Puckett Publishing

The Ill-Made Knight

15 men, 7 women, chorus
2 Acts, 82 pages
21 Songs

The Ill-Made Knight is the story of Camelot, with the focus on Lancelot and ultimately the Grail Quest. Except that it is set in Scotland, and in the Dark Aages, and Lancelot is called Angus. He goes mad for love of Guenevere, and runs away, only to be taken in at Castle Carbonek, where he meets Elaine, King Pelles' daughter. They fall in love, but le leaves her when he learns that Guenevere has been taken captive. Years later, the knights are sent on the quest of the Holy Grail, and Lancelot faces the darkness he has always suspected was his innermost core.

Cast of Characters

• Angus. 35-45. A tortured man who cannot reconcile his honor with his passions. He is physically strong, but not handsome, with the face of a fighter: it has suffered abuse. He is slow to smile, deliberate in all things.
• Elaine. 25-30. A pretty, but not beautiful woman, absolutely steadfast in her devotion to Angus. Her features are wholesome and clean. She has no pretense, and ultimately no defense against Guenevere. She dresses in simple gowns with no particular thought as to whether they fit her, physically or temperamentally. More at ease embroidering a dress than wearing it.
• Guenevere. 30-40. Self-centered and passionate, she is strikingly beautiful, sharp aquiline features. There is always a fire just beneath the surface, smoldering, ready to burn or engulf the object of her desire: Lancelot (Angus).
• Arthur. 50 or so. Distracted as his plans for chivalry are implemented, he is more mental than emotional, but never cold. He sees and lives in a future that he is devoted to.
• Merlin/Grandfather. 40-60. Possibly a dream figure, seen only by Lancelot, and later Dap. Merlin lives in all times, refers to all things. He can use the past to illuminate the future and the future to illuminate the past. He is thin and old, but still erect. Bearded, he has bushy eyebrows and flashing eyes. He wears a Druid’s white or blue gown and a dark cloak. No pointed hat. Unlike other principals, he has no accent.
• King Pelles. 40-60. Elaine’s father, the Fisher King. Thin sickly man, head in the clouds, always dabbling in genealogy and mysticism. Use a crutch and walks in obvious pain.
• Dap. 50-60. Lancelot’s squire, aged beyond belief. Senile, white-haired, forgetful.
• Galahad. 20's. A prick of a boy, too full of God. He does after all see the Grail.
• Gawain. 35-45. An elderly knight, second only to Lancelot in stature. An aged fighter, veteran of many campaigns.
• Melagran. 20's. An unchivalrous knight.
• Linnette. 20's. Elaine’s ditsy younger sister.
• Cecilia. 20's. Elaine’s teasing older sister.
• Teenage Girl. 15-18. The archetypal young Elaine.
• Perceval. 20's. A friend of, and only slightly less priggish than, Galahad.
• Gareth. 20's. Knight in Arthur’s court.
• Lady Ann. 18-25. Lady at Arthur’s court.
• Lady Bethany. The same.
• Baldric. 20's. A knight at Carbonek, Pelles’ castle.
• Sagramore. 20-30. Knight at Arthur’s court.
• Grummore. 40-60. Saintly knight.
• Saint Patrick. 30-50. Himself.
• Palomides. 20-30. Knight.
• Other knights & ladies

Musical Numbers

• “The Dark Ages”. Chorus
• “Madman On the Loose”. Chorus
• “Crazy Like a Fox”. Guenevere
• “Home Without a Hero”. Elaine & Chorus
• Le Chevalier Mal Fet”. Angus
• “Is He Really All That Cute?”. Elaine, Linnette, Cecilia
• “Fisher King”. Chorus
• “Drunk on Love”. Angus, Pelles, Dap, Baldric
• “Crazy Like a Fox (Reprise)”. Guenevere
• “Simple Woman, Simple Things”. Angus & Elaine
• "Broken Word", Angus
• “Blessed Me”. Galahad
• “Growing Old, Going Home”. Merlin & Dap\
• “Heaven In Earth”. Arthur, Guenevere, Gawain, Angus
• “Good God, Galahad!”. Galahad & Chorus
• “Grail Quest Procession”. Processional
• "Nothing To Find". Knights
• “How Long Must I Wait?”. Elaine
• “Chapel Perlious”. Angus, Arthur, Guenevere, Elaine, Chorus
• “Once Again”. Angus
• “Once Again *Finale)”. Angus, Chorus

Running Time: 2 hour 30 minutes, with an intermission

Set: forest locations, castle interiors. The Chapel Perilous should be dramatic and aweful.