Artus-Excalibur

The score is by Frank Wildhorn, with lyrics by Robin Lerner, book by Ivan Menchell, and arrangements and orchestrations by Koen Schoots.

[1] The technical team included Francesca Zambelloon as Director, Peter Davison on sets, Mark McCullough on Lighting, Susan Willmington on costume design, and Katy Tucker on projections.

[3] In 2023, Japanese all-female theater Takarazuka Revue's Cosmos Troupe staged the musical at Brillia Hall in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

King Uther Pendragon begins to madly lust after the beautiful Igraine, despite the fact that she is married.

Years pass and Uther wages a bloody war with King Loth of Orkney for control of the country.

After the devastating battle, the surviving knights mourn their fallen comrades ("Das Feld der Ehre / The Field of Honor").

When Sir Gareth, the son of Loth, fails to pull the sword from the stone he angrily sparks a battle with the other knights.

The battle stops and the people fall to their knees and praise Arthur as the true king of England.

Merlin follows Arthur and explains that Arhtur's fate has been predetermined ("Fern von dieser Welt / In This World"), but Arthur is not convinced and, throwing Excalibur into the woods, refuses to accept his destiny as king ("Schwert und Stein / Sword and Stone").

Meanwhile, a now grown and beautiful Morgana practices black magic at the nunnery, conjuring a vision of Arthur.

Arthur then forms the Knights of the Round Table, of which Lancelot is named the first ("Die ruhmreiche Schlacht / The Glorious Battle").

Upon learning that Morgana is his half-sister Arthur happily welcomes her, but Merlin realizes she has dark magical powers and sees her as a threat.

Morgana, overcome with hatred, rebuffs Arthur's welcome and demands the throne that she has been denied ("Was will ich hier / What I Want").

Guinevere sees Arthur as a symbol of hope for England and, upon reading the letter, falls in love with him ("Ein neuer Tag / A New Day").

Later, Guinevere finally arrives at Camelot while Arthur, surrounded by the Knights of the Round Table and Merlin, is officially crowned King of England.

Arthur vows to defend his kingdom from all tyranny while the common people celebrate ("Heute Nacht fängt es an / It Begins Tonight").

Lancelot watches sadly from afar, depressed that he can never have Guinevere ("Sogar der Regen schweigt still heut Nacht / Even the Rain is Silent Tonight").

Filled with rage, Arthur swears revenge on Loth and declares war on Castle Orkney.

Meanwhile, Morgana and Loth assemble their armies, assured of their victory ("Morgen triffst du den Tod / Tomorrow, You Meet Death").

Morgana offers Merlin a deal, she will withdraw Loth's troops if he shares his complete knowledge of magic with her.

In despair, Arthur banishes the two lovers from Camelot, while Morgana observes triumphantly ("Alles ist vorbei / The End").

Merlin vanishes forever and Arthur gathers his army, and courage, in preparation for the final battle ("Was macht einen König aus Reprise / What Makes A King?

Accompanied by the spirits of their fallen friends, Arthur and Guinevere leave together, with the hope that Camelot will one day rise again ("Vor langer Zeit / Long Ago").