CAMELOT, 1973

 

Based on "The Once And Future King" by T.H. White

Music: Frederick Loewe
Lyrics and Book: Alan Jay Lerner

King Arthur: Leonard Nimoy
Queen Guenevere: Barbara Williams

Lancelot: David Lambert

 

The musical is an adaptation of the legend of King Arthur and the Round Table Knights. 

It opens with the arrival of Guenevere to Camelot. She's to marry the King, but she doesn't know him. Arthur and Guenevere meet in the wood and immediately are attracted to each other. The wedding is accompaigned by feasts and dances. 

Arthur tries to administer Camelot in paece and joy. Inspired by Merlin he establish the Round Table. Sir Lancelot, a young, bold, French knight comes to join the Round Table. He easily wins three Arthur's knights in a jousting and Guenevere, who despised him at first, is deeply impressed. Lancelot falls in love with her and leaves to not betray his King. 

He comes back after a few years as conqueror in behalf of Camelot. Arthur welcomes him solemnly and makes him Knight of the Round Table. Lancelot is still in love with the Queen and she loves him too. Arthur unterstand all, but doesn't want to upset the carefully sought peace of his country. Guenevere remains loyal to him until, once in the night, the King gone, Lancelot visits her and they are unable to endure any more. Mondred, Arthur's illegitmate son, seeking revenge against his father, manages to exposes the lovers. 

Guenevere is convicted to death and saved by Lancelot, who takes her to France. For the sake of his and Camelot's honor, Arthur has to wage war to France, even though he has forgiven his friend and wife. On the battle camp he meets a young boy, willing to join the Round Table. He adopts him as a heir of his ideals. 

The Songs:

-I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight
-The Simple Joys of Maidenhood
-Camelot
-Follow Me
-The Lusty Month of May
-C'est Moi
-Then You May Take Me To the Fair
-How To Handle a Woman
-If Ever I Would Leave You
-Parade
-Before I Gaze At You
-The Seven Deadly Virtues
-What Do the Simple Folk Do?
-Fie On Goodness!
-I Loved You Once In Silence
-Guenevere