Difference between revisions of "The Lady of the Lake"
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Also found as ''[[Lady of the Lake]]'' | Also found as ''[[Lady of the Lake]]'' | ||
| − | + | = The character = | |
"[[The Lady of the Lake]]" is an enchantress, a character in the Arthurian legends. She is a central figure in many of the stories, being the one who gives Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchants Merlin, and raises Lancelot after the death of his father. | "[[The Lady of the Lake]]" is an enchantress, a character in the Arthurian legends. She is a central figure in many of the stories, being the one who gives Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchants Merlin, and raises Lancelot after the death of his father. | ||
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She also appears as a character in both the film and stage play of Monty Python's ''[[Spamalot]]'' | She also appears as a character in both the film and stage play of Monty Python's ''[[Spamalot]]'' | ||
| − | + | = The poem by Sir Walter Scott = | |
''[[The Lady of the Lake]]'' is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, written in August 1809 while he and his family were holidaying in the Trossachs and along the shores and islands of Loch Katrine, which would provide the poem's setting. | ''[[The Lady of the Lake]]'' is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, written in August 1809 while he and his family were holidaying in the Trossachs and along the shores and islands of Loch Katrine, which would provide the poem's setting. | ||
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The poem was first published in 1810 as ''The Lady of the Lake; A Poem'' in Edinburgh by John Ballantyne and Co. and in London by Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, and William Miller. The poem was tremendously influential in the nineteenth century, inspiring what is known as the Highland Revival. | The poem was first published in 1810 as ''The Lady of the Lake; A Poem'' in Edinburgh by John Ballantyne and Co. and in London by Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, and William Miller. The poem was tremendously influential in the nineteenth century, inspiring what is known as the Highland Revival. | ||
| − | + | = Dramatised versions of the tale and the poem = | |
| − | A number of theatrical versions have been done of it over the years. | + | A number of theatrical versions have been done of it over the years, including Gioachino Rossini’s opera ''[[La donna del lago]]'' (1819)[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_donna_del_lago]. |
| − | + | ==''[[The Lady of the Lake]]'' by Walter Scott (?)== | |
| − | + | According to Alasdair Cameron[http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/collections/sta/articles/national_drama/index.html[, the first stage version (probably by Scott himself) appears to have been performed in Edinburgh in 1810 as a lavish spectacle, with 'views taken from life'. The performance, though widely advertised and eagerly anticipated, was a failure. | |
| − | + | ==''[[The Lady of the Lake]]'' by Thomas J. Dibdin ()[].== | |
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| + | Based on Scott's poem, it was adapted and performed by Dibdin's company at the Theatre-Royal in Dublin in 1811 and the text, revised from the prompt book, was published in Dublin by J. Charles, 1811 | ||
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| + | ==''[[The Lady of the Lake]]'' by Benjamin Askew== | ||
''[[The Lady of the Lake]]'' is a stage play by Benjamin Askew. It opened at the Theatre by the Lake, Cumbria, playing from 13 June - 6 November 2015. | ''[[The Lady of the Lake]]'' is a stage play by Benjamin Askew. It opened at the Theatre by the Lake, Cumbria, playing from 13 June - 6 November 2015. | ||
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| + | ==''[[The Lady of the Lake Murder]]'' by David Schmidt== | ||
''[[The Lady of the Lake Murder]]'' is a two act play by David Schmidt. Based on the Arthurian and Mallory materials, it was published by Off the Wall Play Publishers in 2017. | ''[[The Lady of the Lake Murder]]'' is a two act play by David Schmidt. Based on the Arthurian and Mallory materials, it was published by Off the Wall Play Publishers in 2017. | ||
Revision as of 20:00, 27 July 2018
The Lady of the Lake is the name of a character, a poem, an opera and various plays
Also found as Lady of the Lake
Contents
The character
"The Lady of the Lake" is an enchantress, a character in the Arthurian legends. She is a central figure in many of the stories, being the one who gives Arthur his sword Excalibur, enchants Merlin, and raises Lancelot after the death of his father. Given many names by various writers and copyist (e.g. Nimue, Nymue, Nimueh, Viviane, Vivien, Vivienne, Ninianne, Nivian, Nyneve, or Evienne), she is more generally known simply as "The Lady of the Lake".
She also appears as a character in both the film and stage play of Monty Python's Spamalot
The poem by Sir Walter Scott
The Lady of the Lake is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott, written in August 1809 while he and his family were holidaying in the Trossachs and along the shores and islands of Loch Katrine, which would provide the poem's setting.
While Scott drew on the romance of the legend, he told an entirely different story, focuses on the struggle between King James V and the powerful clan Douglas.
The poem was first published in 1810 as The Lady of the Lake; A Poem in Edinburgh by John Ballantyne and Co. and in London by Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme, and William Miller. The poem was tremendously influential in the nineteenth century, inspiring what is known as the Highland Revival.
Dramatised versions of the tale and the poem
A number of theatrical versions have been done of it over the years, including Gioachino Rossini’s opera La donna del lago (1819)[1].
The Lady of the Lake by Walter Scott (?)
According to Alasdair Cameron[http://special.lib.gla.ac.uk/collections/sta/articles/national_drama/index.html[, the first stage version (probably by Scott himself) appears to have been performed in Edinburgh in 1810 as a lavish spectacle, with 'views taken from life'. The performance, though widely advertised and eagerly anticipated, was a failure.
The Lady of the Lake by Thomas J. Dibdin ()[].
Based on Scott's poem, it was adapted and performed by Dibdin's company at the Theatre-Royal in Dublin in 1811 and the text, revised from the prompt book, was published in Dublin by J. Charles, 1811
The Lady of the Lake by Benjamin Askew
The Lady of the Lake is a stage play by Benjamin Askew. It opened at the Theatre by the Lake, Cumbria, playing from 13 June - 6 November 2015.
The Lady of the Lake Murder by David Schmidt
The Lady of the Lake Murder is a two act play by David Schmidt. Based on the Arthurian and Mallory materials, it was published by Off the Wall Play Publishers in 2017.
Performance history in South Africa
Sources
"The Lady of the Lake", The Walter Scott Digital Archive[2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lady_of_the_Lake_(poem)
"The Lady of the Lake" in Wikipedia[3]
http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_s/spamalot.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_donna_del_lago
https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2015/lady-lake/
Go to ESAT Bibliography
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