I applaud in your general direction
Spamalot, Everyman Theatre, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
IF you’ve walked along Cardiff’s Castle Street of an evening and wondered where the sound of laughter and clip-clopping coconut horseshoes was coming from: don’t be alarmed. Everyman’s Cardiff Open Air Theatre Festival is back with no less than Monty Python’s Spamalot.
Now, I paid a fair amount of money to see this musical on the West End some years ago and I have to say I’m feeling pretty miffed about it.
Because this version was just as good, about 40 quid cheaper and featured Gareth Bale.
Okay, not ACTUAL Gareth Bale. But I’m pretty sure Shirley Bassey was the real deal.
Everyman has cemented itself as the home of the best outdoor theatre in Cardiff and judging by the cheers and whoops from the audience last night, it’s first theatrical offering this season has really hit the mark. For those not familiar with Spamalot, don’t be put off by the Spam part. It’s a musical take on Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
You know, with the Knights of Ni, the killer rabbit and the Frenchmen who, ahem, fart in your general direction.
Eric Idle wrote the songs and they’re hands-down hilarious, especially so in the hands of the Everyman team who hammed up every note and dance step magnificently until the laughter in the audience became uncontrollable.
A special shout-out to Laura Phillips as Lady of the Lake for her stunning vocal chords. Brian Smith got the slouch just right for King Arthur and the biggest cheer of the night went to director Richard Tunley, standing in for Paul Williams in the role of Patsy (King Arthur’s ‘horse’ and proprietor of the clip-clopping coconut horseshoes).
Matthew Preece was so versatile I had to read the programme before I realised he’d actually played four of my favourite characters.
Kudos to the whole cast and crew for putting on such a great opening to what should be an exciting season ahead. Penny Delmont Spamalot is on today at 3pm and 8pm and tickets can be bought from everymantheatre.co.uk or call 0333 666 3366