King Arthur

Photo by Craig Fuller

Guest review by Russell Cook from Suffolk Village Info.

It’s a rip roaring, energetic, slap stick show, full of fun with fantastic and often off-the-cuff humour … with a weird and wonderful story line and cast.

Yes, that just about sums up this rollicking performance of King Arthur by the hugely talented trio of Nick Bunt, Al Dunn and Matt Freeman, from the Exeter-based Le Navet Bete (translated into English from French as The Daft Turnip) company.

Now that’s a seriously unpretentious and ridiculous name to go by, but it just about aptly sums up this group who had the audience in regular fits of laughter.

Photo by Craig Fuller

Most of the two-hour show is full of hilarity and chaos as the three of them morph into a multitude of different characters to retell the ancient tale of King Arthur and the legends of Camelot in their inimitable style.

Initially they line up - or should I say are all locked up in the stocks - as Osbert, Edgar … and Dave. Then as the production unfolds they quickly and breathtakingly transform into a host of different personas including Guinevere, Merlin, Lancelot, Morgana, Gwaine, Percival, Mordred, and the legendary king, among many others.

You can also throw in the Green Knight, the Black Knight and the legend of the Lady of Shallot, who is isolated alone in a tower and is found in a bath full of baked beans.

Does this all sound ridiculous and absurd to you?

Well that’s exactly what you get on stage with these three energetic and enthusiastic actors.

Photo by Craig Fuller

Basically Camelot is in trouble. 

King Arthur knows that if he doesn’t turn things around, this civilisation will be forgotten, and be known as nothing more than a rather dull time in British history. But when the three hapless squires approach him about changing that legacy, a legend is born.

Songs and slapstick humour are dotted about with abandonment, along with a few unscripted ad lib moments … none more amusing - for both the cast and audience - than when Dave (alias Guinevere) loses his/her long flowing locks.

It’s a quick fire, totally off the wall, delightfully funny and light hearted, quirky show which delighted a near full house at the Wolsey Theatre.

King Arthur is at New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich until 13 April 2024.

FOR FULL SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE