LET'S HAM AROUND IN “SPAMALOT”

                      THE KNIGHTS OF CAMELOT  
                      PHOTO BY GERRY GOODSTEIN

For serious drama about King Arthur and his legendary Knights of the Round Table, historically accurate and brimming with authenticity, then you’re looking under the wrong toadstool in the forest. “SPAMALOT” is definitely not the show for you.

If, however, you’re a fan of Monty Python and you enjoy spoof and farce and laughter, then get in line at UCONN’s Jorgensen Theatre on the campus in Storrs for some super silly stuff about killer rabbits, flying cows, the feet of God, showgirls and a quest for the Holy Grail.

Monty Python is not a person but a troupe of six comedians - John Cleese, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliamo and Eric Idle - who in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s had a popular TV show in Britain and did comic sketches. "Monty Python’s SPAMALOT” was made into a best selling musical from the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” with a book by Eric Idle, score by Eric Idle and John Du Prez and direction by UCONN alum and actor Richard Ruiz .

Characters of note in the play include King Arthur, the Lady of the Lake, Sir Dennis(Chester Martin), Sir Lancelot (Bryce Wood), Patsy (Gavin McNicoll), Sir Robin (Nick Nudler), Prince Herbert (Ryan Rudewicz) and Sir Bedevere (Kent Coleman). At the regal head of the cast are Richard Kline as King Arthur and Mariand Torres as the Lady of the Lake.   Legendary tunes include “Not Dead Yet,” “Knights of the Round Table,” “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “Brave Sir Robin,” “The Song That Goes Like This” and “Find Your Grail.” Overacting becomes an art form in this 2005 Tony Award winning show for Best Musical.

If you are aspiring to be one of King Arthur’s courageous knights, then don’t pay any attention to what you see on stage. Chivalry may well be dead because it is overwhelmed with laughter.

The great adventure leads the merry lot to the taunting of the French at a castle and a giant wooden rabbit, to the dangers of the forest and the need for new shrubbery, to the unusual chambers of Prince Herbert and an encounter with a killer rabbit who guards the secret of the Holy Grail’s location. Through it all, the infectious merriment will enchant you.

For tickets ($7-36), call the Connecticut Repertory Theatre at 860-486-2113  or online at www. crt.uconn.edu.org. Performances are  Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Gallop along with King Arthur and his merry band of followers, to the rhythmic tune of clomping coconut shells, as they memorably, mischievously and musically set off on their classic quest for fun, fortune and fame.