Monty Python's Spamalot
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
19th - 22nd October 2016
7.30pm
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
19th - 22nd October 2016
7.30pm
There is one thing that you should most definitely NOT do when you come to see Monty Python's Spamalot and that is to take any of it seriously. Spamalot isn't really a show that needs to be over analysed in any way. It's one of those shows that is pretty much beyond compare and thank goodness that LODS have taken on a production that I expect many would have shied away from. The world is a gloomy enough place these days, in many ways, and if I could recommend one antidote I would heartily suggest a large dose of Spamalot to ease you through.
The Python humour isn't one that everyone is familiar with or indeed may be aware of, afterall, Monty Python's Flying Circus was at its peak during the late sixties and seventies - a time when half of the LODS cast hadn't even been born.
Director and choreographer, Sallie Warrington has taken on the task of bringing Spamalot to The Palace Theatre this week and has been fortunate enough to find in LODS, a cast that have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the production and completely embraced the Pythonesque humour.
The musical is lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail film. King Arthur gathers his Knights en route to finding the Holy Grail, via Finland, fish, Camalot, castles, France, forests, flatulence, lakes with a Lady and dancing girls, cows and rabbits with big pointy teeth.
Whatever you do, do not overthink this show; just go and enjoy and embrace the complete silliness of it all.
King Arthur is played with great gusto and conviction by Neil Lands and his loyal servant Patsy is wonderfully underplayed by Paul Ward, who really comes into his own during the Always Look On The Bright Side of Life number and was completely endearing in I'm All Alone .
Knights of the Round Table include the 'dashingly handsome' Sir Galahad, giving Stuart Woolner the opportunity to show off his comedic skills; the 'not quite so brave as Lancelot', Sir Robin, played by Peter Brown and Ian Gilbert's 'flatulent' Sir Bedevere. I really enjoyed Lewis Sheldrake as Sir Lancelot, the 'homicidally brave', especially during His Name is Lancelot number with an hilarious David Shipman as Herbert.
Helen Sharpe gives the Lady of the Lake the full diva treatment and shows us what she does best with some amazing vocals - Mariah Carey eat your heart out - and proves her understanding of Python parody in Whatever Happened to My Part.
There are cameo roles aplenty in this show, all injecting laughs galore with Anthony Bristoe as Mrs Galahad, Sam Blyth as Not Dead Fred, Barry Jones' Minstrel and Eva Tobin as the Knight of Ni. Paul Berry, in particular, as the French Taunter certainly had the audience in stitches, taking the mickey out of King Arthur and his Knights; but I have to give a special mention to Mick Felgate, who surely must now be crowned the King of Cameos by LODS.
Ramped up with the singing and dancing skills of the ensemble and with some really fabulous and extraordinary costumes throughout, this show has everything you need to escape into an evening loaded with satire, black humour, giggles as well as belly laughs and complete and utter surreal madness galore. I'll definitely be popping along for another fix later in the week - Spamalot really is just the tonic!
The Python humour isn't one that everyone is familiar with or indeed may be aware of, afterall, Monty Python's Flying Circus was at its peak during the late sixties and seventies - a time when half of the LODS cast hadn't even been born.
Director and choreographer, Sallie Warrington has taken on the task of bringing Spamalot to The Palace Theatre this week and has been fortunate enough to find in LODS, a cast that have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into the production and completely embraced the Pythonesque humour.
The musical is lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail film. King Arthur gathers his Knights en route to finding the Holy Grail, via Finland, fish, Camalot, castles, France, forests, flatulence, lakes with a Lady and dancing girls, cows and rabbits with big pointy teeth.
Whatever you do, do not overthink this show; just go and enjoy and embrace the complete silliness of it all.
King Arthur is played with great gusto and conviction by Neil Lands and his loyal servant Patsy is wonderfully underplayed by Paul Ward, who really comes into his own during the Always Look On The Bright Side of Life number and was completely endearing in I'm All Alone .
Knights of the Round Table include the 'dashingly handsome' Sir Galahad, giving Stuart Woolner the opportunity to show off his comedic skills; the 'not quite so brave as Lancelot', Sir Robin, played by Peter Brown and Ian Gilbert's 'flatulent' Sir Bedevere. I really enjoyed Lewis Sheldrake as Sir Lancelot, the 'homicidally brave', especially during His Name is Lancelot number with an hilarious David Shipman as Herbert.
Helen Sharpe gives the Lady of the Lake the full diva treatment and shows us what she does best with some amazing vocals - Mariah Carey eat your heart out - and proves her understanding of Python parody in Whatever Happened to My Part.
There are cameo roles aplenty in this show, all injecting laughs galore with Anthony Bristoe as Mrs Galahad, Sam Blyth as Not Dead Fred, Barry Jones' Minstrel and Eva Tobin as the Knight of Ni. Paul Berry, in particular, as the French Taunter certainly had the audience in stitches, taking the mickey out of King Arthur and his Knights; but I have to give a special mention to Mick Felgate, who surely must now be crowned the King of Cameos by LODS.
Ramped up with the singing and dancing skills of the ensemble and with some really fabulous and extraordinary costumes throughout, this show has everything you need to escape into an evening loaded with satire, black humour, giggles as well as belly laughs and complete and utter surreal madness galore. I'll definitely be popping along for another fix later in the week - Spamalot really is just the tonic!
Photo Credits: Gareth Poxon
For tickets go online to www.southendtheatres.com or call the box office on 01702 351135. Tickets also available directly from box office but always check for availability.
Ask the Audience
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Lisa Franklin, Eastwood
"I thought it was absolutely brilliant. I've never seen anything by Monty Python before and I loved it. The Lady of the Lake stood out for me but the whole cast were fantastic and had brilliant voices. I particularly liked the Knights. It was very funny and very cleverly put together. I thoroughly enjoyed it." |
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Jos Clarke, Southend on Sea
"If you're feeling a bit down in the dumps or under the weather, this is a really feel-good show. I came out feeling really happy. I loved the Lady of the Lake and I thought that Patsy was really good too."
"If you're feeling a bit down in the dumps or under the weather, this is a really feel-good show. I came out feeling really happy. I loved the Lady of the Lake and I thought that Patsy was really good too."