It is a situation Dunedin actor Chris Keogh has found himself in many times lately.
''There's not many places I can scratch when I'm in that position.''
He will play the Black Knight in Monty Python's Spamalot, Musical Theatre Dunedin's production at the Mayfair Theatre, in Dunedin, from September 1-17.
The comedy musical, created by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, is based on the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and tells the tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.
During one of the scenes, the Black Knight has a grim sword fight with King Arthur (played by Peter Storer), and through a bit of costume trickery, he gets both his arms and legs cut off by King Arthur.
Show director Dave Goosselink said it was a well known scene from the movie. ''So when it came time to transform it to the stage, that was the most difficult, because he loses one arm, then the other and then both his legs.
''Eric Idle turned to his friends, comedian magicians Penn and Teller, who designed the original illusion costume for the show on Broadway.''
Mr Goosselink declined to say exactly how the suit worked, but said Mr Keogh would be using a variation on the original costume, which would give the illusion that his arms and legs were being cut off with a sword.
Fortunately, his real arms would be behind his back - well away from harm's way.
The show will feature a bevy of beautiful show girls, gory sword fights, witch burnings, killer rabbits and French people.
It will also include well-known songs, Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail, and Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
Mr Goosselink said even if audience members were not Monty Python fans, they would still find the show full of ''infectious fun and entertainment''.
