 | Monty Python's Spamalot is a comedic musical "lovingly ripped off from" the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975). Like the film, it is a highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian Legend, but it differs from the film in many ways, especially in its parodies of Broadway theatre. Eric Idle (see photo), a member of the Monty Python team, wrote the musical's book and lyrics, and collaborated with John Du Prez on the music. Running since March 17, 2005, it was directed by Mike Nichols and won three Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical of the 2004–2005 season. |
Idle explained the title in a February 2004 press release about the musical: I like the title Spamalot a lot. We tested it with audiences on my recent US tour and they liked it as much as I did, which is gratifying. After all, they are the ones who will be paying Broadway prices to see the show. It comes from a line in the movie which goes: ‘we eat ham, and jam and Spam a lot.' Previews of the show began in Chicago's Shubert Theatre (now the LaSalle Bank Theatre) on December 21, 2004; the show officially opened there on January 9, 2005 and was practically sold-out. The musical previewed on Broadway, at New York's Shubert Theatre, beginning February 14, 2005, and, after some changes, officially opened on March 17, 2005. The Broadway previews were practically sold-out, leaving only obstructed view tickets for sale. The original Broadway cast included Tim Curry as King Arthur, Michael McGrath as Patsy, David Hyde Pierce as Sir Robin, Hank Azaria as Sir Lancelot and other roles (e.g., the French Taunter, Knight of Ni, and Tim the Enchanter), Christopher Sieber as Sir Galahad and other roles (e.g., the Black Knight and Prince Herbert's Father), and Sara Ramirez as the Lady of the Lake. It also included Christian Borle as Prince Herbert and other roles (e.g., the Historian and Not Dead Fred), Steve Rosen as Sir Bedevere and other roles (e.g., Concorde and Dennis's Mother) and John Cleese as the (recorded) Voice of God. On March 22, 2006, to mark the first anniversary of the official Broadway opening of the show, the "World's Largest Coconut Orchestra" (consisting of 1,789 people clapping together half coconut shells) performed in Shubert Alley, outside the theatre. The claim was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. This record was then broken by 5,567 people in Trafalgar Square at 7pm on 23 April 2007, led by the cast from the London production, along with Jones and Gilliam, with the coconuts used in place of the whistles in "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life". | |
"Always look on the bright side of life" - Monty Python Find your grail - 59th TONY AWARDS Lyrics: "Find Your Grail" Lady of the Lake: If you trust in your song Keep your eyes on the goal Then the prize you won't fail That's your grail That's your grail So be strong Keep right on To the end of your song Do not fail Find your grail Find your grail Find your grail Life is really up to you You must choose what to pursue ohh yeeeah Set your mind on what to find And there's nothin' you can't doooo So keep right to the end You'll find your goal my friend You won't fail Find your grail Find your grai-a-a-a-ail Find your grail Arthur: When your life Seems dejeffed When we all need a lift Tell yourself you won't fail Find your grail Find your grail Life is really up to you You must choose what to pursue Set your mind on what to find Lady of the Lake: And there's nothin' you can't do You can't do Dooooo!! Company: So keep right (so keep right) to the end (to the end) You'll find your goal my friend Find your grail! You won't fail Find your grail Find your grail Find your grail!! Lady of the Lake: Ohhhh You'll find it! You'll find it! YEEEEAH! You gotta keep on Goin round! Goin round! Cause I know YEEEEEEAAAH! | |
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