Delivering in the spirit of the much loved “cult” movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail”, Monty Python’s Spamalot has been delighting the crowds on Broadway since its first show in March 2005. The story takes a lot of licence on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and the spoof musical parodies all and sunder in its quest to bring the crowds to their knees in laughter. It pokes fun and laughs at the Arthurian legend and quaint old English mannerisms, and has a go at that great tradition that we love dearly: the Broadway musical!
There are lots of familiar references to Python offerings from the seventies that make it to the stage including ‘Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, with nods to “the Lumberjack Song” and “Ministry of Silly Walks” sketch and the “Dead Parrot” sketch. Monty Python fans will love it and will relive some fond memories, and new audiences, unfamiliar with Monty Python, will gain a new appreciation of the peculiar British humour that is Monty Python.
Further lampooning targets in the show include a Lloyd Webber-esque power ballad “The Song Goes Like This” and a “Boy From Oz” style dance number “His Name is Lancelot”. Yentl and The Producers get an honourable dig the song “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway”.
Monty Python’s Spamalot received 14 Tony Award nominations, more than any other show in the 2004–2005 season. It won three awards:
• Best Musical
• Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical (Sara Ramirez)
• Best Direction of a Musical (Mike Nichols)
All ages will love this show and you are not going to want to miss the chance to see this musical! It has recently finished a successful season in Melbourne, Australia, and the final date is already scheduled in London’s West End for early 2009. Whether you are a Monty Python fan and will know all the jokes within this musical, or if you just love a good night of laughs and great music, then this is the show for you! Make sure you get your friends and family together - because you always need someone to rehash a joke with you!
Monty Python’s Spamalot is showing now at the Shubert Theatre, 225 W 44th Street ,New York, NY 10036
