October 18th, 2010 
Brynn Tucker and Ben Cunis in "King Arthur" (Credit: Graeme B. Shaw)
The Synetic Theatre Company never ceases to amaze me. As Washington, DC’s premiere physical theatre company, they are without question the most daring performing arts company in the area. This month, Synetic Theatre Company opened their 2010-2011 season with their most innovative production to date, King Arthur. The newly relocated company’s inaugural production on their new Crystal City stage was a house warming party of sorts, except for the fact that the set was submerged three inches in water. Yes, you heard right, water.
In their next installment of word-less repertoire, husband and wife team Paata and Irina Tsikurishvili directed and choreographed this new adaptation of the well-known legend of King Arthur and Merlin. Adapted by the director and Ben Cunis (who also stars as the illusive king), King Arthur follows the epic legend from a young Arthur pulling Excalibur from a stone, to his training with the magical Merlin, to his marriage to the beautiful Guinevere, all the while acting out the plot through relentless physicality and Irina Tsikurishvili’s trademark choreography.
Konstantine Lortkipanidze’s original music composition is as fluid as the set and combines disco tech with Celtic folk music. Clad in wet suits and waterproof gowns, the actors slither through Anastasia Rurikov Simes’ minimally sleek set with ease. A highlight of the production is Alex Mills as King Arthur’s mentor, Merlin. As one third of the enigmatic Iago trio in last season’s Othello, Mills has proven himself to be a poignant and dynamic performer, who explores the nuances of epic characters while maintaining an air of mystery.
While the passionate, forbidden lovemaking between Guinevere and Lancelot (in the rain, I might add) and epic knight battles may be a bit much for young eyes, I highly recommend this production to anyone seeking a heart-racing theatrical experience in 90 minutes or less. If you are so inclined to get wet, be sure to buy tickets in the first two rows, as Arthur and Guinevere’s wedding jig will get you as soaked as a ride down Splash Mountain. Rain ponchos are handed out at the door.
King Arthur runs through October 31 in Crystal City, 1800 S. Bell St., Arlington, VA. Visit http://www.synetictheater.org or call 800-494-8497 for tickets.
Sounds like an interesting and wet performance! If I were in the D.C area, I would definetly like to check it out. Nice job Amanda on your describtion.
The energy is clear from the picture, and it looks like such a fun experience! Music a cross between discothèque and Celtic?? Reminds me a little of the Donkey Show in Boston. Next time I’m in DC I’ll be sure to check it out!