WWOS
For the Best In Musical Theatre
THE STORY OF MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT
ALL HAIL SPAMALOT!
“Let’s not go to Camelot—it is a silly place”
In 1974, after creating some of the most inventive sketch comedy ever to enliven television screens, the six members of the group Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin) eyed the movie screen with a cheekily hilarious romp that would become a classic, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” With a script that shredded Hollywood conventions about mythic heroes, chivalry, damsels in distress, and shrubberies, the troupe headed to Scotland on a threadbare budget, acting out multiple roles in disused castles and proudly extolling the film’s low-budget roots amid the lofty scenery. (Can’t pay for horses? How about we pretend to ride them?)
In the film, a stoic King Arthur (played by Chapman) gamely leads a quest for a sacred chalice, while his knights gambol and frolic – and sing! The musical number “We’re Knights of the Round Table” was a joyous destruction of movie musicals, featuring whirling-dervish knights and squished cats. The knights had their limbs hacked and mangled (when they weren’t being cruelly insulted by the French), but it was all in good fun.
Funded by a consortium of rock groups that were fans of the TV show, production was by all accounts a somewhat miserable affair thanks to dependably wet Scottish weather, a tight shooting schedule, and the tensions that arise when two people (in this case Gilliam and Jones) are directing. But besides the pantomime horse-riding, “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” was grittily realistic in its photography and design, which made the profuse bloodletting from gladiatorial amputations and killer rabbits even funnier. Opening in 1975, the film was a hit – a cherished comedy to be quoted for years to come by generations of fans.
“ ‘Course it’s a good idea!”
During the 1980s, while meeting with Mel Brooks, Idle suggested to the comedy legend that he adapt his Oscar-winning 1968 film “The Producers” (in which a pair of Broadway shysters scheme to defraud investors by staging a sure-fire flop about Adolf Hitler) into a musical. Brooks demurred (only to return to the idea several years later, with a show that copped 12 Tony Awards), but Idle took the notion of musicalization and ran with it in the direction of medieval England.
With “Spamalot” Idle sought a return to the traditions of musical comedy in the vein of music hall/vaudeville productions of years past, when sparkling songs, blackout sketches, slapstick and silliness reigned – and “Holy Grail” seemed rich with inspiration for ribbing Broadway tropes. But Idle had to win over his fellow Pythons, who always have been protective about re-use of their material. So rather than ask for approval first to tinker with one of their most popular collaborations, Idle teamed up with composer John Du Prez (a former member of the band Modern Romance, who was arranger of the score for “Life of Brian” and composer for “A Fish Called Wanda”) to devise the show’s book and create demo versions of their new songs in secret.
The two adapted the story of the knights’ quest for the Holy Grail into a quest for Broadway, a magical land filled with song – and, oddly, Grails – and where (as Sir Robin sings) there are obstacles a-plenty to attaining your goal (the song “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway”). The film’s sketch-y narrative served the show well, allowing for the insertion of power ballads and musical numbers. Its story also provided a traditional tenet of musical theater: A protagonist striving to achieve his or her dreams (“Find Your Grail”).
While the movie’s Grail quest was kept, some of the characters were dropped or condensed. In the “Bring Out Your Dead” sketch, the two people bickering over a tentative victim of the plague (“He Is Not Dead Yet”) become Sir Robin and Sir Lancelot, who join King Arthur’s coterie. Dennis, the argumentative prole in “Constitutional Peasants,” becomes Sir Galahad. He in turn joins the Lady of the Lake in “The Song That Goes Like This,” a Broadway duet that knocks the stuffing out of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s power anthems.
Still, Arthur remains the royal center of the proceedings, but with more of a wink to the artificiality of the show (how can you be otherwise when you’re surrounded by your own cheerleading section of chorus girls?).
“Follow only if ye be men of valor!”
Idle forwarded the script and a CD of songs to the Pythons, who gave their hearty consent to the show (Cleese would even contribute a cameo appearance), in what would be the first major presentation of Python material performed by non-Pythons. A first-rate cast (Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, Hank Azaria, Christian Borle, Michael McGrath, and Sara Ramirez as the diva Lady of the Lake) all dove into the lunacy with vigor, while director Mike Nichols (whose comedic resume extended from standup routines to classic stage shows, musicals and films such as “The Odd Couple,” “Annie,” and “The Graduate”) brought the music hall frivolity to a fever pitch. Changes made to the beloved film to transform it into a stage show might understandably have alienated fans, who might greet fiddling with the Pythons’ holy canon with taunts worthy of a French knight. But rather than fart in their general direction, audiences and critics adored the show “lovingly ripped off” from the classic film. . The original Broadway production, which opened at the Schubert Theater on March 17, 2005, received 14 Tony nominations, and won three awards – for Best Musical, Best Director (Nichols), and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Ramirez). It also won Drama Desk Awards for New Musical, Lyrics, and Costume Design, and the original cast album picked up a Grammy.
The Knights of the Round Table would dance “impecc-able” on Broadway for four years, while the show went on to international success, with a 2006 London production pulling in seven Olivier Awards. Touring companies brought the show to Australia, Canada, and throughout Europe and Asia. [Malaysians, however, were prohibited from enjoying the Pythonesque hijinks, when that country’s government banned the show, in part because of how Sir Lancelot finds his Grail, nudge nudge.]
Today, more that four decades after the Pythons first pranced over the hills of Scotland on their merry quest, the hilarity of “Spamalot” continues to entertain, with performers in touring troupes and high school productions around the world reveling in the Pythons’ infectious ethos of silliness.
CAST
KING ARTHUR
Andy Moore
LADY OF THE LAKE
Esther Barnes
SIR ROBIN & BROTHER MAYNARD
Chris Hopkins
SIR LANCELOT
Bobby Youle
SIR GALAHAD (Dennis) & THE KNIGHT OF NI
George Morgan
SIR BEDEVERE & DENNIS' MOTHER
Cory Wordlaw
PATSY
Sam Webber
NOT DEAD FRED & MINSTREL
Luke Righton
HISTORIAN, TIM THE ENCHANTER & PRINCE HERBERT'S FATHER
Tom Kennedy
MAYOR, DRUNK GUARD
Dave Warsop
GUARD 1 & KNIGHT
Clarke Russell
FRENCH TAUNTER & PRINCE HERBERT
Steve Bradley
FRENCHIE & CONCORDE
David Cutler
BLACK KNIGHT
Lee Robinson
SIR NOT APPEARING
Phil Netscher
GOD
Voiced by Eric Idle
DANCERS
Ellen Gauntlett
Joanne Frazer
KateGauntlett
Kiarna Williams
Lois Wakefield
Lucy Hughes
Michelle Benn
Rachel Wonfor
Sally Smith
Samantha Drain
Savannah Milliner
Steffie Croxson
ENSEMBLE
Adrian Pope
Amanda Farrant
Barry Knight
Clarke Russell
David Cutler
David Warsop
Jeremy Gauntlett
Kim Sibley
Lee Robinson
Luke Righton
Philippa Mason
Philip Netscher
Steve Bradley
Tom Kennedy
Victoria Faint
ACT 1
The Mighty Portcullis
Moose Village
Mud Castle
Plague Village
Mud Village
The Magic Lake
Somewhere near Camelot
The Court of Camelot
At the Feet of God
The Quest for the Grail
The French Castle
20-minute Interval
ACT 2
The Very Expensive Forest
Elsewhere in the Forest
Another Part of the Forest
A Clearing in the Same Forest
On Stage at Spamalot
Prince Herbert’s Chamber in Swamp Castle
Back in the Forest
The Cave of Caerbannog
The Holy Grail Wedding Chapel, Camelot
PRODUCTION TEAM
Kevin has directed over 40 shows at The Churchill and lists Spamalot as one of his favourites! Rehearsals have been a joy with such a silly story, outlandish characters (both in WWOS and the show) and the usual society cast and crew!
Future plans include a trip up to Buxton over the summer as a guest director at the Gilbert and Sullivan festival, as well as appearing as Sir Despard in Ruddigore and, in complete contrast, a trip to the Isle of Wight playing Dennis in the Mitre Players touring production of Rock of Ages.
He will also be returning as Director here for Sweeney Todd, WWOS’s next Churchill Show.
Onwards & Upwards!
Danielle has been involved with WWOS for many years, both on and off the stage, and is delighted to be returning with this hilarious production of Spamalot. It has been a joy to work with such a fabulous cast, and she's not sure when she has laughed so much during a rehearsal period.
It has been wonderful working with both Kevin and David again, and she is very proud of the production they have put together. She hopes you have as much fun watching the show as we are having on stage.
Danielle doesn't take for granted that her hobby gives her the chance to work on shows at an iconic theatre with some of her closest friends and family, and will always be grateful to WWOS for the opportunities is provides. As always, a massive thank you to her husband for his constant support and help with the odd dance sequence.
This is David’s third show as MD for WWOS following Cats (2018) and School of Rock (2023) although he has appeared in the pit on keys or clarinet for a number of other shows dating back to Jesus Christ Superstar (2012). He was also MD for Artform’s recent production of Company (2024) at the Bob Hope Theatre.
David’s day job is Director of Music at Langley Park School for Boys where alongside annual musical theatre productions, which have recently included Singin’ in the Rain and Chicago, he also oversees a large classical and jazz programme. He can also be regularly found at the Bromley Youth Music Trust where he has been MD for a number of their musical theatre shows including Oklahoma and Sister Act but is more often found conducting orchestras and bands and accompanying young musicians. In his spare time he sings in the choir at St George’s Church, Beckenham and is a trustee for two local music charities.
DIRECTOR
Kevin Gauntlett
CHOREOGRAPHER
Danielle Grant
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
David Bullen
LIGHTING DESIGNER
Sam Blackmore
LIGHTING TECHNICIANS
Sam Blackmore
James Burden
Tom Lee
SOUND ENGINEERS
Steve Allen
Sarah Jones
STAGE MANAGER
Richard Burchell
BOARD OPERATOR
Richard Burchell
Alfie Merrifield
ASSISTANTS
Robin Mortby
Karin O'Sullivan
Eileen Mortby
Wendy Todd
Elizabeth Birchenhough
CREW
Members of the Cast
SCENERY
Scenic Projects
FOLLOW SPOTS
Stephen Challis & Joseph Faint
COSTUMES
Costume Workshop
PROPS
Kevin Gauntlett & The Mitre Players
WARDROBE MISTRESS
Josie Simpson
HAIR
Amanda Farrant
CONTINUITY
Lesley Jopling
PROOFREADER
Terry Gauntlett
WWOS BOX OFFICE
Jeremy Gauntlett
POSTER & PROGRAMME DESIGN
Jonny Faint
WWOS REHEARSAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Victoria Faint
PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY
PAUL LEHANE
WWOS FOH
Bob Faint
ORCHESTRA
KEYS
David Bullen
Daniel Beach
Jeorgie Brett
VIOLIN
Andy Pearce
REEDS
Chris Wilkes
Tracy James
TRUMPETS
Adam Furness
Matt Turner
HORN
Emma Sandford
TROMBONE
Tim Brown
GUITAR
Sam Ward
BASS
Vicki Boarden
DRUMS
Dave Hunt
PERCUSSION
John Hargreaves
CAST
Andy has played an assortment of characters over the years in plays and musicals and last year he was in 3 productions - Fagin in Oliver!, Igor in Young Frankenstein, which was performed at the amazing Minack Theatre in Cornwall, and the long suffering Russian Mr Salt in Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.
He also has done more pantos than you can shake a stick at – oh yes he has!
In his spare time, he sings swing, soul, pop & a little opera with “That’s A Mooré”.
Andy is very happy to be back with WWOS playing King Arthur after thoroughly enjoying being Brave Sir Robin in another production of Spamalot 8 years ago – promotion at last!
Esther loves to perform. She holds a BA (Hons) in Drama and Theatre and has led musical theatre workshops across Kent, recorded demos for Susan Boyle, directed and produced concerts for Maidstone Amateur Operatic Society and recently debuted as Musical Director for Kent Showstoppers. She also performs locally with her husband in their band, Northwood Acoustic Duo.
Spamalot is Esther’s first production with WWOS, and she is thrilled to be a part of such a welcoming community and excellent cast.
Credits include: Les Misérables (2005) Scrooge: The Musical (2007) Fame (2008) The Wedding Singer (2009 & 2010) Songs from the Shows (2010 - 2012) Defying Gravity Cabaret Show (2013 - 2019) Spamalot (2018) Oliver! (2019) Back to Broadway (2022) MAOS in Concert (2021-2024) Musicals and Music Through the Decades Cabaret Show (2024) Legally Blonde (MD - 2024)
Sam is thrilled to be back with this being his second show for WWOS. Having previously played Augustus Gloop in Charlie and the chocolate factory in November he’s decided to swap bratwursts for coconuts this time round. He’s been working very hard on his underbite which unfortunately he’s held for so long is now his permanent face… his girlfriend is thrilled.
Sam has loved doing this show with all its ridiculousness and cannot wait to do one of his dream roles on stage with this very talented cast and get up to some absolute rambunctious tom foolery for the next two hours.
This is Bobbys second show with WWOS, although he has performed in shows and been friends with many of the cast members for a long time.
Bobby's last show with WWOS saw him play the Villain 'Curtis' in Sister Act the Musical just before covid struck the country.
Bobby has been very fortunate to have played the role of Sir Lancelot before at The Bob Hope Theatre a number of years ago and loved the role so much he went for the role again.
Some previous parts Bobby has played are Jean Val Jean (Les Mis) Stacey Jaxx (Rock of Ages) Sam (GHOST) Nicky (Avenue Q) etc.
Bobby can't wait to perform for you all and hopes you will all be leaving with a smile on your face and looking on the "bright side of life...."
George gained experience on both stage and screen after training at KSA Performing Arts. He worked on a number of projects, including a BT advert with Ryan Reynolds and many musical theatre cabarets at the Hippodrome, Phoenix Artist Club and Battersea Barge.
Now having left the industry George celebrates his passion of performing through Amateur dramatics. George has previously performed in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sister Act with WWOS, and is delighted to be back on the Churchill stage joining King Arthur as a knight on his very round table with such a wonderful cast.
Cory has been performing with various local societies for over 30 years .
He has been fortunate enough to play many great roles including Bill in Me and My Girl , Kipps in Half a sixpence , Pseudolus in Funny Thing happened on the Way to the forum , The Lion in The Wizard of Oz, Saunders in Lend Me A Tenor ,Herod in Jesus Christ superstar , Patsy in Spamalot , Fat Sam in Bugsy Malone and Miss Understanding in Priscilla Queen of the Desert.
He has also appeared as a dancer in many other shows with WWOS and other local societies .
Spamalot is one of Cory’s favourite shows and he has loved being a part of this production .
Chris is back for his fourth show with WWOS, after making appearances in Kinky Boots, Made in Dagenham and Calendar Girls. He has absolutely no sense of loyalty, and regularly appears with Artform, Bromley Little Theatre and Bromley Players. This will be Chris' last show for a while as he priotises family and the arrival of his second child.
Special thanks always goes to his patient and understanding wife and daughter, who let him prance on stage pretending to be a Knight.
This is Tom's fourth show with WWOS, having previously played Lawrence (Calendar Girls) and Mr Mooneyham (School of Rock).
As soon as he saw that Spamalot was going to be the next show, he knew he had to be in it, no matter the part. It's the show that Tom watched on the West End and thought, "I'd love to do that."
Therefore, to not only be in the show but to play such fantastic roles as Herbert's Father, the Historian and Tim the Enchanter has made that young boy in the audience all those many years ago dreams come true.
WWOS PRODUCTION HISTORY
1935 - [GH] Iolanthe
1936 - Patience
1937 - The Mikado / The Plumbers Opera & The Pirates of Penzance
1938 - Ruddigore / The Gondoliers
1939 - The Yeomen of the Guard
1940-43 - NO PRODUCTIONS
1944 - [LH] The Policeman’s Serenade & H.M.S. Pinafore
1945 - Iolanthe / The Pirates of Penzance
1946 - The Mikado / The Rebel Maid
1947 - The Gondoliers / Merrie England (Concert)
1947 - [GH] The Geisha
1948 - [LH] Patience / Trial by Jury (Concert) / [GH] Princess Ida
1949 - [LH] Ruddigore / The Yeomen of the Guard / The Emerald Isle (Concert)
1950 - The Mikado / Merrie England
1951 - Iolanthe / The Rebel Maid
1952 - The Maid of the Mountains / Tom Jones (Concert) / The Gondoliers
1953 - Merrie England / Messiah (Concert) / [SH] The Pirates of Penzance
1954 - Ruddigore / The Geisha
1955 - The Yeomen of the Guard / Waltz Time
1956 - Love at the Inn / [AH] The Mikado
1957 - Iolanthe / The Rebel Maid
1958 - Patience / The Gondoliers
1959 - Merrie England / The Rose of Persia
1960 - The Yeomen of the Guard / Ruddigore
196 - 1Trial by Jury & The Sorcerer / The Bartered Bride
1962 - The Mikado / Die Fledermaus
1963 - Princess Ida / H.M.S. Pinafore
1964 - Engaged! / Iolanthe
1965 - The Merry Widow / The Gondoliers / Christmas Oratorio
1966 - La Belle Hélène / The Pirates of Penzance
1967 - The Grand Duke / The Gipsy Baron
1968 - Orpheus in the Underworld / The Yeomen of the Guard / Concert
1969 - Die Fledermaus / Concert / Trial by Jury & The Sorcerer
1970 - Merrie England / The Mikado
1971 - The Beggar’s Opera / La Vie Parisienne / Concert
1972 - Ruddygore (original version) / Princess Ida
1973 - Patience / The Merry Widow
1974 - Night in Venice / The Pirates of Penzance
1975 - Utopia Limited / The Gipsy Baron / 40th Anniversary Concert
1976 - La Belle Hélène / Lock Up Your Daughters
1977 - Iolanthe / The Rebel Maid
1978 - Engaged! / [CT] The Gondoliers
1979 - Concert / Orpheus in the Underworld
1980 - [WT] The Beggar’s Opera / [CT] The Mikado
1981 - [WT] Free As Air / [CT] The Merry Widow
1982 - [WT] Tarantara! Tarantara! / [CT] The Gipsy Baron
1983 - [CC] The Sorcerer / [CT] Bitter Sweet
1984 - [CC] La Vie Parisienne / [CT] The Pirates of Penzance / H.M.S. Pinafore
1985 - Die Fledermaus / [CC] Golden Jubilee Concert / [CT] Merrie England
1986 - Iolanthe / Oklahoma!
1987 - The Desert Song / South Pacific
1988 - Night in Venice / Fiddler on the Roof
1989 - Show Boat / Kismet
1990 - Calamity Jane / Sweeney Todd
1991- Carousel / Pickwick
1992 - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes / The Music Man
1993 - [AT] Guys and Dolls
1994 - [WT] The Beggar’s Opera / [CT] Olde Tyme Music Hall / The Mikado
1995 - Hello, Dolly! / Camelot / Wot No Entertainment? (VE50 Variety) / [CT/AT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
1996 - [CT] The Sound of Music / My Fair Lady / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
1997 - [CT] Me And My Girl / Kiss Me, Kate / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
1998 - [CT] The Merry Widow / Annie Get Your Gun / Olde Tyme Music Hall
1999 - Anything Goes / Olde Tyme Music Hall
2000 - Oliver! / Sweeney Todd / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2001 - [CT] Oklahoma! / Annie / [CT/TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2002 - [MT] Pickwick / [CT] Fiddler on the Roof / [CT/TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2003 - [CT] Mack & Mabel / The King and I / [CT/TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2004 - [CT/NF] The Yeomen of the Guard / [CT/TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall / [CT] Chess
2005 - My Fair Lady / The Pirates of Penzance (Broadway Version) / [CT/TT] We’ll Meet Again (VE60 Variety show)
2006 - [CT] Carousel / Titanic, The Musical / End of the Pier (Variety Music Hall)
2007 - [CT] The Witches of Eastwick / Annie / A Pair of Sparklin’ Guys (concert) / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2008 - [CT] Annie Warbucks / Me And My Girl / [LG] Les Misérables School Edition / [TT] Olde Tyme Music Hall
2009 - [CT] The Producers / The Wizard of Oz / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2010 - [CT] The Full Monty / Guys and Dolls / [NF] The Pirates of Penzance / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2011 - [AT] The Full Monty / [CT] Jesus Christ Superstar /[TT] Strictly Music Hall
2012 - [CT] Titanic, The Musical / Beauty and the Beast / [BT/GS] The Mikado / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2013 - [CT] The Sound of Music / Oklahoma! / [LP/GS] Ruddigore / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2014 - [CT/GS] The Pirates of Penzance / [CT] Calamity Jane / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2015 - [CT] South Pacific / Sunset Boulevard / [WT/GS] H.M.S. Pinafore / [CT/TT] Strictly Music Hall
2016 - [CT] Legally Blonde / Fiddler on the Roof / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2017 - [CT] Priscilla, Queen of the Desert / [WT/GS] The Sorcerer / [CT] My Fair Lady / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2018 - [CT] Cats / Follies / [WT/GS] The Mikado / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2019 - [CT] Anything Goes / Sister Act / [TT] Strictly Music Hall
2020 - NO PRODUCTIONS (COVID Lockdown)
2021 - [CT] Strictly Music Hall / Kinky Boots
2022 - [CT] Made in Dagenham / Calendar Girls
2023 - [CT] Shrek / School of Rock
2024 - [CT] Oliver!
2024 - [CT] - Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
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