Cincinnati.com: Dancers shine in Cincinnati Ballet’s Camelot
February 13, 2017
“It is, by any measure, quite spectacular.”
In the name of honor, adventure and magic | February 10-12
One of the few ballets created based on the legendary tale, with original choreography by Victoria Morgan, King Arthur’s Camelot transports us to the mystical land of Camelot where the story of King Arthur, Lancelot and Guinevere unfolds in a visually stunning display of dance, drama and magic that the whole family will love! Complete with puppets, projections and jousting, this ballet is fit for royalty so bring your whole castle and court! Exquisite costumes by Sandra Woodall, one of the dance world’s most sought after designers, and an original score by John Estacio set the scene as the newly crowned King Arthur takes on the trials of love and betrayal amidst a kingdom at war.
Victoria Morgan
John Estacio
Cincinnati Ballet Company Dancers
Set Design: Joe Tilford
Projections: John Bousche
Puppet Design: Eric Van Wyk
Libretto: Eda Holmes
Act I
The story begins in a land torn apart by the chaos of war. The only survivor is a boy named Arthur. The passionate powers of chaos embodied by the swirling Ladies of the Lake try to destroy Arthur but the Sorcerer Merlin emerges from the stone to adopt him. He teaches him to lead men with honor and brotherhood, and when the fighting begins to re-ignite, young Arthur pulls the sword Excalibur from the stone and is proclaimed king.
Once Arthur is crowned, Merlin helps him to win the affection of the girl who has been chosen as his Queen, the young princess Guinevere. Their youthful infatuation blooms and they are married in a joyous celebration uniting all the people of the land. Even the arrival of the pompous knight Lancelot, who has come to prove he is the greatest knight in the kingdom, cannot undo the joy of the event. The King and the knights perform the Dance of Honor and inaugurate the legendary peace of Camelot.
The Ladies of the Lake know that deep in the souls of men lurk passions that are not so easily tamed by marriage and honor. They create an ambitious and devious mortal named Mordred to infiltrate the kingdom and help them undo the peace and honor that King Arthur has brought to the land.
During the picnic to celebrate the peace, Guinevere becomes frustrated that King Arthur spends the afternoon deep in conversation with his newest knight Lancelot. To get some attention and to punish Arthur, she proposes a tournament of jousting. Lancelot and Gawain are the first combatants. What is meant to be all in good fun, turns deadly. Tragedy is averted by Merlin but not before the Ladies of the Lake, with the help of Mordred, instill a desperate seed of passion in the hearts of Guinevere and Lancelot. Before Merlin can intercede, he is captured by the Ladies of the Lake leaving King Arthur alone to deal with Mordred and his dark plans.
Act II
Alone with his thoughts, Arthur is haunted by a nightmare in which the Ladies of the Lake torment him with his worst fears. He awakes from it troubled by the presence of Mordred in the kingdom.
With faith in the bond of brotherhood, King Arthur plans to knight Mordred and prepares to initiate him in the Dance of Honor. Mordred has no interest in honor and mocks the solemnity of the ceremony angering everyone – especially King Arthur who rips the crest of Camelot from his chest.
Lingering near the throne, Mordred hears people coming and hides to spy. Drawn by their newly kindled passion, Lancelot and Guinevere find each other in the hallway and dance without touching. Arthur enters not realizing what is happening and joins the dance. Lancelot is unable to participate and leaves as Guinevere takes her leave in the opposite direction. Mordred seizes the opportunity to plant a seed of doubt in King Arthur’s ear about Lancelot and Guinevere. Angry, Arthur sends Mordred away. The doubt haunts him and he dances a tortured solo longing for the guidance of Merlin.
In the forest, the knights are hunting game and Lancelot has not shown up. Mordred joins them to spread the rumor of Lancelot and Guinevere. Someone is heard approaching and all hide to spy.
Guinevere enters – she and Lancelot plan to meet in the forest one last time before Lancelot leaves forever so that their love will not be discovered. They try to remain chaste with one another but their passion overwhelms them. Infuriated by the betrayal, Gawain and the knights confront Lancelot. Arthur has been watching at a distance and blinded by passion he goes to kill Lancelot but Guinevere comes between them. The scene descends into confusion and Lancelot escapes. Guinevere is seized and Mordred insists that Arthur condemn her to death.
In despair Arthur finds Merlin, but the Ladies of the Lake have rendered him powerless with blindness. A pyre is erected and Guinevere is bound to it. As it begins to burn Arthur finds it unbearable and braves the flames freeing Guinevere. Lancelot charges in. Mordred, driven by the curse of chaos, is determined to destroy Arthur and everything he loves. The kingdom descends into confusion and war as Arthur and Mordred fight. Mordred delivers a mortal blow to Arthur just as Lancelot, coming to Arthur’s aid, is slain by Mordred. Barely alive, Arthur kills Mordred.
A young boy wanders among the carnage. He picks up Excalibur and wields it playfully. Arthur, with his last bit of strength, grabs it from the boy and hurls it into the stars. He wants the child to find a way without the sword. He teaches the boy the Dance of Honor and then sends him into the world to tell their story.
“big and splashy, filled with robust and extraordinarily passionate choreography”
Magic, love, betrayal and brotherhood collide in the epic tale of King Arthur’s Camelot.
February 13, 2017
“It is, by any measure, quite spectacular.”
February 10, 2017
Thursday evening, my family and I saw this fantastic production. As the curtains rose, we became immersed in Camelot. The legend was brought to life by the elegant and graceful dancers, accompanied by a romantic musical score.
February 10, 2017
After sitting through Camelot, you’ll think you just witnessed a live Broadway-esque production a la The Lion King. Cincinnati Ballet does not not hold back.
February 10, 2017
See inside King Arthur’s Camelot before the curtain rises on opening night. Great seats are still available!
February 6, 2017
Cervilio Miguel Amador takes up the crown as King Arthur again, and David Morse makes his debut as Camelot’s faithful leader in King Arthur’s Camelot, February 10-12.
February 6, 2017
“Artists like Morgan (and especially Morgan) have turned modern ballet into spectacular theatre.”
February 6, 2017
See how the life-like horse puppets work in this rehearsal footage of King Arthur’s Camelot.
February 3, 2017
Writers have the opportunity to edit text before it’s read. Musicians refine music before it is performed. Filmmakers pore over films frame by frame to fine-tune the finished product. Choreographers rarely have that sort of chance. So when they do get it, they embrace it with a vengeance.
February 3, 2017
We caught Lancelot out and about in Cincinnati which can only mean one thing: King Arthur’s Camelot opens in just one week!
January 30, 2017
Join Cincinnati Ballet February 10-12 for King Arthur’s Camelot. The epic tale of honor, adventure and magic returns just in time for Valentine’s Day.
January 30, 2017
Our studios have transformed into Camelot as Cincinnati Ballet dancers rehearse King Arthur’s Camelot in preparation for Valentine’s Day Weekend, February 10-12.
January 30, 2017
Get your tickets today to see these dancers take the stage in King Arthur’s Camelot, the epic tale of adventure, love and betrayal.
January 19, 2017
Romance and adventure await during King Arthur’s Camelot! January 23 & 24 only Cincinnati Ballet is offering steep Valentine’s Day discounts on select King Arthur’s Camelot performances.
January 19, 2017
See the process of creating King Arthur’s Camelot in this interview with Sandra Woodall during the World Premiere in 2014-2015. This spectacular production returns to the Aronoff February 10-12, just in time for Valentine’s Day!
January 19, 2017
See the process of creating King Arthur’s Camelot in this interview with John Estacio during the World Premiere in 2014-2015. This spectacular production returns to the Aronoff February 10-12, just in time for Valentine’s Day!
January 19, 2017
See the process of creating King Arthur’s Camelot in this interview with Eric Van Wyk during the World Premiere in 2014-2015. This spectacular production returns to the Aronoff February 10-12, just in time for Valentine’s Day!
January 11, 2017
The epic tale based on the story of King Arthur is translated through original choreography by Cincinnati Ballet Artistic Director & CEO Victoria Morgan, an original musical composition by Canadian composer John Estacio, performed by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and conducted by Maestro Carmon DeLeone, and an original libretto by dramaturge Eda Holmes.
November 7, 2016
Cincinnati Ballet is looking for talented young performers to be a part of our production of King Arthur’s Camelot. Open auditions for boys will be held Sunday, November 13, 2016.
March 18, 2016
Cincinnati Ballet’s 2016-2017 Season marks Artistic Director & CEO Victoria Morgan’s 20th. To celebrate, the new season features unique collaborations, world premieres and the return of treasured family classics.
Lynn & Brian Good
Matthew McFee & Jared Queen
Rhonda & Larry Sheakley