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Spamalot


 
 
Monty Python's Spamalot is a comedic musicalMusical theatre

Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining music, songs, spoken dialogue and dance....
 "lovingly ripped off from" the film Monty Python and the Holy GrailMonty Python and the Holy Grail

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a comedy film released in 1975....
(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 theatreBroadway theatre

Broadway theatre is often considered the highest professional form of theatre in the United States....
. Eric IdleEric Idle

Eric Idle is an English comedian, actor, author, pianist and guitarist/songwriter....
, a member of the Monty PythonMonty Python

Monty Python, or The Pythons, is the collective name of the creators of Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British te...
 team, wrote the musical's bookLibretto

A libretto is the complete study of words used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, sacred or sec...
 and lyrics, and collaborated with John Du PrezFacts About John Du Prez

John Du Prez is a musician who has often worked with Eric Idle for the music for Monty Python....
 on the music. Running since March 17, 2005, it was directed by Mike NicholsMike Nichols

Mike Nichols is an Academy Award-winning film and stage director who is best known for having directed The Graduate and...
 and won three Tony AwardTony Award Summary

What is popularly called the Tony Award is an annual award celebrating achievements in live American theater, including mus...
s, including the Tony Award for Best MusicalTony Award for Best Musical

1940s*1949 Kiss Me, Kate - Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Bella and Samuel Spewack. ...
 of the 2004–2005 season.

Idle explained the title in a February 2004 press release about the musical:

Tagline: A new musical (lovingly) ripped off from the motion picture.
Musical numbersAct I

Act II

Characters
The Court of Camelot

Other characters


In tribute to the film, where six actors played the majority of all male parts (and a few female ones), several actors play multiple roles; the only major characters not doubling are Arthur and the Lady of the Lake.






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Quotations


In Mercia and the two Anglias - plague, with a 50% chance of pestilence and famine coming out of the Northwest at twelve miles per hour.

This man was Arthur, King of the Britons. For this... was... England!

After the ensemble sings about Finland I said, ENGLAND!

Defeat at the castle in Act One seems to have utterly disheartened King Arthur. The ferocity of the French taunting took him completely by surprise. King Arthur ==

God be praised, we have a quest!






Encyclopedia


Monty Python's Spamalot is a comedic musicalMusical theatre

Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining music, songs, spoken dialogue and dance....
 "lovingly ripped off from" the film Monty Python and the Holy GrailMonty Python and the Holy Grail

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a comedy film released in 1975....
(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 theatreBroadway theatre

Broadway theatre is often considered the highest professional form of theatre in the United States....
. Eric IdleEric Idle

Eric Idle is an English comedian, actor, author, pianist and guitarist/songwriter....
, a member of the Monty PythonMonty Python

Monty Python, or The Pythons, is the collective name of the creators of Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British te...
 team, wrote the musical's bookLibretto

A libretto is the complete study of words used in an extended musical work such as an opera, operetta, masque, sacred or sec...
 and lyrics, and collaborated with John Du PrezFacts About John Du Prez

John Du Prez is a musician who has often worked with Eric Idle for the music for Monty Python....
 on the music. Running since March 17, 2005, it was directed by Mike NicholsMike Nichols

Mike Nichols is an Academy Award-winning film and stage director who is best known for having directed The Graduate and...
 and won three Tony AwardTony Award Summary

What is popularly called the Tony Award is an annual award celebrating achievements in live American theater, including mus...
s, including the Tony Award for Best MusicalTony Award for Best Musical

1940s*1949 Kiss Me, Kate - Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Bella and Samuel Spewack. ...
 of the 2004–2005 season.

Idle explained the title in a February 2004 press release about the musical:

Tagline: A new musical (lovingly) ripped off from the motion picture.

Musical numbers

Act I
  • Overture
  • Historian’s Introduction to Act I
  • Finland / Fisch Schlapping DanceThe Fish-Slapping Dance

    The Fish-Slapping Dance is a popular Monty Python sketch that appears in Monty Python's Flying Circus....
  • Monk’s Chant / He Is Not Dead Yet
  • King Arthur's Song (not on original cast recording)
  • Come With Me
  • Laker Girls Cheer
  • The Song That Goes Like ThisThe Song That Goes Like This

    The Song That Goes Like This is a song written by Eric Idle from the musical comedy Spamalot....
  • He Is Not Dead Yet - Play Off
  • All For One
  • Knights of the Round TableKnights of the Round Table (Monty Python song)

    "Knights of the Round Table" is a song from the comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The song's lyrics were writ...
     / The Song That Goes Like This (Reprise)
  • Find Your Grail
  • Run Away!
  • The Intermission (not in the show, only on the original cast recording)

Act II
  • Historian’s Introduction to Act II
  • Always Look on the Bright Side of LifeAlways Look on the Bright Side of Life

    "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is a popular song written by Eric Idle which originally featured in the 1979 film '...
  • Brave Sir RobinSir Robin

    Sir Robin the Not-quite-so-brave-as-Sir-Lancelot is a comic fictional character played by Eric Idle in the film Monty Pyth...
  • You Won't Succeed On Broadway (In the West end, it is changed to "You Won't Succeed in Show Business.)
  • The Diva's Lament (Whatever Happened To My Part?)
  • Where Are You?
  • His Name Is Lancelot
  • I'm All Alone
  • Twice In Every Show
  • The Holy Grail (not on original cast recording as it is personalized with an audience member's name)
  • Act II Finale
  • Always Look On the Bright Side Of Life (Company Bow)

Characters

The Court of Camelot
  • King Arthur: King of the Britons. Has trouble counting to three. Is not very bright, but very willing.
  • Sir Lancelot the Homicidally Brave: A near psychopathic knight...with a difference.
  • Sir Robin, the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir-Lancelot: A cowardly knight well-versed in the world of musical theatre.
  • Sir Dennis Galahad, The Dashingly Handsome: Formerly Dennis Galahad, a politically active peasant.
  • Sir Bedevere, The Strangely Flatulent: A wise but smelly knight.
  • Patsy: King Arthur's trusty servant/steed and constant companion. He is half Jewish.
  • Concorde: Lancelot's trusty servant/steed. Can survive an arrow to the chest.
  • Brother Maynard: Arthur's go-to guy for God.
  • Sir Bors: An unlucky victim of the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog.
  • Sir Not-Appearing-In-This-Show: That pretty much sums it up. Dressed as Don QuixoteDon Quixote

    or is a novel by the Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra....
    .

Other characters
  • The Lady of the Lake: An aquatic diva. Part fairy, part diva and all woman.
  • Not-Dead Fred: He's not dead yet. He’s getting better. Okay, now he's dead.
  • Robin's Lead Minstrel (widely called Alice by fans): Doesn't really know when to shut up.
  • The King of Swamp Castle (aka Herbert's Father): A hardhearted, moneygrubbing king who hates music and his gay son.
  • Prince Herbert: His son. Loves to sing, and is about as butch as Minnie Mouse.
  • French Taunter: A French soldier who enjoys taunting.
  • The Black Knight: A psychoticPsychosis Overview

    Psychosis is a generic psychiatric term for a mental state in which thought and perception are severely impaired....
    , "invincible" knight who will fight even after all his limbs have been cut off.
  • The Head Knight who says "Ni!": The very tall leader of the most feared cult in the land: the dreaded Knights who say "Ni!". Enjoys shrubberies. Can not stand the word "it." When Arthur finds the shrubbery, the Head Knight says the Knights of Ni are no more: they are now the Knights of (insert random quotes here).
  • Tim the EnchanterEnchanter

    An enchanter is a Magician . The word may also refer to:...
    : A Scottish sorcerer/pyromaniaPyromania

    Pyromania is an obsession with fire and starting fires in an intentional fashion....
    c.
  • Mrs. Galahad: A PepperpotPepperpot (Monty Python) Overview

    Pepperpot is a term created by Monty Python member Graham Chapman to describe a class of character frequently utilized in th...
    . Dennis Galahad's mother. A politically active peasant.
  • The Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog: A bloodthirsty rabbit puppet with nasty, big, pointy teeth.
  • Swamp Castle Guards: One has trouble understanding simple concepts, one hiccups a lot (and is presumably quite drunk).
  • Two Sentries: At an unspecified castle. They enjoy talking about swallows and coconuts.
  • Historian: the Narrator.
  • The Mayor of Finland: A character who really shouldn’t be in this musical.
  • The Laker Girls: The Lady of the Lake's backup dancers/cheerleaders.
  • Knights of the Round Table: They dance when e'er they're able. They do the chorus scenes.
  • Robin’s Minstrels: Enthusiastic, multi-talented group that follows the knight.
  • God: Sounds a lot like John Cleese. By God it is!
  • Holder of the Holy Grail: Whoever happens to be sitting in a certain seat at that performance. The luckiest person in the house.


In tribute to the film, where six actors played the majority of all male parts (and a few female ones), several actors play multiple roles; the only major characters not doubling are Arthur and the Lady of the Lake. In the Broadway production, the following doubling is used:

  • Lancelot/2nd Sentry/The French Taunter/Knight of Ni/Tim the Enchanter
  • Robin/1st Sentry/1st Guard/Brother Maynard
  • Galahad/King of Swamp Castle/Black Knight
  • Patsy/Mayor of FinlandFacts About Finland

    The Republic of Finland , is one of the Nordic countries....
    /2nd Guard
  • Bedevere/Mrs. Galahad/Concorde
  • The Historian/Prince Herbert/Not Dead Fred/Lead Minstrel/The French Taunter's Best Friend


Sara Ramirez was intended to double as a witch and as the cow launched from the French castle, but both parts were cut from the final script. In addition, several pairs of characters originally played by the same Monty Python member were reduced to one: the Dead Collector and Sir Robin (Idle), the Large Man with a Dead Body and Sir Lancelot (Cleese), and Dennis the Politically-Active Peasant and Sir Galahad.

Production history

Chicago

Previews of the show began in Chicago's Shubert Theatre (now the LaSalle Bank TheatreLaSalle Bank Theatre Overview

The LaSalle Bank Theatre is a Chicago theatre now owned by the Nederlander Organization....
) on December 21, 2004; the show officially opened there on January 9, 2005 and was practically sold-out.

Two musical numbers were dropped from Act One while the production was still in Chicago. During the scene set in the "Witch Village", the torch songTorch song

A torch song is a sentimental love song, typically one in which the singer laments an unrequited or lost love....
 "Burn Her!" was originally performed by Sir Bedevere, The Witch, Sir Robin, Lance and Villagers. At the French Castle, "The Cow Song", in a parody of a stereotypical film noir/cabaret style, was performed by The Cow and French Citizens. Before the two songs were cut in Chicago, the lead vocals in both songs were sung by Sara RamirezSara Ramírez Overview

Sara Ram?rez is a Mexican-American actress and singer....
. This gave her a total of six songs in Act One, but no further appearances until scene five in Act Two, for "The Diva's Lament".

Broadway

The musical previewed on BroadwayBroadway theatre

Broadway theatre is often considered the highest professional form of theatre in the United States....
, at New YorkNew York City

New York City is the largest city in the United States and the twelfth largest city in the world, making it a major global c...
's Shubert TheatreShubert Theatre (Broadway)

The Shubert Theatre, named after Sam S....
, 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 CurryTim Curry

Timothy James Curry is an English actor, singer and composer perhaps best known for his role as mad scientist Dr....
 as King Arthur, Michael McGrathMichael McGrath

Michael McGrath is an Irish Fianna F?il politician....
 as Patsy, David Hyde PierceDavid Hyde Pierce

David Hyde Pierce is an American actor, best known for his role as anal-retentive psychiatrist extraordinaire Dr....
 as Sir RobinSir Robin

Sir Robin the Not-quite-so-brave-as-Sir-Lancelot is a comic fictional character played by Eric Idle in the film Monty Pyth...
, Hank AzariaHank Azaria

Hank Albert Azaria is an Emmy Award-winning American actor and voice artist....
 as Sir Lancelot and other roles (e.g., the French Taunter, Knight of NiKnights who say Ni

The Knights who say "Ni" are a band of knights from the comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, feared for the mann...
, and Tim the EnchanterTim the Enchanter

Tim the Enchanter is a fictional character from Monty Python's 1974 movie Monty Python and the Holy Grail, played by Joh...
), Christopher SieberChristopher Sieber

Christopher Sieber is an American actor and musical theatre performer....
 as Sir Galahad and other roles (e.g., the Black Knight and Prince Herbert's Father), and Sara RamirezSara Ramírez

Sara Ram?rez is a Mexican-American actress and singer....
 as the Lady of the LakeLady of the Lake

The Lady of the Lake is the name of several related characters who play integral parts in the Arthurian legend....
. It also included Christian BorleChristian Borle Overview

Christian Borle is an American actor known for starring in a "That's on eBay" commercial, playing the salesclerk....
 as Prince Herbert and other roles (e.g., the Historian and Not Dead FredNot Dead Fred

The phrase "I am not dead yet" redirects here....
), Steve Rosen as Sir Bedevere and other roles (e.g., Concorde and Dennis's Mother) and John CleeseJohn Cleese

John Marwood Cleese is an English comedian and actor best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Pyth...
 as the (recorded) Voice of God.

Notable cast replacements have included the following:
  • Azaria was replaced by Alan TudykAlan Tudyk

    Alan Wray Tudyk is an American stage, film, and television actor....
     and later by Rick HolmesRichard Holmes (actor)

    Richard Homes is a contemporary American actor of the stage and screen....
    .
  • Ramirez was replaced by Lauren KennedyLauren Kennedy

    Lauren Kennedy, a native of Raleigh, North Carolina, is an actress and a singer who has most recently been seen in Monty P...
     and then by Marin MazzieMarin Mazzie Summary

    Marin Mazzie is an American actress and singer best known for her work in musical theater. ...
    .
  • Curry was replaced by Simon Russell BealeSimon Russell Beale

    Simon Russell Beale CBE is a British actor....
    , then by Harry GroenerHarry Groener

    Harry Groener is an American actor and dancer, best known for playing Mayor Wilkins in Buffy the Vampire Slayer....
     and later by Jonathan HadaryJonathan Hadary Overview

    Jonathan Hadary is an American actor....
    .
  • Sieber was replaced by Lewis ClealeLewis Cleale Summary

    Lewis Cleale is an American theatre actor and singer....
    .
  • Borle was replaced by Tom DeckmanTom Deckman (actor)

    Tom Deckman is a stage and screen actor who is currently starring on Broadway in Monty Python's Spamalot as The Historia...
    .
  • Pierce was replaced by Clay AikenClay Aiken

    Clay Aiken is an American pop singer who rose to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 20...
    .
  • McGrath was replaced by Drew LacheyDrew Lachey

    Andrew "Drew" John Lachey is an American singer and actor....
    .
  • Hadary was replaced by Stephen CollinsStephen Collins

    Stephen Weaver Collins is an American actor....
    .

North American tour

A North AmericaNorth America

North America is a continent in the Earth's northern hemisphere and almost fully in the western hemisphere....
n tour of the musical commenced in the spring of 2006, and the cast included Michael SiberryFacts About Michael Siberry

Michael Siberry is a Australian stage and screen actor....
 as King Arthur, Jeff DumasJeff Dumas Overview

Jeff Dumas is an American stage actor....
 as Patsy/Mayor/Guard, David Turner as Robin/Guard/Brother Maynard, Rick Holmes as Lancelot/French Taunter/Knight of Ni/Tim The Enchanter, Bradley Dean as Galahad/Black Knight/Herbert's Father, Tom Deckman as The Historian/Not Dead Fred/French Guard/Minstrel/Prince Herbert, Christopher Gurr as Sir Bedevere/Dennis's Mother/Concorde, and Pia Glenn (who remains slated for productions as late as June 2008) as the Lady of the Lake. Deckman moved to the Broadway production in November 2006 and was replaced by Christopher SuttonChristopher Sutton

Christopher Sutton or Chris Sutton may refer to:...
.

The tour won three 2007 Touring Broadway AwardsTouring Broadway Awards

The Touring Broadway Awards recognize outstanding achievement in Broadway plays and musicals that tour North America....
, including Best New Musical.

London West End

A LondonLondon

London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom....
 production opened at the Palace TheatrePalace Theatre, London

The Palace Theatre, London, is an imposing red-brick building that dominates the west side of Cambridge Circus....
 on Shaftesbury AvenueShaftesbury Avenue

Shaftesbury Avenue is a major London street, named after Anthony Ashley Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, that runs in a nort...
 in the West EndWest End theatre

West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre in London, or sometimes more specifically for shows s...
, commencing 30 September 2006 (London première 17 October) with tickets on sale booking to November 2008. Curry reprised his Broadway role as King Arthur until December, with Beale taking over since January. Sieber also reprised his role as Sir Galahad before leaving in early 2007, replaced by Graham McDuff. Hannah Waddingham was cast as the Lady of the Lake, Tom Goodman-HillTom Goodman-Hill

Tom Goodman-Hill is a British actor, born Tom Hill in Enfield in 1968, though he was brought up in Newcastle upon Tyne...
 as Sir Lancelot, Robert HandsRobert Hands

Robert Hands is an actor who has appeared in many TV episodes and films, includng Heartbeat, Grange Hill, The Hous...
 as Sir Robin, David Birell as Patsy, Tony Timberlake as Sir Bedevere and Darren Southworth as Prince Herbert. Notable cast replacements have included Peter DavisonPeter Davison

Peter Davison is an English actor, best known for his roles as Tristan Farnon in the television version of James Herriot's '...
 and Bill WardBill Ward (actor)

Bill Ward is an actor who plays Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street....
 in 2007 and, briefly, Marin MazzieMarin Mazzie

Marin Mazzie is an American actress and singer best known for her work in musical theater. ...
, in early 2008. Sanjeev BhaskarSanjeev Bhaskar

Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE is a British Indian comedian and actor, best known for his work in the BBC2 comedy series, Goodness G...
 takes over from Alan DaleAlan Dale

Marcus Alan Dale is an actor perhaps best known for playing the part of Jim Robinson in the Australian soap opera, Nei...
 as the current King Arthur (23rd June 2008 onwards). The London production is set to close on 3 January 2009, before embarking on a UK tour later that year.

Las Vegas

A production of the musical began Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, Nevada Overview

Las Vegas is the most populous city in the state of Nevada, United States, and a major vacation, shopping, entertainment, a...
 previewed on March 8, 2007 and opened on March 31, 2007 at the Wynn Las VegasWynn Las Vegas

Wynn Las Vegas, is a casino resort located on the famed Las Vegas Strip, in Las Vegas, Nevada....
 in the resort's newly renamed Grail Theater (formerly known as the Broadway Theater, which housed a production of Avenue QAvenue Q

mage=Avenue_Q_Playbill_Cover.jpg||name=Avenue Q|...
), with an extended balcony to allow for more seating, and a redesigned interior. As with other Las Vegas transfers of Broadway musicals, including Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot has been condensed to run in 90 minutes without an intermission. Although initially contracted to run for up to 10 years, Broadway musicals have had a mixed track record in Las Vegas. Starlight ExpressStarlight Express

Starlight Express is a rock musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Richard Stilgoe , with later revisions by Don Black and...
had a successful four-year run at the Las Vegas HiltonLas Vegas Hilton

The Las Vegas Hilton is a hotel, casino, and convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada owned by Colony Capital....
 and, more recently, Mamma Mia!Mamma Mia! Summary

Mamma Mia!, a musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, is based on the songs of ABBA....
has entered the fourth year of a successful run at Mandalay Bay, but other recent efforts, including HairsprayHairspray (musical)

mage=Hairspray Poster.gif|name=Hairspray!...
and Spamalot's predecessor Avenue Q have notably flopped.

Among the cuts required to bring the Las Vegas version of the show in at about 90 minutes include the song "All For One," most of the song "Run Away," the Knights of Ni receiving their shrubbery, and the "Make sure he doesn't leave" scene with Prince Herbert's guards.

John O'HurleyJohn O'Hurley

John O'Hurley is an American actor who is known for his career in soap operas as well as his role as J....
, best known as J. PetermanJacopo Peterman

Quotes*...
 on SeinfeldSeinfeld

Seinfeld is an American television situation comedy set in New York City that ran from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998....
and the current Family FeudFamily Feud

Family Feud is a television game show that pits two families against each other in a contest to name the most popular re...
host, stars as King Arthur. Due to the Las Vegas production, the North American touring company will not perform in CaliforniaCalifornia

California is a state spanning the southern half of the west coast of the contiguous United States....
, ArizonaFacts About Arizona

Arizona is a U.S. state located in the Southwestern United States....
, or NevadaNevada

Nevada is a state located in the western United States, best known for its widespread legalization of gambling and gaming in...
. In addition, the cast includes Nikki Crawford as Lady of the Lake, Edward Staudenmayer as Galahad, J Anthony CraneJ Anthony Crane

J. Anthony Crane is an actor. He was born in Los Angeles, California....
 as Lancelot, Justin Brill as Patsy, and Harry Bouvy as Robin.

The Las Vegas production of Spamalot closed on July 13th 2008 to make way for Danny Gans' move from the Mirage Hotel and Casino.

Australia

A new Australian production started in Melbourne in November 2007 at Her Majesty's TheatreHer Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne

Her Majesty's Theatre is a 1700 seat theatre in Melbourne, Australia....
, with the official premiere on December 1. The cast features Bille BrownBille Brown

Bille Brown is an Australian Shakespearean actor and acclaimed writer of plays....
 as King Arthur and Lucinda Shaw (whose past credits include We Will Rock YouWe Will Rock You

We Will Rock You is a song written by Brian May, and recorded and performed by Queen....
and PippinPippin (musical)

Pippin is a stage musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Roger O....
) as the Lady of the Lake, Ben Lewis as Sir Galahad, Stephen HallStephen Hall

Stephen Hall is an Australian actor and writer. ...
 as Sir Lancelot, Derek Metzger as Patsy, Jason Langley as Sir Robin and Mark ConaghanMark Conaghan

Mark Conaghan is an Australian stage, television and film actor, best known for his theatre acting and directing in Brisban...
 as Prince Herbert.

The Australian production closed April 5, 2008. Little promotion was done outside Melbourne, with the expectation the show would tour after a successful Melbourne season. Tour plans are now in doubt due both to its premature Melbourne closure, and the lack of suitable venues available during 2008 in other Australian cities.

Spain

The first translated production, in Spanish, will open at Teatre Victoria, BarcelonaBarcelona

Barcelona – Greek: ; Latin: Barcino, Barcelo , and Barceno – is the second largest city in S...
 on September 9, 2008, directed by Spanish Comedy Group TricicleTricicle

Tricicle is a Catalan group of gestual theatre consisting of Joan Gr?cia, Carles Sans and Paco Mir....
.

Other international versions

Other international productions have been rumored and planned for Germany, Italy, Israel, the Netherlands, Japan and Poland.

Reactions by Monty Python members

The show has had mixed reactions from Idle's former colleagues in Monty Python. Terry GilliamTerry Gilliam

Terrence Vance Gilliam is an American-born British filmmaker and animator, and member of the comedy group Monty Python....
, in an audio interview,name="tgint"> by Ken Plume describes it as "Python-like". John CleeseJohn Cleese

John Marwood Cleese is an English comedian and actor best known for being one of the members of the comedy group Monty Pyth...
, who is the recorded voice of God in the musical, is said to have liked it, though Michael Palin (despite his participation in the project) and Terry JonesTerry Jones

Terence Graham Parry Jones is a British comedian and writer, film director and popular historian....
 have said that it doesn't hold up to Python's style. Jones - who co-directed the original film with Gilliam - expressed his opinions forthrightly in May 2005: "Spamalot is utterly pointless. It's full of air... Regurgitating Python is not high on my list of priorities."

Coconut orchestra world record

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 SquareTrafalgar Square

Trafalgar Square is a square in central London that commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar , a British naval victory of the Na...
 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". This formed part of London's St George's DaySt George's Day

St. George's Day, April 23, is celebrated in several nations of whom Saint George is the patron saint, including Georgia, Bu...
 celebrations that year and was followed by a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Other

In 2006, the London cast of Spamalot performed excerpts at the Royal Variety PerformanceRoyal Variety Performance

The Royal Variety Performance is a gala evening held in the United Kingdom once each year, usually in a theatre in London's ...
.

On March 10, 2007, Monty Python's Spamalot partnered with HP SauceHP Sauce

HP Sauce is a condiment, a popular brown sauce currently produced in Aston, Birmingham, England by HP Foods....
 (the classic British brown sauceBrown sauce

Brown sauce can refer to one of two different things: in the United Kingdom it generally refers to a vinegar, fruit and spic...
 which is now made in HollandHolland

Holland is a region in the central-western part of the Netherlands....
 due to a contentious decision to close its factory in Britain) to produce 1,075 limited edition bottles featuring a unique Spamalot take on the classic HP design. The bottles were available exclusively via SelfridgesFacts About Selfridges

Selfridges is a chain of department stores in the United Kingdom....
, London and came in a presentation box with a numbered certificateCertificate of Authenticity Summary

A Certificate of Authenticity is a seal or small sticker on a proprietary computer program, t-shirt, jersey, or any other me...
. 1,075 was chosen to absurdly celebrate "1,075 years of the show running in London".

In July 2007 it was announced that the London production would solve the problem of replacing Hannah Waddingham as the Lady of the Lake through a TV talent show in Sweden. The programme, called West End Star, which began airing on TV3TV3 (Sweden)

TV3 is a television channel targeted at a Swedish language audience owned by Modern Times Group ....
 on December 8, 2007, announced Nina Söderquist as the winner on February 2, 2008.

On December 15, 2007, the 10 finalists were announced. These were:

  • Sandra Caménisch -35 year old full time mother of three from Stockholm with 8 week old son
  • Karin Funk - 25 year old checkout girl at Seven Eleven from Gothenburg
  • Jenny Holmgren - 25 year old student from Stockholm
  • Linda Holmgren - 27 year old cruise ship entertainer from Stockholm and older sister of Jenny
  • Petra Jablonski - 38 year old Opera singer from Västerås married to renowned concert pianist Patrick Jablonski
  • Viktoria Krantz - 31 year old show jumper from Stockholm
  • Divina Sarkany - 34 year old actress from Gothenburg
  • Nina Söderquist - 35 year old singing waitress from Stockholm (the eventual winner)
  • Susanne Petersson - 28 year old Cabaret artist from Malmo
  • Josefine Wassler - 19 year old student at Rock School from Stockholm


Nina successfully took up the role of The Lady of the Lake, with a standing ovation, on Monday 11 February 2008.

DVD VIDEO

Portions of the Spamalot original cast recordingCast recording

A cast recording is a recording of a musical that is intended to document the songs as they were performed in the show and e...
 were featured (with accompanying Flash animationAdobe Flash

Adobe Flash , or simply Flash, refers to both the Adobe Flash Player and to a multimedia authoring program used to cre...
) as a special feature in the 2006 "Extraordinarily Deluxe Two-Disc Edition" DVDDVD

DVD is an optical disc storage media format that can be used for data storage, including movies with high video and sound q...
 re-release of Monty Python and the Holy GrailMonty Python and the Holy Grail

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a comedy film released in 1975....

Awards

The original Broadway production received 14 Tony AwardTony Award

What is popularly called the Tony Award is an annual award celebrating achievements in live American theater, including mus...
 nominations, more than any other show in the 2004–2005 season. It won three of them:

  • Best MusicalTony Award for Best Musical

    1940s*1949 Kiss Me, Kate - Music and lyrics by Cole Porter, book by Bella and Samuel Spewack. ...
  • Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
  • Best Direction of a Musical


The production's eleven other nominations were:

  • Best Book of a MusicalTony Award for Best Book of a Musical

    The Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical is the Tony awarded to the librettist of the musical....
  • Best Original ScoreTony Award for Best Original Score Summary

    The Tony Award for Best Original Score is the Tony Award given to the composers and lyricists of the best original score wri...
     (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre; Eric IdleEric Idle

    Eric Idle is an English comedian, actor, author, pianist and guitarist/songwriter....
     (Lyrics))
  • Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
  • Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
  • Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
  • Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
  • Best Scenic Design of a Musical
  • Best Costume Design of a Musical
  • Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Hugh Vanstone)
  • Best Choreography
  • Best Orchestrations


The show's Tony Awards led to a minor change to the song "The Diva's Lament." Initially, the line "I've no Grammy, no reward/I've no Tony Award" became "My Tony Award/won't keep me out of Betty Ford'sBetty Ford Center

The Betty Ford Center is a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in Rancho Mirage, California co-founded by former United S...
." When Kennedy took over for Ramirez, it became "All our Tony Awards/won't keep me out of Betty Ford's." In the touring production, Glenn sings "All our goddamn awards/won't keep me out of Betty Ford's." For a change, Hannah Waddingham in the London production sings "I'm as depressed as I can be/ I've got constant PMT"

The touring production has thus far garnered Boston's Elliot Norton Award for Outstanding Visiting Production.

Television

A special edition of The South Bank ShowThe South Bank Show

The South Bank Show is a British television arts magazine show, presented by Melvyn Bragg, broadcast by ITV1 and seen in...
was a television documentary on the history of Spamalot. It features numerous segments with Eric Idle and John Du Prez explaining the process of writing the songs, plus interviews with US and UK cast members. It included scenes from the rehearsal of the West End show, and first aired on 15 October 2006.

External links

  • *, a review of Spamalot from the New York Times (registration required)
  • explaining elimination of some pre-Broadway scenes
  • from May 2005 from American Theatre WingAmerican Theatre Wing

    The American Theatre Wing is a New York City-based organization "dedicated to supporting excellence and education in theatre...
     Downstage Center,