Morte d'Arthur was adapted by Mike Poulton and directed by RSC Chief Associate Director Gregory Doran. The adaptation is based on the eight-volume collection of stories by Sir Thomas Malory about the legendary King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
Malory was an English writer who lived from approximately 1405 to 1471 and is assumed to be from Warwickshire. It is thought he wrote Le Morte d'Arthur while he was in prison and the books were first published in 1485.
This show brings the familiar and not-so-familiar tales of Britain's first great epic to life. The adaptation traces Arthur's rise and fall, from the sword-in-the-stone and the foundation of the Round Table, to the Holy Grail and the adultery of Launcelot and Guenever. Brave knights, damsels in distress, fiery dragons and full-size jousting horses - exciting medieval magic in one night of theatre!
Explore this production
Use the links on the left to find out more about this production of Morte d'Arthur.
Read a summary of the play written by adaptor Mike Poulton and director Gregory Doran:
Full synopsis
Watch the director Gregory Doran talking about the production just before it opened in Stratford-upon-Avon in 2010:
Director interview
View photos of the production and the company in rehearsals:
Photo gallery - Production
Photo gallery - Rehearsals
Find out how our workshops made the props with this behind-the-scenes gallery:
Making the props
How did the RSC's Head of Movement, Struan Leslie, work on the show? We spoke to him near the end of the rehearsal process:
Movement in Morte d'Arthur
Read what the critics said about the show in these reviews:
'A great knight out...at the heart of Gregory Doran's immense production is a beautifully judged text by Mike Poulton'
The Times
(Only available online to Times subscribers)
'Stunningly virtuosic...Sam Troughton's excellent Arthur...Mordred compellingly played by Peter Peverley...Mariah Gale's touching Elaine of Astelat...'
Michael Billington, Guardian
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'A lucid, revelatory stage production'
Michael Coveney, The Independent
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'Noma Dumezweni has some delicious moments of malice as Morgan le Fey'
Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph
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'Dyfan Dwyfor and Gruffudd Glyn shine in their various roles'
Simon Tavener, WhatsOnStage
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Photo by Ellie Kurttz shows Sam Troughton as Arthur and Kirsty Woodward as Guenever in the RSC's production of Morte d'Arthur in 2010 © RSC