Camelot. A kingdom of legend, one known by every fan of adventure, romance, and epic battles. And at the center of it all is King Arthur’s round table, with stories of knights going on great quests and enduring grueling trials. Sir Gawain is one such knight, and the story of his deal with the Green Knight is legendary. Pearl Poet Productions puts on a dazzling show of this story, complete with rock-and-roll music and impressive fight choreography.
Director Nich Radcliffe utilizes a small, sparse space impeccably, creating a sense that Sir Gawain travels hundreds of miles throughout his journey. At important moments throughout the musical, Radcliffe uses screens and shadows to create a sense of horror, both symbolic and physical. These tactics allow the audience to identify with Sir Gawain’s terror at his own impending death as we follow him along his journey.
Actors Chris Causer as Sir Gawain and Jack Wright as the Green Knight shine both together and apart in the moments leading up to their face-off. Causer portrays Gawain with emotional honesty and vocal skill. The surrounding cast members- Noah Berman (King Arthur), Lily Cox (Queen Guinevere), Gregory Dodds (Lord Bertilak), Caroline Kidwell (Lady Grey), Kamron Palmer (Sir Agravain/Priest), Tim Yong (Bishop Baldwin/3rd Servant), Graham Todd (Sir Ywain/1st Servant), North Homeward (Blacksmith/Porter), Kellen Robinson (Squire/2nd Servant), and Hana Christenson (Lady in Black/Ensemble)- very successfully support the two leads and shine on their own.
The greatest draw of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, in this author’s opinion, stems from the powerful original rock music. Every actor brings beautifully unique singing talent to the stage, and the songs themselves are enjoyable, deep, and exciting.
RECOMMENDED
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Music Credits
“Thin Red Line” Words and Music by Al Connelly, Alan Graham Few, Sam Reid. Published by COLGEMS-EMI MUSIC INC., TIGER SHARDS (ASCAP, NS). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“The Rhythm of Your Love” Words and Music by Al Connelly, Alan Graham Frew. Published by EMI APRIL MUSIC (CANADA) LTD., LIONS SHARE (CAPAC, SOCAN). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“Big Goodbye” Words and Music by Jack Russell, Mark S. Kendall, and Alan G. Niven. © 1992 WB MUSIC CORP. (ASCAP) and STRAVINSKIS DITTIES & TOONS (ASCAP); SONY / ATV TUNES LLC (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“Wander This World” Words and Music by Paul Diethelm and Bruce McCabe. Published by RED NUNZ LLC and RYAN CORY MUSIC. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“Wake Me Up On Judgement Day” Words and Music by Will Jennings and Steve Winwood. © IRVING MUSIC INC. on behalf of BLUE SKY RIDER SONGS (BMI) and KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING AMERICA INC. Not for broadcast transmission. All rights reserved. Used by permission. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
“Save Me” Words and Music by Christina Joy Amphlett, Mark Christopher Mcentee. Used by permission of EMI MUSIC PUBLISHING AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, EMI SONGS AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED (APRA). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“Don’t Believe Her” Words and Music by Herman Rarebell, James Douglas Vallance, Klaus Meine, and Rudolf Schenker. © UNIVERSAL – POLYGRAM INTERNATIONAL PUBLISHING, INC. (ASCAP) / ALMO MUSIC CORP. on behalf of itself and TESTATYME MUSIC (ASCAP); BMG Platinum Songs (BMI). Not for broadcast transmission. All rights reserved. Used by permission. DO NOT DUPLICATE.
“Desert Moon” Words and Music by Jack Russell, Mark S. Kendall, Michael Lardie, and Alan G. Niven. © 1991 WB MUSIC CORP. (ASCAP) and STRAVINSKIS DITTIES & TOONS (ASCAP) and SONY / ATV TUNES, LLC (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“Devil Woman” Words and Music by Christine Holmes and Terry Britten. © 1976 WB MUSIC CORP. (ASCAP) and SPARKLE MUSIC (PSR) and BMG BUMBLEBEE (BMI) obo BUG MUSIC LTD obo SGO MUSIC PUBLISHING LTD. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
“Flesh Wound” Words and Music by Mick Jones, Johnny Edwards, & Terry Thomas. Published by SOMERSET SONGS PUBLISHING INC. and TJT SONGS / PHANTOM MUSIC and BEEHIX MUSIC. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
When:
December 1-17
Thursdays-Saturdays at 8:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 PM (12/9 and 12/16 only)
Where:
Raven Theatre Complex
6157 N Clark Street
Tickets:
$25
For more information visit the Pearl Poet Productions Website.
Note: An excerpt of this review appears in Theatre in Chicago.
Note* the music is not original. Please credit the bands and artists used.
Thank you! Our writer has added all music credits. Thanks!