SPAMALOT

‘Spamalot’ premiered on Broadway in 2005, the West End in 2006 and a UK tour from 2010.Adapted from the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” – a highly irreverent parody of the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table – it was written by Eric Idle, one of the original Python team, the rest of whom had mixed reactions to Spamalot.

I defy any audience to watch this show without a titter or two and it was obvious how much the PMS cast enjoyed performing it. The story (if there was one!) saw King Arthur, played by Harry Coates, travel around England with Patsy, his Page (Sean Fisher). Harry played his tongue-in-cheek role with controlled seriousness; Sean’s straight face throughout his ridiculous role was marvellous – clicking his two coconuts together in perfect time as if the King was riding a horse(!) and especially during Harry’s song “All Alone”. His familiar “Always look on the Bright Side of Life” had the audience whistling and singing along. David McDowell, who began as Dennis a political radical, and after being knighted by the King transformed into Sir Galahad, sported a long blonde wig and took every opportunity to show how handsome he was! The other Knights, picked up along the way by the king, were Peter Vamos (Sir Bedevere), Donal Macauley (Sir Lancelot) and Alan Morton (Sir Robin) all acted in appropriately anarchic manner! Donal’s scene with rip-away tabard to reveal his inner ‘butterfly’ in “His Name is Lancelot” surrounded by Dancing Girls was hilarious. Alan’s “You won’t Succeed in Showbiz” was also very well performed – with good diction allowing the excellent topical references to be appreciated. I wonder if Alan wrote these himself!?

Another noticeable performance was by Sandra Jackson as “not dead yet Fred”. Her energetic song and dance with the Ensemble was highly entertaining. So many smaller roles were well cast and funny – Mrs Galahad, The Black Knight, a French Taunter, Knights of Ni, Prince Herbert, Tim the Enchanter, a Tweedy Historian etc.,etc. – too many to mention individually. They and all the hard working and versatile chorus and dancers added to the delightful mayhem.

The undoubted star of the show was Helen Wilkinson as The Lady of the Lake. Her vocal range employed in,

among others, “The Song that goes like this” and “Whatever Happened to My Part”, was amazing and she was a real comedienne throughout.

A huge array of colourful and appropriate costumes were on show – mostly provided by wonderful stalwart Addis Blair. The simple set of medieval stone walls with windows and balconies provided everything necessary and a heavy looking double door centre stage looked effective and was very functional. Props were good, particularly the giant rabbit in which the knights forgot to hide! Lighting was adequate but not very varied and Sound was mostly good.

MD Andrew Robinson’s 10 piece orchestra was well controlled and good balance between stage and pit was maintained. Rosemary O’Connor’s choreography fitted the eccentric plot and Direction by Kerry Kane was creative, quirky and fun. My thanks to everyone who contributed to James’ and my evening’s enjoyment.

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