THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 23, 1995 TAG: 9502220149
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: AHOSKIE LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
'Twas the age of chivalry, its most notable characters being Queen Guinevere, King Arthur and Sir Lancelot.
Originally immortalized in the 12th century by medieval writers in Europe, the legendary mixture of history and romance has survived in a variety of versions, all with the same themes - chivalry vs. adultery.
English and American writers found the Arthurian legend a popular topic, but it became truly universal when lyricist Alan Jan Lerner and songwriter Frederick Loewe wrote the 1960s musical, ``Camelot.''
It was a Broadway hit, then a succesful movie. In the last few years it has become a little theater staple.
The Gallery Theatre in Ahoskie will set the Round Table on its stage tonight through Sunday, with a cast of veterans to tell the romantic tale: Michael Hewitt as King Arthur, Emily Jernigan as Queen Guinevere and Darin Mize as Sir Lancelot.
The story tells about the community of Camelot awaiting the arrival of England's future queen.
Sir Lancelot comes on the scene and - lo - the eternal triangle.
Many of the songs help tell the tale, the most familiar being ``If Ever I Would Leave You.'' Others include ``How to Handle a Woman'' ``I wonder What the King is Doing Tonight'' and a couple of simple songs - ``The Simple Joys of Maidenhood'' and ``What Do Simple Folks Do?''
There is nothing simple about ``Camelot,'' a large musical with a cast of 25 and an orchestra of seven.
Its director, an old hand at such things, is Ernie Carter, who directed ``The King and I'' as well as such gems as ``The Foreigner'' and ``Crimes of the Heart.''
The music director, Catherine Charles, who is choral director at Hertford County Middle School, said that one of the things she likes about directing the ``Camelot'' chorus is that the singers have more of a hand in the plot.
``They play important roles in several scenes. They have more to do, figure more in the plot. They are not just background,'' she said. ``And, I'm very impressed by the leads - gorgeous voices.''
One of the leads, Hewitt, tells about his romantic connection with the romantic play. ``On our wedding night, in 1961, we saw ``Camelot'' in New York City.''
He and his wife, Brenda, the Gallery's costumer, saw the original version starring three other well-respected leads - Richard Burton, Julie Andrews and Robert Goulet. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Emily Jernigan plays Queen Guinevere and Michael Hewitt is King
Arthur in the Gallery Theatre's production of ``Camelot.''
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: ``Camelot''
WHEN: 8 p.m. tonight, Friday and Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Gallery Theatre, Main Street, Ahoskie
TICKETS: At theater or Chamber of Commerce, Main Street; $5.50,
adults; $4, students. At the door: $6 and $5.
INFORMATION: (919) 332-2976
by CNB