Artus-Excalibur

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Artus – Excalibur
Artus-Excalibur.jpg
Music Frank Wildhorn
LyricsRobin Lerner
Book Ivan Menchell
BasisLegends of King Arthur
Productions2014 Theater St. Gallen
2016 Staatz
2016 Tecklenburg
2019 Seoul
2021 Seoul
2023 Tokyo

Artus - Excalibur is a musical loosely based on the legends of the 5th/6th-century British monarch King Arthur and his fabled sword, Excalibur. The score is by Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics by Robin Lerner, book by Ivan Menchell, and arrangements and orchestrations by Koen Schoots. The musical had its world premiere at the Theater St. Gallen in St. Gallen, Switzerland on March 15, 2014. [1]

Contents

Productions

The musical premiered on March 15, 2014, at the Theater St. Gallen in St. Gallen, Switzerland, starring Patrick Stanke as Arthur, Annemieke van Dam as Guinevere, Mark Seibert as Lancelot, Thomas Borchert as Merlin, and Sabrina Weckerlin as Morgana. [1] The technical team included Francesca Zambelloon as Director, Peter Davison on sets, Mark McCullough on Lighting, Susan Willmington on costume design, and Katy Tucker on projections. The choreography is by Eric Sean Fogel and the fight scenes are by Rick Sordelet. The German translation was by Nina Schneider. [1] A concept album of this production was released one month later on April 3, and entered the No. 1 slot on Amazon and iTunes in Germany. [2]

South Korea debuted a production of the musical in 2019 under the title Xcalibur. [3] In 2023, Japanese all-female theater Takarazuka Revue's Cosmos Troupe staged the musical at Brillia Hall in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. [4] It was based on the heavily rewritten Korean version. [5] A DVD recording of the production has been released. [6]

Plot

Act I

Medieval Britain is torn apart by war. King Uther Pendragon begins to madly lust after the beautiful Igraine, despite the fact that she is married. Uther calls upon the otherworldly wizard, Merlin to assist him. Merlin agrees, but demands any child conceived by Uther as payment; Uther swears. Merlin magically gives Uther the appearance of Igraine's husband, allowing Uther to trick Igraine into sleeping with him. Igraine becomes pregnant and later dies in childbirth. Merlin collects the infant from Uther and names him Arthur. A bitter Uther then rapes Morgana, his daughter from his first wife, before banishing her to a nunnery.

Years pass and Uther wages a bloody war with King Loth of Orkney for control of the country. Uther is killed in battle. After the devastating battle, the surviving knights mourn their fallen comrades ("Das Feld der Ehre / The Field of Honor"). Merlin appears and produces the magic sword, Excalibur. The wizard rams the sword into a massive stone, proclaiming that who ever pulls Excalibur from the stone will be crowned the true King of England. ("Der Heiler / The Healer").

Some time later, countless people, including a grown Arthur and his adoptive father, Sir Ector, gather around the stone to see if someone can pull free Excalibur ("Excalibur"). Arthur does not believe in the prophecy, although Ector and Arthur's best friend, Lancelot, do. When Sir Gareth, the son of Loth, fails to pull the sword from the stone he angrily sparks a battle with the other knights. Arthur, wishing to assist, climbs the stone and, to everyone's shock, frees Excalibur from the stone. The battle stops and the people fall to their knees and praise Arthur as the true king of England. Arthur, frightened, insists that he is a simple squire and not a king. Merlin suddenly appears and reveals Arthur's true heritage. When Ector confirms that he is not Arthur's real father, a shocked Arthur runs away into a nearby forest.

Merlin follows Arthur and explains that Arhtur's fate has been predetermined ("Fern von dieser Welt / In This World"), but Arthur is not convinced and, throwing Excalibur into the woods, refuses to accept his destiny as king ("Schwert und Stein / Sword and Stone").

Meanwhile, a now grown and beautiful Morgana practices black magic at the nunnery, conjuring a vision of Arthur. Outraged that Arthur has been named ruler over her, despite the fact that Arthur is illegitimate, Morgana swears revenge on her half-brother ("Sünden der Väter / Sins of the Fathers").

The next morning, Arthur awakens to find Excalibur next to him. As he is about to throw the sword away again, he suddenly hears a voice. Following the voice, Arthur comes upon a young woman knelt in prayer. The woman instantly recognizes Arthur and addresses him as King. Arthur denies being king, causing the woman to explain to him the true meaning of heroism ("Ein wahrer Held / A True Hero"). Arthur finally accepts his responsibilities as king and thanks the woman, who introduces herself as Guinevere. After Guinevere leaves Arthur ponders what qualities truly make a king ("Was macht einen König aus / What Makes A King?").

Suddenly, Arthur is attacked by Sir Gareth and his rogue knights. Lancelot arrives to assist Arthur. Using the power of Excalibur, Arthur easily defeats Gareth but refuses to kill him. Merlin appears again and tells Arthur to rule from Camelot Castle. The wizard leads Arthur and his followers to Camelot, only to reveal the castle as a ruin. Arthur is discouraged at first, but Merlin encourages him to rebuild the castle. Ector, Lancelot, and the common people all rally to Arthur's side and help rebuild Camelot. Arthur then forms the Knights of the Round Table, of which Lancelot is named the first ("Die ruhmreiche Schlacht / The Glorious Battle").

Camelot flourishes, and Morgana soon arrives at the castle. Upon learning that Morgana is his half-sister Arthur happily welcomes her, but Merlin realizes she has dark magical powers and sees her as a threat. Morgana, overcome with hatred, rebuffs Arthur's welcome and demands the throne that she has been denied ("Was will ich hier / What I Want"). Arthur refuses and Morgana disappears in rage.

Arthur realizes he has fallen in love with Guinevere and writes her a letter, summoning her to Camelot. Guinevere sees Arthur as a symbol of hope for England and, upon reading the letter, falls in love with him ("Ein neuer Tag / A New Day"). Sir Lucan, one of Arthur's knights, is sent to escort Guinevere to Camelot.

Meanwhile, Morgana reaches Loth's castle and forms an alliance with him to overthrow Arthur. Loth is suspicious at first, but becomes convinced once Morgana reveals her powers. The two marry, thus combining the forces of Pendragon and Orkney. Morgana sends a group of knights to ambush Guinevere and Lucan, but the pair are rescued by Lancelot. Lucan however becomes wounded and dies. Lancelot agrees to take Lucan's place as Guinevere's guide to Camelot, and the two instantly note an attraction between them.

Merlin appears before Morgana at Castle Orkney, commanding her to abandon her quest for revenge. Morgana refuses, placing the blame for her terrible childhood on Arthur. Merlin explains that no one can demand the right to rule before returning to Camelot ("Fern von dieser Welt Reprise / In This World: Reprise").

Later, Guinevere finally arrives at Camelot while Arthur, surrounded by the Knights of the Round Table and Merlin, is officially crowned King of England. Arthur vows to defend his kingdom from all tyranny while the common people celebrate ("Heute Nacht fängt es an / It Begins Tonight").

Act II

Soon after Arthur's coronation, he and Guinevere are married, to the joy of the entire country ("Hochzeitsgelöbnis / Wedding Vows"). Lancelot watches sadly from afar, depressed that he can never have Guinevere ("Sogar der Regen schweigt still heut Nacht / Even the Rain is Silent Tonight"). Suddenly, an assassin sent by Morgana and Loth appears and lunges at Arthur. Ector saves Arthur but is mortally wounded in the process. Arthur desperately tries to save his adoptive father, but Ector succumbs to his wounds and dies in Arthur's arms ("Vater und Sohn / Father and Son").

Filled with rage, Arthur swears revenge on Loth and declares war on Castle Orkney. Guinevere tries to be nurturing, but Arthur brushes her aside. Merlin warns Arthur that Excalibur was forged to unite, not destroy, but the young king ignores the wizard's warning. Meanwhile, Morgana and Loth assemble their armies, assured of their victory ("Morgen triffst du den Tod / Tomorrow, You Meet Death").

Following an argument, Loth locks Morgana in her room. Left alone, Morgana reflects on her unhappy childhood and lonely existence ("Der Rose / The Rose").

Due to the preparations for war, Arthur grows more and more distant from Guinevere. She and Lancelot try to calm Arthur, but he blindly rejects their advice. Guinevere is left to mourn to loss of the love between her and Arthur ("Wo ging die Liebe hin / How Do You Make Love Stay?") Lancelot comforts Guinevere and the two become closer.

Meanwhile, Merlin once again visits Morgana. Morgana offers Merlin a deal, she will withdraw Loth's troops if he shares his complete knowledge of magic with her. Merlin refuses, causing Morgana to slowly seduce him ("Begehren / Desire").

Lancelot, overcome with love for Guinevere, flees into a forest ("Nur sie allein / Her Alone"). Guinevere finds Lancelot and, overcome with sadness and affection, falls into his arms. Merlin watches from afar and expresses concern for Arthur ("Der Kreis der Menschheit / The Circle of Humanity").

That night, Morgana sneaks into Arthur's bedchamber and shows Arthur a vision of Lancelot and Guinevere making love in the forest. In despair, Arthur banishes the two lovers from Camelot, while Morgana observes triumphantly ("Alles ist vorbei / The End").

Filled with temptation, Merlin finally succumbs to Morgana and, in his moment of weakness, is robbed of his magic powers; as a wizard must never indulge in mortal desires lest he lose his powers. This increases Morgana's own powers indefinitely.

A frail and mortal Merlin visits Arthur one last time. Arthur feels abandoned, but Merlin reassures Arthur that while he can no longer help him he knows Arthur can triumph over tyranny. Merlin vanishes forever and Arthur gathers his army, and courage, in preparation for the final battle ("Was macht einen König aus Reprise / What Makes A King?: Reprise").

The battle between the armies of Loth and Arthur ensues. Loth and Gareth both die in the fight, leaving Arthur victorious but Camelot a ruin once more. Arthur is suddenly brought before a wounded Lancelot, revealing the young knight had sneaked into the battle to aid Arthur. Lancelot ensures Arthur that Guinevere never truly betrayed him, as only by despair had she sought refuge with him. Lancelot then dies in Arthur's arms. Arthur mourns the loss of his friend and buries him with full honors ("Das Feld der Ehre Reprise / The Field of Honor: Reprise").

As Arthur kneels at Lancelot's grave, he suddenly hears a woman's voice behind him. Thinking it is the voice of Guinevere, Arthur drops his guard. The voice is revealed to be Morgana using her new powers to assume Guinevere's form. Morgana steals Excalibur from Arthur and prepares to kill him. Suddenly, a crossbow is fired at Morgana's back, allowing Arthur to snatch Excalibur back and impale Morgana on it, killing her.

Guinevere reveals herself as Morgana's shooter, explaining that Merlin had found her and told her Arthur needed her help. The two accept that they still love each other, and Arthur forgives Guinevere. Accompanied by the spirits of their fallen friends, Arthur and Guinevere leave together, with the hope that Camelot will one day rise again ("Vor langer Zeit / Long Ago").

Songs

Casts

RoleSt. Gallen Premiere (2014)Staatz (2016)Tecklenburg (2016)Seoul (2019)Seoul (2021)Tokyo (2023) [7]
Arthur Patrick StankeChristoph ApfelbeckArmin Kahl Dokyeom, Kim Junsu, Jung Ki yeol Kim Junsu, Jung Ki-yeol, Seo Eun-kwang, DokyeomToa Serika
Guinevere Annemieke van Dam  [ nl ]/Lisa AntoniTanja PetrasekMilica Jovanovic Kim So-hyang, Min Kyung-ahSakura Haruno
Lancelot Mark Seibert/Anton ZetterholmPhilipp Dietrich Dominik Hees  [ de ] Um Ki-joon, Lee Ji-hoon, Kang-hyun Park Minato Sakuragi
Merlin Thomas Borchert Werner AuerKevin TarteKim Joon-hyun, Son Jun-ho Ritsu Wakato
Morgana Sabrina WeckerlinRegina MallingerRoberta Valentini Shin Young sook, Jang Eun ahYuuki Mashiro
Ector Alexander BellinkxLudwig FlesslThomas SchiranoPark Chulho, Jo WonheeAkira Matsukaze
Loth Robert JohanssonLawrence KarlaChristian Schöne
Sir Gareth Kevin FosterMichael PostmannThomas Hohler
Lucan Gero WendorffDaniel HauserAndrea Luca CottiEito Namiki
Igraine Jeannine Michele Wacker/Stéphanie SignerAnna BurgerSophie Blümel
Uther Rupert Markthaler/Richard LeggettWolfgang FahrnerZoltan FeketeRenya Setsuki

Critical response

The musical received positive to mixed reviews from critics, with many praising the score and choreography, particularly the battle scenes, while criticizing the plot for being predictable and lacking in character development. Patrick Stanke was praised for his performance as Arthur. [8] [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Excalibur</span> Legendary sword of King Arthur

Excalibur is the mythical sword of King Arthur that may possess magical powers or be associated with the rightful sovereignty of Britain. Traditionally, the sword in the stone that is the proof of Arthur's lineage and the sword given to him by a Lady of the Lake are not the same weapon, even as in some versions of the legend both of them share the name of Excalibur. Several similar swords and other weapons also appear within Arthurian texts, as well as in other legends.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guinevere</span> Arthurian legend character

Guinevere, also often written in Modern English as Guenevere or Guenever, was, according to Arthurian legend, an early-medieval queen of Great Britain and the wife of King Arthur. First mentioned in popular literature in the early 12th century, nearly 700 years after the purported times of Arthur, Guinevere has since been portrayed as everything from a fatally flawed, villainous and opportunistic traitor to a noble and virtuous lady. Many records of the legend also feature the variably recounted story of her abduction and rescue as a major part of the tale.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Uther Pendragon</span> Father of King Arthur in Arthurian legend

Uther Pendragon (Brittonic), also known as King Uther, was a legendary King of the Britons and father of King Arthur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Igraine</span> Legendary mother of King Arthur

In the Matter of Britain, Igraine is the mother of King Arthur. Igraine is also known in Latin as Igerna, in Welsh as Eigr, in French as Ygraine, in Le Morte d'Arthur as Ygrayne—often modernised as Igraine or Igreine—and in Parzival as Arnive. She becomes the wife of Uther Pendragon, after the death of her first husband, Gorlois.

<i>Excalibur</i> (film) 1981 film by John Boorman

Excalibur is a 1981 epic medieval fantasy film directed, cowritten and produced by John Boorman, that retells the legend of King Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, based loosely on the 15th-century Arthurian romance Le Morte d'Arthur by Thomas Malory. It stars Nigel Terry as Arthur, Nicol Williamson as Merlin, Nicholas Clay as Lancelot, Cherie Lunghi as Guenevere, Helen Mirren as Morgana, Liam Neeson as Gawain, Gabriel Byrne as Uther and Patrick Stewart as Leondegrance. The film is named after the legendary sword of King Arthur that features prominently in Arthurian literature. The film's soundtrack features the music of Richard Wagner and Carl Orff, along with an original score by Trevor Jones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Knights of the Round Table</span> King Arthur and order of chivalry in Arthurian romance

The Knights of the Round Table are the legendary knights of the fellowship of King Arthur that first appeared in the Matter of Britain literature in the mid-12th century. The Knights are an order dedicated to ensuring the peace of Arthur's kingdom following an early warring period, entrusted in later years to undergo a mystical quest for the Holy Grail. The Round Table at which they meet is a symbol of the equality of its members, who range from sovereign royals to minor nobles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morgan le Fay</span> Enchantress in the Arthurian legend

Morgan le Fay, alternatively known as Morgan[n]a, Morgain[a/e], Morg[a]ne, Morgant[e], Morge[i]n, and Morgue[in] among other names and spellings, is a powerful and ambiguous enchantress from the legend of King Arthur, in which most often she and he are siblings. Early appearances of Morgan in Arthurian literature do not elaborate her character beyond her role as a goddess, a fay, a witch, or a sorceress, generally benevolent and connected to Arthur as his magical saviour and protector. Her prominence increased as the legend of Arthur developed over time, as did her moral ambivalence, and in some texts there is an evolutionary transformation of her to an antagonist, particularly as portrayed in cyclical prose such as the Lancelot-Grail and the Post-Vulgate Cycle. A significant aspect in many of Morgan's medieval and later iterations is the unpredictable duality of her nature, with potential for both good and evil.

Morgause is a popular variant of the figure of the Queen of Orkney, an Arthurian legend character also known by various other names and appearing in different forms of her archetype. She is notably the mother of Gawain and often also of Mordred, both key players in the story of her brother King Arthur and his downfall. Her other children may include Agravain, Gareth and Gaheris.

<i>King Arthur</i> (2004 film) Historical adventure film directed by Antoine Fuqua

King Arthur is a 2004 historical adventure film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by David Franzoni. It features an ensemble cast with Clive Owen as the title character, Ioan Gruffudd as Lancelot and Keira Knightley as Guinevere, along with Mads Mikkelsen, Joel Edgerton, Hugh Dancy, Ray Winstone, Ray Stevenson, Stephen Dillane, Stellan Skarsgård and Til Schweiger.

<i>Merlin</i> (miniseries) 1998 British-American television miniseries

Merlin is a 1998 two-part television miniseries starring Sam Neill as Merlin, recounting the wizard's life in the mythic history of Britain. Loosely adapted from the legendary tales of Camelot, the plot adds the antagonistic Queen Mab and expands Merlin's backstory before the birth of King Arthur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Agravain</span> Legendary Arthurian knight

Agravain is a Knight of the Round Table in Arthurian legend, whose first known appearance is in the works of Chrétien de Troyes. He is the second eldest son of King Lot of Orkney with one of King Arthur's sisters known as Anna or Morgause, thus nephew of King Arthur, and brother to Sir Gawain, Gaheris, and Gareth, as well as half-brother to Mordred. Agravain secretly makes attempts on the life of his hated brother Gaheris starting in the Vulgate Cycle, participates in the slayings of Lamorak and Palamedes in the Post-Vulgate Cycle, and murders Dinadan in the Prose Tristan. In the French prose cycle tradition included in Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur, together with Mordred, he then plays a leading role by exposing his aunt Guinevere's affair with Lancelot, which leads to his death at Lancelot's hand.

This is a bibliography of works about King Arthur, his family, his friends or his enemies. This bibliography includes works that are notable or are by notable authors.

<i>The Mists of Avalon</i> (miniseries) 2001 TV series or program

The Mists of Avalon is a 2001 television miniseries based on the 1983 novel of the same title by Marion Zimmer Bradley. Produced by American cable channel TNT, adapted by Gavin Scott, and directed by Uli Edel, the series retells Arthurian legend from the perspectives of Morgan le Fay and other women of the tale. The first episode was the highest-rated original film on basic cable in the summer of 2001.

<i>Chronicles of the Sword</i> 1996 video game

Chronicles of the Sword is an adventure game developed by Synthetic Dimensions and released by Psygnosis in 1996 for MS-DOS and Sony PlayStation platforms. The game, originally titled as King Arthur: The Quest of The Fair Unknown, is based on Arthurian legends and uses a point-and-click interface. Chronicles of the Sword tells the story of the young knight Gawain on a quest to save Camelot from the scheming witch queen Morgana. It has received largely negative reviews.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sir Ector</span> Legendary Arthurian knight

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References

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