Although I’m a fan of the show Spamalot - I went to see the touring production at the Regent five years ago - I have to admit I only wanted to see the Company of Four’s version as my cousin Jo is in it (very good as a sweary minstrel, I have to say!)
But on Friday night, the whole cast, the singing and dancing, the orchestra, blew my socks off.
I couldn’t remember the 2011 production being this rib-ticklingly funny (I actually snorted with laughter several times).
In Spamalot, we follow the round-about sort of journey of King Arthur (played ably by Simon Bowen) in his quest for the holy grail.
There are a lot of silly sketches, and familiar faces, that you’d expect from Monty Python, along the way - the Knights of Ni and the Black Knight, for instance. The audience roared when one of his arms fell off before a blow had been struck.
There was lots of singing and swaying along to the catchy songs too. I particularly liked the very silly The Song That Goes Like This by Sir Galahad and the Lady of the Lake (Darren Nunn and Kerri-Ann Lees).
Special mention has to go to the quietly brilliant Company of Four stalwart Neville Woolnough who made a perfect Patsy, and had everyone singing along with him to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.
There was a happy ending of course and with it came dazzling costumes, impressive sets, and more singing and dancing, with the whole auditorium clapping along.
Such a great night out, that I’d recommend you see the show while you can. There are just two more performances on Saturday, October 22.
Nicola Warren
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