Spamalot comes to Birmingham
One of Britain's best-loved big screen comedies will arrive on stage at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre later this year - but one of the show's stars admits he's never seen the show.
One of Britain's best-loved big screen comedies will arrive on stage at Birmingham's Alexandra Theatre later this year - but one of the show's stars admits he's never seen the show.
Monty Python's Spamalot, a musical adaptation of the iconic Holy Grail film, will battle the pantos in a four-week run.
The cast features former EastEnders and Grange Hill star Todd Carty, as dishevelled servant Patsy and I'd Do Anything winner Jodie Prenger as Lady of the Lake.
Stars in their Eyes veteran Matthew Kelly will take on the leading role of King Arthur for the Birmingham shows.
The lure of bubbly West Midlands audiences was a big factor in him choosing to take the part but he has got work to do.
At the launch yesterday, said: "I have never seen the show. I'm actually in the middle of rehearsals for another show, I have no idea what's going on.
"But they asked me to come to Birmingham and I love it here so I said yes. I really do have a great fondness for Birmingham.
"I haven't been here for a couple of years, it's looking very confident.
"There's lots of building, it looks like a place that knows where it's going."
Matthew will pack his rehearsals into a two-week block and he already knows the words to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, which features in the play.
Todd Carty, better known as Albert Square's Mark Fowler, grapples his first ever singing role in the show and is thrilled to be involved in a comedy and have a leading role in its most famous song.
He said: "I've learned so much while touring with the show. I know how to put one foot in front of the other and somebody said that I can hold a tune. Birmingham has had an amazing regeneration.
"It's changed so much since I used to come here as a young West Ham fan and see Villa beat us five or six nil."
Several of the shows bigger numbers are belted out by I'd Do Anything winner and Oliver! star Jodie Prenger.
She believes the Midlands run is perfectly timed, as it will allow her to do her Christmas shopping at the Bullring.
The show, penned by Eric Idle and "lovingly ripped off from the Holy Grail film," runs from December 7 to January 1.