Spamalot is Eric Idle’s Tony Award winning revival of the 1975 classic Month Python and the Holy Grail. The non-stop fun of this musical has many recognizable gags complete with a Trojan rabbit, flying cows, a cute killer rabbit, and a limbless Black Knight. And while the production did stay true to the film from three decades ago, it also infused modern references to Broadway and pop culture.
I came to it intrigued since critics had warned that Spamalot had too many “gay jokes.” Following Lancelot’s rescue of the Prince, who he mistakenly thought was a Princess, the characters break into a humorous gay song which includes the lyrics;
“You’re a knight who really likes his night life and by day you really like to play. You can all find him pumping at the gym at the Camelot Y-M-C-A.”
They go on to include references to a gay disco, coming out and even gay marriage. While the gay jokes were highly stereotypical they are presented in a fun lighthearted way. However, I will skip most of the details and leave them as surprises for those who will see the play.
They have included one of my perennial favorite songs “Always Look on the Bright Side of Lif
e” from the Life of Brian along with a hilarious twist at the end as they search for the Holy Grail. While the traveling show does not have as much “star power” as the Broadway version the actors appear flawless.
In fact, I was so entertained throughout the production that by the end I wondered where all the time had gone. I found it amazing that the production was so much fun considering it is based on a comedy from over 30 years ago. But the same could be said about Young Frankenstein which I also enjoyed. You don’t have to be a Python fan in order to thoroughly enjoy Spamalot.
Playing October 10 – 28 at Seattle’s Paramount Theater.
Bill W (Gay Seattle Blogspot)
