MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT

Adlington Music & Arts Society pull out the big guns for the spectacular Monty Python’s SPAMALOT at Adlington Community Centre. 

The staging entering the auditorium: the orchestra is in front of the stage with a walkway all the way around and steps either side coming down from the stage. The curtain closed with the projection Spamalot on the front. Either side are castle walls - stage right with a turret and stage left with a window. When the screen is removed a hint of a castle is upstage. We are then treated to an array of funny scenes each one getting more bizarre. An expensive forest literally with pound signs as leaves. Set Build and Painting by Stephen Pilkington, Cliff Hill, Russ Jones, Brian Horrocks, John Creer and help from Howard Bate, Frank Gartside and Rose Creer. Stage Manager Stephen Pilkington. The props were well done with giant black and white cow, silver fish and even a bush. They must have had great fun. Props by Margaret and Michael Smith. Technically - and this show was tech heavy – there’s a starcloth that deserves a clap of its own, adding that You Won’t Succeed On Broadway feel to the production. Sound by Natalie Sweet and Joanna Sweet. Lighting by Stuart Naylor and Kirsty Lofthouse.

Costume looked great and all in keeping from King Arthur’s to the Knights’, Lady of the Lake’s amazing outfits and Prince Herbert’s and Sir Lancelot’s wedding outfits just like Enchanted. Hilarious. When visiting France we had a mime artist and Cyrano de Bergerac character and others thrown in. Wardrobe by Helen Dickinson. 

Heather Hodgson is the choreographer and must have had fun coming up with some of the moves with no rhyme or reason we are treated to an array from Las Vegas-type girls to the can-can and  even Fiddler-esque moves. Great work.

Tom Bowes is the Musical Director and brings the fun factor with this orchestra no sorry minstrels. The nine minstrels come together under his guidance to support and enhance this production. Well played - see what I did there!

Diane Simmons and Jackie Creer are the directors and must have worked closely together to get this production to this level and not Run Away - I congratulate you.

The whole company worked well together and what was evident was the fun they were having and the audience were with them the whole way. With the laughs coming quick and fast I am sure if you saw this show again you would see something different. The Ensemble, Knights, Maidens and Laker Girls all played their part. Not many shows open with cast members being slapped with fish. (Fisch Schlapping Dance) I could mention everyone and it would be like the Holy Grail reading it but a few I will mention. The Black Knight played by Ashley Hambrook so funny and he also played Mr Galahad, Tim The Enchanter and Herbert’s Father. Not Dead Fred played by Josh Nicholls again just so funny and his energy on stage is amazing, he also played Sir Bors. Richard Leigh as Patsy, French Taunter and Guard One was hilarious and great facial expressions and in the song I’m All Alone - just great.

Sir Robin The Not-So-Brave as Sir Lancelot played by Ian Hawyes again took on a  great character to have fun with and Ian did. You Won’t Succeed On Broadway – what Robin did with the Ensemble was so inappropriate and great fun I could hardly draw breath. He carried a look that gave out he was not quite sure why he was there, he also had great timing. 

Sir Lancelot The Homicidally Brave played by Mike Wignall and Chris Bailey as Sir Galahad The Dashingly Handsome & Prince Herbert. Well, what can I say they were hilarious and more so when they met each other - chemistry and great casting and they certainly looked to relish the roles. John Matthias as King Arthur was in great voice and was clearly meant to play this part. His self-importance as King and the imaginary horse ongoing joke - pure Monty Python. Last but not least the voice that is Charlotte Greaves playing The Lady of the Lake. Triple threat - acts, sings and a comic to boot. Diva’s Lament - hilarious. Not afraid to get her hands dirty and do anything. Excellent performance and connection to the character. This production certainly had the fun factor and everyone leaving was fully entertained. There was not a weak link in the cast and I would love to have been a fly on the wall at rehearsals. I challenge anyone not to have enjoyed this show.

My congratulations to cast, crew and committee on this production that certainly had everyone looking on the bright side of life.

Thank you from my guest Rachel and I for the invite, hospitality and laughs.

Liz Hume-Dawson D5 Rep

 

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