MYTH and magic come together with spectacular effect in Titchfield Festival Theatre's latest production, based on the legends of King Arthur and Merlin.

Brand new musical Excalibur, which receives its world premiere tonight (Friday), has been written and directed by TFT member Sue Ellis-Sandford.

Sue, a 44 year-old self-employed website designer from Titchfield, has always had a keen interest in the stories of Arthur and the knights of the round table.

"I became fascinated by the tales of King Arthur as a child and visited Tintagel. I did a lot of research into all the myths surrounding Merlin and Arthur and about four years ago wrote a novel about it," she says.

With a friend's encouragement that the novel would make a fantastic play, Sue scripted Excalibur and with her musical abilities as a pianist has shaped it into a musical drama that allows the ancient legend to come alive in a new way with music and song.

The play is set in AD500 Briton - isle of myth, mystery and magic. Conflict is erupting between the old ways of druidism and the new religion, Christianity.

Merlin, the land's most powerful druid, is set the task to bring together the 12 treasures of Briton, so that he can cast a spell to bring about the old gods' return.

He must have a strong king and creates one in Arthur. He also needs the help of Vivien, the Lady of the Lake, to bring forth Excalibur.

Enter Galahad on the side of Christianity. Will he find the Holy Grail and bring it to Briton before Merlin can assemble his treasures?

Magic, mystery and blood-letting are played out against the beautiful backdrop of the Abbey ruins.

Titchfield Abbey, near Fareham, until Sunday, August 1. Tickets: from £6. Box office: 01329 849543.