He tells his wife Henrietta about the legend of the local spirits that dwell in the forest, who supposedly would light bonfires at Midsummer ("Dream Nights").
Swann has pursued his beloved with Jennifer in tow, surmising that Alexander and Charlotte will try to escape through the woods and make their way to Scotland to be married.
The actors are rehearsing their play ("The Ballad of St George") largely unsuccessful, with Jess Dunn the farm boy complaining his part (the dragon's rear-end) is too small.
When he is recast as the Princess the show continues, but when Cheek disappears to make his entrance, the actors are horrified to see him return transfigured into a goat.
The play was initially performed by the National Youth Music Theatre, in 2001,[2] including in its ensemble Ben Barnes, Katie Hall and Ed Sanders.