Me (the peasant) on stage clutching my tin of Spam, with King Arthur and a bunch of silly English Ker-nnnig-hts. I've wanted to do this for such a long time!
Me on stage! What an experience! It was worth all the tea in China!
Seat Done, or rather D1
With Joe Pasquale - the longest serving King Arthur?
With Todd Carty - the longest serving Patsy?
Spamalot's run in Woking 2015
Gemma after the show being er, "Queen Arthur"?
Friday 13th March 2015: Monty Python's Spamalot, New Victoria Theatre, Woking:
I first saw Spamalot in January 2007: I loved it so much, I went again, and again, and again... last night was the 17th performance of Spamalot I've seen, and I'm going again next month when the show is in Southampton! I have a sneaking suspicion, that won't be my last time.... As far as I'm concerned, it's the funniest show ever! You can't keep me away - it's hilarious, whether you're a Monty Python fan or not!
I've seen the show so many times, I notice any changes they make to the script. Some of the changes since the last time I saw it (which was at the Playhouse Theatre, London) were:
"And I'm the Emperor of Norway; bugger off" has been replaced with "And I'm the Emperor of China; bugger off"
King Arthur no longer tells Patsy that those who see the Knights of Ni seldom live to tell the tale. Consequently, Patsy no longer replies, "Oh great!"
There's a new country-by-country section (with each country indicated by flags)
Pointing at a bail of hay and shouting "Hey!" has been reinstated but not in the same way and not in the same place as it was before (which was during Sir Robin's song)
Talking of Robin's song, that has been completely updated. Out goes Jedward and in comes Michelle Obama and Ant & Dec. Out goes Boris Johnson and in comes Mary Berry. It's so up to the minute with current affairs because the lyrics now include Top Gear, and King Arthur made a joke about Jeremy Clarkson's latest shenanigans!
There's also a small tweak to the lyrics of Diva's Lament that concerns the artist formerly known as Cheryl Cole (but I won't ruin it for you).
The "peasant" that helps find the Holy Grail used to get rewarded with an "Arthur", but now, it's a tin of Spam.
So how come I ended up on stage, I hear you ask. It turns out I was sitting on the Holy Grail the whole time! Whichever unsuspecting soul sits in seat D1 ends up on stage! When Joe asked my name, for some reason I pronounced my surname a little like "Woood", so he took the piss out of me royally about that! (See what I did there?)
I found going on stage such a wonderful experience, which, thanks to Gemma, I can now, finally, tick off my bucket list. She's going on stage next time at Southampton! Watch this space :-)
As I went to the opening night of Spamalot at The Playhouse Theatre, London in November 2011, I simply HAD to go to its closing night too. Would've be rude not to! And as usual, I took a few friends along with me. (I have promoted the show SO MUCH over the years on Twitter, Facebook, my blog and virtually to everyone I meet, I really should have worked out a commission deal with the producers back in 2007! I'd be loaded by now! Oh well. That wasn't why I was promoting it. The fact is, Spamalot is the funniest and most brilliant show I've ever seen, and I wanted others to enjoy it too.)
As the title of this blog post suggests, it wasn't the first Spamalot closing night I've been to. I also witnessed the end of Spamalot's run at The Palace Theatre (the executive version) back in January 2009.
With Jodie Prenger in April 2011
Every time I've seen Spamalot, there's always been something different about it; Spamalot never stood still, and last night's performance was no exception. It wasn't seeing the excellent Jodie Prenger (what a voice!) as Lady of the Lake because I saw her in that role at Aylesbury when Spamalot was on tour in 2011. I did manage to say hello to her at the stage door last night though, when she told me how honoured she was to be asked to close the show at The Playhouse. It was lovely to see her again. Unfortunately, I didn't manage to get a photo with her this time but she did give me a nice hug :-)
The main difference for me last night was to see Robin Armstrong as King Arthur for the first time. He was possibly the first clean shaven King Arthur I'd ever seen. It was so strange for me not to see him say "And then we LEAP out of the rabbit!" Consequently, it was the first time I'd seen Graham Newell in a lead role and I really enjoyed his performance. I thought his bent-over portrayal of Mrs Galahad was hilarious!
James Bisp |Robin Armstrong | Michael Burgen
I was so happy to meet James Bisp, finally. He wasn't on when I saw the show a few weeks ago, and the previous time, I didn't happen to see him at the stage door (which is always a bit of a scrummage - and it's also very badly lit. To The Playhouse management - if you wanted to do something fan-friendly, please install a light back there so we can see who's who!). What a charming fellow! I think his portrayal of Sir Galahad is, or rather was, outstanding! The parts he plays (Dennis, The Black Knight, Sir Galahad) are really convincing; he is such a good actor!
The atmosphere last night was, understandably, more upbeat than usual. However, I was expecting the audience to demand an encore of the finale, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, since it was the last night, but it was not to be!
Graham MacDuff with Harry in 2007, with me in 2011 and last night
The biggest surprise for me happened not during the show but afterwards at the stage door. I bumped into someone who has become somewhat of an 'old friend': Graham MacDuff (husband of the gorgeous Anna Jane Casey) who has played both Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot over the years. He just popped in last night to see the last show. We first met at the stage door of The Palace back in 2007, in the days when Dennis used to say "Soggy old blondes with their backsides in ponds can't replace the electorate." It was so lovely to see him again and such a nice surprise!
I think last night was the 16th time I'd seen the show. To be honest, I've lost count! If you really wanted to see every blog post of every performance of Spamalot I went to, then click here, but I'd understand if just wanted to see the highlights:
Spamalot is on at The Playhouse Theatre, London, but not for much longer. (Photo by Hy Money)
Yes, I went to see Spamalot again! This time, accompanied by my friends Sally Western (of Peter Cook 'Green Plaque' fame) and Hy Money (the UK's first female sports photographer and former photographer for Crystal Palace FC).
We had such a great time! I was so pleased to see Adam Ellis again as it was his day off last time I saw the show, much to my disappointment. His portrayal of Prince Herbert is so funny! After the show, we met the cast as they came out of the stage door and luckily, Hy Money took a photo of Adam and me!
Adam Ellis (who plays Prince Herbert and lots of other characters) and me, with the Millennium Wheel in the background (photo by Hy Money)
It was also wonderful for me to see, for the first time, James Bisp in the role of Sir Gallahad (and the Black Night and Prince Herbert's father etc). I was really impressed! What a strong performance! He really brought all the characters to life. Clearly, he has a glittering career ahead of him. I was so looking forward to meeting him at the stage door, but he somehow slipped out, probably when I was chatting to another member of the cast. I think they should come out one by one in an orderly fashion for us fans! It would make things so much easier if the theatre installed a ticketing system like they have at the deli counter in Sainsbury's. I digress.
I did manage to have a little chat with newbies Michael Burgen who plays Patsy, Daniel Boys (Sir Lancelot, Knight of Ni!, French Knight and Tim the Enchanter etc) and King Arthur himself, Joe Pasquale who photobombed a shot of Bonnie Langford and Hy Money I was taking!
It must be pretty scary stepping into a well-established show as the new boy! Respect to them!
Bonnie Langford (Lady of the Lake) and Hy Money being photobombed by Joe Pasquale (King Arthur)
Bonnie Langford and Hy Money without Joe Pasquale
Bonnie Langford and Hy Money with Joe Pasquale
I also managed to have a chat with Spamalot veterans Rob Delaney who plays Sir Robin (it was not much more than a "hello" to be honest, unfortunately), the lovely Hannah Malekzad (one of the knights who say Ni! and female ensemble) and the no-less-lovely Robin Armstrong (Sir Bedevere and Sir Galahad's mother etc). The cast are such a friendly bunch of people!
Robin Armstrong, Michael Burgen and me (photo by Hy Money)
Spamalot closes on Saturday April 12th. How I would love to have a ticket for that performance...!
oo0oo
One reason that Hy Money was keen to meet up with Bonnie Langford was that she wanted to show her some photos she took of the cast of the 1982 performance of Pirates of Penzance at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane which starred an 18-year old Bonnie! Hy was a press photographer at the time and had been invited to the show's photocall. And here they are:
Lots of famous faces in the cast of Pirates of Penzance, Theatre Royal, 1982, including Bonnie Langford. Can you name them all? (Photos by Hy Money)
Herewith a Missive: Michael Palin edges Eric Idle out of Spamalot to play the role of God
Michael Palin to appear in person at the curtain call of Monday 26th August's performance
Spamalot extends its current booking period at The Playhouse Theatre to 8th February 2014
Monty Python legend, Michael Palin, has decided to ‘fart in the general direction’ of fellow Python legend, Eric Idle, when he appears as God on stage (on screen) in Monty Python’s Spamalot, for one week, from 26th August 2013 at The Playhouse Theatre to raise money for charity. At the same time, the show has now announced that it is extending its current run until 8th February 2014.
Palin steps into the heavenly robes previously worn by Hugh Bonneville (they actually got the chap from Downton Abbey), Barbara Windsor, Bradley Walsh, Simon Callow and Christopher Biggins, who have also appeared as God in the show. They in turn have sent Eric Idle off down the pub throughout the warmer months, as he usually plays the role on screen (and will pop up from time to time when the other Gods are off inventing America).
‘The Summer of Spamalot Charity Gods’ has been created to raise-a-lot of shillings for several charities including Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre, The Make A Wish Foundation, the Great Ormond Street Hospital, Scene & Heard, Stage For Age and Keats Community Library which are supported by the actors who are playing God.
Absolutely Hilarious: Monty Python's Spamalot
Michael Palin took time out of his busy schedule (of travelling through a large and extensive forest- or is that a large and expensive forest? - for some TV show or other) to film the part of God, which will be shown during each performance of Spamalot from Monday 26th August until Saturday 31st August. His nominated charity is Action for Stammering Children.
The role of God features in Spamalot when King Arthur and the Knights of The Round Table are given their quest to find The Holy Grail.
Sir Howard Panter (says he’s a real Knight! as if), producer of Spamalot for Ambassador Theatre Group, said; “It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to bring friends of the show in to the role of God in this way, so that we can help such deserving causes while making audiences laugh at the same time.”
Comedian and actor Les Dennis is currently playing King Arthur, while musical theatre legend and TV star Bonnie Langford plays The Lady of The Lake. Other stars who have appeared as King Arthur include Joe Pasquale, Stephen Tompkinson, Jon Culshaw and Marcus Brigstocke. Warwick Davis joins the cast as Patsy from 23rd September through to 19th October 2013.
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is a kind-of new musical with a book by Eric Idle and an entirely new score for the new production, (well, almost) created by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.
Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, witch burnings (cancelled due to health and safety) not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. The show features fantastic tunes more magical than a Camelot convention, including He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course the Nation’s Favourite Comedy Song (Reader’s Digest Poll 2010 - before it went bust), Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
The new season at The Playhouse, which is directed by Christopher Luscombe, follows Eric Idle’s acclaimed performance of ‘Always Look On The Bright Side of Life’ at the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony – the world sang along, and Spamalot audiences get the opportunity to do so too! During the run, there have been 18 onstage moustache incidents, three suspected cases of swine flu (French pigs!), one outbreak of nits and 87 pairs of coconuts used.
Ni!
What the press have said about the new West End production:
“Former Python Eric Idle has come up with a simpler, shorter and zingier version, which in Christopher Luscombe’s fresh-as-paint production, recalls Monty Python’s roots in undergraduate review. The lady sitting next to me spent most of the show physically helpless with laugher. BOOK YOURSELF A TICKET TO SPAMALOT - IN THESE DARK DAYS IT WILL HELP YOU LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE” – Charles Spencer, The Daily Telegraph
“Just give way to your inner child and laugh a lot!” – The Times
"4 stars & Critics Choice" – Time Out London
“Gloriously British, Eric Idle’s musical returns for a triumphant run” 4 stars & Critics Choice – Evening Standard
“I honestly haven’t laughed so hard and so many times in years” 5 stars - Daily Star Sunday
“A lovely pudding of British silliness topped off with Eric Idle's hilarious songs!” - Magic 105.4
“Lovingly reformed from the classic film, the new Spamalot had the audience in stitches” – Mail on Sunday
“Spamalot is really great. If you haven’t seen it, go, GO” - Chris Tarrant, BBC Radio 2
Produced by Howard Panter for Ambassador Theatre Group
Listings Information
Spamalot recently started a new performance schedule, which includes two shows on Fridays at 6pm and 9pm.
New Performance Schedule:
Monday – Thursday at 8.00pm, Friday at 6pm and 9pm, Saturday at 2.30pm and 8.00pm (no Wednesday matinee). Running time: 2 hours – this one doesn’t drag on!
Spamalot has now extended its run until 8th February 2013
THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE
Northumberland Avenue
London
WC2N 5DE
15th July 2013 – Hugh Bonneville
22nd July 2013 – Bradley Walsh
29th July 2013 – Eric Idle
5th August 2013 – Barbara Windsor
12th August 2013 – Simon Callow
19th August 2013 – Christopher Biggins
26th August 2013 – Michael Palin
2nd September 2013 – Larry Lamb
I happen to notice a tweet from the Harold Pinter Theatre announcing a Spamalot competition. All you had to do was tweet the theatre a picture of yourself holding a can of Spam to win a bag of Spamalot "goodies"... So that's exactly what I did.
My competition entry: Me and my Spamalot-edition can of Spam
It turns out I was the only person to enter, so I won the bag of Spamalot "goodies" which comprised the UK tour version of the Spamalot CD, the theatre programme, a Best of British Theatre bag and a Grail Bag from www.spamalotstore.com - a website, believe it or not, that I had never heard of!
Yes, that was the 9th time I've seen the show (or was it my 10th?) On this occasion, I went with 11 friends to whom I had sold the idea, using extreme enthusiasm as a method of getting my own way! It worked!
Sorry, no pictures this time.
Needless to say, the show was excellent, with me smiling from ear to ear the whole show through, and me constantly wiping away tears of laughter, as usual. And everyone else seemed to have a good time too.
I understood almost nothing of this interview apart from 'Monty Python', 'Spamalot' and 'coaching' and said so in a comment of this video in YouTube. A kind, Swedish, fellow-YouTube user (who prefers to remain anonymous) came to my rescue and offered me a rough translation. So hear it is, (almost) unedited, for all you non-Swedish-speaking-Nina-Söderquist fans:
Presenter: You never have the time to sit down and watch what you are doing. Nina: No.. and they are not allowed to film it. So This is never seen. Nina: That was from the premiere so I do it better now, I hope. Presenter: You are home in Sweden for a short visit. You come home in the morning yesterday and tonight you are on stage again. Nina: You don't have much free time. What do you do when you are free.. I try to see London. Many people visit me and I have a short and a longer tour in London that I show them. Presenter: I don't know how many newspapers I've seen you in.. star overnight.. a new musica star is born.. How has it been during this time? Nina: It's very breathtaking.. I have worked as a singer for over 15 years. So I'm not a rookie but this musical thing is a complete new world. I have never sung in this way before - it's totally new. A great challenge. Presenter: And now they treat you like a star? Nina: Yes that's London in a nutshell. Presenter: Tell me?? Nina: I´m "the leading lady" and I have my own room and my colleagues had never been into that room before I came down. They are like that: That I´m a star there and they don't disturb me. They don't talk if I don't want to and.. It's very strange after working in Sweden.. Change clothes in the bathroom/toilette and eat cold sausage in the break.. I made pie One day and told them very firmly to come down and eat in my room during the interval. We are working together and they seemed a bit shocked but answered, "Yes, absolutely - we will." Is this how it looks. I have the largest changing room with shower and stuff so people can meet there. Presenter: You are well paid. You have better pay than Sweden's political leader. Nina: Haha. I don't know that, but I manage very well and the part I play is fantastic. I still pinch myself. Presenter: But you are "a rocker" and I thought rockers were a bit disrespectful towards musicals. Nina: No, I don't think I am disrepiteful to any kind of music genre . I have great respect. Presenter: Did you like musical before this?? Nina: Yeeees. I hadn't seen so much but I knew that it was a very hard working profession. You work really much and I knew that... But I didn't know that it was THIS much or this fun.. Presenter: What was it that made you interested? Nina: It was just this part, that it was so corny, crazy and much.. Presenter: Tell me about the part.. Nina: She is a diva that that really controls the show . It's a part that Eric Idle included. She really runs the show. She knows how everything shall be.. but she gets a bit grumpy there in the second act when they forget about her and she lets them know.. She is much, of everything. Presenter: This is Monty Python. Do you like their kind of humour? Nina: Yes.. Yes I think it is fantastic.. Presenter:There is much play with words, insinuations and things like that. Is it hard to understand and "get"? Nina: The smallest things can be hard to get and understand if you don't have your English in total order.. but there is much funny faces and I think you get it even if your ability in the English language isn't perfect. Presenter: Are there many Swedes in the audience? Nina: Yes, there are so many and it's so fun. Presenter: How do you notice that there are many Swedes? Nina: I do a little celebration to Sweden in the middle and when I do that I get great response from the Swedes in the audience. Nina: I have quite a lot space in my part to do it my own way.. I usually sing a bit of Abba..and other things. Presenter: So you burst out in Abba in the middle? Nina: Yes I do. Presenter: Tommy Körberg and Peter Jöback get standing ovations when they enter the stage.. is it the same way for you? Nina: Yes, it was at premier night. Presenter: You have sung a lot of rock. What's the difference between rock and musical? Nina: There is much more technical to sing musical..This part is for a soprano and I am an alto, so .. I don't go in and just make it.. I must have a lot of focus and "sing up" well before I enter the stage. I sleep right, I eat right.. I do everything right. You can't be sloppy. Presenter: So you're not living the easy days? Nina: No..This is no rockstar life! Presenter: The part is much singing but also quite a deal of speaking lines . How have you managed the English accent? Nina: It has worked out quite well. They have given me a lot of help. An English lady that even has taught the royal kids to speak properly. People often don't believe that I am Swedish. Nina: I get a lot of coaching in singing, dance and everything. The lowest level must be extremely high! Presenter: Do you think that you have progressed? Nina: Yes. I really have to pat myself on the back. I was terrified before the premier..don't fall, don't say anything wrong. Now I can enjoy, be relaxed and have fun. Presenter: Before this you had a band. You sang at Chartertravellocations.. company events.. and now you stand in front of 1400 people every night.. Nina: It's a great experience..
And then they are talking about the fact that she is missing Sweden.. and how she got the role through West End Star.
