Monty Python’s Spamalot

This is a musical “ripped” off from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, which was very popular for its innate absurdity. I was intrigued to see how the fight would be done where one combatant is left with no arms or legs but still wishing to fight on. Now that was all part of this musical adaptation with a large cast of diverse characters of the period King Arthur and his knights of the round table. Arthur gathers his knights around him and then goes off on his search for the Holy Chalice, the grail, for his continued success.  It is hardly possible to imagine the path this leads him or the strange and weird characters he meets. All the time he is guided, to some extent, by the Lady of the Lake.

Miranda Selwood, director, moves the quite large cast really well to emphasise the absurdity of the whole idea and maintain the pace. She had enough Arthurian period costumes mixed with a more modern attire for the Laker  girls.

Kris Kellet played the crucial role of Arthur as he galloped across the stage, fought off his enemies and sang to our delight. He had a good clear voice while maintaining his character so well. Heidi Enchelmaie, as the blonde Lady of the Lake, offered a good and effective contrast to burly knights. Generally, the wide variety of the build and voice of the cast added to the necessary absurdity of the musical.

Prima have again shown their ability to stage a musical of complexity in general staging, costumes to suit and, of course, to a high standard musically.

If you like the John Cleese / Monty Python sense of humour, and even more so when it is coupled to music, then this Spamalot is for you.

William Davies