Looking At The Bright
Side Of Life…
Spamalot
Sunderland Empire
Until Saturday 14th October
2017
It might be
12 years since Spamalot won a Tony Award for the best new musical but it still
feels fresh. I must confess at loving Monty Python and it is on that basis that
I review the musical based upon the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
King Arthur
(Bob Harms), King of the Britons, is on the hunt for knights to join him around
the Round Table at Camelot. He is assisted by his faithful assistant Patsy
(Rhys Owen) who has a pair of coconuts. They meet up with Sir Robin (Stephen
Arden) as he collects the dead, and Sir Lancelot (Johnathan Tweedie) as he
tries to dispose of someone who is not yet dead. King Arthur also meets Dennis
Galahad (Norton James) who is a republican who doesn’t believe in an unelected
monarch. King Arthur persuades him to join him by showing him the Lady of the Lake (Sarah Harlington), the lady who
declared him king. Dennis then agrees to go to Camelot and is promptly
knighted. At Camelot Arthur is given a quest - find the Holy Grail, and hence
the adventure begins properly.
The show is
full of puns and great laughs. The characteristics of each knight is largely a
stereotype and a source of jokes, Arthur is mean to Patsy and that too is a
source of amusement. Add in the lyrics to the songs the Lady of the Lake sings which satirise the format of
musicals and have a heady mix of light hearted moments. Original Python Eric Idle is responsible for a
sharply observed script. The combination of intelligent direction by Daniel
Buckroyd and a cast who have both great timing and are clearly enjoying
themselves adds up to a very good evening’s entertainment.
There was
even a very brief appearance by Smooth Radio’s Breakfast host Steve Colman as
‘Sir Not Actually Appearing In This Show.’ Steve is a big supporter of theatre
in the region and it was great to seen him tread the boards.
The other
element which helps make this show work are the songs. Yes, Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life from
Life of Brian puts a couple of
appearances in but this is no jukebox musical. You have music, by Eric Idle and
John du Prez, which follows the narrative and the characters - such as Find Your Grail and Here You Are. You also the big production number such as Whatever Happened To My Part was Sarah
Harlington comfortably managed with. Musical director Dean McDermott had to
keep the band in sync with the action as the fourth wall was removed.
There has
been some updating too to keep the whole thing fresh. The song You Won’t Succeed In Showbiz has been
thoroughly reworked. Whilst less
offensive, it hasn’t lost its message or sense of humour.
Spamalot
was a light-hearted poke at the Arthurian legend. An enthusiastic ensemble
delivered an entertaining performance. Even though we’ve seen it a few times,
we don’t tire of the jokes and this production is as good as any we’ve seen.
Fans of Monty Python are in for a treat.
Review by Stephen Oliver
Tickets:
Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West, via the ticket centre
0844 871 3022* or www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland
*calls cost up to 7p per minute plus standard network charges. Booking and
transaction fees may apply to telephone and online bookings.
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