Search

Saved articles

You have not yet added any article to your bookmarks!

Browse articles

GDPR Compliance

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies, Privacy Policy, and Terms of Service.

King Arthur's Body

 
Ross Anthony Review by Ross Anthony 3 Published: 18 Aug 2025 Greenside @ Riddles Court Show Dates: 1 Aug 2025-23 Aug 2025

King Arthur’s Body feels like Arthurian fan fiction brought to the stage. As anyone who has read fan fiction will tell you, that means it is hot, gay and full of political remarks. They have clearly found their audience, and the crowd lapped it up – especially the quip about JK being “She Who Must Not Be Named”.

Medieval polyamory in action

The performance imagines what might have happened if two old queens – Merlin and his owl Archimedes – were responsible for raising the once and future king Arthur. It is camp, funny and never takes itself too seriously. Arthur is played first as a mere babe and then a Gigachad (his words). Lancelot is an exuberant twink caught between bisexual urges (who hasn’t been there), while Guinevere is all sex appeal and magic.

This is a very loose retelling of a small portion of the Arthurian story. It leans more towards fanfic in the way it plays like a horny tryst superimposed on recognisable characters. And that’s okay – I’m as here for the ménage à trois as anyone.

Unfortunately, they are trying to fit a lot into an hour-long show, and what suffers is the interplay. Sequences feel forced, some pseudo-spiritual-sexual handwaving is a little odd, and they end up being very on the nose about what they are up to. If they cut much of the first third, they could focus on what much of the audience is clearly here to see: medieval polyamory in action.

Related to this article:

Location:

Performances

The Blurb:

Young King Arthur is ready for a wizardly lesson in the erotic arts. Buoyed by Merlin’s teachings, he pulls Excalibur from the stone, marries the powerful Lady Guinevere and presides over the Knights of the Round Table. Lancelot, his closest friend and Knight, may just be more than a manly object to drool over. After years of unfulfilled desire, Guinevere, Lancelot and King Arthur give way to their repressed passions! With Merlin providing a wizardly perspective on this story’s relevance in these turbulent times. A queer comedy retelling of the Arthurian legend.