This musical is described as being "lovingly ripped off" from Monty Python and the Holy Grail but I would definitely say you do not need to have seen the film to enjoy the show. If you have seen the film then there are some faithful renditions of parts of it, plus some new things to enjoy too. I have probably seen the film two or three times but not for years and not to the reciting all the lines type level of a lot of people who were there the night I saw the show. I found lots of "ah I remember this" bits but the additional scenes and songs fit right in with the rest of it and didn't detract or jar with older material.
The original film was written by the whole Monty Python team but the musical was the work of Eric Idle and John Du Prez, utilising parts of the film and creating new material. The show takes most of the good bits from The Holy Grail, such as the coconut shells, Prince Herbert, "We're Knights of the Round Table", the Knights Who Say Ni, the Frenchmen etc and adds in a substantial part for the Lady of the Lake, some bits from other Python ventures such as "Always Look On The Bright
Side of Life" and some hilarious songs. There is also the added attraction (until January 2007 I believe) of Tim Curry, reprising his Broadway role as King Arthur. For me, Tim Curry could recite the phone directory and I'd be quite happy, but although he is brilliant in it, the show is much more than just him.
The story, such as it is, revolves around King Arthur and his servant looking for knights to join his round table and their adventures while looking for the Holy Grail but in true Python style the story is purely a hook on which to hang the comedy elements and, in this case, the songs. The songs are for the most part newly-written for the show and display a fantastic talent for pastiche of all things musical, such as the totally spot-on "The Song That Goes Like This" which ridicules soppy duets in pantomimes, West End/Broadway musicals and particularly Phantom of the Opera; or the Fiddler on the Roof meets The Producers/History of the World Part I style "You Won't Succeed On Broadway."
This is a very effective transfer from film to stage, including things that I wouldn't have thought would transfer well at all or even be able to be done on stage. The story is changed from the film somewhat to include the Lady of the Lake in a delightfully "shoe-horned into the plot" manner, even including "The Diva's Lament", where she complains she hasn't been in the Second Act yet, and the ending is different too.
The set designer deserves a lot of credit for being faithful to the Terry Gilliam cardboard cut-out style and low budget-looking but highly practical Python feel to the scenery. The costume designer has also stuck fairly faithfully to the film costumes as far as possible. Obviously, if you haven't seen the film this matters not one jot but Python fans have an added bonus that it feels quite close to the film.
Despite having seen the production on only the 3rd night of previews, I thought the cast were in fantastic form with perfect vocals and choreography. Tim Curry and Christopher Sieber have both transferred direct from the Broadway production but in all honesty it was hard to believe the rest of the cast were performing for almost the first time. Hannah Waddingham shows a fantastic vocal range as the Lady of the Lake and applies herself equally well to all the different types of song she is required to perform. Robert Hands takes on the role of Sir Robin, who was played by David Hyde-Pierce in the Broadway production but having seen clips of the Broadway version I'd say that Robert Hands is on a par. All of the performers, apart from Tim Curry and Hannah Waddingham, take on several parts during the show and manage to portray each character differently so you don't really notice who is playing which parts and could probably believe there was actually a cast of 20 or so main actors.
There is the obligatory spam sandwich being sold alongside ice creams in the interval and Ye Olde Rippey Offey Shoppe featuring such delights as cow catapults, bunny glove puppets, tins of special edition Spam and the usual CD/t-shirt/cap type items. The programme is pretty standard although there is a great spoof article on a Finnish show for those who are well-versed in Python.
I would highly recommend this show if you can manage to get tickets (mine were bought back in February!) for teens and above as younger children probably wouldn't get a lot of the jokes and at those seat prices you want to make sure you enjoy every second. Tim Curry fans might need to sell a kidney to ensure a nice close up seat before he leaves the run, although I'm sure his replacement, who is currently performing the role on Broadway, will be brilliant too.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Quite funny, light hearted, entertaining, everyone seemed to enjoy it Disadvantages: The seats (room), may offend those it pokes fun at, if easily offended, transport links
IzzyS 27.10.2008 (26.10.2008)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Monty Python's Spamalot
Advantages: Quite funny, light hearted, entertaining, everyone seemed to enjoy it Disadvantages: The seats (room), may offend those it pokes fun at, if easily offended, transport links
IzzyS 27.10.2008 (26.10.2008)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Monty Python's Spamalot
very helpful by (100%):
