Joe Pasquale in the current touring production of Monty Python’s Spamalot, reviewed at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham
Spamalot continues at the New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham until 7 February and then tours until 20 June 2015.
Star rating: 5 stars *****
Monty Python’s Spamalot is the ultimate musical aimed to take the Mickey out of itself and all musicals before it. Billed as ‘lovingly ripped off’ from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it (loosely) tells the tale of King Arthur and his quest to find the Holy Grail and put on a musical in Birmingham, we all remember that bit of history, right?
The panto-esque set is simple, yet bold and impressive, and serves to quickly transport us from a peasants’ village to a magic lake in an instant. As the show opens, we are introduced to a green and pleasant, and mostly riddled with plague, land called England – not Finland as the proceeding fish slapping song and dance suggests.
A short while later we meet the undoubted star of the show, King Arthur. Joe Pasquale takes on the role for this tour and although the squeaky-voiced comedian is not an obvious choice, it soon becomes apparent he’s an excellent one. Followed by his trusty steed, Patsy, he sets off on his quest as newly appointed king.
Having met some peasants doubting his status, Arthur is forced to summon The Lady of the Lake to prove his worth, and we meet the incredibly talented Sarah Earnshaw. She is both perfectly suited and perfectly wasted in this role and proves herself a name to always watch out for. Sexy, seductive and with vocals to boot, she is Diva by name and by nature.
After persuading dear Dennis (Richard Meek) that King Arthur is indeed worthy, The Lady of the Lake returns with a newly transformed Sir Galahad and the duo’s performance of ‘The Song That Goes Like This’ raises the roof, both in song and audience laughter.
Todd Carty plays the part of Patsy, loyally following Arthur with his clacking coconuts. He perfects the art of the understated yet vital role and gets the balance of hilarious and humble just right.
The knights are a great mix of gay and graceful. Will Hawksworth is fabulous as the wimpish Sir Robin and Jamie Tyler makes a suitably camp Lancelot and will also be forever remembered here for his get-back at Pasquale while playing the Knight of the Ni.
Packed full of hilarious moments of improv and cast pranks, local references for that personal touch, and the level of belly laughs you would expect – there’s a joke or two (or three or four) in it for everyone. Pasquale singing Bonnie Tyler is not something I ever thought I’d see, although in fairness, I’m not sure he thought he’d see it either.
Eric Idle and John Du Prez’s songs are sung and performed with comedic perfection, the jokes – both old and new – are smoothly delivered, and the cast could not have been more perfectly picked (Christopher Luscombe directs).
Spamalot is most definitely ‘Not Dead Yet’, my only complaint was that it wasn’t long enough!
Nicole Evans
Readers may also be interested in:
Interview – Todd Carty dusts down his coconuts for the Spamalot tour
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