The Death of Arthur - The Scotsman 22/08/2006
The Death of Arthur
The Scotsman 22/08/2006
The Death of Arthur
CLAIRE BLACK
SCOTTISH STORYTELLING CENTRE (VENUE 30)
WATCHING this production is like being transported back in time, not only to the days of King Arthur, but also to a time when theatre productions could succeed as simple, dramatic presentations of text. There's no frivolous, postmodern trickery here, just a plot, an ensemble cast and a guitarist onstage to provide some musical atmosphere.
Whether it entertains you or not will depend on whether you like labyrinthine historical plots. As it stands the hour-and-a-half running time is fairly demanding of both cast and audience.
Donald Smith's script is steeped in mysticism and magic, as well as the complex machinations of the Round Table.
With pagan rituals, court treachery and family feuding (not to mention the most complex genealogy you're likely to come across), there's plenty of plot for the dramatic action to hang around. But despite good performances from the cast, they have a hard time sustaining the pace.
Alex McSherry puts in a fine turn as Merlin and Keith Hutcheon is a convincing Arthur, tired of leading and besieged on all fronts, but the unwieldy narrative runs out of steam. Theatre Alba, celebrating their 25th year, present an old-fashioned kind of storytelling and they do it well, but this production is just a little too pedestrian to fully succeed.
