King Arthur (All Shook Up)
Mark Wheeller and Paul Ibbott
Genre: Musical
Cast size: 5+ a large ensemble
Duration: 15 mins approx
Mark Wheeller & Paul Ibbott | Short Musical | One Act | 5m/f plus a large ensemble
Short synopsis
- Synopsis
- Characters
- Music Player
King Arthur (All Shook Up!) is a high-energy, tongue-in-cheek cantata inspired by the fast-moving storytelling, pop-style numbers, and ensemble-driven fun of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Bursting with humour, catchy choruses, and plenty of opportunities for group performance, it is an ideal project for young people.
The story opens with a cheeky recap of Britannia’s troubled past. Greedy kings, disastrous wars, and a lack of heirs have left the country in chaos. Without a king, Britannia risks falling apart (not to mention missing a major financial boom!). Desperate times call for desperate measures, so open auditions for a king are launched. Anyone can apply, and the whole country joins in the search, from nobles and knights to the general public.
Just when all hope seems lost, Merlin the Magician steps in with a show-stopping prophecy. On Christmas Day, a sign will reveal the true king. At a packed Abbey, excitement builds until a mysterious object appears… a sword embedded in a stone, engraved with a bold promise:
Who pulls this sword from this stone shall be our King.
Cue a lively sequence of failed attempts, comic frustration, and ensemble chaos as eager contenders line up, strain, complain, and ultimately fail.
Still without a ruler, Britannia plans one last contest: a New Year’s Day joust. But fate has other ideas. When young, unsuspecting Arthur casually retrieves a sword from a stone, thinking nothing of it, he unknowingly fulfils the prophecy. The impossible has happened. The sword gleams, the crowd is stunned, and Arthur is crowned King.
Arthur is shocked, overwhelmed, and “all shook up,” but the people rejoice! A legend is born, not through power or privilege, but through honesty, courage, and believing in yourself. The cantata closes with a joyful, uplifting message:
“Trust in yourself and you can pull a sword.”
With its narrator-style storytelling, punchy songs, comic moments, and big ensemble numbers, King Arthur (All Shook Up!) offers young performers the chance to sing, act, move, and shine while discovering that sometimes the hero you’re searching for is the one you least expect.
PLEASE NOTE that the Full Piano Vocal Score can only be purchased once a Licence has been obtained.
Applying and paying for royalties
To apply for royalties, please complete the form on our apply for royalties page.
To pay for fixed fee royalties having received your Quotation from us, please go to this payment form.
More information
If you require any additional information regarding this script, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.
Songs
Information for Production Administrators
Frequently asked questions
Can we try before we buy?
Of course! All our plays and pantomimes have a free Preview Script available for download as an A4 pdf file that contains 60-75% of the full script. If you like what you read in that then you can buy an inexpensive e-script of the entire play (generally costing under half the price of a traditional printed script) which is licensed to you for your personal use. Purchasing a script copying licence allows you to make a just sufficient quantity of copies to support rehearsals and performances.
All our musicals are included in our perusal service. Under this, representatives of producing organisations can request a USB Stick of Perusal Material which comprise the script/libretto and piano/vocal score as pdf files; a Cast (or Studio) Recording as mp3 files and (where available) an mp4 file video of either the premiere production or of a subsequent production.
Some titles have the facility to read the entire script online on our website.
Do we need a Licence To Perform?
The simple answer is, yes.
Under the international laws of copyright, you must be in possession of a valid, unexpired, licence before performing any piece of theatre unless the owner or managers of the copyright has waived their rights. (See 'Copyright Questions' below).
Why do you insist on providing a formal royalties quotation?
When you request a quotation, it is logged in our system, it forms part of an orderly queue and protects your place in that queue should multiple licensing requests occur for the same show.
Need help?
Contact us
If you need help with our scripts, please contact our customer service team, we would be more than happy to help.
Established for over 25 years
Unearthing future talent
Stagescripts is a trusted licensing company run by theatre professionals with decades of experience on and off stage. Our curated catalogue includes over 1,000 carefully selected plays, musicals, and pantomimes — from fresh, undiscovered writing to well-loved classics.
We’re passionate about helping theatre-makers at every level discover scripts that inspire, challenge, and connect with audiences. Whether you're staging a village hall production or leading a professional company, our team offers expert advice, flexible support, and a responsive, personal service to help your next performance shine.
