Spamalot Congress Theatre Eastbourne

Spamalot

Congress Theatre

Eastbourne

22-26 March 2011

Show seen 23 March

Cast

King Arthur - Phil Jupitus
Patsy - Todd Carty
The Lady Of The Lake - Jessica Martin

also

Robin Armstrong
Samuel Holmes
David Langham
Simon Lipkin
Graham MacDuff
Eric Idle (video)
Philip Catchpole
Rachel Knowles
Kit Orton
Amy Papa
Tim Bonser

Paul Bullion

Persephone Fitzpatrick

Well I think most people must be aware that this is the musical version of Monty Python and The Holy Grail? Monty Python was a controversial TV series you either loved or loathed. It was screened by the BBC from 1969 to 1974 and has resulted in spin offs such as the 'Holy Grail' and 'Life of Brian' movies, books and even this tour!

Only 500 or so people in the Eastbourne audience for this performance. But I don't think that has much to do with the shows quality but more with Eastbourne's demographics. Put it this way I can't see many of Eastbourne's more devout elderly churchgoers going along to pay homage to Eric Idle!

However if, like me, you're an atheist or despite being religious you are equipped with a good sense of humour then this is a great show just to have a bloody good laugh. I even suspect that many in the audience were a bit like my wife - going along to keep the other half happy and swearing they wouldn't like it.

I think it's always a good thing if a show can get an "I enjoyed that" comment from somebody who swears they are going to hate every minute! This production managed it though.

'Holy Grail' is certainly not the most controversial God-mocking tale that could be told on stage. 'Life of Brian' is far more likely to cause offence. Personally I'd love to see this happen. Thanks to being the victim of a car-keying pastor together with his strange beliefs including that council flower beds are God's provision for people who can't afford florists (he was the final cause of my non-belief) I'm always up for a bit of religious humour.

In this production we have King Arthur in his hilarious search from the 'Holy Grail'. The Spamalot tour has four well known personalities covering the role and Eastbourne was rewarded with comedian Phil Jupitus.

I have to be honest I don't watch a lot of telly and I wasn't too familiar with Jupitus but I thought he was excellent as the monarch as he trekked from country to country in search of his quest.

Most of his time on stage he is accompanied by former Eastenders and Dancing On Ice star Todd Carty. Carty couldn't be any better in playing the ruler's assistant Patsy. With quite possibly the funniest role in the whole show everything about Patsy raises a laugh. The script, the facial expressions and of course those unforgettable coconuts! Whilst he may be touring with 4 different Arthurs and 3 ladies of the lake Todd is more than happy to be undertaking the whole tour. He has been quoted as saying this is his favourite role since he played 'Tucker Jenkins' in Grange Hill.

Todd also gets the privilege of singing the key track "Always look on the bright side of life" and a key Patsy moment has to be his hysterical performance during  the company's delivery of "I'm all alone".

The multi talented Jessica Martin plays King Arthur's love interest, The Lady Of The Lake. This actress, comedienne and former Spitting image impressionist is great and 'The song that goes like this' and its reprise has to be one of her highlights.

Those may be the 'stars' but let's not forget the others who all contribute to make this a great show. Samuel Holmes, David Langham, Simon Lipkin and Graham MacDuff are all perfectly suited to their respective roles and very, very funny.

The set is simple, yet colourful and functional as the castle gateway represents the entrance to many different locations in the story.

The orchestra is located behind the set (sometimes visible, sometimes not). This always helps with all lyrics being able to be heard clearly in the auditorium.

I wouldn't go as far as to say that Spamalot is the greatest musical of all time but it is a really good excuse to forget any troubles you may have and to go and have a really good laugh which is what we had in Eastbourne.

With a cast as good as this one was I'd gladly enjoy this tale again including those wonderful Knights who say 'Ni!' and their desire for a 'shwubbery' together with all the other historical nonsense.

Incidentally all 3 of the main stars kindly did a Great Ormond Street Hospital charity signing for me - for further details click any picture above and view the details on the appropriate image in my GOSH gallery. You may wish to bid on some quite unique items to support this worthy cause.

The Business Of Murder Todd Carty Devonshire Park Theatre Eastbourne Review 19 Aug 2008

CAST

Todd Carty - Hallett
Nick Waring - Stone
Jacqueline Roberts - Dee

For play writer and TV script editor Richard Harris The Business Of Murder is his longest-running play.

The Success of BOM is not surprising given the fact there are only 3 characters in this murder mystery

and yet those characters have the ability to keep you guessing to the very end.

The role of D.I. Hallett was

originally cast to former Coronation Street actor Stephen Beckett. Stephen, however, was already cast for another

murder mystery on tour - Murder with Love. The change was sudden so Stephen still appears in the theatre programme,

whilst some leaflets were hurridly printed featuring former Eastenders star Todd Carty.

It is a change that made no difference whatsoever to the quality of this intense thriller though. Todd is, of

course, no stranger to playing an officer of the law following his appearances in The Bill as PC Gabriel Kent.

The role itself was not new to Todd either as he had undertaken it earlier in the year. However, in February 2008, in

the same play at Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage, Todd collapsed on stage. Some reports say he was also violently sick.

Subsequent news reports said it was a suspected heart attack. Fortunately it wasn't. Todd actually had a middle-ear infection and had run out of medication.

That was great news for him and good news for us to see such a super performance from him in BOM. This particular character needs to show every type of emotion at some time in the play - everything from simple police curiosity to utter panic. Todd delivers the goods faultlessly and he also really looks the part - a sort of younger Columbo!

So that's Todd but there's two others in this.

Nick Waring plays the creepy and sly Stone. And believe me he does creepy well! Hope he's different in real life (fortunately he is) as if he behaved like this with friends and family I think they'd keep a wide berth! Nick's delivery of the script reminded me of old movies of the notarious Dr Crippin. Creepy, devious and downright odd at times.

Jacqueline Roberts plays Dee. Now this is where a very clever change in the original script came into play.

Jacqueline was walking (well hobbling) around the stage with the assistance of a crutch. We had thought this was
part of the play. But not so. She had actually had a very serious injury to the foot following an accident at home.

But she still wanted to go on with her part in the thriller. So some very clever changes were made to the script where, on many occasions the crutch became an important prop and highlighted the helplessness of Dee.

It worked so well perhaps Ian Dickens productions may want to leave the crutch in future tours? Although seriously injuring your cast member to make them need a crutch is not recommended.

Having met , the very friendly, Jacqueline twice now we were quite looking forward to seeing her advertised forthcoming role in Eastenders as Vinnie's love interest Daphne (Daphne! Come on does she really resemble a Daphne?!). However as glamorous as she was in her appearance, I hope you caught it, because it was a blink-and-you've missed it moment. Personally, I think this was a missed opportunity for Eastenders as she's a great actress, but having said that at least you can put Eastenders on your C.V. Jacqui - nobody will ever need to know it was 30 seconds long! Well you've done The Bill as well Jacqui so you really need to aim for Corrie next perhaps for something slighly more lengthy than buying Hello magazine in the Kabin or a hairdo by Audrey. Come on casting agent's she plays a great vamp - let her corrupt Kevin Webster or have Ashley for lunch or something!

This was a superbly acted murder mystery with good twists and turns and with a great cast. It was also good to meet all 3 friendly actors and I know Todd was still conversing with a fan at the stage door long after we had left.

Incidentally, Jacqueline made a good recovery from her severe foot injury - see my later review for Murder With Love.