Overview
Synopsis
Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur’s quest to find the Holy Grail. Inspired by the classic comedy film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the musical also diverts a bit from more traditional versions of the legend. Instead, Spamalot features shenanigans including a line of beautiful dancing girls, flatulent Frenchmen, and killer rabbits. Outside, there is plague with a 50% chance of pestilence and famine. Throughout the show, Arthur, traveling with his servant Patsy, recruits several knights to accompany him on his quest, including Sir Bedevere, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Galahad. Besides the rabbits and farting Frenchman, they meet such characters as the Lady of the Lake, Prince Herbert, Tim the Enchanter, Not Dead Fred, the Black Knight, and the Knights who say Ni.
Show Information
- Book
- Eric Idle
- Music
- John Du Prez , Eric Idle , Neil Innes
- Lyrics
- Eric Idle
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Monty Python and the Holy Grail (film)
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2004
- Genres
- Comedy, Farce
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings, Spectacle
- Time & Place
- england, medieval period
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Some Dance
- Licensor
- Theatrical Rights Worldwide
- Ideal For
- Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
Spamalot was inspired by the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and was co-created by one of the movie’s writers, Eric Idle. The title, Spamalot, comes from a line in the movie: “We eat ham, and jam, and spam a lot”. The musical was written by Eric Idle, with additional music by John du Prez and Neil Innes. The musical previewed in Chicago, officially opening in January 2005. During its run in Chicago, some musical numbers were dropped from the first act. The Broadway production,
to read the context for Spamalot and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
The Historian appears to set the scene. He describes medieval England, emphasizing the widespread plague throughout the country. The Historian introduces King Arthur as the King of England but, in a comical misunderstanding, the ensemble mistake ‘England’ for ‘Finland’ (“Fisch Schlapping Song”). The Historian corrects them and the song is brought to an abrupt end. In a bleak English village, hooded monks chant in Latin before King Arthur enters with his servant, Patsy. They are
to read the plot for Spamalot and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
|
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Featured |
Male |
|
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- *Finland/Fisch Slapping Dance- Mayor and Company
- Monks Chant/He Is Not Dead Yet- Not Dead Fred, Sir Lancelot, Sir Robin and Company
- Come With Me- Lady of the Lake, King Arthur, and Company
- *Laker Girls Cheer- King Arthur and Company
- The Song That Goes This- Sir Galahad, Lady of the Lake
- All for One- King Arthur, Patsy, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad and Sir Bedevere
- Knights of the Round Table- Company
- Find Your Grail- Lady of the Lake, King Arthur and Company
- Run Away- Company
Act Two
- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life- Patsy, King Arthur and Company
- Brave Sir Robin- Company
- You Won’t Succeed on Broadway- Sir Robin and Company
- Whatever Happened to My Part?- Lady of the Lake
- Where Are You?- Prince Herbert
- His Name Is Lancelot- Prince Herbert, Sir Lancelot, and Company
- I’m All Alone- King Arthur, Patsy, and Company
- Twice in Every Show- Lady of the Lake, King Arthur
- Act II Finale- Company
- Always Look on the Bright Side of Life (Reprise)- Company
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A type of comedy that uses exaggeration, often with clowning and ridiculous behaviors, in order to entertain.
A type of song, usually early in the musical, in which the protagonist expresses their desires. The "I Want" song establishes the character's objectives.
Stories from ancient cultures about divine figures and supernatural events, often considered as a combination of literature, science, history, and religion
An artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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