There aren’t many original plays written for children and family audiences, so it’s good to see Northampton doing something different for Christmas with this Arthurian-inspired coming-of-age story. It brings a new and timeless twist to the ancient legend.
Prince Arthur, the Lady Gwen and commoner Merlin, whose father was vilified for practising the “dark arts”, have grown up together and are firm friends, still playing with a puppyish glee. But duty beckons for the young prince as his father sends him north to fight a tournament in King Lot’s kingdom and forge an alliance by marrying the silly Princess Scintillata. Hearts and old friendships may be broken, particularly when it becomes apparent that Merlin has the gift of magic like his father – a gift that Arthur strongly distrusts.
Often more junior Game of Thrones than Saturday night TV or The Sword in the Stone, Ella Hickson’s script is way too complicated in its storytelling. The production seems in no hurry whatsoever, seriously lacking a light touch until the second half. But there are some very nice ideas, particularly in the way the show investigates mutual reliance – whether the scabbard can be as essential as the sword, or the loyal friend as important as the king. As you’d expect from Hickson, the women get to kick arse with a few unexpected transformations of their own. The gigantic talking rabbits and the puppet baby dragon are lovely, too.
With a more streamlined narrative and a snappier, tighter production, this could be intelligent fun in which swashbuckling adventure combines with a thoughtful examination of the limits of tolerance. No, it’s not yet magic, but there’s a quintet of personable performances from the youngsters, with Will Merrick’s Merlin suggesting all the inner turmoil of a young man who finds growing up hard to do and who is rejected by his best friend for being different.
• Until 4 January. Box office: 01604 624811. Venue: Royal and Derngate
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