Spamalot — Eric Idle’s musical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail runs at the Guild Hall from March 25-30
“People should come and see this play if they would like a break from reality and a really good laugh”
You won’t have to wait too long to see an adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail live onstage in Whitehorse; it looks like we already have one.
This spring, Whitehorse’s Guild Theatre is staging a production of Spamalot, the musical written by Monty Python’s Eric Idle and based on the 1975 film, which explores an absurdist take on Arthurian legend.
‘It is a completely absurd story,” says Brian Fidler, who is co-directing the play with Reid Vanier and musical director Hannah Muzarek.
“From characters pretending to ride horses by knocking coconuts together, to weird knights in the forest demanding shrubbery as payment, there is absolutely nothing in this play about our current global situation — it is just a rollercoaster of ridiculousness.”
The three-time Tony award winning stage play originally premiered in 2005 with Tim Curry in the role of King Arthur. Much like Monty Python’s nonsensical style of humour, it reached many corners of the globe, and it was only a matter of time before Yukoners got their fill.
“I saw the movie as a kid and had seen the musical a few years ago,” says ensemble member Alita Powell. “I remember laughing from start to finish, dancing in my seat during all of the big jazzy broadway dance numbers, and being so impressed by the absolute absurdity of the characters, accents, the over the top costumes, props, set and everything this show entails.”
The play will be presented on the Yukon Arts Centre (YAC) mainstage, though rehearsals took place at the Guild Hall.
“It was definitely a fun challenge to rehearse in one spot and then present the show in another location,” says Fidler. “The Guild is smaller and more compact so when we moved to the Yukon Arts Centre, we had to spread out, fill the space and make adjustments.”
With a cast of 19 people, and a whole lot of props and set pieces, the show took a great amount of creative energy on all fronts to bring to life, but with a passionate team, it was possible to bring this Broadway-sized production to a much smaller stage.
And in true Monty Python fashion, many of the actors play multiple characters, like Susie Anne Bartsch, who plays the knight Bedevere, as well as Concorde, one of the coconut-clapping horses, and Mrs. Galahad, the strangely politically astute peasant mother of mud-gatherer turned knight Dennis.
“It is very fun to be cast across the gender line, especially in a Monty Python play, where they have tended to have men playing women quite often,” says Bartsch. “This is a nice twist! I love how different each of these characters are but were all written to be played by the same actor.
“I truly love that kind of challenge. I like to make it hard for people to realize it’s the same person in these different roles. That makes it that much more fun for the audience.”
Spamalot runs at the YAC from March 25-30, with performances March 25 to 29 at 7 p.m. and March 30 at 2 p.m. Promising killer rabbits, coconuts and flying cows, this show isn’t one to miss. Tickets are priced at $40 for adults and $30 for students and seniors (65+). They can be purchased at yukonartscentre.com.
“People should come and see this play if they would like a break from reality and a really good laugh,” says Fidler. “There is nothing about tariffs or our current political situation; it is just pure, absurd, fun. If you grew up with Monty Python, you will love all of the references and the songs. If Monty Python is new to you, you will be charmed by the absurdity and ridiculousness of the script.
“The cast is absolutely incredible with a mix of newcomers and veterans. The actors are blessed with excellent comic timing, amazing singing voices and they have completely embodied their delightful characters. If you need to have a night of laughs and joy, this is the play for you!”
One thing the cast and crew all agree on is that the play offers incredible amounts of complete ridiculousness, maybe something everyone could use right now. The original 1975 screenplay by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin is still widely heralded as a comedy classic, bringing laughs just as big 50 years on.
“I think that Spamalot is something that Yukon audiences will enjoy for many reasons,” says Kyle Macdonald, who plays King Arthur.
“Firstly because everyone enjoys a show that makes them laugh, next Monty Python is something that brings back fond memories for many, and lastly simply because experiencing this show and discovering all the different characters within is a wonderful experience.”To learn more about the Guild’s production of Spamalot, visit guildhall.ca.
