The world premiere production of A Knight’s Tale The Musical has arrived in Manchester, and you’ve got just over one week to see this epic battle show. Based on the Columbia Pictures film written and directed by Brian Helgeland, which starred Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany, A Knight’s Tale The Musical debuted in Manchester on April 11th, making a change from theatre shows starting in London’s West End, and is running until May 10th. Read on for our review of A Knight’s Tale The Musical performed at Manchester Opera House.
A Knight’s Tale The Musical is adapted for the stage by Irish comedy writer and actor Brona C Titley, directed by the award-winning Rachel Kavanaugh and choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Matt Cole, and it truly has it all. Theatre-goers can expect a truly rockin’ soundtrack packed with chart-topping hits as the main character Will Thatcher and his band of merry misfits go on an epic journey filled with battles, humour and romance – so giddy up!
The story of A Knight’s Tale
The film A Knight’s Tale was released by Columbia Pictures in 2001 written, co-produced and directed by Oscar winner Brian Helgeland (L.A Confidential, Mystic River). The film is a stylish, music driven, action packed adventure starring Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight, The Patriot), with heroic performances from Paul Bettany (Iron Man, Wimbledon), Mark Addy (The Full Monty, Down to Earth) and Rufus Sewell (Dangerous Beauty, Dark City).
Ledger plays William Thatcher, a 14th century peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a nobleman (he goes by the name Sir Ulrich von Liechtenstein of Gelderland) and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing that stands between William and his dream of becoming the World Champion of the most extreme of sports is the bad boy of the sport, Count Adhemar. And when the two rivals go lance to lance at the world finals, you’d better arm yourself and hang on tight for the ride of your life.
Performance of A Knight’s Tale The Musical at Manchester Opera House
Leading the narrative is Andrew Coshan as William Thatcher, who the audience were constantly routing for in every joust, sword fight and song – after all, we all love an underdog. The actor successfully conveyed all the charm and confidence associated with the character.
One character that stood out was Eva Scott as What, part of Will Thatcher’s entourage, due to their quick quips that had the audience in stitches. The banter they have with the rest of the gang on their tournament road trip comes across as authentic and having a Northern accent on stage is comforting to hear.
Adding to the outstanding performances from the supporting cast is Emily Benjamin as Kate, the bad-ass blacksmith who sings some banging ballads during the show. Rising from a scissor lift in the pit, typically home to the band in front of the stage, she belted out her solo surrounded by show-stopping pyrotechnics.
Plus, credit goes to Max Bennett as Chaucer, the renowned poet yet also a gambling man. As he marches on stage stark naked to cheers from the audience, he effortlessly controls the stage and the crowd. He also makes humorous interactions with the audience, breaking down the infamous “fourth wall” that kept us all amused and engrossed in the storyline.
A Knight’s Tale The Musical had all the campness we know and love from the costumes (think bondage harnesses) to the gestures, playful humour and irony, blended with rock ‘n’ roll and pizzazz, that sets itself apart from other shows. Innuendoes are aplenty in this production with hobby horses, swords, hammers and jousts all part of the cheeky references.
A Knight’s Tale The Musical not only has plenty of swordplay at the tournaments that Will Thatcher participates in and with its numerous innuendoes jabbed into the plot, but it also has a good dose of sparkle too. The knights in shining armour glimmer not only due to steel but also because of diamantes too, which could be interpreted as embracing both their physical and emotional sides, but also a nod to costume designer Gabriella Slade’s work in the production, SIX.
However, the question I had on my mind during the performance was how the jousting scenes would be staged – and I was very impressed by what the production team pulled off. Be prepared to be mesmerised by the floating horses and the dance numbers from the ensemble as they create the lively medieval tournament setting.
The music in A Knight’s Tale The Musical
The music in A Knight’s Tale The Musical itself plays a pivotal role in the performance. And like the film, theatre-goers can expect a mix of modern music all within a medieval setting and the songs in the musical definitely have range. From pop classics like Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Reach by S Club to rock anthems such as Guns N’ Roses’ Welcome to the Jungle and The Boys Are Back In Town by Thin Lizzy.
However, the modern meets classic theme really showed during the medley of Destiny Child’s Survivor and Queen’s We Will Rock You – a combination that myself and the audience did not see coming, and it had me wanting to bang a drum with the cast on stage and head into battle. It would be a crime to not include We Will Rock You that features in the 2001 film in the musical, but the blend with such a powerful pop song Survivor, which interestingly was released the same year as A Knight’s Tale (feeling old, yet?), was the perfect energy for the scene ahead of William Thatcher being arrested as his true identity is revealed.
Another noteworthy mention should go to the rock ‘n’ roll version of Adele’s Rolling in the Deep performed by Oliver Tompsett as Count Adhemar. It was again a somewhat surprising song choice but it worked magnificently for this villainous character.
Whether you’re a peasant, noble, pop princess or a raving rocker, A Knight’s Tale the Musical certainly has got everyone covered and is a knight to remember!
Fancy going to see A Knight’s Tale the Musical in Manchester after our review? The musical is being performed at Manchester Opera House until May 10, 2025. Tickets for A Knight’s Tale The Musical at Manchester Opera House are on sale here.