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Merlin
Inspired by the story of the mythical wizard, Northern Ballet’s Merlin will take you on a sweeping epic adventure of heartbreak, hope and more than a little magic. Choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Drew McOnie (Broadway's King Kong and Baz Luhrmann's Strictly Ballroom), expect an enchanting spectacle. Don't miss the legend reawakened through Northern Ballet's blend of classical ballet and unrivalled storytelling.
24 April 2022
Prologue
An otherworldly ritual brings with it two mighty Gods. Their union creates an orb that falls to earth and
reveals a baby within - Merlin.
A young Blacksmith finds this helpless child, taking him in as her own.
Act I
On the eve of Merlin’s 18th birthday the Blacksmith, fearing that Merlin’s powers will cause him trouble,
pleads with him to hide his difference.
Morgan arrives, a Senior General in the Solar Kingdom’s Army who Merlin has feelings for. The Kingdom
is at war and Merlin will be drafted into the Army. Bullied by passing Solar warriors and humiliated by the
Blacksmith’s attempts to protect him, Merlin finds comfort in imagining his birth parents and their
acceptance of him.
The Blacksmith presents Merlin with a magnificent sword - Excalibur. Struggling to hide his
disappointment, Merlin and the Blacksmith part at odds.
During his military training in Camelot, Merlin struggles to fit in. He is desperate to impress Morgan, but
she only has eyes for Uther, the son of the Kingdom’s oppressive leader, Vortigern.
After a surprise victory in the Tournament of Champions, Morgan leads the army into a brutal battle
against the Kingdom of Tides. Merlin’s life flashes before his eyes; he sees himself being ripped from his
birth mother’s arms. Anger rises within him and bursts through Excalibur, killing everyone around him.
Morgan witnesses Merlin’s power.
Merlin flees to the Caledonian Forest. He meets the Lady of the Lake who conjures a vision of two
soldiers from opposing Kingdoms coming together, and Helios who shows him how to map out the stars.
Following shooting stars through the forest, Merlin encounters a fiercely tempered Dragon.
Back in Camelot, a great celebration is underway. Morgan, who has been attributed with the Kingdom’s
recent victory, is presented to Uther as a potential bride.
Uther slips away and runs to meet Ygraine, the princess of the Kingdom of Tides. The forbidden lovers
dive into each other’s arms. Witnessing this, Merlin suddenly understands the Lady of the Lake’s vision
and what must be done.
Morgan, who has followed Uther, discovers them. Scorned, she summons the Solar warriors. Merlin leaps
into action and just as they think the game is up, the Dragon arrives. Merlin flees with Ygraine back to the
Forge where he begs the Blacksmith to help her hide.
Merlin returns to the forest to find the Dragon, but warriors emerge from the darkness. He is surrounded.
Act II
Back inside the Forge, the Blacksmith and Ygraine form an unlikely bond before Ygraine travels home and
the Blacksmith sets out on an adventure of her own.
Vortigern gathers the Knights of the Round Table to plot the Solar Kingdom’s next move. Uther, who has
been badly beaten, watches as Merlin is once again humiliated.
Failing to reconcile her relationship with Uther, Morgan takes advantage of Merlin’s feelings for her. She
entices him to dance and as Merlin grows weaker, Morgan grows stronger. His powers transfer to her
until she is transformed into Morgan La Fae.
Back home in the Kingdom of Tides, Ygraine thinks she may be pregnant.
In Camelot the imprisoned Merlin realises he has lost his powers. The time has come for Uther to choose
a bride and Morgan uses her new dark magic to manipulate him into proposing. The news reaches
Ygraine who, feeling betrayed, declares war on the Solar Kingdom.
Disguised as a Solar warrior, the Blacksmith successfully sneaks into Merlin’s prison cell, helping her son
to escape. She apologises to Merlin for telling him to hide what is special about himself. Merlin realises
that his unique history is what makes him powerful and his magic returns. He storms the battlefield with
Excaliber in hand.
Merlin lifts Excalibur high and roars with pride, dismantling Morgan’s power. Uther, now released from
Morgan’s control, begs for Ygraine’s forgiveness. Their union brings peace across the Kingdoms. Ygraine’s
pregnancy means a new King is on his way – a King called Arthur perhaps?
Returning to the Caledonian Forest, Merlin drives Excalibur into the ground, where another unlikely lad
might need it one day. He sees the two Gods dancing through the trees, now realising they are his birth
parents. They beckon for Merlin to join them. As they do, the Blacksmith arrives.
He has a choice to make.
- Showing in UK & Ireland only.
- Release date 24 April 2022
- Run time: 130
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Genre:
Dance