“Camelot—where the table is round and the relationship is triangular,” observes the protagonist in Camelot. It’s perhaps the cleverest line in Lerner and Loewe’s musical magnum opus but as we all know this a play that glimmers due to its classic design and distinguished song writing achievements.

There have been so many stories adapted from the King Arthur folklore it’s easy to forget what it is exactly Camelot embraces. It is, of course, the story of a noble, peace loving King who earns his rightful place on the throne by removing a sword from a stone. His acquaintance, Merlin, guides him for much of his life as Arthur (Michael York) later courts and weds Guenevere (Rachel York) only to have Sir Lancelot (played that evening by Steven Ambrose)) come around and cause a royal distraction.

The star power cast in this show is a treat that Toronto audiences rarely get to see. Michael York, although by no means a musical theatre great, puts an astonishing lordly spin on the words that emblematizes higher thinking. And this gives Rachel York with her celestial, full bodied voice, free reign to seize the stage during her musical moments. Aside from this, she’s a damn good actress!

It’s questionable how well the set of Camelot works in the Hummingbird Centre especially if you’ve ever experienced a Canadian Opera Company offering. The set changes are highly effective transitioning smoothly and let it be said that parts of the design are look authentic. But at other times the trees having just been lowered are still experiencing subtle swaying because of its canvass composition as the scene begins. It’s disappointing to say the least.

Act I is superior in warm, lighthearted humour despite clocking in at almost 90 minutes. Act II takes on a tenser feel and scenes are notably shorter and choppier in order to rush the tale to a conclusion. In short, it’s a pleasing production that succeeds in its telling of medieval mythology.

Camelot leaves you feeling good about a world that aspires to be greater place to live in even when its best attempts fail.