Lancelot, Merlin, Guinevere and the King of all Knights "leap from the pages of British lore onto the stage" of the respected theatre known for family fare.
Performances by the Holland-based Het Laagland troupe began May 13, with five actors tackling "the epic saga of King Arthur’s rise to power that ends tragically in a destructive romantic triangle."
According to production notes, "The Round Table's legendary code, 'to live pure, speak truth and right wrongs,' is given modern-day relevance as the versatile ensemble conjures everything from smoldering battlefields to picturesque landscapes to Camelot itself on a barren stage with an arsenal of 40 tiny chairs. Dutch, Scottish and Irish melodies team with acrobatic swordplay and dance to bring forth this exhilarating adventure…"
In the drama, "Arthur is quickly declared king after releasing a magical sword from its rocky imprisonment. With the help of his hot-tempered stepbrother Kay and his personal advisor, Merlin the wizard, King Arthur sets out to change his troubled realm by forming an elite group of knights to create, uphold and defend the law of the land. This hero enlists the help of Lancelot, a brave and truthful knight, and Guinevere, a bold and beautiful woman whose charms ultimately capture both men's hearts. Balancing the fate of the sovereignty with the future of his own love, King Arthur must choose what is best for his people and his heart before time runs out."
Located in Sittard, Holland, Het Laagland is one of the country's leading professional youth theatres. Under the leadership of directors Silvia Andringa, Inèz Derksen and Bas Zuyderland, the company creates a wide variety of performance for young and adult audiences. For more information, contact Telecharge.com, call (212) 239-6200, visit the New Victory box office (209 W. 42nd Street, just west of Broadway) or visit www.newvictory.org.
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The New Victory Theater, a New 42nd Street project, "is New York City's premier theater for kids and families." Built by Oscar Hammerstein in 1900 and opened as the Theatre Republic, the venue "established 42nd Street as the heart of New York's theatre district." Ninety-five years later, The New Victory was the first historic theatre to be renovated on the block, and its opening, on Dec. 11, 1995, sparked the renaissance of 42nd Street.
Founded in 1990, The New 42nd Street Inc. is an independent, nonprofit organization charged with long-term responsibility for seven historic theatres on 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues. In addition to running The New Victory Theater, The New 42nd Street Inc. built and operates the New 42nd Street Studios — a 10-story building of rehearsal studios, offices and a 199-seat, workshop/experimental theatre named The Duke on 42nd Street (for national and international performing arts companies).
