Morte D'Arthur - Stratford Upon Avon Tickets

The Royal Shakespeare Company treads new ground in this staging of the legend of King Arthur, with Thomas Malory’s “Morte D’Arthur” appearing under the direction of Gregory Doran. Mike Poulton has put together this new interpretation of a classic piece of work that has become the foundation of the Arthurian legend, penned as far back as the War of the Roses. Working with the director and the ensemble in workshops, Poulton gives a unique take on something which is legendary in its own right.

Director Gregory Doran is an acclaimed member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and is currently serving as their Chief Associate Director. He is well known for two productions which were filmed for television, with his staging of “Macbeth” with Antony Sher making its way to Channel 4 and his staging of “Hamlet” with Patrick Stewart and David Tennant making it onto the BBC in 2008. Beyond these he has also directed “Twelfth Night”, “The Canterbury Tales”, “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “Edward III”, the latter of which appeared as part of a season of plays that earned him a Laurence Olivier Award.

With “Morte D’Arthur” he brings a new production to the RSC, making it a special occasion for the company. First published by Caxton in 1485 it has been the stepping stone to the current understanding of Arthurian legend. Malory compiled various French and English romances regarding Arthur, bringing them into one place for the first time. It resulted in the first English-language story of the king.

It chronicles the rise and fall of King Arthur, beginning with his birth and rise to power and progressing through many stories, including the war with the Romans, the search for the Holy Grail, the affair between Guinevere and Lancelot and the eventually breaking apart of the Round Table. Along the way many famous elements from the story make an appearance, such as the sword in the stone, magical powers and great myth.

“Morte D’Arthur” is certain to be a unique staging of Arthurian legend and as it is a new interpretation of Malory’s work, it is an intriguing and compelling reason to witness this RSC production. It appears at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon from Friday 11th June 2010 to Wednesday 28th August 2010.