Spamalot
Review by Richie Simpson, Presenter of Theatreland on RWS FM 103.3.
I am the kind or person who will quote the entire ‘Dead Parrot Sketch’ should you ask if I like Monty Python. I am also the kind of person who won't stop talking about my love of musicals, given half the chance. So the Irving Stage Company were really going to have to pull some kind of trick to serve up a post-Halloween treat with Monty Python's ‘Spamalot’, lovingly ripped off from the comedy troupe's classic film, ‘The Holy Grail’.
Well, let's just say I enjoyed this just as much as a French taunter enjoy's farting in an English Knight's general direction.
With all the silliness that Python requires, director/choreographer Sian Couture and her team served up an excellent blend of nods to musical theatre tropes, pantomime moments and absurd humour, resulting in a hugely satisfied full auditorium showing its appreciation at the end with a healthy rendition of ‘Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life’.
Couture's direction allowed the jokes to come thick and fast, with a perfectly cast ensemble of actors recreating the best that Python have to offer, while musical director Nicola Brazier produced superb harmonies and led an excellent band through John Du Prez's clever, but also utterly ridiculous score.
The choreography (also by Couture) included numerous homages to musical theatre classics, and was superbly executed by an extremely talented and experienced cast, with particular mention for the Laker girls (Katie Woodhouse, Nicola Platt-Nolan, Hayley Nunn, Lydia Thompson, Emily Hunt, Kat Joy). Ash Seaborne's props were of supreme quality and would not have looked out of place on a West End stage, while Kat Joy's costumes gave me outfit envy! The grand yet minimalist set was well used to allow for slick transitions between scenes.
It is always hard to emulate comedy icons such as Monty Python or to follow in the footsteps of such musical theatre greats as Tim Curry, Sara Ramirez, Hannah Waddingham and Christoper Sieber (all Spamalot alumni). However, this cast of Irving heavy weights - and some newer faces - delivered.
Chris Strahm was born to play King Arthur. He produced a perfect blend of good vocals and regal obliviousness and superiority. Meanwhile, Kate Hiser's Lady of the Lake served diva realness with superb vocals to boot. Daniel Harris (returning to the stage as Patsy after a 15 year absence) demonstrated his superb singing talent and comic ability, while George Lane (Sir Galahad), Matt Bendall (Sir Robin), Adam Stewart (Sir Lancelot), Ben Young (Sir Bedevere) and INSERT NAME HERE (Sir not appearing in this review) all supported strongly. Lane showed his range of acting ability, Bendall demonstrated that he is a true triple threat, Stewart had some brilliant comedy moments, and Young is one of the best Pythonesque women since the late, great Sir Terry Jones.
The ensemble filled a range of supporting roles with confidence and skill, and it is clear that much fun was being had by all. Jason Ware was perfectly cast as Prince Alice, Herbert, and Alex Schosland was having far too much fun singing about ‘brave Sir Robin’.
I commented after seeing this on opening night that this production has the potential to grow from really good to truly excellent, which I am sure it will do as the week progresses.
Now, I should probably end this review, as it's getting rather silly!
Spamalot is at Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds until November 8.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE