Production:
The Sword in the Stone Company:
Cambridge Touring Theatre
Date: June / July 2008
Reviewer:
CHRIS TRACY http://www.epd24.co.uk/ Castle Gardens, Norwich
Despite glowering rain clouds that not even Merlin himself could assuage, the
Open Stages programme of free open air performances kicked off on Sunday with Cambridge Touring Theatre's irreverent take
on the classic TH White tale.
In a misty medieval England of dubious provenance, the throne has been vacant for
10 years and there seems little sign of the true monarch emerging any time soon. However, Merlin determines to train callow
squire Wart in the ways of kingship as they journey to London, where a sword protrudes invitingly from a strange wedding cake-shaped
stone. Can Wart achieve his royal destiny, or will the petulant Morgan Le Fay, under the tutelage of Madam Mim, throw a spanner
in the works?
Written by Barry Evans (who played Merlin), this vibrant production combined witty, melodic songs
with a sustained manic energy and sly humour (apparently the stone was quarried from northern rock and therefore 'prone to
collapse'). Although no one stood out from a universally strong cast, Milly Finch was a memorably fruity-voiced Madam Mim.
Similarly impressive was Edwin Wright, who threw himself into multiple roles with gusto
