Lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot brings the absurd humour and iconic sketches of Monty Python to the stage in musical form.
With book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, and choreography by Suzi and Jamie Rolton, the production embraces the silliness and satire that Monty Python devotees know and love.
The choreography works hand in hand with the comedic elements of the show, adding to the laughs and helping maintain the pace and energy throughout the production.
Chris McCafferty plays a serious portrayal of King Arthur on a quest to assemble a group of knights to sit around the Round Table. His performance of I’m All Alone is delivered with sincerity, which adds to the comedy of the moment.
However, at times his performance needs to be bigger and more dramatic, particularly in the scene where he dismembers the Black Knight, and his miming of mounting a horse and galloping around the stage, for me, lacks the required comedic edge.
Jamie Rolton, as Patsy, Arthur’s offsider, does a fantastic job dancing and performing with a backpack on throughout the show. His facial expressions add to the comedy of the scenes he shares with McCafferty. Rolton’s Patsy, with his coconuts and dopey facial expressions, is wonderfully comedic and helps lift his scenes with the King.
Ethan Battle, Noah Skape and Jake Tolich, as the Knights, work well together and display great comedic timing in delivering some of the more memorable Monty Python lines.
Holly Easterbrook, as the Lady of the Lake, steals the show with her powerful and melodic voice. Her rendition of Find Your Grail is reminiscent of a Celine Dion performance from the hit Broadway show Titanique, while Zac Porter’s performance in the French Taunter’s scene is one of the comedic highlights of the first act. He cleverly spits out the many taunts with speed and vigour.
Director Drew Anthony uses the animated backdrop by Aquixel Studios to once again add to the visionary magic of the stage. The Black Knight scene is cleverly achieved through animation, while Eric Idle himself makes an appearance via video, playing the part of God.
Whilst I have an appreciation of Monty Python’s humour, often described as satire mixed with intelligent silliness, I’m not entirely convinced the collection of skits from the movie, woven into a musical works.
However, judging by the response from the audience on opening night, Monty Python devotees will undoubtedly love Spamalot and have a joyous time reliving the hilarious and timeless scenes from the movie, performed by a talented and slick cast.
Spamalot
Planet Royale, 12 Lake Street, Northbridge (Perth)
Performance: Friday 22 May 2026
Season continues to 7 June 2026
Bookings: www.ticketmaster.com.au
For more information, visit: www.drewanthonycreative.com.au for details.
Images: Chris McCafferty as King Arthur with Knights in Spamalot – photo by Amanda Humphreys | Jamie Rolton as Patsy and Chris McCafferty as King Arthur in Spamalot – photo by Amanda Humphreys | Holly Easterbrook as Lady of the Lake and Jamie Papanicolaou as Sir Galahad in Spamalot – photo by Amanda Humphreys
Review: Craig Dalglish