Firmly in the tradition of not only Month Python but the kind of satirical and surreal humour that made Spike Milligan famous, there is not really a lot to say about this music-theatre treat that you cannot imagine. The show is, essentially, an extended Monty Python sketch based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It ain’t the movie and it is exceedingly theatrical in this incarnation! Except for the famous song “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, this is not about memorable tunes or lyrics. This is about a kind of grown-up panto to tickle the silly bone and endless send-up of conventions of musical comedy and farce. I especially enjoyed the knight whose limbs are lopped off but still keeps going; almost all the preposterous quips; and the attempt at a small but sexy set of chorus girls. The band played with real panache and rhythm; and the sets and costumes were bright cartoons come to life. If David Cameron keeps banging on about Englishness, I think maybe we should send him to see this touring production of Spamalot as a reference point as it seems to me to be about a quintessentially English approach to humour and entertainment that goes back to Will Hay and Music Hall, to Beyond the Fringe and, of course, Monty Pyton’s Flying Circus. It is also unashamedly and happily camp! Joe Pasquale captures just the right tone and gestures as King Arthur; Todd Carty is lugubriously charming throughout as Patsy; and Sarah Earnshaw shows that she is not only sexy and funny but also that she has a very fine voice that could probably challenge Ethel Merman’s.
The entire cast is obviously having a terrific time and deserves much praise not only for their non-stop energy but for their real sense of working as an ensemble – and, of course, this being live theatre and the kind of show it is, you are going to get quips and crack-ups that are different with each performance. The audience was clearly having a rip-roaring time throughout and join in song when invited. If you hate Monty Python or this kind of satiric, silly British humour, then this is not a show for you. On the other hand, I found this show to be a real pick-me-up and if you are in the right mood, I recommend you see it if it plays near you if your taste runs to this kind of thing. Mine does so I found it to be a lot of fun!