Spamalot

Spamalot is a gem of a musical. It’s clever, witty book supplements its lively rich score. Writer Eric Idle and his cast, led by the superb Phil Jupitus as King Arthur, give us a show that is full of great laughs and toe-tapping satire. The audience were singing along to the songs and laughing heartily at the great script.

The story is based on the classic film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and uses ideas and plots from its source but Idle has also used his creative freedom to make the show new and fresh for a twenty first century audience. The show pokes fun at everything from Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals to the role of older women in the media. The songs are brilliant, if not always laugh out funny. My favourites include Arthur: King of the Britons, Diva’s Lament, I’m All Alone, You Won’t Succeed in Showbiz and The Song That Goes Like This. The latter is one of the best in the whole show, performed fantastically by Jessica Martin and Simon Lipkin. The lyrics, music and acting are at its sharpest with lines like They’ll all will hum along, We’ll over act like hell and Now we’re in E, It’s far too high for me, everyone can see, we should have stayed in D. Jessica Martin’s brilliant performance is shown again in the number Diva’s Lament with cracking lines such as I’m constantly being replaced by Cheryl Cole…Cheryl COLE! Of course the song that can’t go without a mention is All Ways Look on the Bright Side of Life a song recycled from Life of Brian, another Idle film. Everyone in the audience was whistling along and swaying to the music, magic.

Phil Jupitus leads the cast with a strong, powerful performance. He does the coconut horse trotting gag really well, every time a little bit different. He and his co-stars really gel especially doing the scenes when things go “wrong” or when the cast break the fourth wall. He has a great stage presents which makes everyone looks at him. He’s comic timing is superb while his vocals are surprisingly strong, shown clearly in his big solo numbers like Arthur: King of the Britons and I’m All Alone.

Eric Idle and his team have produced a fantastic show. It’s hilariously intelligent and the sharpest show on the stage. A terrific night at the theatre, marvellous.

Spamalot runs at De Montfort Hall until 16^th April