Full disclosure: many Catholics may not like “Monty Python’s
Spamalot.”
Scantily clad dancers, a scene with “rude gestures” and a gay marriage
could fall into the category of likely turn-offs. That said, these elements make
up only a small portion of the Tony award-winning Broadway show that is playing
at Washington’s National Theatre.
In short, “Spamalot,” based on the 1975 cult classic movie “Monty
Python and the Holy Grail,” is utterly ridiculous. A nonsensical tale of
King Arthur (Michael Siberry) and his knights’ quest for the cup used at
the Last Supper, “Spamalot” lovingly pokes fun at every class and
culture from Finns and French to Catholics and Jews.
The show works because it’s funny — really, really funny — and
the music is engaging and unforgettable.
Audiences are kept giggling by entertaining and interesting pieces like “The
Song that Goes Like This,” where King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake (Esther
Stilwell) mock Broadway; “The Knights of the Round Table,” where,
in a song stolen from the movie, knights sing about eating “ham and jam
and spam a lot;” and “I’m All Alone,” where King Arthur
sings about being by himself as he is accompanied all the while by faithful servant
Patsy (Jeff Dumas). Patsy also takes the lead in the classic “Always Look
on the Bright Side of Life,” complete with a strolling line of whistling
knights.
The mission to find the Grail comes from God — or at least God’s
feet (voiced by one of the original Python-creators John Cleese). Brave knights
Sir Galahad (Ben Davis), Sir Lancelot (Patrick Heusinger) and Sir Robin (Robert
Petkoff/James Beaman) accompany King Arthur on his journey, each encountering
his own series of silly adventures along the way. If you’re a fan of the
film, you’ll be glad to know that classic characters like the Black Knight,
the Knights Who Say “Ni,” and the killer rabbit all appear.
The book, lyrics and music for “Spamalot” were written by Eric Idle,
who, along with Cleese, was one of the creators and writers of the film and of
its TV show predecessor “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.”
“Spamalot,” like the movie and TV show that come before it,
isn’t for everyone; there are plenty of people who don’t find this
type of humor, well, all that funny. But even if you’re not convinced by “Monty
Python and the Holy Grail,” you may want to give “Spamalot” a
try. Its lively cast and repertoire of songs are certain to have you leaving
the theatre with laughter in your heart — and maybe, just maybe, a whistle
in your mouth.
“Spamalot” runs at National Theatre through Jan. 6.
Gretchen R. Crowe can be reached at gcrowe@catholicherald.com.
