| John O' Hurley and yours truly Carolyn Weaver after the show March 30, 2007. |
Vegas' Arts & Entertainment Corner
| “Monty Python’s SPAMALOT” Review by Carolyn Weaver |
Bride’s bouquet caught by Lisa
Bishop (wife of Bob Bishop
Afternoon Drive DJ on KWNR 95.5 in
Nevada). Media party at Lure
nightclub Las Vegas.
(You will have to see the show and I am
not sure this is done at every show.)
Bishop (wife of Bob Bishop
Afternoon Drive DJ on KWNR 95.5 in
Nevada). Media party at Lure
nightclub Las Vegas.
(You will have to see the show and I am
not sure this is done at every show.)
Monty Rock III (he was the DJ in
"Grease" the movie). Media party at
Lure nightclub Las Vegas.
"Grease" the movie). Media party at
Lure nightclub Las Vegas.
This is a must see show!
The show is based on legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. If you think you know
the stories about King Arthur well this is not that story! The show is one funny scene after another. It is
about King Arthur setting out to find his knights for the round table and their quest for the “Holy Grail.”
What a quest this becomes, it is filled with busty maidens, divas of all kinds, a killer rabbit and one
sidesplitting adventure in their search for the “Grail” that you will not forget.
I hate to give out anything, but it even has a falling chandelier. Eric Idle put everything in this show from
making jokes about other musicals on Broadway and that is what makes it so funny. Then he added
things to make it more Vegas oriented and that was so funny.
There was even a joke about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music. I found that ironic because
SPAMALOT is currently playing at the Palace Threatre in London, which is owned by an Andrew Lloyd
Webber’s Really Useful Theatres.
Eric Idle has taken everything, including a cow and put them in the show and added a little Las Vegas
humor to make it even more desirable than the Broadway show. One line in the show got a huge laugh
from the audience. Arthur was told this is not Broadway you have been there for two years…this is
“Vegas Baby!”
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” is by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry
Jones and Michael Palin. SPAMALOT features lyrics and a Grammy Award-winning score by Eric Idle and
long-time Python collaborator John Du Prez. The show is directed by Oscar and Tony Award-winning
legend Mike Nichols.
If you are not familiar with “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” which aired on BBC television from 1969 to
1974, or the re-runs of the sitcom show on PBS in the US, then you might not understand some of the
Python icons. But those familiar with the old TV show and films will understand them.
You don’t really have to know what everything is to follow along with this fun show. I talked with John O’
Hurley after the show and as he said, “Isn’t it a fun show?” I had to agree.
O'Hurley is great as King Arthur, and Nikki Crawford plays the Lady in the Lake like a real diva, plus she
has a great set of pipes. The lady can really belt out those songs. The Lady of the Lake has her “Laker
Girls” which if you are a basketball fan in the US you know that is the name of the cheerleaders for the
Los Angeles Lakers.
Arthur's squire Patsy (Justin Brill) claps two coconuts half-shells together to make the sound of horse
hoofs, which becomes funnier each time. Instead of using a real horse and Arthur (O'Hurley) of course
prances around like he is really riding a horse. He says trot and Brill (Patsy) makes the sound different...
so the various signals that Arthur gives out as to how he is riding the horse (such as jumping) makes
different sounds. It is very amusing. Brill is very good in his role, and has good comedic timing.
Steven Strafford great as Prince Herbert, and he is a great dancer too! Harry Bouvy is great as Sir Robin,
and Harry Bouvy are also very good. J. Anthony Crane gives a great performance as the French Taunter.
Also, in true Monty Python fashion of having men playing ladies, I have to give credit to Randall Keith for
playing Dennis' (Sir Galahad) mother. He does a great job and is so convincing in the role. Keith is also
Arthur’s understudy. It should be interesting to see him play this comedic role, as many may remember
him as Valjean in “Les Miserables.”
The to add a great touch of Monty Python casting, John Cleese even gets in to the act by supplying the
voice of God.
One thing about this show is that the knights play more than one role. So you have to give the costumers
credit for all those quick changes made backstage. Overall the entire cast did a great job.
The theme song of this show is, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is funny and the choreography is
great.
The set designs are so appropriate for a Monty Python type production and add to the fun of the show.
Casey Nicholaw's choreography intertwines with the numbers and goes well, including some fun with
other show songs and a bit of Jewish levity when someone says you can't succeed on Broadway if you
don't have any Jews."
I like the size of the Grail theatre it is intimate and not too large for this type of production. As you walk to
the theatre you go through a long hallway filled with SPAMALOT pictures, and suits of armor.
When you look at the “Holy Grail” as a metaphor (as King Arthur says in the show), you see that it is meant
to be something everyone looks for in their lives. Does King Arthur and his knights find their “Holy
Grail?” Well you will just have to see the show to find out.
I have not seen the show on Broadway, only the old Monty Python TV sitcoms and films. So I cannot
compare it, but I don’t like to do that as this is considered a new show in my eyes and perfect for Las
Vegas. It is a real hoot!
The show is based on legendary King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. If you think you know
the stories about King Arthur well this is not that story! The show is one funny scene after another. It is
about King Arthur setting out to find his knights for the round table and their quest for the “Holy Grail.”
What a quest this becomes, it is filled with busty maidens, divas of all kinds, a killer rabbit and one
sidesplitting adventure in their search for the “Grail” that you will not forget.
I hate to give out anything, but it even has a falling chandelier. Eric Idle put everything in this show from
making jokes about other musicals on Broadway and that is what makes it so funny. Then he added
things to make it more Vegas oriented and that was so funny.
There was even a joke about Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music. I found that ironic because
SPAMALOT is currently playing at the Palace Threatre in London, which is owned by an Andrew Lloyd
Webber’s Really Useful Theatres.
Eric Idle has taken everything, including a cow and put them in the show and added a little Las Vegas
humor to make it even more desirable than the Broadway show. One line in the show got a huge laugh
from the audience. Arthur was told this is not Broadway you have been there for two years…this is
“Vegas Baby!”
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” is by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry
Jones and Michael Palin. SPAMALOT features lyrics and a Grammy Award-winning score by Eric Idle and
long-time Python collaborator John Du Prez. The show is directed by Oscar and Tony Award-winning
legend Mike Nichols.
If you are not familiar with “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” which aired on BBC television from 1969 to
1974, or the re-runs of the sitcom show on PBS in the US, then you might not understand some of the
Python icons. But those familiar with the old TV show and films will understand them.
You don’t really have to know what everything is to follow along with this fun show. I talked with John O’
Hurley after the show and as he said, “Isn’t it a fun show?” I had to agree.
O'Hurley is great as King Arthur, and Nikki Crawford plays the Lady in the Lake like a real diva, plus she
has a great set of pipes. The lady can really belt out those songs. The Lady of the Lake has her “Laker
Girls” which if you are a basketball fan in the US you know that is the name of the cheerleaders for the
Los Angeles Lakers.
Arthur's squire Patsy (Justin Brill) claps two coconuts half-shells together to make the sound of horse
hoofs, which becomes funnier each time. Instead of using a real horse and Arthur (O'Hurley) of course
prances around like he is really riding a horse. He says trot and Brill (Patsy) makes the sound different...
so the various signals that Arthur gives out as to how he is riding the horse (such as jumping) makes
different sounds. It is very amusing. Brill is very good in his role, and has good comedic timing.
Steven Strafford great as Prince Herbert, and he is a great dancer too! Harry Bouvy is great as Sir Robin,
and Harry Bouvy are also very good. J. Anthony Crane gives a great performance as the French Taunter.
Also, in true Monty Python fashion of having men playing ladies, I have to give credit to Randall Keith for
playing Dennis' (Sir Galahad) mother. He does a great job and is so convincing in the role. Keith is also
Arthur’s understudy. It should be interesting to see him play this comedic role, as many may remember
him as Valjean in “Les Miserables.”
The to add a great touch of Monty Python casting, John Cleese even gets in to the act by supplying the
voice of God.
One thing about this show is that the knights play more than one role. So you have to give the costumers
credit for all those quick changes made backstage. Overall the entire cast did a great job.
The theme song of this show is, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" is funny and the choreography is
great.
The set designs are so appropriate for a Monty Python type production and add to the fun of the show.
Casey Nicholaw's choreography intertwines with the numbers and goes well, including some fun with
other show songs and a bit of Jewish levity when someone says you can't succeed on Broadway if you
don't have any Jews."
I like the size of the Grail theatre it is intimate and not too large for this type of production. As you walk to
the theatre you go through a long hallway filled with SPAMALOT pictures, and suits of armor.
When you look at the “Holy Grail” as a metaphor (as King Arthur says in the show), you see that it is meant
to be something everyone looks for in their lives. Does King Arthur and his knights find their “Holy
Grail?” Well you will just have to see the show to find out.
I have not seen the show on Broadway, only the old Monty Python TV sitcoms and films. So I cannot
compare it, but I don’t like to do that as this is considered a new show in my eyes and perfect for Las
Vegas. It is a real hoot!
