Percy and the Holy Grail

Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group’s interpretation of Sharon Hulm’s pantomime “Percy and the Holy Grail”, set in the quaint Spennymoor Settlement Everyman Theatre, was certainly an entertaining evening, and the first visit for me as their Regional Representative.  It was well directed by Paul Rodgerson, with a hint of the well-known Monty Python and the Holy Grail and the musical comedy Spamalot.  You could certainly see from his direction the hard work this young cast had undertaken to bring the characters to life with madcap antics and an enthusiastic cast.

When King Arthur, played by the confident Romane Zeze, is poisoned by his evil half-sister Morgana, (Annys Rodgerson), and her son Mordred (Charlie Jackson) then only a drink from the fabled Holy Grail will save him.   Annys and Charlie gave a sterling performance and worked well together, both having good stage presence and delivering their musical numbers well.  With all the knights away in search of the Holy Grail, Queen Guinevere, played by Lenee Zeze, is left to care for her husband. Lenne gave a strong performance and worked well with the cast.  Another good partnership was Bertha Bigend (Lucy Abley) and her son Percy (Chloe Thompson) with excellent stage presence, good characterisation and their musical numbers well delivered.

There were excellent performances from George Adams, playing Sir Gawain and King Addlehead. I particularly enjoyed the scene as King Addlehead which was very funny and well received by the audience. George had good stage presence, lots of talent, and interacted well with his partner Alex Sneath, playing Sir Galahad and Prince Julian.  This was another good performance from Alex who is developing well, and certainly has potential as a leading man in the future. He delivered his musical numbers confidently and worked well with George.  Good performance were given by Megan Defty, as Lady Alice, and Fraya Graham as Merlin.  A good interpretation came from Katie Hall, as the poetic Lady of the Kake, with good costume and again strong stage presence.  Good characterisation came from Aiden Hinnegan, who played Fisher King.  I thought this character was funny and was again well received by the audience.  There was some good potential coming through from the Knights of the Round Table, Louis Tones as Sir Billious and Beauregard, Isabelle Monaghan as Sir Lain, Charlie Hobson and Sir Casm. There were also good performances by Zac Greenman, as St George, Amy Lowes, as the Housekeeper, and Holly Watson and Skye Monaghan as the villagers.

This production was filled with high energy and ran at a quick pace enabling the cast to milk the many gags, one-liners and innuendos, which the audience certainly enjoyed. The set looked great, and the production team had worked to a high standard, with good lighting and sound, and the costumes which greatly enhanced the production. .

Without exception the whole cast worked together to give a good performance. Well Done, Spennymoor Youth Theatre Group.

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