2019
王者之劍
Xcalibur (엑스칼리버) is a large-scale Korean original musical inspired by the Arthurian legend, produced by EMK Musical Company with music by Frank Wildhorn. Since its 2019 premiere, the show has become one of the highest-grossing Korean originals and later expanded overseas through a Chinese industry showcase and a full Japanese licensed production by the Takarazuka Revue.
English:
Xcaliber
Korean:
엑스칼리버
Country: China | Language: Korean
🔗 All images are linked to their original sources or articles. No copyright ownership is claimed.
ORIGIN
Premiered in 2019 at the Sejong Center Grand Theatre in Seoul. Book by Ivan Menchell, lyrics by Robin Lerner, music by Frank Wildhorn, produced by EMK Musical Company and directed by Stephen Rayne. Although based on the earlier Swiss musical “Artus-Excalibur,” EMK restructured the script, added new songs, and reshaped the work into a fully Korean original. It is the company’s third original musical after Mata Hari and The Man Who Laughs.
STORY
Set in sixth-century Britain, the musical follows Arthur, raised as an ordinary man unaware of his royal lineage, and Merlin, who intends to end an age of chaos by placing a new king on the throne. Arthur pulls the sword Excalibur from the stone and is crowned, but must face political division, Saxon invasion, and a fatal love triangle with Guinevere and Lancelot. Themes include destiny, leadership, sacrifice, and the cost of power, expressed through large ensemble numbers and cinematic stage design.
POSTER COLLECTION
Poster images are shown for documentation only. All rights belong to the original creators and producers.
KOREAN RUNS
2019 premiere at Sejong Center Grand Theatre (June 15 – August 4). Returned for a second run at Blue Square Shinhan Card Hall (August 17 – November 7, 2021), followed by an encore back at Sejong Center (January 29 – March 13, 2022). The show has remained one of EMK’s flagship originals and is scheduled to return in 2026.
GLOBAL STAGINGS & ADAPTATIONS
China – Shanghai (2019)
Showcase presentation – K-Musical Roadshow, Shanghai Culture Square
Introduced to Chinese industry delegates through excerpted performance and promotional pitching, presented alongside other Korean originals as part of Korea’s official overseas development lineup.
Japan – Tokyo (2023)
Licensed Japanese-language adaptation – Takarazuka Revue (Cosmos Troupe)
Staged at Tokyo Tatemono Brillia Hall, Jul 23 – Aug 5, 2023, and promoted as the first Korean original musical ever produced by Takarazuka. A DVD/Blu-ray release followed, marking a significant milestone in the musical’s international reach.
REFERENCES
Interview365 – “‘Xcalibur,’ ‘Marie Curie’ and others meet Chinese audiences at 2019 K-Musical Roadshow”
https://www.interview365.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=88953
Takarazuka Revue – Official page for 2023 Cosmos Troupe production of “Xcalibur”
https://kageki.hankyu.co.jp/revue/2023/xcalibur/index.html
ABC News Korea – “Xcalibur to be staged in Tokyo this July” (Korean)
https://www.abcn.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=71558
NamuWiki – Overview of Korean production history (Korean)
https://namu.wiki/w/%EC%97%91%EC%8A%A4%EC%B9%BC%EB%A6%AC%EB%B2%84(%EB%AE%A4%EC%A7%80%EC%BB%AC)
