KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
KING ARTHUR’S ROUND TABLE
A MUMMERS’ PLAY
CELEBRATING
THE HISTORY
OF
CAERLEON AMPHITHEATRE
BY
ALAN BARKER
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KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
INTRODUCTION
Caerleon in South Wales, boasts a fully excavated Roman
amphitheatre, known for many centuries as King Arthur’s Round
Table, because of its apparent circular shape. Caerleon was also
reputed to be Arthur’s Camelot, as it would have been sensible for
the warrior-king to re-occupy an abandoned Roman stronghold.
Although the tradition of the Mari Lwyd was revived in the 1960’s
there is no traditional play for Caerleon although Mummers’ plays
exist for neighbouring Monmouth and Chepstow.
So the play takes a brief look at the passing fortunes of the
amphitheatre, from Roman times, its legendary curse and its
associations with Arthur until its re-birth as an arena of spectacle,
drama and film.
Julius and Aaron were Roman soldiers martyred at the time
because they were Christians.
During 1926/7, Sir Mortimer Wheeler was in charge of the project
to excavate the amphitheatre.
The strange collection of characters, defying both time and order,
act out scenes which at first appear chaotic, but in truth transcends
the passing of time.
Acts of dying and re-birth symbolise the mystical intervention of
the Spirits of Nature. In what other drama would Romeo and Juliet
meet Merlin and just what has Cinderella to do with it?
All will soon be revealed.
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KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
CAST OF CHARACTERS
The Greene Man
Sir M. (Sir Mortimer Wheeler)
Old Mother Nature
Julius, a Roman soldier
Aaron, a Roman soldier
Lady Nemesis, a goddess
Merlin
King Arthur
Guinevere
Romeo
Juliet
There should be a minimum of twelve Mummers for this play.
(Enter a troupe of masked MUMMERS with small drums, percussion
instruments, two large watering cans and any odd instrument that
can make a noise. They stand in a circle, while two MUMMERS lay
two pieces of green cloth on the floor of the acting area. OLD
MOTHER NATURE pretends to be asleep between the cloths.)
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KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
THE GREENE MAN: (Steps forward to address the audience.)
Good morning or good afternoon,
What e’er the time of day.
I’ll wake OLD MOTHER NATURE,
So you can watch our play.
OLD MOTHE NATURE:
Oh go away, Greene Man, just let me sleep,
The year has just begun.
I’m too tired to race around
And join in your merry fun.
THE GREENE MAN: (Pretends to wake OLD MOTHER NATURE with a
watering can.)
It is too late to cry and moan,
You have yourself to blame.
You’ve already slept too many weeks,
Wish I could do the same.
OLD MOTHER NATURE: (Wriggling between cloths)
Oh, hide your eyes, I’m quite undressed,
You caught me in the nu….
I cannot finish that last line,
Because it is quite rude.
(The MUMMERS gather round OLD MOTHER NATURE, decorate her
with garlands of leaves and flowers and replace the cloths on the
floor.)
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KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
SIR M: (Addressing the audience.)
So Ladies and Gents, I am SIR M,
We’re now ready and quite able
To introduce our play
Behold, ‘King Arthur’s Table’.
(MUMMERS kneel on the ground forming the shape of the
amphitheatre.)
JULIUS: (steps forward.)
From Rome, I JULIUS have travelled far
To build a high walled fort.
But having seen those two perform (Points GREEN MAN and OLD
MOTHER NATURE.)
AARON: I hope our visit’s short.
JULIUS: (Holding AARON by the arm.)
We won’t be leaving here that soon,
AARON, we have a job to do.
So mate, let’s raise those mighty walls
(As he says the following lines the MUMMERS rise one by one as the
SOLDIERS walk around the outside of the circle.)
Are you ready crew?
JULIUS:
Stone upon stone, stone upon stone,
AARON:
Just look what we have built.
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KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
JULIUS:
A large theatre in the round,
AARON:
Now, we’ll see some sport.
THE GREENE MAN: Pats both soldiers on the back as they join the
MUMMERS.
Roll up, roll up, it’s time to see
What’s on in our own Coliseum.
Fights, dramas and lots of gore,
Plenty of thrills, come and see’um.
(ALL the MUMMERS join in OTT fighting until they have all killed
each other dramatically. LADY NEMESIS comes forward, holding a
boot, walks over the bodies looking at footwear and eventually THE
GREENE MAN introduces her to the audience.)
THE GREENE MAN:
LADY NEMESIS, Ladies and Gents.
LADY NEMESIS:
Who-ever has stolen this matching boot
There’s a blood curse on that fella.
THE GREENE MAN:
Wander about and see if it fits
But remember, he ain’t Cinderella.
OLD MOTHER NATURE: (Waters all the MUMMERS, who rise up
again in a circle.)
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KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
OLD MOTHER NATURE:
Here comes MERLIN with his many spells,
A little closer to me, my friend.
(OLD MOTHER NATURE strokes MERLIN’S wand.)
Let’s see your magic wand perform
So our play will have an end.
(MERLIN bows before OLD MOTHER NATURE.)
MERLIN:
I would dear lady, but time moves on,
KING ARTHUR and his knights await
To make plans around this table
To fight the enemies at the gate.
(Again at this point all the MUMMERS fight until KING ARTHUR
strides in and defeats them all.)
OLD MOTHER NATURE:
I think he’s rather handsome,
But whoa, here’s one I fear.
THE GREENE MAN:
So stop trying to chat him up
In front of LADY GUINEVERE.
(Now it is her turn to water all the MUMMERS who rise up, admire
her beauty, and stand in a circle.)
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KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
GUINEVERE: (Pointing KING ARTHUR.)
Take him if you want him,
And the whole of Camelot, (Pointing to the MUMMERS.)
See the second knight from the King,
Eyes off, he’s my SIR LAUNCELOT!
(THE GREENE MAN and OLD MOTHER NATURE stand on the cloths
while the MUMMERS bend forward and join in a circle around them
forming a crinoline-type skirt into which THE GREENE MAN and OLD
MOTHER NATURE sink.)
THE GREENE MAN:
So onwards into history,
Below great mounds of earth
Our table lies forgotten
Awaiting its re-birth.
OLD MOTHER NATURE: (As she speaks the MUMMERS sink to their
knees.)
OLD MOTHER NATURE:
Forgotten and unwanted,
The wonder of a bygone age
Parts soon were re-cycled
To build Caerleon village.
SIR M: (As he speaks, MERLIN begins to water the MUMMERS who
slowly stand to full height to reveal ROMEO and JULIET.)
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KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
SIR M:
But one more spell before I go
Will see it born anew,
A centre of entertainment
And even Shakespeare too!
ROMEO:
Ah, sweet JULIET. (Points to the newly formed MUMMERS’ circle.)
Look the stage is set,
Let’s add more to this fable.
Join me and others who before
Have dined at Arthur’s table.
JULIET:
Oh, dearest Romeo
Wild animals, combats and military skills (At this point the
MUMMERS begin to fight again.)
NOW give way to gentler acts. (ROMEO and JULIET threaten the
MUMMERS with watering cans and they reform the circle.)
Now give way to gentler acts (Line repeated by JULIET.)
So please forgive ROMEO and I
For mixing fiction with facts.
MUMMERS TOGETHER:
Lights, camera action…
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KING ARTHUR’s ROUND TABLE
OLD MOTHER NATURE:
May I interlope
When films are shown here
Is this my best side
For cinemascope?
THE GREENE MAN:
To all who have enjoyed
Being served at Arthur’s Table.
Alas, there is a bill to pay,
But I’m sure you’ll all be able.
OLD MOTHER NATURE:
Our friends will now among you walk,
Your arm per chance to bend,
To give to a worthy charity as
We all declare…
ENTIRE COMPANY:
The End.
..(MUMMERS make a loud noise and disperse among the audience.)
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