Monty Python’s Spamalot makes a welcome return to Melbourne in a fresh and vibrant production by Drew Anthony Creative. Described as a “new musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail“, Spamalot first opened on Broadway in 2005. With music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, and lyrics and book by Idle, the musical was nominated for 14 Tony Awards, winning three including Best Musical. Spamalot made its Australian premiere in 2007.
Arrive early. Before the show commences, clips from Monty Python sketches and films are played on a large LCD screen as a warm up to the main event. That massive LCD screen is then used very effectively as the scenery for the show. Instead of still sets, the LCD screen (content by Aquixel Studios, and co designed with Drew Anthony) creates a surprising sense of realness with flickering candles, trees blowing in the wind, pigeons and owls, and so much more. It’s quite stunning and certainly adds a huge wow factor to the production. The Black Knight scene is particularly well done.
Director (and producer) Drew Anthony has delivered an outstanding production, finding every moment of humour and ensuring the Python humour is executed perfectly. There are some very clever and surprising moments in the show, including the entire crew and even some of the creative team appearing, with stage manager Ella Campbell still calling the show from onstage. This is a joyous, laugh-out-loud production that will leave you with a huge smile.
Jason Bovaird’s spectacular lighting design takes us from dazzling dance numbers to impressive thunderstorms.
A well balanced sound design by Jordan Gibbs and Qlab programming ensures the excellent diction by the cast is clearly heard and allowing the audience to capture those brilliantly witty lyrics by Eric Idle.
Costume design by Annette Stivaletta establishes each character and adds some vibrant colour.
Impressive choreography by Suzi and Jamie Rolton is executed with precision, and the tap routines are a real highlight.
Drew Anthony has assembled the perfect cast. Leading the production is Stephen Curry, making his musical theatre debut in the role of King Arthur. Curry is outstanding in the role and delivers the humour in perfect dry-wit Monty Python style. Curry knows when to milk the humour and when to play it dead straight – and gets the balance perfect. Curry can sing, and while he maintains he’ll “never play the Phantom” he certainly looks at home in musical theatre and hopefully this won’t be his only foray into this world.
Making a very welcome and return to musical theatre, Jaz Flowers plays the Lady of the Lake, showcasing her impressive vocal range at every opportunity and a hilariously cheeky line about not receiving a Green Room Award nomination. It’s been a decade since Flowers graced our stages, and this performance is a reminder that this is truly where she belongs. There was a sense of irony to her diva-belting performance of ‘What Ever Happened To My Part?’ Let’s hope we see her in another show soon.
Jamie Rolton is brilliant as Patsy, so perfectly cast it feels like he’s stepped straight out of a Monty Python sketch. His facial expressions and body language during Stephen Curry’s rendition of ‘I’m All Alone’ are hilarious and turn this sad lament into a truly laugh-out-loud highlight.
Gareth Isaac shines as the not-so-brave Sir Robin who finds his true calling in musical theatre and perfectly cast for the actor who has gone from Waitress to Spamalot to Elf this year!
Noah Skape is excellent as Sir Bedevere. Jess Vasiliadis is charming as Sir Lancelot and Ethan Jones is wonderful as Sir Galahad. Nick White is hilarious as the Man of Many Characters.
Rounding out the cast is an exceptionally talented ensemble featuring Grace Williams, Danielle Gibson, Jacinda Tsakalos, Emily Huynh, Will Bason and Ethan Churchill, with Dominique Hamilton and Regan Walker as swings. The entire ensemble deliver a high energy performance and all have their moment to shine.
Ahead of an AFL grand final with no Victorian teams playing, Monty Python’s Spamalot may be just the pick-me-up distraction that Melbournians need right now. This exceptional production will leave you smiling as you leave the theatre and that feel-good ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life’ vibe will carry you through the following week. Go along and have a good laugh. It’s zany, it’s cheeky and it’s laugh-out-loud entertaining.
Spamalot is now playing at the Athenaeum Theatre ahead of a tour to Sydney.
For more information and tickets: CLICK HERE
Photo credit: Ben Fon
