japra | Oct 06, 2008 | Comments 10
If you hadn’t guessed already, we went to go see Spamalot on Friday in London. Photo taken on my Blackberry Pearl.
First, it was entertaining! I don’t think you have to be a die hard
Monty Python and the Holy Grail fan to enjoy
Spamalot. However, you will definitely get a lot more out of the show if you are familiar with the original work, so think about watching
The Holy Grail movie before you go. It’s always interesting to see how films are adapted for the stage anyway.
And speaking of the stage, may I just say–kudos to the actors! Because beyond the familiar script and the catchy score, they have the biggest challenge: fitting into the very big shoes of the original
Monty Python team. Like the original movie cast, almost all of the actors have three or more characters to portray, tricky for live theatre, I think! But they do a good, seamless job of it. I can’t even imagine the quick costume changes, never mind the skill of being able to switch characters so quickly. In this production, we particularly liked the actors who played Lancelot (Jake Nightingale), Patsy (
Andrew Spillet), and Galahad (
Michael Xavier).
I don’t know what else to say except Spamalot is the amusement park of musicals. There’s something in it for everyone: great earworm music (“
Find Your Grail“, “
The Song That Goes Like This“, “
Knights of the Round Table” and of course, “
The Diva’s Lament“), a love story, comedy, drama, and scantily dressed women. It’s a bit variety show crossed with musical theatre. I’ve never been to a musical in which I was amused, shocked, as well as entertained. If you want to see
Spamalot in London, be sure you go soon. It closes on January 3, 2009.
PS For parents with young children and for those of you with a sensitive disposition: this show contains cursing, rude gestures, and dancing girls in lingerie . It also, as my mother-in-law put it, “manages to offend everybody.” Just so you know. But if you’re a fan of Monty Python, you probably realized this already ;-)
The Palace Theatre in London was originally designed to be an Opera House. As with many of the theatres in London, it’s beautiful inside. Photo taken on my Blackberry Pearl.
Related posts
Filed Under: Blog • Destinations • London • Theatre • United Kingdom • What to Do
Tags: art • London • London Theatre • Musical • Theatre
Beautiful theater! Maybe I’ll catch Spamalot in Houston one day.
What a fantastic, snazzy view of the theatre!
I got such a kick out this show. I don’t even remember it being “rude,” really, as it is so cheeky and lighthearted.
Sounds like a great night out, beautiful shot of the theatre at night.
Laurie–You should–it’s so fun!
Bee–Ah well, I am sure it is just my prudish American ways. There was one particular thing during the Galahad scene that gave me a little jolt. I had seen it on the Internet and it was a little different on stage here in London ;-) Zorro shocked me in a somewhat similar way this summer too. Other than that, it was mainly obscene gestures during the French taunting that caught my eye. I just thought I’d include that disclaimer in case someone was wondering. I asked Roxi how old a child should be to see Spamalot, and she said middle school and up “because of the swearing and stuff”. We all thought it was great… and of course want (need?!) to see it again.
Christine–It really was fun. Those shots aren’t bad for my Blackberry, but I did I wish I had my other camera.
Such a fun way to be offended! That Python humor is genius!
I went last year, and it was fun. They wouldn’t let me send any socks any songs though :(
Sounds wonderful and being a python fan, I know I’d love it. I’m so close to Broadway, but I have yet to take advantage of some great shows like this.
Pamela–Haha, so true.
Susan–And they are GREAT songs :-)
Alyson–I know it’s hard to get away when you have little ones. We do a lot more stuff now that Roxi is older. But if you can sneak an evening out…
Love Monty Python. Just scathingly funny!
Pigtown-Design–We were like, “Oh, my gosh! Oh my GOSH! OH MY GOSH! HA HAHA HAHAHAHAHHA!” It was hilarious. Hope you get a chance to see it while you’re in town (if you haven’t seen it already).