Le Navet Bete's King Arthur: Review

Le Navet Bete describe themselves as idiots and clowns. But just like the multilayered foolery of a court jester, there is a quick-witted intelligence to their silliness giving them broad appeal.

This time they’ve turned their attention to the Arthurian legends, with three actors (Nick Bunt, Al Dunn and Matt Freeman) taking on multiple roles including King Arthur, Guinevere, Merlin, Sir Lancelot and the Lady in the Lake. And even if you don’t know much about these characters, it won’t stop you getting caught up in the playfulness of the story.

Le Navet Bete's King Arthur — Le Navet Bete’s King Arthur

The show opens on a scene of three hapless squires, Edgar, Osbert and Dave singing Queen’s ‘I Want to Break Free’ while confined to the stocks. The front rows of the audience are then invited to pelt them with rubber fruit, handed out before the start.
It is bonkers, physical humour that has all ages laughing out loud. Things get more ridiculous with the appearance of a removable knitted willy, a bath of beans and a Raymond Blanc inspired Lancelot.

The Arthurian legends are loosely weaved-in through these capers using a play within a play, after the three friends are tasked by King Arthur to stage a performance showcasing stories of Camelot.

Given there are only three actors in the cast (with v. brief appearances from the stage manager) it is some task to keep the audience clear on who is who. Amazingly, thanks to the team’s acting skills and Fi Russell’s clever costume choices, the intricacy of the story only adds to the fun of it.

The show has a cartoonish feel, from the myriad of trap doors to the full-on frying pan in the face. There is a great energy to it, as the cast race around either on stage or making lightning-quick costume changes.

The music is a comical highlight too, from George Michael’s Careless Whisper on the recorder to Merlin the Magician reincarnated as Cher. This irreverence runs through to the history too – don’t expect to come out any the wiser about King Arthur and his round table. But sometimes we all need a reminder to not take ourselves or indeed life too seriously. As such, King Arthur is the perfect family-friendly antidote to our gloomy times.