The Laker Girls practise their routine ahead of the premiere night for Medicine Hat Musical Theatre's production of Spamalot.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
Mere weeks before Medicine Hat Musical Theatre was set to hit the stage with its 2020 production of Spamalot, Alberta declared a state of emergency due to COVID-19, forcing the cast and crew to postpone. Almost exactly two years later, the curtain will finally rise when Spamalot premieres April 22.
“We’re just so thrilled, after two years of the pandemic to finally be bringing back the show,” Bruce Sandford, who plays King Arthur’s sidekick Patsy, told the News.
The musical, based on the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, follows King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail. During their adventures they meet a cast of colourful characters, encounter challenges and get entangled in shenanigans of all sorts.
“(It’s) totally funny and totally outrageous. It’s Monty Python,” Sandford said with a laugh. “It’s really actually quite outlandish … and there’s a lot of hidden humour which Monty Python fans will get right away. Somebody who doesn’t know the show might laugh later on.”
Of the 24 cast and approximately 35 crew members, Sandford, who has been with MHMT since 1998, is one of the few who took part in the original production.
“It’s not like we could pick up where we left off and start again; it’s a brand new cast, really, with a few players from the last time around,” director Dave Cannon said. “Everyone’s worked really hard … We’re excited.”
Cannon believes audiences will enjoy the production, particularly as it marks MHMT’s first since the pandemic began.
“We’ve done three shows in this season so far,” Cannon said. “We did the two radio-shows … We then did the Ding Dong. Ticket sales and attendance for those three shows proved to us people are looking to come out and see and experience something live.”
Tickets for Spamalot are already more than 75 per cent sold, so Cannon recommends those interested to book in advance.
“It’s a big musical. It’s fun. It’s not necessarily politically-correct but it’s Monty Python,” he said. “We’re staying true to Monty Python by doing what we’re doing.”
Jared Brake, who plays King Arthur and has been with MHMT since 2008, believes audiences will enjoy the production just as much as the cast and crew involved.
“Everyone’s here because they love theatre, they love volunteering, they love giving back – that’s just part of the musical theatre group,” Brake told the News.
While there is no required age limit, cast and crew rate the production PG13.
“That’s not to say if you’re under 13 you can’t come and see it,” said Cannon. “There’s no real adult themes. There may be a little bit of blasphemy and some mild language (but) people can make the choice.”
Cannon, Brake, Sandford and the rest of the Spamalot cast are excited to welcome audiences back.
“Come and have some fun and enjoy the humour that is Monty Python,” Sandford said.
Spamalot runs April 22 and 23, 28-30 and May 5-7. All shows begin at 8 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase on MHMT’s website for $50.
