“Spamalot” is truly well worth seeing, especially for those
who “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”! (Review by Barry Meehan)
All kudos must go to the Northcliff High School’s production
of Monty Python’s Spamalot, currently
showing in the Playhouse Drama Theatre in Durban. Director Nick Jourdan has
assembled a robust cast of students, all of whom attack the very humorous
script with gusto, verve and an innate sense of professionalism, bringing to
life the MP version of King Arthur’s quest for the Holy Grail.
The programme notes describe the show as a “completely
ridiculous cavalcade of nonsense, based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail” and this is exactly what it is - a
frothy entertainment that keeps the audience in stitches. What makes the
production all the more appealing is the fact that the movie first hit the big
screen in 1975, many years before any of the cast were conceived, and the
musical Spamalot opened on Broadway
in 2005, when most of the actors were still running happily around on
playgrounds. Fortunately, the humour has not dated and the cast probably have
more fun with it than they used to in the aforementioned playgrounds!
While all student productions should be viewed as ensemble
pieces (in my humble opinion) there are several stand-out performances that
demand special mention. Matthew Vey as King Arthur holds the entire production
together with an exceptionally mature performance of a slightly confused and
insecure King doing his level best to obey God’s word and find the Grail. His
singing is outstanding, and he should go far if he continues life as an actor,
as should the other stand-outs – Ross Anderson (Sir Galahad) who excels in Act
One as a rather militant socialist before becoming a knight, Luke Wessels as
Sir Robin, who shines in Act Two in the Broadway sequence, Tao Blignaut who
brings an enchanting voice to her big production number, along with Tiana de
Abreu (Guinevere), Declan McCullogh (Patsy, the coconut clopping squire) and
Ntsika Kunene (Not Dead Fred). Mikaela de Ponte also delivers a five star
performance as the Main French Taunter, and is ably supported by her other
ensemble Taunters.
There are also several outstanding moments that take pride
of place in this rollicking romp, amongst them Arthur’s hysterical tap dance,
the wooden rabbit, the taunting of the knights by the French, and the Black
Knight sequence. I couldn’t quite decide if the Black Knight’s costume
malfunction was planned or not, but either way, it was certainly one of the
most hysterical highlights. But the entire production is full of moments that
evoke spontaneous laughter from an appreciative audience. Add to this a superb
orchestra under conductor Matthew Vlok, excellent sound and lighting, wonderful
costumes and some rather innovative stage scenery and props, with bits of
castle, forest etc flying in and out at a frantic pace, all ably handled by a
hard-working backstage crew.
While this is a production that can be enjoyed by the whole
family, there are a couple of typically contentious Monty Pythonesque elements
to it – the demographics of a Broadway production, Sir Lancelot (who likes to
dance a lot) and the odd swearwords creeping in. The production is also rather
long, and flags a bit in the Second Act once it moves away from the main
characters, but these are minor points. Spamalot
is truly well worth seeing, especially for those who “Always Look on the Bright
Side of Life”!
Presented
by Northcliff High School, Spamalot runs
in the Playhouse Drama until July 9. Booking is at Computicket. – Barry Meehan
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