All in a Knight’s Work…
Spamalot? It’s the big MAMA show!
Cheeky, cheerful and packed with a bunch of risque references, Monty Python’s Spamalot at the Brunton from Wednesday, is something of a change of style for the Musselburgh Amateur Musical Association.
The company has a strong but solidly traditional track record with the likes of Carousel, Annie Get Your Gun and Anything Goes featuring highly on its repertoire. However this year, it takes its inspiration from the title of the last of these, to step out into decidedly new territory.
Alison Henry and Mark Becher as the Lady in the Lake andKing Arthur. Photo Kit Millar
So it is that MAMA is asking its audience to look on the bright side of life, and join it from Wednesday 5 to Saturday 8 April 2017 for Monty Python’s Spamalot – the musical which has been “lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail”.
At the helm will be Longniddry local Justin Skelton, who just happens to have 25 years experience as an actor and director, having appeared on London’s West End and most major theatres up and down the UK.
Skelton said: “This talented, diverse and unique company lends itself perfectly to Eric Idle’s outrageous script. I am very excited about bringing our very own MAMA spin to this hilarious show.”
Holy Grail
Joining Skelton on the production team are Julie Durham as Musical Director and Lisa McLeod, who is taking on the choreography duties.
A lot of Spam. Photo Kit Millar
MAMA’s Spamalot features Mark Becher as hapless King Arthur who, with his coconut clip-clopping horse Patsy, sets off around the country in search of the Holy Grail. Including, we understand, a stop in the Honest Toun itself.
Along the route are Knights who say “Ni”, French taunters, the Black Knight and Prince Herbert – and some characters who are less recognised by fans of Monty Python. The Lady of the Lake and her Laker Girls, some confused Finnish villagers and an exasperated history professor.
Justine Hartill has been spending her winter evenings honing her clip-clop skills on the coconut, getting into readiness for taking on the key role of Patsy.
Diva
Hartill is, she says: “relishing the role of playing King Arthur’s horse, following in the footsteps of Todd Carty and Warwick Davis in singing Python’s signature song, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”
Mark Becher and Justine Hartill put in some riding practice at Musselburgh Racecourse. Photo Kit Millar
The last words (and such showstopping tunes as ultimate musicals parody: The Song That Goes Like This) have to go to the diva of the piece, the Lady of the Lake, played by Alison Henry. Usually found managing a local after school and breakfast club, Henry occasionally performs in the Peebles Hydro.
Speaking of her role with MAMA, Henry says she “can’t wait” to demonstrate her vocal skills on stage – and “make sure that Arthur, his Knights and all the other characters in Spamalot don’t get waylaid by some of the unusual characters that they meet – all whilst playing one of musical theatre’s biggest Divas.”
Although Spamalot comes with an age recommendation of over 12s, the East Lothian premiere of this triple Tony Award winner (including best musical in 2005), is perfect timing for the Easter Holidays.
Listings
Monty Python’s Spamalot
The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh EH21 6AA. Phone booking: 0131 665 2240
Wednesday 5 – Saturday 8 April 2017.
Evenings: 7.30pm. Sat Mat: 2pm.
Full details and tickets from: www.thebrunton.co.uk
MAMA Links
Website: http://mamaonline.co.uk
Twitter: @MAMAmusselburgh
Facebook: mamamusselburgh
The OCR is available from Amazon. Click on the image below to buy.
ENDS
