Merlin and The Legend of King Arthur
Friday 8 July - Saturday 13 August 2011 extended to Saturday 20 August 2011
review by Alan Chard
Production photographs : Press Release : Review
Merlin and The Legend of King Arthur
Friday 8 July - Saturday 13 August 2011 extended to Saturday 20 August 2011
This was the 25th year of Dukes Walkabout Theatre in Williamson Park, and sadly it is likely to be the last for some time as the 11% Arts Council funding bites into the Dukes' budget.
This is a 'retelling' of the legend, which allows the writer a great deal of freedom to re-interpret, embroider and modernise. Kevin Dyer took full advantage of all the opportunities this license afforded him, producing a script that we can all identify as Arthurian, but having thoroughly modern connotations and in some cases, somewhat risque elements considering the number of younger children who are present during the school holidays.
The theatrical magic of this production really takes off as darkness descends on the park. The performance opens in the Dell, a raked area with bench seating ideally suited to open-air theatre. Our introduction to the characters is rapid and their characters begin to develop. The birth of Morgana and Arthur are novel and pure theatre. The Barrow Woman and Billy Poggit shine out as strong anchors and continue to do so throughout the entire performance. The Barrow Woman holds the performance together, tells the audience what to do, tells us about the action. In scene two takes a member of the audience away to spend the night with, then comments on his performance - a very modern touch that draws in the audience, although it does somewhat break the suspension of belief that the audience normally enters into during a theatrical performance.
Arthur is a Romeo-like character, weak and indecisive, tossed by circumstances and seems incapable of the strong decisive actions that we might expect from a king. When he has three tasks to perform he doesn't seem to have the where-with-all to succeed, and instead needs help from many quarters before he does. In all the scenes he is outshone by his sister Morgana who has a clear understanding of her own value and where she is going, even though she is thwarted by Merlin she is not afraid to challenge the wizard at every opportunity and to display her ruthlessness and determination to get what she wants.
In this retelling of the story Lancelot has a relatively small part and does not come through as a strong personality, Lancelot is easily tricked by Morgana and too ready to accept the lady Guinevere as his lover even though she has been bewitched by a scarf that he gave her.
Regular Dukes Walkabout attendees will recognise that economies have been made, there were few lavish sets but great use was made of the natural settings provided by the park.
The night I attended was a sellout, meaning a 500-strong audience meandering around Williamson Park for 3 hours, there really is no better way to spend a fine summer evening. This year's performance has lost none of the originality and magic that the outdoor locations provide. My standard test of audience appreciation is how much noise and fidgeting is audible - there was none! The audience was spellbound, especially as the light faded and the real magic of walkabout theatre took over. Comments heard during the walkabout were 100% positive. The Dukes has extended the season to allow more people to see this performance. A delightful and absorbing night of theatrical magic for all the family, well worth the money, go and experience the magic while you still have the chance - this is your last opportunity for what may be a very long time.
Alan Chard, August 2011