33^rd Festival Season - 2011

CAMELOT

Music by Frederick Loewe

Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner

ACT I: On a wintry morning, King Arthur's court greets the arrival of Guenevere, the King's soon-to-be bride. Arthur is nervous at becoming a bridegroom; Guenevere is more romantically inclined in her new position as Queen of England, but equally uncertain. When they meet unexpectedly, he outlines the pleasures of life in Camelot. Each charmed by the other's lack of court etiquette and formality, they are happily married as King and Queen. Arthur's tutor, the magician Merlyn, is lured away from Camelot and is unable to warn the King of imminent dangers. Arthur has learned the wisdom of peaceful ways from Merlyn and has brought tranquility and justice to his domain through the establishment of the celebrated Round Table. News of the Table has even reached France, engaging the sympathies of young Lancelot du Lac, who arrives at Camelot proclaiming his intentions to serve King Arthur. Lancelot, in the view of the court and Guenevere, is insufferable; she encourages the castle knights to challenge him to a joust. Arthur tries to dissuade her from siding against Lancelot, but the Queen is adamant. Lancelot is victorious, exhibiting a strange power of faith and purity, thereby gaining the respect of the court and of the Queen. His feelings towards Guenevere speedily develop into a deep but silent love, putting to test the principles of the Round Table and Lancelot's true love for the King he serves.

ACT II: Two years pass - Lancelot and Guenevere still strive to conceal their love. Arthur is aware of their feelings, but covers his resentment to preserve peace in Camelot. Rumors of the relationship attract the young squire Mordred, Arthur's illegitimate son, who loathes Arthur's dreams of peace and intends to disrupt the kingdom in the hope that he may ascend to the throne. Through Mordred's scheme, Arthur is trapped in the enchanted forest of Mordred's aunt, Morgan Le Fey, who casts a sleeping spell over the King. Lancelot visits Guenevere in her chambers, where Mordred overhears them confess their love and accuses them of treason. Lancelot escapes, but Guenevere is sentenced to burn at the stake. At the last moment, Lancelot rescues Guenevere and takes her to France, and Arthur is forced to make war on his friend. Just before their final battle, Arthur meets both Guenevere and Lancelot, and discovers that they are no longer together. Realizing that all he has fought for is gone, Arthur forgives Guenevere. He discovers a young stowaway who aspires to join the Round Table. He knights the boy and sends him back to England, charging him, when he grows up, to tell another generation of the noble ideas of Camelot.