Act I
In a secondary school, Pamina is receiving unwanted advances from her teacher, Sarastro. We follow her and her fellow pupils into an unconscious dreamscape.
Three women save Tamino and Monostatos from a deadly snake before seducing them. Tamino forms a friendship with Papageno. The women give Tamino a picture of Pamina, which immediately inspires his love.
Tamino’s love for Pamina is strengthened by the Queen herself, who sings of her outrage on Pamina’s behalf. The Queen lays down a challenge – if Tamino can save Pamina from Sarastro, he may win Pamina’s love.
The women present Papageno with magic bells and Tamino with a magic flute to assist them on their quest to find Pamina. They will be accompanied by three Junior School girls.
Papageno brings Pamina the news that Tamino loves her.
Tamino is led by the three juniors to the library, where he meets a teacher who defends Sarastro’s character, despite Tamino’s doubts. As Tamino tries to understand the truth, a group of animals appear to him, entranced by the music of the flute.
The power of this music is interrupted by messages from Papageno, and Tamino leaves to find him. Papageno and Pamina are discovered by Pamina’s on/off boyfriend Monostatos, but any conflict dissolves when Pamina gets out a spliff and Papageno remembers his magic bells. The teachers catch Monostatos smoking, and punish him.
Pamina challenges Sarastro and invokes the power of the Queen.
Tamino and Pamina are selected as house prefects and discover they have feelings for each other. The school assembly concludes with a hymn to the virtue of justice and good behaviour.
Act II
In class Tamino sends Pamina a note suggesting they go on a break. Sarastro dismisses the class and confiscates the letter. Teachers in the school advise all the male pupils that their first duty is to beware women, who will always lead a man astray. The male pupils agree an oath of silence.
The three women succeed in breaking Tamino and Papageno’s oath but are driven from the library by a gang of boys.
Pamina rejects a sincere advance from Monostatos. The Queen arrives and challenges Pamina to kill Sarastro. Sarastro and the teachers try to discipline the female pupils.
Papagena tells Papageno that she loves him. The three juniors advise Tamino and Papageno to persevere on their quest. Pamina tries to reconnect with Tamino but is met with silence which leads to despair. She is rescued by the three juniors who assure her of Tamino’s love, and lead her to find him.
The male pupils reinforce the game of silence but Tamino defies them and, following Pamina’s example, admits his love for her.
Papageno is searching for Papagena. His fear of not finding her again leads him to contemplate death, but he is saved by the three juniors who remind him that his bells are there to help him achieve his true wish.
Rejected by Pamina, Monostatos feels alone. Sarastro returns to assert a status quo over the pupils. The school assembly concludes with a hymn to enlightenment.
