Spamalot

Spamalot
By Eric Idle and John Du Prez. Playlovers Inc. Director: Kimberley Shaw. Choreographer: Kristen Twynam-Perkins. Musical Director: David Hardie. Hackett Hall, Floreat (WA) November 5 – 26, 2010

It was an appreciative audience at Eric Idle’s spoof on the 1975 film Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Spamalot, the title taken from a line ‘we eat ham and jam, and spam a lot’, is an escape into silliness….and didn’t the players have fun! The onstage enthusiasm, the sheer spectacle of the gorgeous and diverse costumes, the clever lighting, the numerous set changes and wonderful props more than made up for the inexperience of some of the musicians. And although skit can be difficult to deliver with classic comedic timing, there were several standout performances.

The versatile Tyler Jacob Jones (Historian/Not Dead Yet/French Guard/Minstrel/Prince Herbert) was convincing with great facial expression; and the powerful and sweetly voiced Breehan Jones (The Lady of the Lake), portrayed the histrionic diva who bemoans her lack of onstage opportunities, created a great connection with the audience. Ben Wilkinson also is worthy of mention as Patsy (King Arthur’s lackey). The cheeky, previously cast aside little peasant showed a talent for both comedy and song with Always Look On The Bright Side of Life.

This cast made the most of the nonsensical skits and had patrons chortling in their seats. Under the able direction of Kimberley Shaw, the call for rapid character changes, costume and set changes was

met with gusto. The French Taunter (Robert Woods in his acting debut) and the ‘Ni’ing Knight (Emmet Nichols) were particularly appealing. The result was a delightful evening of pythonesque nonsense, a pastiche of parody which took me back to simpler days.

Glenda Prideaux

http://playlovers.org.au/?p=199

Top Image: Chris Gerrish and Breeahn Jones

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