Spamalot

Spamalot is a musical show telling the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. Inspired by the classic comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and like the film it is a highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian Legend diverting from more traditional versions of the well-known tale but it differs from the film in many ways. Throughout the show, King Arthur, traveling with his downtrodden servant Patsy, recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest, including Sir Bedevere, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad. Besides the knights, they also meet such characters as the Lady of the Lake, Prince Herbert, Tim the Enchanter, Not Dead Fred, the Black Knight, fighting rabbits, dancing girls, and the Knights who say Ni.

Crash Bang Wallop youth theatre group took on this script and score with great energy and enthusiasm, maintained throughout the evening, and put on a show that filled the theatre and the audience was delighted with. The young cast was a good size 40+ which gave principals and chorus that made a great voice of songs and some lovely characterisations from all on stage.  Particularly noticeable was Olivia Dell-Price, who gave a lovely performance as Patsy, with great acting and facial expressions, and Georgia Williams as the Lady of the Lake who sang some difficult songs and performed them well by one so young. The duets done with Arthur, Luke Van Der Voet, and Sir Galahad, Johnny Friesem, were all well sung by the three and gave some lovely comedy too.  Each of the principals gave good comedy and different characters.

They certainly used all of the venue too, on stage with elevated two side towers, and back stage wall, and two large centre entrance doors;  also the area in front of the orchestra with a “floating” boat across the floor, and cast entrances from doors either side of the stage; along with flying props from back of auditorium down to stage meant the audience was kept well entertained and alert for next entrances. There was good use of cloths and projections and some comedy set/props so well done to set design and production team.  

Whether the script is suitable for a youth theatre production I felt was debatable, however the audience, many with youngsters, lapped it up and fully enjoyed the evening, so well done Crash Bang Wallop.

NODA Youth Adviser comments:
The young people in this production grasped the unusual comedy of Monty Python with both hands and did a superb job with it. This is a difficult genre but the cast not only had their audience doubled up with laughter but also provided vocal performances which were en pointe.
NODA Regional Councillor comments:
Ever since I've been coming to see CBW they have always impressed and this production didn't dissapoint - Several Laugh out Loud moments at the irreverent use of the Arthurian legend led by some very talented youngsters from ensemble to principal alike.

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