by C. Michael Perry and Coni Koepfinger
This story presents a unique take on the King Arthyr legend where Merlyn is a boy from the 21st Century having lived backwards in time, been educated in Atlantis and now grown into his manhood. As the story opens, the older wise Merlyn mentors Arthyr, revealing his true parentage as the son of King Uther Pendragon and Igrayne. He guides the young Arthyr towards his destiny, which begins through his apprenticeship to Sir Lionel, and the mistreatment he must endure by Lionel’s son, Kay, a young knight in training. During a joust at Glastonbury, Arthyr loses Kay’s sword and is guided by Merlin’s magic to find and pull the sword in the stone. With that, as prophecied, Arthyr is proclaimed King of Britain at the age 12. Act Two begins Arthyr’s reign, training under his father Uther, and Arthyr’s first battle victory. During this time he also experiences challenges with the dark magic of Nimue, Morgan LeFay, and Morgause in which he proves the pureness of his heart, by having the power to save Merlyn. The play culminates with Arthyr and Uther, preparing to unite Britain, setting up their dynasty at Caerleon (which later becomes the infamous “Camelot”). The story is shaped by the magic and prophecies delivered by the Keepers and Protectors of ancient Atlantis; they aid in manipulating the facts and events that ensure Arthyr’s destiny.
PART OF THE PREMIERE PLAY FILE — Not an active listing with LBT/PTL. You will be negotiating with the authors themselves. LBT/PTL merely provides the space for our authors who have new shows to promote.
This is a work in progress and we are looking for developmental readings, staged readings and workshop productions. The script is not in final form at the present time, but the possibilities are evident. EMAIL US.
OR If interested, fill out the APPLICATION for Licensing
PLAY DETAILS:
- CAST: 6m, 6f, + ensemble
- ANNA, a prophetess out of time, a Keeper/Protector, daughter of Joseph of Arimathea, descended from King David; made a Keeper by Gildas around the same time as Merlyn was [can deliver the prophesies and even narrate/introduce, when necessary.] (f)
- MERLYN EMRYS [Emrys meaning immortal], the boy, now man, who lived backwards in time from the 20th Century to Atlantis then forward again, Keeper and Protector of Arthyr, if he a carries a staff, he calls it Erwydd (air-oo-ith) (m)
- ARTHYR PENDRAGON, the boy King who was foretold from both the future and the past, age 12-14 Raised by Merlyn (who stole him away the morning after his birth) and a wet nurse, then at age 12 apprenticed to Sir Lionel. (m)
- SIR LIONEL, a Knight, loyal to Uther (m)
- SIR KAY, his son, young enough to only be loyal to himself, for the time being (m)
- UTHER PENDRAGON, Arthyr’s father, unknown to Arthyr until revealed by Merlyn, was born Romulus Augustus, the last Emperor of Rome, smuggled out by Merlyn to Britannia at a young age. High King of Britain. (m)
- NIMUE — a capriciously magical Cornish water nymph (also known as Elayne, the Lady of the Lake) charged with the end of Merlyn, oldest half-sister to Arthyr through Igrayne and Gorlois. As The Lady of the Lake she gave Excalibur to Arthyr and then imprisons Merlyn out of jealousy — because she can. (f)
- MORGAUSE — Nimués sister, a Cornish sorceress, charged with magically corrupting 14-year-old Arthyr, middle half-sister to Arthyr, sharing the same mother, Igrayne, her father is Gorlois. Later she is the wife of King Lot of Orkney and mother to Gawain, Agravain, Gaheris, Gareth, and Mordred, (Arthyr’s son). Her hatred stems from Gorlois’ death, the rape of her mother, and her resentment towards Uther, whom she believes was responsible for it. She also feels a deep sense of betrayal and anger by Arthur’s continuation of Uther’s rule. (f)
- MORGANA [Morgan LeFey—meaning Fairy] — Nimués sister, a Cornish sorceress, youngest half-sister to Arthyr, daughter of Igrayne, but not Gorlois, instead, an un-named wood nymph. She schemes to usurp Arthyr’s throne, much later indirectly becoming an instrument of his death. (f)
- GILDAS, a Keeper of the First Order, teacher to Merlyn, and Anna, a person of ultimate magical power, the only Keeper who knows that Merlyn was born in the present time and lived all the way back to Atlantis, where he gained his education and magical powers. (f)
- THE RED DRAGON [Kilgarrah] — a large puppet manipulated by several performers and voiced by ONE (or ALL) (gender neutral)
- OTHER KNIGHTS
- MARC — a minor Cornish King sworn to aid ARTHYR (m)
- LOT — King of Orkney, husband to Morgause, father of the following (m):
- AGRAVAYNE — (“adopted”, skilled fighter known for malice and villainy, yet sometimes capable of heroic deeds, Igrayne’s younger full brother, Arthyr’s Uncle) (m)
- GAWAIN — (heroic, compassionate warrior, nephew, becomes closest of companions to ARHTYR) (m)
- GAHERIS — (nephew of, and exceptional skill in combat and unwavering loyalty to ARTHYR) (m)
- GARETH — (heroic, loyal, brave and honorable, youngest and often most chivalrous of the Orkney princes, nephew to ARTHYR) (m)
- QUEEN IGRAYNE of Cornwall married to KING GORLOIS of Cornwall, is the daughter of Amlawdd Wledig, a king of Wales, and Gwenn, a princess of northern Britain. Her children are Nimue and Morgause through Gorlois, and Arthyr through Uther, and Morgana through a wood nymph. Agravayne is her brother, adopted after their parents were killed by the High King Uther Pendragon. Her father is a desdendant of the sister of Joseph of Arimithea, Enigeus (f)
- KING GORLOIS of Cornwall, a minor king who took affront from Uther Pendragon and Uther declared war on him. Gorlois died in battle, while Uther seduced his wife, Igrayne. He is the father of Nimue and Morgause. (m)
- SAXONS
- TOWNESPEOPLE
- ARTHYR’S SOLDIERS
- Set around 500 AD in various locations in Britain.
- About 90 minutes.
- ORDER #ARTHYR
PART OF THE PREMIERE PLAY FILE
PERUSAL MATERIALS
DEMO SONGS — a mix of vocal and non-vocal demos (not all songs have piano arrangement yet. That will happen soon.)
BILLING CREDITS:
ARTHYR: The Boy Who Would Be King
A Musical
Book and Lyrics by Coni Koepfinger
Music and Lyrics by C. Michael Perry
NOTE: The names of the Playwright(s), Composer, Lyricist, and Bookwriter shall be equal in size, type, coloring, boldness, and prominence. No billing shall appear in type larger or more prominent than the billing to the Authors except for the title of the play. (In a press release all type, will of course, be the same size.)
ALSO:
THIS NOTICE MUST APPEAR IN ALL PROGRAMS, ON ALL POSTERS AND PUBLICITY MATERIALS AND INTERNET ADVERTISING/WEBPAGES FOR THE PLAY:
“ARTHYR: The Boy Who Would Be King is presented through special arrangement with the authors. All authorized materials are also supplied by the authors, Courtesy of Leicester Bay Theatricals Premiere Play File.”
