Spamalot

Having been a NODA Representative for 16 years I’ve seen a wide variety of shows, some of them more familiar than others. As I never watched a Monty Python programme this musical is my only contact with the style of humour it contains. Clearly a large number in the audience were really into it and that is what matters to you as a society – that you entertain the public. However I’m afraid it held no appeal at all for me. I imagine that James and Mark had a great deal of fun in putting it together and certainly the cast appeared to be enjoying taking part in, what is in essence, an adult pantomime comprising of a series of Monty Python sketches.

As the historian setting the scene, Pam spoke very clearly but unfortunately it wasn’t possible to hear all her dialogue as the band was too loud. Undoubtedly they were all good musicians but they were there to accompany the singers/actors and not to drown them out. The band was over amplified which resulted in more amplification for the performers.

Keith made a great King Arthur. He is a talented all-round performer, and as a natural comic he got as much out of the role as possible. ‘I’m All, Alone’ was amusingly poignant with Patsy desperate for him to notice that he was there for him.

As The Lady of the Lake, Harriet Langdown was impressive with a vast array of vocal styles. She sang the only song I knew ‘The Song That Goes Like This’ and I enjoyed ‘Find Your Grail’ too. She also brought out the humour very well.

Patsy, Arthur’s servant, was ably played by Will Parsons and his rendition of ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ was very well received by the audience

Jonathan Payne’s acting and singing were good and he made a dashing Sir Galahad hamming up the role delightfully as he found his ‘softer’ side.

‘You Won’t Succeed on Broadway’ was performed well by Christian Elliot in the role of Sir Robin and I enjoyed that number, (despite the politically incorrect sentiments) because of the ‘Hava Naguila’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ inclusions - with appropriate dancing. I don’t know if the Star of David should have been lit up the whole time but I didn’t see it until the song was over.

Laurence Bogel was good as Lancelot and ‘His Name is Lancelot’ was another song the audience loved.

A completely unexpected twist from the original ‘Camelot’ was Lancelot’s relationship with Prince Herbert and in that role Lewis Padgett overplayed it brilliantly. ‘Where are You’ and ‘Here You Are’ brought much laughter. The two men worked really well together in the gay roles.

The company singing was strong and the dancers’ choreography good, but not as well rehearsed by the chorus as is usual at WaWAOS. .

The scenery was good – a bonus that you had a team to design, construct and paint it – and the properties appeared suitable.

I liked the ‘horse’ and the way King Arthur mounted it; the ‘Fisch Schlapping Dance was a lively opening number and the cheer leaders letters on their pants was amusing.

I found the second act more entertaining - perhaps I was more tuned in by then.

My final comments are that whilst ‘Spamalot’ was a show that did not entertain me it was clear that the majority of the audience did enjoy it.

Lighting was effective but as mentioned earlier I found the whole production rather over amplified.

Costumes were appropriate for the characters represented.

It was evident that the cast were having a lot of fun taking part and I fully appreciate that anyone who was a Monty Python fan would have had a great evening whether on or off stage.

Your programme is properly set out for ease of reading and informative in all aspects of the production.

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