‘Knights’ Lacks Romance, Not Power Tools

Kevin McCarthy makes a suitably world-weary King Arthur in California Repertory Company’s “Knights of the Round Table” at the Edison Theatre, but director Eberhard Kohler sets a torturously plodding pace.

Playwright Christoph Hein’s drama (translated from the original German) strips Camelot bare of fanciful romance. The knights have scattered, some searching for the Holy Grail.

The older knights, Kay (Ashley Carr Jr.) and Aurelius (Stephen Mendel), are settling into curmudgeon-hood, ruing the disrespectful attitude of the younger generation.

A disillusioned Perceval (Peter Uribe) keeps company with Mordred (John Mellies). Guinevere (Dorothy Gallagher) is a bored, unrepentant adulterer, greeting Lancelot’s (Mark Staley) return.

On Danila Korogodsky’s set, the Round Table is at first a sunken hole, glowing red beneath the lounging Guinevere. The table elevates to different heights, sometimes higher than a normal table, as if to signify that the legacy of Camelot has become too lofty.

The pillars surrounding the set often block the view of actors’ faces. This may be intentional, but it seems an annoying miscalculation.

The carpenters (Jeff McGrath and Chris McCool) who wander about, clanking their tools and revving up power tools, draw this drama into contemporary times. But under Kohler’s direction, they often distract the flow of the main action.

Tamra Underland’s costume design successfully crosses modern looks with medieval variations.

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* “Knights of the Round Table,” Edison Theatre, 213 E. Broadway, Long Beach. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; also March 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 7 p.m.; March 11, 18, 2 p.m. Ends March 18. $20. (562) 432-1818. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.