Monty Python’s Spamalot at MLOC
If rehearsals are any indication, MLOC Productions’ cast and production team promises to ensure audiences enjoy a riotous show when Monty Python’s Spamalot is presented from June 12 – 20 at the Phoenix Theatre, Elwood (Vic).
Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table in their search for the Holy Grail.
The show’s writer, Monty Python’s Eric Idle, describes the show as ‘lovingly ripped from the movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail.’
Differing slightly from the 1975 movie, the stage show still remains a ‘highly irreverent parody’ of the medieval legend of King Arthur of England.
MLOC’s production is directed by Jane Court, with musical direction by Ian Nisbet and choreography by Keir Jasper.
Jane says she loves the surrealist humour of Monty Python, and is keen to bring as much of it as possible to this production.
“The original Pythons described Spamalot as Python-lite but terrific good fun,“ says Jane.
“So, the challenge is to present Pythonesque humour in a musical comedy setting, and bring a certain amount of broadening and contextualisation to the show, so it is appealing to MP fans and those who don’t know MP.”
Jane explains why the show is called Spamalot: “All Python fans know that Spam is an integral part of Flying Circus, and the Spam sketch is legendary (‘Waitress: Spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, baked beans, spam, spam, spam and spam. Choir: Spam! Spam! Spam! Spam! Lovely Spam! Lovely Spam!’).
“Spam was used to describe useless flooding messages across the early internet, so now, it is not only a processed meat in a can (spiced ham) it is also the billions of un-solicited emails we receive.
“Eric Idle says that calling the show Spamalot tested well and was in keeping with the Knights of the Round Table song of the show, which features a can of Spam.”
MLOC’s principal cast members include Sam Marzden (King Arthur), Matthew Hadgraft (Sir Robin), Lisa Nightingale (Lady of the Lake), Matt Bearup (Sir Lancelot), Ben Moody (Sir Galahad) and Nick Rouse (Patsy).
With its lively, catchy tunes, this fun musical comedy promises to entertain audiences of all ages.
Performances: June 12, 13, 18, 19, 20 at 8.00pm, June 13 and 20 at 2.00pm and June 14 at 5.00pm at the Phoenix Theatre, 101 Glenhuntly Rd., Elwood.
Tickets: $35/$32/$28.
Bookings: www.mloc.org.au/spamalot Phone Enquiries: 9551 7514
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Images (from top): King Arthur (Sam Marzden) and Lady of the Lake (Lisa Nightingale); From left: Sir Bevedere (Darryl Stevenson), King Arthur (Sam Marzden), Sir Galahad (Ben Moody) and Sir Lancelot (Matt Bearup); Lady of the Lake (Lisa Nightingale), King Arthur (Sam Marzden) and Patsy (Nick Rouse), & The Knights of Ni: Margot Sephton (left), Karen Shnider, Clare Andrews, Barbara Mendleson and Mary Bryant. Photography: Trevor Lowther.
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