Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: Camelot?

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robertgeorgia
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Joined: 9/07/06
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Topic: Camelot?
Posted: 9/08/06 at 6:46am

Has anyone done Camelot? In my new position of event coordinator, I would love to do Camelot in our 560 seat auditorium. Does anyone know of any challenges regarding this musical? My problem is finding someone to play the role of King Arthur as well as Richard Harris did in the 1967 movie even though singing isnt his forte...

Thanks.

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Topper
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Posted: 9/08/06 at 11:01am

In my opinion "Camelot" is a musical that relies heavily on pageantry for it to be successful. Finding good singers is important, yes, but your greatest hurdle (and largest expense) will be on costumes. Find yourself a good costumer and allocate a hefty portion of your budget towards that.

Your next expense would be scenic design. Creating the forest, the castle, the backdrops, etc, etc.

Good singers wearing pretty costumes standing in front of impressive scenery is pretty much what makes "Camelot" worth watching.

"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone

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Guests
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Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:35pm

Humboldt State University did it a few years ago. Go to the theatre arts site at http://www.humboldt.edu/~theatre/gallery.php## and look at the photo gallery. They had a minimal set that worked great!

One thing I do remember is that they had excellent singers, but most couldn't act. This play is heavy in the emotional conflict area, and it needs singers who not only can sing well, but can act well, and can act while singing.

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Lionjill
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Posted: 11/05/06 at 3:35pm

I agree with the other posters - Camelot has to be pageant-like to be good - costumes in particular. I personally think it is more important for the King Arthur actor to be able to act the part than sing it.

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Posted: 11/05/06 at 8:38pm

I did Camelot in high school many eons ago. For a set because at that time my high school had not theatre or stage, we did the set with large over-sized box frames which you could see through and a series of platforms. The rooms in the castle etc. were suggested by adding large colourful banners/drapes etc. For the outdoor scenes guaze-like material dyed green was used for the forest. The costumes were very colourful. Sorry but no photos.

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tristanrobin
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Joined: 4/25/05
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Posted: 11/06/06 at 10:03am

yep - gotta agree - costumes and sets are a big part of Camelot.
AND the play is so damned long, they have to move those sets in and out in
half no time to keep the thing from dragging into tomorrow. It's a lovely
piece - but it really has to hum along.

I agree that Arthur can be handled by a good actor who can speak/sing the
songs - but the rest of the cast really has to SING. This is one of the few
musicals from that Golden Age of Broadway Musicals which has almost no
dance to relieve the singing. It really has to sound and look good.

That all may sound negative - it's not meant to. When those challenges are
overcome, the piece can be emotionally moving and visually stunning.

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Thespian_4_ever
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Joined: 9/16/05
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Posts: 43

Posted: 11/12/06 at 8:53pm

When my CT did Camelot it was way to long it lasted almost 3 hours.

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Author	Message
robertgeorgia Walk-On Joined: 9/07/06 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Topic: Camelot? Posted: 9/08/06 at 6:46am
	Has anyone done Camelot? In my new position of event coordinator, I would love to do Camelot in our 560 seat auditorium. Does anyone know of any challenges regarding this musical? My problem is finding someone to play the role of King Arthur as well as Richard Harris did in the 1967 movie even though singing isnt his forte... Thanks.

	IP Logged

Topper Celebrity Joined: 1/27/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 543	Posted: 9/08/06 at 11:01am
	In my opinion "Camelot" is a musical that relies heavily on pageantry for it to be successful. Finding good singers is important, yes, but your greatest hurdle (and largest expense) will be on costumes. Find yourself a good costumer and allocate a hefty portion of your budget towards that. Your next expense would be scenic design. Creating the forest, the castle, the backdrops, etc, etc. Good singers wearing pretty costumes standing in front of impressive scenery is pretty much what makes "Camelot" worth watching.
	"None of us really grow up. All we ever do is learn how to behave in public." -- Keith Johnstone
	IP Logged

Guests Guest	Posted: 9/28/06 at 2:35pm
	Humboldt State University did it a few years ago. Go to the theatre arts site at http://www.humboldt.edu/~theatre/gallery.php## and look at the photo gallery. They had a minimal set that worked great! One thing I do remember is that they had excellent singers, but most couldn't act. This play is heavy in the emotional conflict area, and it needs singers who not only can sing well, but can act well, and can act while singing.
	IP Logged

Lionjill Walk-On Joined: 11/05/06 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 11/05/06 at 3:35pm
	I agree with the other posters - Camelot has to be pageant-like to be good - costumes in particular. I personally think it is more important for the King Arthur actor to be able to act the part than sing it.
	IP Logged

Playwright Celebrity Joined: 4/01/06 Location: Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 126	Posted: 11/05/06 at 8:38pm
	I did Camelot in high school many eons ago. For a set because at that time my high school had not theatre or stage, we did the set with large over-sized box frames which you could see through and a series of platforms. The rooms in the castle etc. were suggested by adding large colourful banners/drapes etc. For the outdoor scenes guaze-like material dyed green was used for the forest. The costumes were very colourful. Sorry but no photos.
	IP Logged

tristanrobin Celebrity Joined: 4/25/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 11/06/06 at 10:03am
	yep - gotta agree - costumes and sets are a big part of Camelot. AND the play is so damned long, they have to move those sets in and out in half no time to keep the thing from dragging into tomorrow. It's a lovely piece - but it really has to hum along. I agree that Arthur can be handled by a good actor who can speak/sing the songs - but the rest of the cast really has to SING. This is one of the few musicals from that Golden Age of Broadway Musicals which has almost no dance to relieve the singing. It really has to sound and look good. That all may sound negative - it's not meant to. When those challenges are overcome, the piece can be emotionally moving and visually stunning.
	IP Logged

Thespian_4_ever Lead Joined: 9/16/05 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 43	Posted: 11/12/06 at 8:53pm
	When my CT did Camelot it was way to long it lasted almost 3 hours.
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Topic: Camelot?( Topic Closed)