| Show I Camelot contained mixed pleasures Matt Morgan Contributing Writer a attended ded Camelot 0 on n I opening night It had some bright spots but the length of the production tion was its major and I feel fatal weakness This is not a play for someone with witha a short attention span to see The visual effects plus some outstanding performances performances orI or- or I mances on stage provide some redeeming qualities I must admit the first act was quite enjoyable Robert Peterson did an excellent job as King Arthur The scenes with him and Merlin Glen Slight were interesting and very humorous Peterson was inspiring and powerful He brought life to Camelot and stirred the emotions of the audience Merlin provided comic relief while also adding to the mystical quality that makes this L production unique There were two major drawbacks to the first scene Lancelot's Rodney Johnston phony French accent accent accent ac ac- ac- ac cent was one At times it was very strong while at others it was almost non-ex- non I The other was Guenevere Carol Nelson I could tell they were trying to lighten things up with her school girl arrogance but in the end it was quite annoying In the beginning it was cute and playful but butas as the play dragged on and andon andon andon on and on it became more bothersome The two saved their performances with incredible incredible incredible in in- credible singing voices It is isa isa isa a shame they weren't al allowed allowed allowed al- al lowed to sing more to enhance enhance enhance en en- hance their lackluster acting The 1 ne costuming and backdrops backdrops back back- drops were very nice and overall the visual part was extremely effective In the hilltop scene with Arthur and Guenevere the trees gave an inspiring awe-inspiring chill The forest of Morgan LeFey was spectacular in adding to this mystical quality There was also an impressive use of balconies in giving this mysticism mysticism mys mys- its synergistic effect Neal Barth gave a most outstanding performance as asKing asKing asKing King With the disappearance of Merlin his comic relief was more than welcomed He was charm charm- I ing and gave the production a genuine quality that only he and Arthur displayed It was unfortunate that his role was only a small one By the time Act II started my patience was non exis tent feminine mannerisms more than disturbed disturbed disturbed dis dis- dis- dis me while Morgan LeFey's absurd love of chocolate was simply revolt revolt- ing The accompanying music seemed to worsen as did Lancelot's accent I was literally praying for Arthur to kill Guenevere Arthur King and Merlin fell short in saving this one for me In all it lasted three hours and fifteen minutes While I did not enjoy the entire performance performance performance mance I do recommend that you support the Salt Lake Community Arts Cen Cen- ter There are some genuine performances in Camelot that should not be missed It is apparent that there was an in intense tense effort in this production and for that I applaud applaud applaud ap ap- ap- ap plaud all those involved wi with th Camelot |
