Spamalot

For Worcester Operatic and Dramatic Society another musical success. This time the somewhat ridiculous Spamalot.  The shows started with a rather different announcement from which we all regularly hear in a theatre. For this show we are to let our phones ring willie nillie, to send text messages and take as many photographs as we want (not really though!) This is just a taster for the silliness ahead.

It is difficult to mention highlights to this production directed by Ann Turner because they simply came one after another. The show was well cast with a strong principal line up.

But name people one must!! Chris Holloway was as always reliable and had mastered the Python version of Arthur to a tee every bit the King. The ridiculous horse riding was well done and totally believable (if that is possible!) including the coconuts. The discussion about how these managed to arrive in England involving ensemble members was well done.

Add in his side-kick Chris Hooper as Patsy (the Baldrick like character) and we have a wonderful duo. Chris Hooper sung the iconic ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Live’ and clearly enjoyed every moment of it. Chris Holloway delivered, as did the other Chris, all his songs with gusto but I particularly liked, ‘I’m All Alone’ telling us of how he had no one. Patsy was however at hand but totally overlooked! Well done to them both!

Arthur of course needed his ‘Knights’ and what fun they were too. Andy Gilhooly was brilliant as Sir Lancelot. He played the initially republican character very well indeed. The other knights were also well played. James Geary playing his biggest role to date and did well as Sir Robin with Keith Snailham as Sir Galahad and Ed Burton as Sir Bedevere. These along with Brendan Meaklim as the mother (playing the typical washer woman as only Monty Python could) all made the most of their roles.

Ed Burton played other small parts in addition to Sir Bedevere. Reference needs be made to the Black Knight and how he referred to having limbs cut off as a scratch and “I’ve known worse”!

Sarah Gilhooly gave a wonderful performance as The Mystical Lady of the Lake. Her first act song with Sir Galahad was great – ‘The Song That Goes Like This’. However, this was then overshadowed by ‘Whatever Happened To My Part’ this was brilliant, well delivered and funny as the diva who questioned why she was not on again following her act one appearance.

There are times when cast members who have a relatively small part to play can totally steal the show (even when the principals were very accomplished themselves). Toby Edwards was in this show guilty as charged. Initially as The French Taunter we saw Toby making the very best of this typical Frenchman. The dialogue and performance was very funny and much enjoyed by the audience especially the breaking wind. However, we still had a brilliant Prince Herbert to come. The comedic timing was a highlight of the evening including the lines about one day inheriting the curtain! The interaction between him and Sir Galahad were well done indeed and yes still controversial even in these days!

I also need to mention Judy Hooper as Not Dead Fred – very funny and who ever operated the rabbit puppets.  

A voice over as God was done by Eric Idle – I was disappointed not to see him in the bar post show, but I assume he left early!

The set was simple throughout with very little to be done to move us on from one scene to the next. Other than a castle frontage upstage and parapets stage left and right all that needed was changes to flags, a bush and trees for the Expensive forest. The costumes were effective and suitable to the characters.

There were a small number of occasions during which I missed some of the dialogue which was a shame. This could have at times been a mixture of microphone imbalance or the band slightly too loud. This however was infrequent and did not detract too much from an otherwise totally bonkers evening. Well done to the whole cast for a totally enjoyable evening and one whereby you couldn’t help but leave with a smile on your face.

We can always be assured of a warm welcome at WODS from their President as well as other officers and members front of house. This was once again the case from Christina Humphries as the current President and her team.

And so on to next year. After a period of newer musicals WODS next venture is the rather more known Oklahoma! I believe it is 38 years since WODS last performed this Rodgers and Hammerstein favourite and I look forward to visiting you all again.

 

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