REVIEW: Spamalot
- Posted on January 11, 2008 1:09 PM
- 0 comments
Spamalot
The Palace Theatre
11th January 2008
Review by Ash Akhtar
Finland. The country where I want to be; pony trekking or camping; or just watching TV…
So begins Spamalot, a loving rip-off of The Holy Grail written by ex-Python Eric Idle. If you have no idea what I am talking about then you are culturally deficient, and you must rectify this inadequacy immediately by renting or buying all three Monty Python films.
It has taken me around a year and a half to pick up the courage to see Spamalot. My recent personal disappointment with the latest bleak, weak theatrical version of Glengarry Glenn Ross left me wary of the over-priced West End; with tributes to classic works of art filling me with dread, and the idea of musical versions being unimaginable.
Watching a glamorous retelling of Finland complete with fish slapping eases some concerns. Once the story begins, Peter Davison (remember him?) as King Arthur is on a quest ordained by God (John Cleese) Himself to find the Holy Grail. The set, though appearing rustic, is extraordinarily lavish and highly glamorous – one which needs a cast to match. Fortunately, Spamalot has exactly that.
Peter Davison makes a fine King, finding many great Britons in supporting roles to accompany him along the way. Hannah Waddingham as the Lady of the Lake has an extraordinary range of both vocal delivery and comic timing – her performance alone is worth the ticket price. Other actors excelling in their roles include the surprisingly multi-talented Bill Ward (last seen as Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street) as Sir Lancelot, the accurate Andrew Spillet in the role of Patsy and Andy Rees as the handsome Sir Galahad.
Act I executes so many of the finest moments from The Holy Grail that it is hard not to be disappointed by Act II. You Won't Succeed On Broadway though amusingly irreverent is also irrelevant to much of a London audience. Where the Ku Klux Klan dance in Jerry Springer – the opera added chilling, dark euphoria, Spamalot simply suffers from this asinine Jewish inclusion.
Overall, despite the initial lull of Act II, Spamalot is delivered with panache, affection and style. I thoroughly recommend this 1,000 year old parody of a musical adventure.
Spamalot is at the Palace Theatre, London now. Hannah Waddingham will be starring in the Broadway production of Spamalot as of the end of this month.
Buy or sell your tickets here.
Tags
review, Spamalot, theatre, west end
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