Association of Community Theatre

Show Reviews - May  2017

SPAMALOT

Curtain Call Productions

 

Director: Joel Montague

Musical Director : Malcolm Forbes-Peckham

Dance Director: Joel Montague

 

If you are a fan of Monty Python then “Spamalot” is the musical you have been waiting for. It is based on the 1975 film parody of the Arthurian Legend which is filled with the Pythonesque surreal comedy.

The fabulous set of a castle (what else), with inserts for the different scenes, was supplied by Scenic Projects.  Carl Knapper’s lighting design added an extra element to the zany proceedings and HSL sound design made sure the audience didn’t miss a word of this “lovingly ripped off from the motion picture” musical.

 

Only the best was provided for the character presentation with costumes by Charades and Triple C’s, and over a 100 fabulous wigs provided by David Birt (London).

 

It is the delivery of the comedy, the iconic style of the Monty Python team  that make this show work. This was achieved by all the company creating an evening of outrageous madness.

 

Unless you are a musical theatre fan, there might be a couple of numbers that you would not fully appreciate, “The Song That Goes Like This”, and “You Won’t Succeed On Broadway”. They were delivered in true burlesque style. Those who are not purely musical theatre devotees might have thought they were Pythonesque, so that’s OK.

 

To bring choreography into the world of Monty Python is quite a challenge; to be partnered with the story telling is more than a challenge. Every number fitted like a glove to the concept requirements, and added to the unfolding plot.

 

Ladies' and Men’s ensemble together with the Laker Girls, were in harmony with the principle characterisations. They didn’t just flesh out scenes, they added to them.

 

Leading the crusade, King Arthur, was played to the full by Simon Porter, Arthur’s servant, whilst the character of the coconut-shell banging, Pasty [sic], was nicely captured by Sean Clark-Wilkinson. A special mention must go to West End performer, Jodie Jacobs, for her portrayal of the “Lady of the Lake”.

 

The Knights of the Round Table were played by Charlie Gobbett, as Sir Robin, Adam Goode, as Sir Lancelot, and Mike Bradley, Sir Galahad. They all had their adventures in their quest to find the Holy Grail. On their journey they met the dangerous Black Knight (Simon Dean), and the French Tauters [sic], to name a few. Each encounter was outrageously executed keeping to the original film format.

The audience of fans, and first timers to the world that is Monty Python, clearly enjoyed their experience.