WEEKEND: Cast to look back this afternoon at King Arthur production in Port Townsend

Published 12:01 am Friday, January 16, 2015

NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Jan. 16.

PORT TOWNSEND — The Mandala Center for Change in Port Townsend will present “Bringing King Arthur to the Stage,” a look back at the 2014 production “Arthur’s Stone, Merlin’s Fire,” this afternoon.

Admission is free, but space is limited, so attendees are urged to come early to the program from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Port Townsend Library Learning Center, 1220 Lawrence St.

Teen Arthur

In March 2014, nearly 30 actors, ages 5 to 17 years old, performed a full-length production of “Arthur’s Stone, Merlin’s Fire,” the story of teenage Arthur as he is mentored by Merlin in what it means to be a true king.

Set in sixth-century clan-ruled Britain, this adaptation of the coming-of-age story was directed by the Mandala Center’s Marc Weinblatt and Rowen Matkins, and featured stage combat, puppetry and original music by Laurence Cole of Port Townsend.

The cast was made up of students in the OCEAN — Opportunity, Community, Experience, Academics, Navigation — program through the Port Townsend School District.

This afternoon, community members are invited to meet the “Arthur’s Stone” cast and crew as they talk about how they brought this famous myth to the stage. The directors, designers and performers also will show video clips, props and costumes from the production.

Today’s program is appropriate for all ages, Weinblatt said, be they young children, teens or adults.

For more about the program and the Mandala Center — which will stage Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” this March — phone Weinblatt at 360-344-3435 or see www.mandalaforchange.com.

For logistical information, phone the Port Townsend Library at 360-385-3181.