WONTHAGGI THEATRICAL GROUP
AUDITIONS
ARTHUR, KING OF THE BRITONS
NAME: ARTHUR, KING OF THE BRITONS.
ARCHETYPE: The Heroic Leader.
SUBVERSION: He is, in a world of heightened comedy and absurdity, the Straight man.
DESCRIPTION: The divinely appointed King of the Britons, Arthur is earnest, noble, and unwaveringly committed to his quest for the Holy Grail, even when surrounded by incompetence, absurdity, and outright anachronism.
He believes deeply in chivalry, destiny, and leadership.
The comedy arises from his sincerity colliding with ridiculous obstacles. He is not a clown; he is the straight man and ringleader in a circus full of clownery. Role: Male Lead, Comic Straight man
Vocal Range: Baritone - Comfortable mid-range with solid belt; typically, around A2–F4
Age: 30–50
Reads as mature, but not elderly, must feel capable of leadership
Energy: Grounded, authoritative, resilient. His energy doesn’t spike into farce; he anchors the madness.
When he gets frustrated, it should feel real rather than cartoonish.
Movement: Regal posture. Upright spine, measured strides, stiff at times, deliberate and purposeful.
When situations become absurd, his physical stillness often heightens the comedy. Not physically frantic like Patsy Arthur moves with intention.
Vocal Style: Clear, resonant, declarative. Speaks with confidence and formal diction.
The contrast between elevated speech and ridiculous content is key. Must be able to pivot into exasperation without losing dignity.
Comparable Roles
Role 1: Jean Valjean – Les Miserables.
The moral anchor in a world of chaos, his unrelenting and unwavering conviction remains steadfast as madness around him.
Role 2: Frederic – The Pirates of Penzance
Frederic is a classic earnest hero dropped into a ridiculous operetta universe. Like Arthur, he approaches everything with heroic sincerity while the world behaves absurdly. The humour comes from his commitment to the logic of honour and duty even when it becomes ridiculous. Arthur’s quest for the Grail plays exactly this way.
Role 3: Joseph – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Joseph is a central figure in a show that constantly shifts style and tone. The performer must maintain a grounded protagonist while the musical leaps between genres and comic moments. Arthur similarly remains the stable centre of a highly stylized and chaotic theatrical world.
AUDITION TIPS
Arthur exudes confidence and commanding authority. A clear, strong, confident and determined voice will be the most important tool in your kit here. Arthur doesn’t need to be a strong technical dancer, but moving with conviction and certainty is a must.
AUDITION SCENES:
Act 1, Scene 5: Script pp. 18–22
Act 2, Scene 9: Script pp. 90–91
AUDITION SONGS:
No. 4 – King Arthur’s Song (Full song)
No. 25 – I’m All Alone (Full song)
No. 13 – Knights of the Round Table (Bars 1–36)