But if you do go to see this show, which achieved three Tony Awards for its writer Eric Idle, be prepared to accept that the cast appear to be quite mad, and you will be drawn in to accepting their lunacy as normal as you follow their Medieval journey to find the Holy Grail.
Director Dave Goosselink and musical director Stuart Walker have fashioned some great entertainment, with outstanding individual interpretations of the many and varied character roles, accompanied by fantastic backing from 14 professional musicians.
I am not going to attempt to outline the plot of this hilarious production, other than to say that after an initial misunderstanding concerning England and Finland gave rise to a comic fish-slapping ditty Fisch Schlapping Song, King Arthur (Peter Storer) and his faithful servant Patsy (Max Beale - who claps coconut shells to impersonate his master's horse) set out on a journey.
Various knights (Greg MacLeod, Chris Keogh, Regan Dodd, Justin Scott) are recruited along the way, plus a beautiful Lady of the Lake (Alethea Chittenden), supported by other leads and a totally energised chorus, who act and dance in almost every scene.
Numerous sketches crammed with innuendos and pithy retorts, concerning the search and ultimate finding of the Holy Grail, intersperse the catchy songs with witty lyrics such as You Won't Succeed on Broadway, Life of Brian, Find Your Grail, Diva's Lament and Not Dead Yet.
Vibrant imaginative costuming (Sam Keen) accentuate the unique silliness of their characters. Slick timing, precision of punch-lines and astute choreography (Robyn Sinclair) contribute to successful mayhem.
Lighting and sound effects, with endless subtle projected imagery, add to the lunacy of ridiculous situations and impeccably managed constant scene changes.
Along with a good-sized opening night audience, I sniggered and laughed out loud through the entire evening, and drove home humming Always Look on the Bright Side. Spamalot is fantastic entertainment!
-By Elizabeth Bouman
