Daniel and the Beastly Babylonians

A light-hearted treatment of the biblical story, with plenty of humour and dramatic interest - and some serious moments. Daniel and his companions, captured in war, are brought to Babylon to work for the King. Their success arouses the envy of the High Priest and the now-redundant magicians and sorcerers, who conspire to get the newcomers into trouble - in the forms of a Burning Fiery Furnace and a Den of Lions. Their plots fail and it is the arrogant King Belshazzar who is destroyed, as forecast by the hand which writes mysterious characters on a wall. Under his successor the Priests and Sorcerers hope at last to have Daniel discredited; instead he is able to demonstrate their trickery to the King. Daniel's enemies are overthrown and his cause vindicated.

Cast : 32 speaking parts (9m, 23 variable); can reduce to 22 with doubling. Suggested Age Range : 8 to 14. Running Time : 75 minutes + interval. Set : Interior, exotic, Middle Eastern effect; various rostra or benches, screens or hangings to allow several entrances.