The Great Wizard's Visit The Worst Witch

Millie, wake up!

Millie!

You'll have to wake up - the Great Wizard's coming.

-Huh?

-The Great Wizard!

The Great Wizard as in the Great Wizard!

Yay, wow, amazing.

Who's the Great Wizard again?

And he gave no reason at all for the purpose of his visit?

The Great Wizard has always been a man of mystery.

I remember on one occasion he turned himself into a chameleon

for six weeks to win a simple game of hide and seek.

Impressive.

He's like a cross between the Queen and the Prime Minister but

of course he's magic and he wears a hat instead of a crown.

-Morning.

-Morning.

I hope the Great Wizard has a good reason

for getting us up at this hour.

But surely his arrival is reason enough, Archie?

He is the Great Wizard.

He's basically the most important wizard in the whole wide world.

You're wearing that?

Why not?

You look...great.

Come on.

The actual Great Wizard is about to descend upon us and we have

yet to organise a greeting ceremony.

Oh, there's no need for all that.

Meeting the first years will be quite sufficient.

The Great Wizard is an old family friend.

I'm sure he's just popped in to say hello.

So you have to bow and call him "Your Greatness"

and you're not allowed to speak to him unless he speaks to you.

And don't shake his hand unless it's a full moon.

OK. Got it.

-So, are you ready?

-Nice hat, Mildred.

Where'd you get it, a jumble sale?

Surprised you found a hat big enough to fit your head.

Don't worry about him, it's just the Great Wizard.

It's no big deal.

He's the important wizard in the country.

Yeah, maybe. My dad once made his trousers disappear for a bet.

BELL CHIMES

BIRDS CROW

He's here.

THEY MUTTER AMONGST THEMSELVES

He's here. Perhaps he didn't fancy flying today.

A taxi, Your Greatness?

-I deplore fuss.

-Where am I?

You? You're back in that lay-by recovering from a nice long nap.

Bow.

So let us proceed straight to the greeting ceremony.

Don't worry, we're not going to make you go through all the formalities.

Well, they are traditional.

I know, and you're such a modern Great Wizard.

I knew you wouldn't want any of that old-fashioned nonsense.

So there will be no special spells, no songs in your honour,

no expensive gifts.

Quite. Substance over style. You know me, Miss Cackle.

Oh, I do. Shall we meet the girls?

This is Maud Spellbody.

Well met, Your Greatness.

-Enid Nightshade.

-Oh, a Nightshade.

Yes, I believe I know your father.

Yes, he remembers you well.

This is Mildred Hubble.

Er...

Well met, Your Highness...

Mr Wizard...

Sir?

Thank you. I'm sorry.

Magic is a serious business.

And self-control is essential for any witch.

Remember that, Mildred Hubble.

Yes, erm...

er...

Your Grandness.

Shall we move on? Ethel Hallow.

Well met, Your Greatness.

It's such a delight to see you again.

Shall we tour the school now, Your Greatness?

Yes, but first a word, please.

In private.

Pupils being turned into pigs, witches being turned into frogs.

Someone wrote you an anonymous letter.

Surely you're not taking this seriously?

That depends. Are these claims true or aren't they?

There may be some truth in it.

But all these incidents are the work of one pupil.

Ms Hubble, according to this letter you have a list of misdemeanours

longer than a serpent's tail.

Who wrote this?

Leaving aside the question of authorship for the moment,

are these allegations true?

Mildred Hubble is a slow learner, Your Greatness,

but with our help I'm sure she will catch up.

-Eventually.

-It's not just a question of ability,

it's a question of discipline and the safety of the other girls.

I assume your parents know about your behaviour.

Mum's impressed I got in at all.

Mildred is our first ever student from a non-witching family.

You mean this girl is not a witch?

I've always had the greatest respect for you, Ada, but this will not do.

No wonder this school is descending into chaos.

This girl has talent.

Talent is meaningless unless it's used correctly.

Magic in the wrong hands can be extremely dangerous.

You of all people should know that.

That's why you removed Agatha's powers after that unpleasantness on

selection day.

Mildred and my sister are very different people.

Very different.

That is certainly true but I think His Greatness

is urging us to consider the greater good of the school.

I am.

This school needs talented witches, no matter what their background.

I believe that Mildred has that talent.

I would stake my reputation on it.

Would you?

Indeed.

So who wrote the letter?

Never mind that. I've got to practise for this magic display.

-Magic display?

-Oh, the Great Wizard said

I had to prove that I belong here.

You've got to do magic in front of the Great Wizard?

Oh, Millie.

I know but...

..Miss Cackle believes in me.

-I can't let her down.

-This one's for outstanding aerobatics.

And that's the goblet of excellence in the annual spelling bee.

Impressive.

Did you win all these?

Well... No.

My sister did. But...

Oh, Esmeralda. Congratulations on all your success.

Well, Ethel's been doing very well, too.

Especially in her broomstick work.

Well, I'm glad to hear it,

I must have spent half my schooldays flying.

Sprinting long-distance.

Oh, loved it all.

And of course I was captain of the display team.

Me, too.

Well, I will be.

Ms Drool says I'm the best flyer in my year.

Also top in the class in everything else.

So you must be head of year.

Would be, if it weren't for Mildred Hubble.

Ethie, His Greatness does not want to hear about...

No, actually I do.

So... So what can you tell me about this Mildred Hubble?

Well, where do I start?

And she turned me into a pig. I had a snout and a tail for days.

So would you say that most of the school's problems

-are down to Mildred Hubble?

-I would say all of them are.

It's clear to me the girl should never have been admitted.

Mildred Hubble's not just incompetent,

she is a danger to all of us.

Indeed.

I dunno, Millie, maybe you should do something a bit more traditional.

I'm not traditional, am I? Miss Cackle said I should be creative.

Watch.

Once the beakers are full, point the baton, then...

-Like it?

-It's different.

The letter to Miss Cackle, I know who wrote it.

-Who?

-Ethel, of course.

I just heard her talking to the Great Wizard.

She's trying to get you expelled.

I can't believe she actually wrote to the Great Wizard.

Of course she did. She thinks she can get away with anything,

-because she's a Hallow.

-Well, she's wrong.

I'm not going anywhere.

I may not have a magical family, but Miss Cackle believes in me,

so I know I can do this.

-So do I.

-Me too.

Where is she?

About time.

I was waiting for you to call me.

Now I forgot Ada had removed all your powers.

I know what you meant, you fool.

Sorry, Agatha. Is the Great Wizard falling for it?

Beautifully.

All those stories you gave me went down a treat.

I can do this.

I can do this.

I can do this.

I can't do this!

-Of course you can.

-We're right behind you, Mill.

And what do we have here?

This is a potions display, Miss Cackle.

-With a twist.

-Intriguing.

I knew I was right to have faith in you.

Oh, please, sit down, Your Greatness.

Witches and wizards...

..may I present to you Hubble's Bubbles.

A beaker and bottle band.

Ready?

Here we go.

MUSIC: Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor

-Er, Millie, I think you should...

-Shh! I'm concentrating!

-Oh!

-Whoops!

-ALL:

-# La, la, la, la, la, la... #

THEY SING INCREASINGLY LOUDER

Are you all right, Your Greatness?

I ask for proof that Mildred is a responsible student,

this is what I get?

-It was a mistake...

-Which should never have been allowed to happen.

You endanger us all with this reckless misuse of magic.

I'm so sorry, Your Greatness!

It's not your fault, child.

It's yours! You allowed this display to get out of control.

You're obviously unfit to run this school,

and I shall ensure that you are removed as soon as possible.

Happy now, Ethel?

You see what you've done?

I didn't mean... I just wanted to get rid of Mildred, not...

Well, you shouldn't have written that letter!

-What letter?

-She wrote to the Great Wizard.

Thanks to her, Miss Cackle's going to lose her job.

No, I didn't...

I wouldn't...

Please, Your Greatness, you must reconsider.

The Cackles have served this academy well for many generations.

Well, maybe it's time for the next Cackle to take over.

I believe your younger sister is next in line.

-Oh, no, that's impossible! Not Agatha!

-Oh, come on, Egbert,

I have heard that she's at least three Smarties

short of a gingerbread house.

She'll have us closed down before you can say "widdershins".

From what I've seen, she could hardly do worse than the current

headmistress. I'm afraid Agatha's punishment may have been unjust.

Perhaps it's time she had her powers returned.

Your Greatness, I have worked with Miss Cackle

for many years and I respect her judgment.

Even when her decisions appear unusual,

they have always proved to be justified.

She has trained some of the greatest witches of our time.

Ada Cackle is a force for good, not just for witchcraft,

but for the world.

Is this the opinion of you all?

ALL: Yes, Your Greatness.

Very well, I shall overlook this morning's entertainment,

as long as you can persuade me that your judgment is still sound.

I will, Your Greatness.

This afternoon, our first years will perform a broomstick display,

led by Mildred Hubble.

I can't fly lead! What if I mess up again?

Mildred, when you're down and out,

that's the time to rise from the ashes and prove your doubters wrong.

Miss Cackle, there's...

been a mistake with the broomstick display team.

Mildred's been listed as lead.

That's right. And I want you to lend her your broomstick.

My new broom?

Yes. We can't expect Mildred to fly on some rickety old duster.

You don't mind, do you?

-No, Miss Cackle.

-Good.

So, off you go, get practising.

Shine, like the star you are.

Please, Miss Cackle, you can't let Mildred lead.

But it's very important that she does.

You see,

I want the Great Wizard to see what Mildred is really capable of.

The Great Wizard will realise that

all our problems come down to one witch

and then he will ask me to stay on as headmistress.

So, I think you know what to do.

Yes, Miss Cackle.

You can count on me.

Something's not right.

-It doesn't make sense.

-Millie, now is not the time to panic.

The whole school's counting on you.

Take care of this, Mildred.

Ethel's very kind to lend it to you.

Now, to practise.

I want you to see to the bat problem in the west turret.

We don't want any of those pests getting in the way of our fliers.

But I'll be late for the display.

I suspect you'll miss it entirely.

But fear not. Miss Drill and I have it all in hand.

-But, Ada...

-Hecate, your impassioned speech,

whilst I am sure well-intentioned, would only serve

to worry the Great Wizard.

Perhaps best if you stay away now.

Yes, Headmistress.

The magic display didn't go to plan.

Miss Hardbroom talked him around.

Oh, that interfering old crone.

But all is not lost.

I've asked Mildred Hubble to lead a broomstick display.

It'll be carnage.

You're a genius. I know.

My sister will lose her job, they'll need a new headmistress.

I'm the next in line.

They'll have to give me my powers back.

I will reinstate you as spell science mistress.

I don't think anyone will miss that froggy little fellow, do you?

Or you, do you, sister?

Still, I'm sure you'll enjoy early retirement.

Remember, girls, if you get sky sick,

just close your eyes and tough it out.

ALL: Go, Cackles.

Um, Miss Cackle, I think you should ask Ethel to fly lead.

The decision is made. I chose you.

Look, I know you're trying to help me but this is for your sake.

Do not presume to tell me what is good for me and my school.

You will get on that broom and you will fly in this display

or else there will be consequences.

Now, off you go.

Millie, is everything OK?

No, that's not Miss Cackle, that's Agatha.

-It can't be.

-She just tried to do a transference spell

and nothing happened.

-Are you sure?

-She's been trying to make the school look bad all day.

-And using me.

-Millie.

Think about it. I'm about to do a flying display

in front of the country's greatest wizard and she chose me to lead it.

Oh, my hat, it's Agatha.

-We have to tell the Great Wizard.

-He's never going to believe us.

We have to find the real Miss Cackle.

Uh, Mildred Hubble...

..where do you think you're going?

I just really have to go somewhere.

We're all counting on you, Mildred.

Don't let us down now.

Um, no, she won't.

You see, Mildred was just helping me out.

You see, I'm having a bit of...tummy trouble.

Well, why didn't you say, girls?

Maud, you're excused.

Enid, you're in.

Right, girls,

remember what I told you at practice.

Lots of height, break for the circle and Mildred,

really push into that nosedive.

-Yes, Miss Drill.

-Off you go.

What's up? What's happened to Maud?

Oh, Miss Cackle's really Agatha.

Agatha?

Shush, act normal.

We have to get this display right or the Great Wizard will get rid of our

Miss Cackle.

Mildred flying lead in a broomstick display.

-Ambitious.

-It'll come off.

My girls will make sure of it.

Are you sure this is a good idea?

It's what Miss Cackle wants.

The Great Wizard wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Mildred.

It's time to get her out of the way for good.

But...

Witches at the ready.

And go.

Woohoo!

Pendil?

Pendil, what's wrong?

This is bad. I sense a spell at work.

This is definitely bad.

I'm not ashamed to admit when I'm wrong, Ada.

Those girls are doing you proud.

Even Mildred Hubble.

You've got to be joking.

How do you know Miss Cackle's really Agatha?

She's got no magic.

Whoa!

-What's wrong?

-The broomstick, there's something wrong with it.

-Ethel!

-Mildred!

Don't look down.

Don't look down. Whoa...

Come on, Maud, Mildred's counting on you.

Whoa!

Come on, you stupid...

Oh, Miss Cackle, I'm so sorry...

Miss Cackle...

Miss Cackle?

It's an entrancement spell.

SCREAMING

Mildred Hubble, what are you playing at?

How do I reverse an entrancement spell?

Come on, brain, it's a basic reversal.

Flash of light, crash of thunder, wake this witch from her slumber.

Oh, forgot to do the fingers.

Oh, dear.

Have I been asleep long?

-Is she all right?

-It seems Miss Hubble has decided to show off.

SHE SCREAMS

MILDRED CONTINUES TO SCREAM

Take my hand! Now!

We did it.

-We can still fly without the end bit, can't we?

-No.

What on earth is going on?

It's a debacle.

I couldn't agree more.

Could you, Agatha?

Agatha? Don't be absurd.

-I'm Ada.

-No, I'm Ada.

Well, there's an easy way to settle this. Agatha has no powers.

Whichever one of you is the true headmistress, save those girls.

I was just about to do that.

She visited me saying she wanted to apologise.

Then, when things got nasty and I tried an entrancement spell,

she bounced it back at me with a pocket mirror.

Quite clever, really.

And she wrote the letter?

Hoping you'd have a disastrous visit,

close the school and she could take my place as headteacher.

But at least now she is somewhere she cannot do any harm.

You can't keep me locked away for ever, Ada.

Where are you, Miss Gullett?

Well, Mildred Hubble, I obviously underestimated you.

You will make a fine witch one day.

And you deserve your place here,

even though you're the worst flier I've ever seen.

That's not Mildred's fault.

Ethel put a spell on the broomstick.

She told me to.

I mean, Agatha told me to.

Indeed she did.

But it is worth pointing out that you could have said no.

Well, I suggest we all adjourn for tea and crumpets.

Perhaps you girls would like to join us?

You, too, Ethel. You obviously need help with your behaviour

and I hope these three will be a good influence.