Me: Well I went to see Spamalot at the Milton Keynes
Theatre.
Q: And how was it? Me: Well I always like to look on the bright side of life.
I first saw Spamalot many years ago in the West end and
decided that as it was coming to Milton Keynes, now was the time to revisit
this classic show. It has been updated
to include references to Lady Gaga and as it was in Milton Keynes – the obligatory
references to roundabouts and concrete cows.
Don’t worry – it’s not all about Spam. In fact there is not enough spam,
spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam!
It opens with the Fisch Schapping song because they
misheard and thought he said Finland instead of England. Finland looks much more fun than England in
the dark ages. England was a time of
Plague, Plague and more Plague. Do not
despair – King Arthur of the Britons is here to save us with a quest (and a
song or two). He is not dead yet really
sums up Monty Python humour and if you don’t find this funny, I’m afraid you
have come to the wrong show and need a sense of humour implant stat! We are
soon introduced to the Lady of the Lake. She is played by Sarah Earnshaw and boy can
this girl sing! What an amazing voice. I loved her acting, singing and diva quality
she brought to the role.
Of course there are simple jokes for people like me. For example the knights on their quest are
going to different countries, interpreted by dance such as Irish, Chinese and
Russian. At the end of the Russian dance
they say ‘Hey’ and someone brings a bale of hay onto the stage. This is funny stuff!
I am sure this was a personal performance as they seemed
to keep trying to make each other laugh and with the talented Joe Pasquale as
King Arthur who is also a very quick witted comedian, he tried to make the
knights laugh on this occasion by mentioning we were peaking too soon with our
clapping and need to save it as Janet Street-Porter is coming on shortly with a
badger. Well most of the knights corpsed
at this but Will Hawksworth who plays Sir Robin, held it together, just. Yes Brave Sir Robin and his poor elbows. (want
to know more? – go see the show!).
Of course there is classic Python such as the Knights
that go Ni…who changed their name, I think it maybe something different every
night but tonight it included a whole verse of Do Wah Diddy Diddy. Even Joe was
laughing at this. And yes they go
looking for a shrubbery as a side quest.
Of course no King is ever alone, even when he sings ‘I’m
all alone’. But Patsy (played by Joe
Tracini) is there by his side and has
been outstanding in his performance.
How disappointed was I not to be sitting in seat D1 – for
that is where to find the Holy Grail. If
only Indiana Jones had known this in Raiders of the lost Ark! But seriously they drag this man onto the stage
and sing with him (and joke that he really made an effort to dress up). It was funny as I had had this conversation
with my family before we left. For in my
opinion we should all dress up for the theatre. This is a personal performance. It is not cinema where no one cares. Theatre is real people giving something
personal and that is why I love it.
Back to the show. Of
course everyone was fabulous. I cannot really
pick one or two people out as the show really did need everybody to make it
what it is. A real ensemble. Joe Pasquale made a perfect King Arthur, and
when he asks the lady of the lake to marry him her outfit turns from blue to
white in an instant. (I must ask where she got that dress from – I want one!)
This is a fabulous show, so it doesn’t matter if you love
Monty Python or have never seen the Holy Grail film, this show is for you….now
remember
Always look on the bright side of life……
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