Spamalot - Youth Version

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 (Imogen Carnegie), recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest, including Sir Bedevere (Lucy Portalska), Sir Robin (Connie Marshall), Sir Lancelot (Delyth Wynne and Sir Galahad (Huw Palmer). Besides the knights, they also meet such characters as the Lady of the Lake (Ella Lounds), Tim the Enchanter (Laura Nicholson), Not Dead Fred (Freddy Glew), The Black Knight, a fighting rabbit, dancing girls, and the Knights who say Ni.

Expressions Youth Theatre took on the script and score with great energy and enthusiasm and definitely showed first time director Stuart Carnegie just what they could achieve.

The young cast of 26 portrayed the story well with some lovely characterisations from all on stage.  Particularly noticeable was Imogen Carnegie, who gave a lovely performance as Patsy, with great acting and facial expressions, and Ella Lounds as the Lady of the Lake who sang some difficult songs and performed them well by one so young.

The duets done with Arthur (Esther Bishop), and Sir Galahad (Huw Palmer), were all well sung and there were some lovely comedy moments too.  Each of the principals gave good comedy and different characters.

The stage was well used and I am always intrigued as to how so many young people can fit onto such a limiting stage and yet it not seem crowded at all.   

Whether the script was 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 Digswell Youth.

The young people in this production grasped the unusual comedy of Monty Python. This is a difficult genre but the cast not only had their audience doubled up with laughter but also provided vocal performances that which were en pointe.

Ever since I have been coming to see Digswell Youth Theatre they have always impressed me and this production didn't disappoint.

Thank you for your hospitality, I had a lovely evening.

Best wishes to you all

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