inthishereourworld… (pleading) Letallwarscease!
BoyNarrator That’snevergoingtohappen!
ElderNarrator Itishappening! It’sgottohappeniflifeonearthistosurvive!Anditstarted happeninglongago…
GirlNarrator How?! Whomadeithappen…
ElderNarrator Well–aDutchmannamedHugoGrotiusisgenerallycreditedastheFatherof InternationalLaw. (his picture appears on the screen)
BoyNarrator Neverheardofhim! Whowashe?
ElderNarrator Bornin1585,hewrotelotsofbooksaboutLawandWar!
GirlNarrator ButwhatdidheactuallyDO?!
ElderNarrator Hewasafamousphilosopheranddiplomat:hewasarrested–escapedfrom prisoninatrunkfullofbooks,had7children–survivedashipwreck!Andhe plantedtheseedoftheideathatLawnotWaristhewaytosolvedisputes.
BoyNarrator But–we’dhadlawstogovernhumanbehaviourgoingbacktotheTen Commandments…?
GirlNarrator Justinius,JesusChrist,manymanyprophetsandphilosophersgaveusgreat laws:thetroublewas–wehadnowayofforcingEmperorstoobeythem!
ElderNarrator Wehavethesameproblemtoday–individuals,families,communitiesand corporationsallhavetoobeythelaw.Allofthemarepunishediftheybreakit. ButEmperorsandanynationalgovernmentcanmurder,maimandrobpeople –andthere’sreallynopoweronearth–noarmy,noglobalpoliceforce,no nothing!-thatcanstopthem. (Music Starts)
Song 4. TheLaws
WherearetheLawswemustobey?
Wherearetherulestoguideusthroughourday Wherearethewordsthatwillteachushowtolive
Wherearethesignstoshowushowtogive
Wherearethevisionstohelpourfailingsouls
Wherearethetoolsforrebuildingournewworld?
Thoushaltnotkill,
Thoushaltnotsteal
Thoushaltnothurtorforceyourwill
Thoushaltbewareoffoolishpride
Thoushaltbefairandtakenosides
Thoushaltdespiseallthatisvain
Thoushaltnotlie,orcheatforgain
ThoushaltkeepholythydayforGod
Thoushaltforgiveandthoushaltlove!
ThesearetheLawswemustobey?
Thesearetherulestoguideusthroughourday
Thesearethewordsthatwillteachushowtolive
Thesearethesignstoshowushowtogive
Thoushaltnothaveajealousheart
Shaltnotdesireyourneighbour’spart
Thoushaltbekindineveryway
Andthoushaltkeepatimetopray
Thoushaltnotcauseyourparentsshame
Thoushaltnotcurse,ortakeGod’snameinvain
AndthoushaltworshiptheOneTrueGod!
Thoushaltforgiveandthoushaltlove!
GirlNarrator Niceideas–but,asyousay,nowayofenforcingthem.
ElderNarrator Well–theDutchpeopledidnotforgetaboutHugoGrotius–thefatherof InternationalLaw.So,whenTsarNicholasofRussiawaslookingforaplaceto holdanInternationalPeaceConferencein1899,theyoungQueenWilhelmina oftheNetherlandsofferedtohostitintheDutchCapital,TheHague.
BoyNarrator Andwhatdiditachieve?
ElderNarrator Well–itsetupthePeacePalace–theInternationalCourtofJustice (the picture appears on the screen) AnditagreedtheHagueConventionsdefiningwar crimes–laterreplacedbytheGenevaConventions.
GirlNarrator ButthePeacePalacedidn’tpreventWorldWarONE!?
ElderNarrator No–andtheLeagueofNationsdidn’tpreventWorldWarTWO.
BoyNarrator ButtheUnitedNationshas,atleast,preventedWorldWarTHREE!
ElderNarrator Andwhydoyouthinkthatwas? (they look blank) Whathappenedtwomonths aftertheDiplomatsagreedtheUNCharterinSanFranciscoonJune26th 1945?
GirlNarrator Oh! HiroshimaandNagasaki?– (music starts!)
Song 5. Fireball
Nine,eight,seven,six,five,four,three,two,one!
Pushthatbutton
Letitbedone!
Lookout–hereitcomes!
Fireball–burninginthesky
Buildingeverhigher,arewegoingtodie?
Fireball–risingfromtheground
Growingeverbrighter
Whyistherenosound?
Fireball!
Where’smychild,where’smyhome?
Where’sthestreetIusedtoknow?
Howcanitbe-?
Howcanacitydisappear?
Fireball!Fireball!Fireball!
WillIbetheonlysurvivor?
Lostinaworld–aseaofburningfire?
WillIbetheonlyone?
OhdearGod!–whathavewedone?
Nine,eight,seven,six,five,four,three,two,one!
LetitGo!
Letitbedone!
Lookout!!–hereitcomes!
Fireball!–glowingandalive
Pushingoutitspoison–nothingwillsurvive!!
Fireball!–burstingintoflames!
Mybodyisonfire
ButIfeelnopain-!!
Fireball!Fireball!Fireball!
An explosion shakes the theatre. A mushroom Cloud fills the screen. Then silence. Music starts. A small child walks down stage centre and sings. The soloists & Chorus build the song into a howl of protest.
Song 6. MrPresident
MrPresidentisittruewhattheysay, Youcankillalltheworldinlessthanaday?
MrPresident,canitbewhatitseems, Therewillbenomorelove,therewillbenomoredreams.
MrPresident,isittruewhatIhear Becauseofmen'sgreedwemustallliveinfear?
OhNo!(OhNo)It'splaintosee(It'splaintosee) Butsohardtounderstand, Thatthisworldwealllove Isfadingaway,dyingtoday!
OhNo!(ohno)It'snotfair!(it'snotfair)
Thatmankindshouldhavetheright Forthesakeoftheirgreed Theycantakethisaway Withoutaskingwhy–OhNO!
MrPresident,isittruewhatIread, Theworldcouldbedeadwithaturnofyourkey?
MrPresident,Canitbewhatitseems Therewillbenomorechildren,nomorelove,nomoredreams?
MrPresident,won'tyouhearoursmallplea? Forthemillionsofchildren,throwawayyourkey?
OhNo!(OhNo)It'splaintosee(It'splaintosee) Butsohardtounderstand, Thatthisworldwealllove Isfadingaway,dyingtoday!
OhNo!(ohno)It'snotfair!(it'snotfair) Thatmankindshouldhavetheright Forthesakeoftheirgreed Theycantakethisaway Withoutaskingwhy–OhNO!
MrPresidents,it'satimetobebrave! Announcetotheworld,thiswillbeaPeaceDay TheFirstPeaceDay!
THE PRESENT
BoyNarrator SoacoupleoffalsestartswiththePeacePalaceandtheLeagueofNations–butHey! Thirdtimearound,wegoteverythingrightwiththeUnitedNations, yes?!
ElderNarrator Well,er…notexactly!
GirlNarrator It’smadealotofpromises–abouthumanrights,endingpoverty,healthforall, schoolforallandto“savesucceedinggenerationsfromthescourgeofwar”but –
ElderNarrator Ithasn’tbeentherousingsuccessweallhopeditwouldbe!
GirlNarrator AndyourgenerationcertainlyhasNOTleftusaworldabetterplacethanyou foundit!
ElderNarrator True–butwe’vedoneaprettygoodjobofquantifyingjustwhat’swrongwithit:
Song 7. WORLD
World–lookatthewayweare
Lookatthethingswedo
Lookatthewordswesay
Life!–lookatthewaywelive
Lookatthelovewehad
Lookatthethingswe’vemade
Gone,goneareallthoselovelydays
Goneareallthepeacefulways
Allthat’sleftisoldandgrey
Andourworldisfading
Ourworldisdying–today!
Can’tyouseethetideischanging?
Don’tyouknowthattruthisfading?
Peoplecomingoutfromunder
Slowlyrisingtothethunder
Listentotheshoutingpeople
Brokenchurches,brokensteeple
There’snooneforthemtofollow
Everyone’saGodtomorrow
Can’tyouseetheworldisdying?
Repentantpeopleallarecrying
Lawandorderhasbeendrowned
Chaosrulesandhasbeencrowned!
World–lookatthewayweare
Lookatthethingswedo
Lookatthegamesweplay
Life!–lookatthewaywelive
Lookatthethingswebuild
Lookatthelovewe’vekilled
Gone,goneareallthoselovelydays
Goneareallthepeacefulways
(Diminuendo)Allthat’sleftisoldandgrey (Diminuendo/ralentando)Andourworldisfading (Softly)Ourworldisdying–today!
BoyNarrator Dying?!! TODAY??!!–youhavetobekiddingme!?
GirlNarrator Surelyit’snotasbadasthat?!
ElderNarrator Wellitis,actually!! Over-consumptioncombinedwithglobalcarelessness aboutpollution,biodiversitylossandcarbonemissionsmeansthatadead planetis prettymuchwherewe’reheading.We’rehumanlocustssuckingthe planetdry.
GirlNarrator Whydon’tweknowaboutthis?
BoyNarrator 12yearsI’vespentinschool–workinghard,doingeverythingtheteacherstell me–butthisisthefirsttimeI’mhearingaboutthis!
GirlNarrator Imean–wehearaboutclimatechange,andwe’retoldtolookafternatureand notchuckourrubbishinthestreetbut–aDyingPlanet?! That’scrazy!
BoyNarrator ItmeansElonMuskisright:we’regoingtohavetofindanotherplanet?
GirlNarrator Idon’twanttofindanother!Ilikethisone!
BoyNarrator SodoI?
ElderNarrator Sodoweall!Wealljusthavetodoabetterjoboflookingafterit!
BoyNarrator Toorightwedo!
GirlNarrator Idon’twanttodie! IwanttohaveaFullLife –
BoyNarrator –haveajob,afamily,friends,parties,adventures–
GirlNarrator LoveAffairs!! (softly) IwanttoLive! (music starts: she sings)
Song 8. IwanttoLive
Iwanttolive,Iwanttolive
Therighttolivemylife Iwanttosearchfarandwide
Havetherighttowonderwhy Iwanttoflythroughtheair
Likeabirdinthesky, Iwantthechancetoshowtheworld WhatIambeforeIdie.
Iwanttobe,Iwanttosee Aworldthat’sgoodandfree Iwantahome,someonetolove
Tosharetheirlifewithme Iwanttohaveandtohold Achildofmyown Iwanttolive,Iwanttolove
Therighttogrowold..
BoyNarrator (to the Chorus) Whataboutyouguys?!–DoyouwanttoLive? –ordoyou haveatotalDeathWish?! Whichisit? Death?(No)–youdon’tsoundvery sure?(NO!!!!!) Life?(YES!!!!!!)Sosingitwithme!
All(SingUp-tempoVersion) Wewanttolive,wewanttolive
Therighttoliveourlives
Wewanttosearchfarandwide Havetherighttowonderwhy Wewanttoflythroughtheair
Likebirdsinthesky, Wewantthechancetoshowtheworld Whatwearebeforewedie. We-want-to–live!!
BoyNarrator Sothereyouhaveit!Everyonewantstolive!
GirlNarrator (to the audience) Ibetyouguysdotoo,don’tyou?! (get a big YES!!)
BoyNarrator Everyonewantstolive! Noonewantstodie! SowhydoestheUNallowits membergovernmentstobuildthesenuclearweaponsthatcoulddestroyusall ANDallowtherestofustoeat,drinkandmakesoverymerrywiththeplanet’s environmentthatwe’reslowlykillingitforallfuturegenerationsanyway?!
ElderNarrator Well….It’scomplicated…!
BoyNarrator Notcomplicatedatall! It’samatteroflifeanddeathso-
GirlNarrator Chooselife!!
ElderNarrator Iwould! Weallwouldbut–yousee–theUNwassetupbythe5nationswho wontheSecondWorldWarandtheyreservedforthemselvestherightofVeto.
GirlNarrator Veto?
ElderNarrator Yes.5xcountrieshavetherighttoover-ruledecisionsmadebytheother188?
BoyNarrator Anyoneof5countriescanvetothewishesofalltheothers?That’snotvery democratic!
GirlNarrator Anditwas80yearsago!! Whyhaven’ttheychangedit?!
ElderNarrator Becausenoonewantedtostartun-pickingtheUNCharter.“Ifitain’tbroke, don’ttrytofixit!”
GirlNarrator Butit is broke–it’sveryverybroke!!Ourworldisdying!!
BoyNarrator Ican’tbelievethatFIVEsuperpowersareintentonkillingalllifeontheplanet!
GirlNarrator They’reallledbymen!
BoyNarrator Oh–soit’smyfaultnow,isit?! SuperSimple!!BlamethePatriarchy!!
ElderNarrator No–blametheSuperpowers:thepast,presentandwannabeImperialPowers. Whydon’tyouaskthem?
BoyNarrator Weshall- (music starts: the two soloists and choir sing)
Song 9. Superpower!
Whatyougonnadonow–Superpower?!
Whereyougonnahide?!
Wherewillbeyourland?!
Whatyougottasaynow–Superpower?!
Who’llbethefoolinyourmasterplan?!
Whereyougonnarunto–Superpower?!
WhathaveyoudonetoGod’sPromisedLand?!
Whathaveyoudonewiththisbeautifulworld?!
Whereisyourguidingstar?!
WhathaveyoudonewiththisGod-givengrace?!
Whodoyouthinkyouare?!
Yeswhodoyouthinkyouare?!
We’llwakeuponemorningandtheworldwillbegone Withallofourbeautifuldreams
Wehadsomanychancesbutwethrewthemaway
Andnowwe’vesoldoursoulstotheDevil’scourse
Howdidwelosecontrol?!
Andhowwegonnapaythetoll?!
Whereyougonnarunto-Superpower?!
Whereyougonnahide?!
Wherewillbeyourland?!
Whatyougottasaynow–Superpower?!
Who’llbethefoolinyourmasterplan?!
Whatyougonnadonow–Superpower?!
WhathaveyoudonetoGod’sPromisedLand?!
Whereyougonnarunto-Superpower?! Superpower
ElderNarrator Andhereistheiranswer:5xSymphonicInterludesonthethemeofPeace–fromChina,France,Russia,theUnitedKingdomandtheUnitedStates. Listen –
SYMPHONIC INTERLUDE
THE FUTURE
GirlNarrator Wheredowegofromhere?
ElderNarrator Ha! ThatwasthetitleofMartinLutherKing’slastbook.
BoyNarrator Ididn’tknowthat;
ElderNarrator Fewpeoplereaditnow–butheanswersyourquestioninthelastchapter: BuildaWorldHouse–wherewealllookaftereachother,feedingeachother, cleaningupeverythingtogether,puttingoutthetrash.
GirlNarrator That’slikehisDreamspeech–littlewhitechildren,littleblackchildren, playingtogether.
ElderNarrator Exactly! YouhavetostartwiththeDream–theVision…
Song 10. IhaveaVision
Ihaveavision, Ihaveadream Ihavetheanswer Orsoitseems. Don'tyouseethetruth, Tofightisnotright, Weshallhaveourrainbow, Wewillhaveoursunlight! Ifweunite!
There'sawayyousee,wherenoonegetshurt There'sawaywithloveifyoutry! Thereishopeandfaithtokeepyoualive Inyourdarkestday,justpray!
Reachoutwithlove, Gatherallyourcourage, Reachoutwithlove, Seekabrighterday!
Loveasoursword, Peaceasourweapon
Reachoutwithlove!
Letuswinthisway!
MartinLutherKinghadavision! Hehadadream Hehadtheanswer,orsoitseemed! Heknewthetruth-tofightisnotright Wecanhaveourrainbow, Wecanhavethesunlight! Wemustunite!
Anewworld, Anewlight! Anewworld, Anewlight!
Anewhope!
Anewlight-
Reachoutwithlove, Gatherallyourcourage, Reachoutwithlove, Seekabrighterday!
Loveasoursword, Peaceasourweapon
Reachoutwithlove!
Letuswinthisway!
Ihaveavision,
BoyNarrator DreamsandVisionsareallverynice!Butthey’renotverypractical.
ElderNarrator SoyoustartwiththeUnitedNations:it’sverypractical.Andit’stheonlyplace wehave–andit’slasted80years,wheretheLeagueofNationsonlylasted20.
GirlNarrator But–yousaidtheUNisnotuptothejob!It’spole-axedbytheP5!?
BoyNarrator It’sclimatechangeConferenceshavebeentakenoverbythefossilfuel industries!It’speace-keepersareinthehandsofthebiggestarms-exporting industries.
GirlNarrator It’sHumanRightsagenciesarerunbycountriesthatsponsorterrorism–
BoyNarrator -andthenuclear-armedstatesrefusedtoevenjointheUNdiscussionsonthe TreatytoProhibitallnuclearweapons….
ElderNarrator Yes–butithasjustconvenedaSummitoftheFuture–anditsmemberStates allagreedaPactfortheFuture,onecomponentofwhichisaDeclarationon FutureGenerations.
GirlNarrator So-?
ElderNarrator InWales,theypasseda“Well-beingofFutureGenerations”Acttenyearsago tofuture-proofeverypieceoflegislationweputthroughourParliament.
BoyNarrator So–nowtheUNhascaughtupwithWales.Whyisthatanykindofanswerto ourproblems??
ElderNarrator It’snotthefinalanswer–butitopensthedoortoananswer:becauseitmeans thatalltheWorld’sGovernmentshave “resolved to ensure that present generations act with responsibility towards safeguarding the needs and interests of future generations.”
GirlNarrator Inotherwords,wehavesignedatreatywithourselvestoleavetheworlda betterplacethanwefoundit!
BoyNarrator Butthat’sjustapieceofpapergatheringdustinabottomdrawer….
GirlNarrator Eveniftheywantedtomakeithappen,wherewouldtheybegin?
ElderNarrator TheDeclarationhasdozensofcommitments!–tomakea“worldwithout nuclearweapons…”aworldwithout“structuralinequalities;”With“gender equality,foodsecurity,climatejustice,aclean,healthyandsustainable environment,qualityeducationforall,universalhealthcoverage….”
BoyNarrator Promises,promises!!
GirlNarrator TheUNhasbeenmakingthosesamepromisesforyears!
BoyNarrator Itneverdeliversonthem…
GirlNarrator -whatwasthatstat.abouttheSustainableDevelopmentGoals?Only15%of themontracktobeachieved…?
BoyNarrator Carbonemissions,farfromdecreasing,areincreasingby14%ayear!
GirlNarrator WhyshouldanyonebelieveintheUN?
ElderNarrator Becauseit’sallwe’vegot! OK–mygenerationhasfailedyou,butthatdoesn’t meanyouhavetofailyourgrand-children! AccentuatethePOSITIVE!! Lookat alltheincredibleinventionsmygenerationispassingontoyou: thedigital revolutionwhichallowsyoutocommunicateforfreetopeopleeverywhere! Thetechnologiesthatwillallowyoutoreplacefossilfuels,eradicatepoverty andhunger,providewaterandfoodforall–andthetechnologiestonegotiate peacefulresolutionofallconflicts.
BoyNarrator Theyhaven’tworkedyet!
ElderNarrator No–buttheycan!Andtheywill!NecessityisthemotherofInventions–and, asyou’velearned, necessitywillbecomepainfullyacuteinyourlifetimes!
Song 11. Inventions
Makeawheel,thenspinningitround Itmaycarrytheworld
Makeafire–yesbuildingithightill Itburnstotheground
Makeabladeandcallitaspade
Todigthroughtheearth
CreaturesofInvention–yesweareMan! Headingfordestructionwithourownhands
Nothingcanstopus
We’llmakeourownstardust
Nothingcanstopus…
Sospinthatwheel,fasterandfaster
Itwillcarryusfar
Stokeupthatfire,yeshigherandhigher
Tillitburnstothesky
Makeabow,putinanarrow
Letitflythroughtheworld
WeareCreaturesofInvention–yesweareMan! Headingfordestructionwithourownhands
Thewheelsareallturning
Thefiresareallburning
We’relivingforlearning Learning,learning,learning…
ElderNarrator (Speaking the line as the Chorus sings:) Learning,Learning,Learning. (to the Boy and Girl) Don’tyousee? ItisinYourhandstolearnhowtosurvive–just asitisinyourhandstolearnhowtodestroyyourselves..
BoyNarrator Seemslikewe’vedoneaprettygoodjobatlearningtodestroyourselves!
ElderNarrator Yes–we’vebeenverystupid!
GirlNarrator Andyet–whoarewe?Theparagonofanimals–orthequintessenceofdust?!
BoyNarrator Idon’tbelievewewereputonearthtodestroyit?
ElderNarrator AreyouaChristian?
BoyNarrator Doesitmatter?
ElderNarrator No.Itmattersthatyoubelieve!ThatyoubelievethatsomeSpiritputyouon earth
GirlNarrator Forme,it’swhatgivesLifemeaning.
BoyNarrator Metoo–howevermadlifegets,howeverbadlyI,ortheplanet,getsmessedup –thereisaSpiritouttherelookingoutforus….
ElderNarrator Yourfaithwillhelpyou:remember,80%ofourhumanfamilysharesomekind offaith! Wecanbuildonthat… (Music Starts)
Song 11. Ibelieve
Ifthesunlostit'sshine–andthetreesstartedtodie!
IguessI’dstillbefullofhope–andyes,Iknowthereasonwhy!
Ifthewindgrewtooold,andtheseasstartedtodry
YesIwouldstillbefulloflove–don’task–don’taskmewhy!
IstillbelieveinGod
IstillbelieveinusHispeople! Andifyoureallywanttoknow IstillbelieveinthisHisworld
Sodon’tturnyourheadaway-don’tgiveuponwhoyouare Justkeeplovingmoreeachday-andtheworldwillshineforyou!
Iguessit’sallinthemind–whatyoufeeliswhatyousee Sowithinyourheartjustsingthesewords
Comesing–comesingwithme!
WebelieveinGod WebelieveinusHispeople! Andifyoureallywanttoknow WestillbelieveinthisHisworld
WebelieveinGod WebelieveinusHispeople! Andifyoureallywanttoknow Ibelieve - Yeswebelieve Ibelieve - Yeswebelieve WebelieveinthisHisLAND!
BoyNarrator So–whathappensnow?!
ElderNarrator Now–Ileaveyou:youknowwhatyouhavetodo–youhaveidentifiedyour generation’schallenge:nowallyouhavetodoistogetyourgenerationtorise toit!
GirlNarrator But–you’llhelp! Youwon’tdesertus!
ElderNarrator Ofcoursenot:aslongasIdrawbreath,Iwillbeheretohelpyou.Butmortality dictatesthatIwillnotdrawbreathforever! Youmustlearntodothisonyour own! (S/he watches – backing away slowly, as the spotlight fades on the lectern.)
BoyNarrator Wheredowestart?!
GirlNarrator WecanstartwiththatDeclaration (she’s holds it up) –I’vebeenreadingit!If everykidontheplanetknewthattheirgovernmenthadcommittedtoallthis, wecouldholdtheirfeettothefireandmakesurethattheydeliverit!
BoyNarrator So–JobONE:geteverykidontheplanettoreadtheDeclaration
GirlNarrator JobTWO:geteverykidtotelltheirparentsandfriendsabout it!
BoyNarrator JobTHREE:geteveryonetopersuadetheirgovernmentstodeliveronit!
GirlNarrator Howdowedothat?
BoyNarrator Hmm?! That’sthehardpart….
GirlNarrator HowaboutwedoaSchoolStrikeforPeace:skipschoolandgiveourselves onlinelessonsaboutallthisstuffthattheynevertaughtusaboutinschoolbut whichisabsolutelycrucialtoourverysurvival?!Imean–doyouknowwhat those“technologiesarethatwillallowyoutoreplacefossilfuels”?
BoyNarrator No!Doyouknowthe“technologiestonegotiatepeacefulresolutionof conflicts”?
GirlNarrator Ofcoursenot! Nooneeversatusdowntoteachusthat….!
BoyNarrator So–thisisourchancetolearnthethingsthatwillhelpusmakeourworldsafe andcomfortableforfuturegenerations!
GirlNarrator -toleaveitabetterplacethanwefoundit!!
BoyNarrator Forourchildren,grand-children,great-grand-children….Onandonforever!
GirlNarrator Peace–aDreamUnfolding
BoyNarrator (asking the chorus) Ourgenerationcanunfoldafewmorepages,can’twe?
ChorusMembers (severally) –Yes?–whatdoyoumean?
GirlNarrator WillyoujoinourStrikeforFutureGenerations?
BoyNarrator Turnaroundifyouwill! (He – and all the chorus – turn their backs to the audience)
GirlNarrator Yousee–weallwanttolive;weallwantLifeonEarthtosurviveandget betterforfuturegenerations. Everypoliticianwasachildonce:Idon’tthink anyofthemreallywantedtogrowuptobeemperorsandkillpeople. Mostof themwantthebestfortheirchildrenandgrand-children.Thepowerofyouth willchangethem:
A child from the Chorus comes forward and sings to the audience:
Song 12. ChildforaDay
The child sings: Iwasachildwhoranfulloflaughter
Iwasachildwholivedforaday
Myeyesfullofsunshine
Myheartfullofsmiles
Iwasachildforaday.
The Chorus turns and sings with the child; the Girl & Boy Narrators EXIT
Wewerethechildrenwhoraninthemorning
Wewerethechildrenwholaughedatthesun
Wholistenedtothosewhospokewiththeirwisdom
Weweretheoneswewouldsay.
We'regettingolderastimegoesby
Alittleoldereveryday
Wearethechildrenofyesterday.
The men of the Chorus sing: Wearethemenwhoworryofnothing
Wearethemenwhospeakwithoutaim
Wholistentonooneyetspeakoftheirwisdom
Weweretheoneswewouldsay.
We'regettingolderastimegoesby
Alittleoldereveryday
Wearethechildrenofyesterday.
The child sings: Iwasachildwhoranfulloflaughter
Iwasachildwholivedforaday
Myeyesfullofsunshine
Myheartfullofsmiles
Iwasachildforaday.
All sing:
We'regettingolderastimegoesby
Alittleoldereveryday
Wearethechildrenofyesterday.
As the song finishes, the year 2025 appears on the screen at the back and fast forwards through the years stopping at 2070. The Girl & Boy Narrators ENTER wearing grey wigs, looking 45 years older. They stand either side of the Child soloist:
ChildSoloist So–youdidit?!
GirlNarrator Wedid
BoyNarrator Andtoday,UNDay-October24th 2070,wecelebratetheUN’s125th Birthday–withtheorganisationstrongerthanever–andourworldfitterforyouand yourchildrenandgrand-children.
ChildSoloist Idon’thavechildrenorgrand-children?!
GirlNarrator No–butyoumightoneday!
BoyNarrator You’dwantthemtohaveapeacefulworldtoliveon,wouldn’tyou?
ChildSoloist Ofcourse.Buthowdidyoudoit? Howdidyoupersuadethosesuperpowers togiveuptheirVetoandtheirNuclearWeapons?
GirlNarrator BymakingthemkeeptheirpromisestoyouandFutureGenerations;
BoyNarrator Ittookalongtime! Allourlivesinfact.
GirlNarrator Wehadtolookateverything–howtheUNworked,howthestaffwerechosen, howitwasfunded.Whenwestarted,wethepeopledidn’tpayapennyforit: theGovernmentspaidforallofit–sowerealisediftheUNwastorespondto theneedsofnormalpeoplelikeus,weneededtocontributetothefundingof it.Fornothing–nothingismoreimportanttoanyofusthanleavingyoua worldthatissafeandpeacefulforyou–andyourchildrenwhenyouhave them.
ChildSoloist Thankyou!
GirlNarrator No–thankyou!Forwithouttheideaofyoucomingtojoinusonthisplanet–wewouldn’thavebothered,wouldwe?
BoyNarrator No.YougaveusapurposeinLife!Finally–Iunderstood:whoamI!
GirlNarrator So–whoareyou?Whatisyourroleinlife?
BoyNarrator Tobeapeace-maker,apromoterofsustainability,andtobegoodAncestor!
ChildSoloist ThankyouforbeingaGoodAncestortome!
GirlNarrator YoumustbeaGoodAncestortoo,fortheDreamwillUnfoldinyourlivestoo! Buttodaylet’sjustcelebratetheUN’sBirthdayandanother125happy peacefulyears
BoyNarrator You’renotgoingtomakeussing“HappyBirthday?”
GirlNarrator No–let’sjustsing!
Song 13. SING!
Sing! Idowishtheworldwouldsing! Idowishtheworldwouldsay Howtheylovetoliveandplay Howtheyneedeachother'sPeace! Thatisallwewanttohave, Thatisallwewanttoshare Letusliveourlivesinpeace
Ohletusgivethislifeachanceto-
Love!-loveisallIneed, LoveisallIwant, Loveiseverywhere Peace!-PeaceisallIwant,
PeaceisallIneed, Peace-everywhere!
Comeintomyjoy!
Love!-loveisallIneed, Comeintomypain!
LoveisallIwant, Comeyoubeafriendofmine, Loveiseverywhere! I'llbethesame!
Comeintomyjoy!
Peace!-PeaceisallIwant, Comeintomypain
PeaceisallIneed, Comeyoubeafriendofmine! Peace-everywhere! I'llbethesame!
(Repeatx2)
T
h e E n d
DiscussionAfterwards:
Iftimeallows,doinvitetheaudienceandchorustostaybehindandaskquestionsofthecast, chorusandorchestraandanyPeaceChildstaffwhomaybeinattendance.