Life sometimes asks us truly puzzling questions: What is your name? What is your quest? And what is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow? Quotes from Monty Python films have become an ingrained part of our lexicon, and opening this week The Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company is presenting Spamalot — the musical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table and features a array of memorable characters, not to mention cows, killer rabbits, and French people. It is packed with all your favourite moments from the film and more.
This production is directed by South Australian theatre icon, Barry Hill OAM. Barry has had an incredible life in the South Australian theatre scene as a director, performer, costumer, reviewer…the list of Barry’s achievements is extensive.
Barry spoke to Glam Adelaide about Spamalot, Monty Python and what it is about the South Australian theatre community that he loves.
“I love the camaraderie of Adelaide theatre. I love getting together to put on a project. I love the friendliness of the theatre. It’s a place where people can express themselves and feel supported doing so. You can be yourself and not feel judged.”
In 2023 Barry was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his work and commitment to the South Australian theatre community, especially his work nurturing young, up-and-coming performers.
“I was in shock when I was awarded my OAM. I thought it was a spam email when I received it. But on the day of the ceremony the Governor was so sweet and so kind and mentioned my mentoring of younger actors, which is something I’ve always been interested in. Unless we mentor younger people to take our place, theatre will just cease to exist. So it’s up to those of us that have been in theatre for a while to mentor people to take our place, basically.”
Monty Python, The Holy Grailand Spamalot hold a special place in Barry’s heart, as he shared with Glam Adelaide.
“I find the absurdity of Python humour infectious – I love the absurdity. In The Holy Grail and Spamalot, I love the fact that King Arthur, who’s been brought up as a king and probably never had formal education, can be outclassed by two very common guards in the second scene who are having a highly intellectual discussion. He has no idea what they’re talking about. And the same when he meets Dennis, who later becomes Prince Galahad, in the mud. He and his mother have a far more intellectual conversation than Arthur is capable of. So he’s either bamboozled, confused, or, when his knights are not doing exactly what he wants them to do, slightly irritated.”
There are a lot of similarities between the film and the stage production of Spamalot.
“I love and treasure the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, but I’ve heard a number of people say now, and I tend to agree, the musical adaptation, Spamalot, is more fun. I think it’s because you’re experiencing it up close and personal for a start, and there’s music. But also the characters are much larger than they were in the film – they need to be to get across the stage and into the audience. As much as I love the film version, I prefer the current version we’re doing now, to be honest.”
This production features an incredible South Australian cast featuring Gus Smith as King Arthur and Kristin Stefanoff as The Lady of the Lake. Alongside Barry on the production team, music direction is by Tammy Papps and choreography by Selina Britz.
“I’ve worked with Tammy Papps, the musical director, before several times, and we get on really well. Our choreographer, Selina Britz, I’ve directed her and she’s directed me, so it’s really great to now work alongside her on the production team. So we all know each other well and we sort of second-guess each other at times, I think, which helps. We are all on the same page and having a ball creating this incredible show together.”
Spamalot will be playing at The Arts Theatre in Adelaide for 10 performances between May 8th and 16th.
“I’m looking forward to their reaction. I can’t wait for audiences to recognize the characters, and I guarantee you there’ll be people mouthing some of the dialogue because they know it off by heart. We can’t wait to hear the audience sing-along at the end of the show when the whole cast invites them to join in with Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. It’s just such a familiar show to people that love Python that they’ll warm to it and I think they’ll very quickly react and cheer along.”
Grab your coconuts, gather your fellow knights and gallop to the Arts Theatre to join King Arthur and his knights for a hilarious night at the theatre.
Spamalot
May 7th – 16th
www.metmusicals.com.au
