Cónnlan and his people are celebrating the Spring Equinox (Festival of the Trees), a druidic holy day. The entire village turns out for the celebration, which is highlighted by music and energetic dancing. They're unaware that the evil fairy queen, Chanda, and her closest confidante, Daeriese, are spying on them from the shadows.

           That night, Chanda and Daeriese infiltrate the village and kidnap Cónnlan's beautiful young daughter, Álainna. Chanda casts a hypnotic spell over Álainna, and spirits her away to the Sidhe, the underground fairy forts, as her slave.

           When Cónnlan discovers that his daughter has been kidnaped, he rouses Casidhe and his warriors. Though they travel throughout the land searching for her, they're unable to find a trace of her, and eventually return in defeat.

           Down in the Sidhe, Chanda forces Álainna to dance for her people's entertainment. When her son, Triáth, watches Álainna dancing, he falls in love with her and yearns to marry her. Daeriese is angered by Triáth's interest, and plots revenge.

           Several weeks have now passed since Álainna was kidnaped. In desperation, Cónnlan appeals to the holy druids and, through them, to the goddess Keridwen. The druids invoke Keridwen's presence with a special ritual in the sacred grove. Keridwen warns Cónnlan that Álainna is being held prisoner down in the Sidhe.

           While his people prepare for the mystical Beltane ceremony, Cónnlan makes his own preparations. Despite Casidhe's protests, he plots to infiltrate the Sidhe alone. However, as the tribe's leader, he knows that he must be present during the all-important Beltane celebration. Though he chafes at the delay, he obediently participates in the tribe's spring-renewal rites, and waits for a chance to slip away into the darkness.

           At the height of the celebration, he creeps away from the sacred grove...only to find Keridwen Herself calmly waiting for him near the shore. She gives him a special golden talisman which will aid him in his search, and protect him from Chanda's evil magic. Then She warns him that his own life will be forfeit if he fails to rescue Álainna. He's determined to make the attempt, so he receives Keridwen's blessing, then heads off for the mythical Sidhe.

           Unknown to Cónnlan, Casidhe has been spying on him from the shadows. When Cónnlan disappears into the night, he rallies his warriors, and they follow their lord in secret.

           When Cónnlan nears the Sidhe's entrance, he spies the fairyfolk dancing in the moonlight. Álainna is with them, but she's clearly still under Chanda's magical spell as she twirls in elegant circles with them. When Triáth jumps into the circle to dance with her, it's apparent that he's fallen in love with her. Daeriese and the other fairies reluctantly back away, allowing them to dance together, until the sentry shouts a warning. Then they all scurry back underground before the sun can rise over the distant hill.

           Cónnlan follows them underground at a safe distance, and finally discovers Álainna in the Great Hall, chained to Chanda's throne. Chanda commands her to dance again. Daeriese and her fairies join in, yet this time they torment Álainna by mocking her graceful dancing. Chanda is amused by the display, but Triáth seems troubled. When he finally dares to protest, Chanda furiously banishes him from the chamber.

           Cónnlan intervenes before Daeriese can harm Álainna. Chanda is enraged by his interruption, and vows to kill him. Despite his struggles, Daeriese and her cohorts surround and subdue Cónnlan. Then Chanda changes her mind, and casts a magical spell over him. Though he tries to resist, her evil spell is too powerful to fight. She forces him to dance alone with her, essentially claiming him as her new mate.

           Meanwhile, Triáth has discovered Casidhe and his troops infiltrating the catacombs. After a brief confrontation, he persuades them to accompany him back toward the throne room. They attack Chanda and her people. She quickly rallies, and forces Cónnlan to dance-duel at her side. While the two factions battle each other, Triáth slips off to the side and frees Álainna. Chanda's spell is broken when he gently kisses her.

           When Álainna realizes that Cónnlan is in danger, she dashes right into the middle of the fight and throws herself into his arms. He doesn't recognize her until she touches Keridwen's magical amulet. Bewildered, he lays his hand over hers--and golden light floods over them both as Keridwen's power counteracts Chanda's. At that same moment, an identical glowing light envelops Daeriese as Chanda's evil spell over her is also broken. She recognizes Casidhe, her true love, and runs to him. Cónnlan quickly pushes Álainna to safety, and joins his own men--and Daeriese--in the final battle against Chanda and her fairies.

           Without warning, Keridwen magically appears in the throne room. She and Cónnlan combine their mystical powers, and dramatically banish Chanda to the otherworld. While the fairies cower in terror, fearing for their own lives, Keridwen proclaims Triáth the new Sidhe ruler. Triáth takes Álainna's hand, and leads her into a very romantic wedding dance. Casidhe and Daeriese join in the dance, proclaiming their own long-denied love.

           Cónnlan and his warriors are joined by his villagers and the druids. They all join the fairyfolk in a glorious, energetic celebration which unites the human and fairy tribes.

Encores galore!


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Broken Down By Dance/Song

Act I

Act II

Encores galore!

Author's Notes:

Passage of time can be denoted in several ways; i.e. overhead lighting which started out all green in "Festival of the Trees" can gradually turn to a golden hue as the unsuccessful warriors return from their search.

Álainna's costume can appear more ragged each time she dances, until Cónnlan and his men appear to rescue her.

The fairy chain which binds Álainna to Chanda's throne could be a golden light overlay, which then magically "vanishes" when Chanda orders Álainna to dance.

During the final dance duel when the spell is broken, glitter can be sprinkled through the spotlights from above, highlighting Cónnlan and Daeriese.  Same effect can be used when Triáth kisses Álainna and breaks Chanda's evil spell.



Cónnlan - Gaelic for "Great Hero"
Chanda - Sanskrit for "The Great Goddess"
Casidhe - Gaelic for "Clever One"
Daeriese - Gaelic for "Slave"
Triáth - Gaelic for "Prince"
Álainna - Gaelic for "Beautiful One"



Original Draft: 5/23/97 @ 2:30 a.m.
First Revision: 6/2/97 @ 7:45 p.m.
Final Revision:  7/23/98 @ 6:20 p.m.