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Lyrics - Alan J.Lerner
Opened - 1960
Main characters - Arthur, Guenevere, Lancelot, Mordred, Merlyn
Plot - Arthur was brought up by the wizard Merlyn who prepared him for kingship, which he claimed by drawing the sword Excalibur. Arthur wants to change the country and make it more 'civilised', so that arguments don't have to be settled with swords. The story begins when Guenevere comes to Camelot to be married to Arthur. She is reluctant, but she meets Arthur in the forest before reaching the castle and they begin their relationship well, and they have a loving marriage. A new knight called Lancelot arrives from France and makes friends with Arthur, and proves himself to be the best knight. Arthur sets up the the knights of the round table, and also a civil court of law. Things begin to go wrong when Guenevere and Lancelot fall in love and see each other behind Arthurs back. He works out what is going on, but doesn't do anything about it to protect them. Then Arthur's son Mordred arrives and he spreads unrest amongst the knights, and many of them leave the round table. When Arthur leaves the castle one night to seek out Merlyn for advice, Mordred finds Lancelot and Guenevere together and arrests them for treason, but Lancelot escapes.
Under Arthurs new law, Guenevere must be burnt at the stake. Arthue cannot call off the execution or it would undermine his new law, so he can only pray that Lancelot will rescue her, which duely happens. He takes Guenevere to France and Arthur is forced to call war on them. Arthur takes an army to France, but before the battle he meets with Lancelot and Guenevere and forgives them both. Just as the battle is about to start Arthur finds a young stowaway, who tells him what he's heard about the honour of the knights of the round table. Arthur realises that the battle has already been won, and sends the boy home to spread the word of the good ideals of Camelot.
Songs (With marks out of 10) -
1.Overture (10)
(Average - 9.13, Overall score - 223)
2.I wonder what the king is doing tonight (9)
3.The simple joys of maidenhood (9)
4.Camelot (10)
5.Follow me (10)
6.C'est moi (8)
7.Take me to the fair (9)
8.Lusty month of may (8)
9.How to handle a woman (10)
10.Before I gaze at you again (9)
11.The seven deadly virtues (7)
12.If ever I would leave you (10)
13.What do the simple folk do? (10)
14.Fie on goodness! (8)
15.I loved you once in silence (9)
16.Guenevere (10)
Favourite song - Follow me
Favourite character - Arthur
Favourite line -
"Follow me, to a cave by a sapphire shore, we shall walk through an emerald
door. And for thousands of evermore's to come, my life you shall lead."
- Nimue, enticing Merlyn away from Camelot, 'Follow me'
Comment - Camelot has some lovely music accompanying a great and famous story. There are elements of fantasy, but also some of the realism of medieval Britain. There are some beautiful love songs, and also catchy songs with great lyrics, and it's a great blend of melody, lyrics and an escapist storyline. I also have the film version, which is 3 hours long, but it's one of my favourite ever films, Richard Harris as Arthur is just amazing. This was Lerner and Loewe's last musical together, but I wish they'd done more!