Review: Spamalot at the Playhouse Theatre

Spamalot
Playhouse Theatre
Reviewed on Thursday 6th June 2013

I don't think there is a single person in this world who could watch Spamalot without laughing the whole way through. Regardless of whether you are a Monty Python fan or not, Spamalot provides an evening of escapism and is nothing but pure fun. The musical follows King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table as they go on a quest to find The Holy Grail.

Bonnie Langford has recently returned to the production to star as The Lady of the Lake. She is a true star and puts her all into every scene, song and dance. Her comic timing is always spot on and her vocals are incredible! Bonnie sings the score as if it was written for her and is quite clearly at home on a West End stage.

If you don't usually like going to the theatre or hate musicals Spamalot is the perfect show for you. The show has a speedy running time of just two hours (including an interval) and within  that time it manages to make fun of every musical ever written. I saw the show the same evening that Rod Stewart cancelled his concert at the O2. The couple behind me were meant to be at the concert but following its cancellation and a hellish attempt to get home they found themselves at the Playhouse Theatre's box office. The guy was moaning loudly, telling everyone that his girlfriend had dragged him along. However, I heard him roaring with laughter throughout and during the interval (or at half-time, as he called it) he asked to look at my programme. Spamalot is so rare because it really does appeal to almost anyone. 

The entire cast of Spamalot are extrememly strong. The musical allows for each cast member to have their moment in the spotlight which keeps the show fresh throughout. The cast also quite clearly have a ball and seem to love every second, their high energy performances really rub off onto the audience, during the interval everyone was buzzing.

It's hard to pick out stand out performances. However, a special mention must go to Chris Jenkins who was on for Sir Galahad (he understudies the role and is usually in the ensemble). Chris owned the stage throughout and 'The Song That Goes Like This', a duet Galahad sings with The Lady Of The Lake, was the highlight of the show for me. The lyrics are extraordinarily funny, I had tears streaming down my face. Chris and Bonnie make the perfect double act and could not have performed the musical number any better. 

Rob Delaney (who was recently nominated for a West End Frame Award for 'Best Performance of a Song in a Musical') also gives a spectacular performance, he stands out in every scene and his rendition of 'You Won't Succeed On Broadway' is simply hysterical. I also love the musical number 'The Diva's Lament' which sees The Lady Of The Lake complain about her part being boring and how she should be the star of the show. Bonnie Langford's rendition of the song is not to be missed, she performs it faultlessly. 

The show sits nicely in the Playhouse, which is a slightly smaller theatre providing a more intimate experience. Prepare to laugh, prepare to have fun and prepare to sing along to the show's finale. Spamalot may be the silliest show in the West End, but it is also the most fun.

Earlier this year I made my West End debut as 'Sir Not Appearing' during a special performance of Spamalot. Click here to read about my experience.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
andrew@westendframe.com

Spamalot is currently booking at the Playhouse Theatre until 2nd November 2013.
Joe Pasquale joins the production on 17th June for a six week run.

Click here to book tickets (save £20 at certain performances)
Click here to visit our Spamalot Week homepage.

Photo Credit: Manuel Harlan

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