Monty Python’s Spamalot

Photo Credit: Alan Martin/AMSI

Reviewed by: Patricia Connor on 27 June 2017
Venue: Little Theatre - Southport
Date: 28 Jun - 1 Jul 2017
Type of Production:  Musical
Music by Eric Idle and John Du Prez

Directed by Deborah Bloom
Musical Director: Chris Rimmer
Choreographer: Jackie Morris

“Spamalot” is based on the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” which is an irreverent and amusing parody of the heroic story of King Arthur and the Knights of the round table. It is a very funny laugh out loud over the top show firmly grounded in the eccentric and wacky British sense of humour. The show is based on a book by Eric Idle with the music composed by Eric Idle and John Du Prez and it also has one of the most played songs at funerals in its score namely “Always look on the Bright Side of Life”. When I watched this production by “Southport Spotlights Theatre Society” I said what a fantastic production and this I think says it all as in the words of other audience members, they really nailed this show, which was definitely due to a very talented cast, excellent teamwork and a very good production team which included Director Deborah Bloom, Musical Director Chris Rimmer and Choreographer Jackie Morris.
The musical has a number of characters who were featured in the Monty Python film, they included a very strong performance by Stephen Hughes- Alty in the pivotal role of  noble Arthur King of the Britons,  who sets out on a quest to find the Holy Grail with his servant Patsy (John Delahunty) and a group of oddball Knights who all gallop around on imaginary horses, there is handsome Sir Galahad (Ramzi Mechergui), Sir Lancelot the brave ( Peter Forshaw), windy Sir Bedevere (Chris Seery) and not so bold Sir Robin (Matthew Green), who all   played their roles outstandingly, making a great comedy team as well as performing other cameo roles, showing off their versatility and many talents well and producing some brilliantly funny characterizations. A lot of the comedy in this show is created by the strange and often absurd comic characters Arthur and his Knights encounter on their journey which include killer Rabbits, dancing Nuns, Minstrels, Showgirls, the strange Knights of Ni, irreverent, mocking French Guards and even God himself voiced by Eric Idle, there are also a number of great visual jokes in the show.  It is also a very tongue-in-cheek show which makes fun of big showy musicals and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s big ambitious productions, which is highlighted in the song “The Song That Goes Like This” sung by Galahad and “The Lady of the Lake” played with confidence and style, by Janine Burrows who had a great voice and was a typical diva during her song “Whatever Happened to My Part”. Rob MacGregor showed his many talents in a mixture of roles which included Herbert/ Not Dead Fred/ Historian/ Lead Minstrel and one of the French Guards as did Graeme Hunt as Deni’s Mother/ Herbert’s Father/ Sir Boris and Mayor.
This was a tight ensemble piece with some great comedic cameo roles and all the cast showed passion and commitment working together well with no weak links with very good diction, clear understandable dialogue, great comic timing and very good singing. The chorus supported the principle cast excellently also producing some very funny performances as well. It was clear everyone was having a great time singing and performing the musical numbers which were energetic and fun, with exciting choreography that never missed a beat and was executed with style. The cast were accompanied by a very good orchestra who were supportive and were part of the whole proceedings with their own comedy interlude at the beginning of the show.
 The single efficient set of the outside of a castle and props were just right for the show, enabling smooth transition between scenes keeping the pace at just the right level which is very important in this type of production enabling the comedy and plot to work. There was also good technical input, however there was a problem in the first few scenes with Arthur’s microphone probably not generally noticed by the audience as Stephen’s dialogue could still be heard and the audience did not miss anything. Costumes were very colourful and striking thus ensuring an impressive visual experience.
Congratulations to all involved in this outstanding production, we had a wonderful time singing and clapping along with everyone. Thank you very much for inviting us and Always look on the Bright side of Life.