Theatre Review: Spamalot - King's Theatre, Glasgow ✭✭✭✭
Loving
ripped off from the film Monty Python and The Holy Grail and on the menu at the King's Theatre
this week is ham and jam and Spamalot!
Featuring Knights of the round table, plague, Knights who say "ni!",
French taunters, a flying cow, killer rabbit and a lengthy debate about the
migratory capabilities of the coconut, Spamalot is a hilarious
night of whimsical fun.
Reprising
his role as King Arthur, Joe Pasquale
teams up with his son Joe Tracini who
plays Arthur's hapless servant / horse, Patsy. Pasquale keeps the audience, and
his cast mates, on their toes by dotting the dialogue with ad libs and cheeky
remarks to the audience. Tracini is a scene-stealing as daft Patsy bringing
great physical comedy that creates a lovable character. He lumbers across the
stage carting an oversized pack laden with Yorkshire tea, Coco Pops and other
essentials with a light-footed dexterity that only enhances the comedic
element. Sarah Earnshaw's Lady of
the Lake is the perfect diva and her true range only becomes apparent when she
blows the roof off during the Diva's
Lament. Earnshaw is definitely and lamentably "off stage for far too
long".
Spamalot is
truly an ensemble piece with several cast members playing multiple parts. The
Knights are all excellent with Josh
Wilmott as Sir Bedevere, Richard
Meek as Sir Galahad and Will
Hawksworth as not so brave "Sir Robin". As Sir Lancelot, French
Taunter, Knight of the Ni AND Tim the Enchanter Jamie Tyler shows off his versatility. His superb comic timing
leaves the audience in stitches particularly when he tortures Joe Pasquale with an extending new name
for the Knights who no longer say "ni!". All I will say is there is a
moose loose aboot this hoose...
Particularly exceptional
is the update of You Won't Succeed in
Showbiz with on trend cultural references as well as some specific to
Glasgow which was particularly appreciated by the home crowd.
Spamalot is definitely
"not dead yet" and fantastically silly. This fanciful night out is
the perfect antidote to an unseasonably cold June in Glasgow. Remember, what
happens in Camelot, stays in Camelot!