Camelot to music

The musical, by Alan J Lerner and Frederick Loewe of My Fair Lady fame, is about to play in Glasgow for the first time in 30 years.

Complete with musical numbers and sword fights, Eastwood's Runway Theatre Company's production retells the legend of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and the knights of the round table.

The story begins with the wedding of the royal couple and follows the king as he establishes his order of knights.

Arthur then faces Camelot's destruction when his illegitimate son arrives seeking revenge and Guinevere's love affair with Sir Lancelot is exposed.

J Campbell Kerr a social care worker from Shawlands, plays King Arthur. The 39-year-old has been performing with the Runway company since 1989.

He told Live: "Camelot is a moving production, and at the moment there's a resurgence of interest in the Arthurian myth.

"A new TV series and film on it will be out soon, but we've got the zeitgeist for now".

Playing his queen is Aileen Johnston (41), from Giffnock. A surveyor, Aileen has been performing in her spare time since 1993.

She commented: "Camelot isn't done very often, so we're all happy to be involved. It's not exactly new, but it feels it to us".

Both actors have worked together in the past, and are happy to be reunited on stage at Gilmorehill.

Campbell explained: "What's interesting about performing in a smaller venue is that it becomes more like a play than a musical.

"There are only about five main characters and they're so close to the audience on that stage, so it really sets the scene".

His co-star added: "It makes the production very atmospheric".

Despite a dearth of Camelot productions in Glasgow down the years, Aileen is convinced that audiences will still be familiar with songs such as What do the simple folk do? and How to handle a woman.

She added: "People should come see Camelot because it's something different. The show is funny, but powerful and moving at the same time. It has a bit of everything really".

CAMELOT is at Gilmorehill G12 (at the junction of Kelvin Way and University Avenue) from Wednesday to Saturday, curtain up each evening at 7.30. Tickets from 7 via the G12 box office or by e-mailing [email protected].