SILLINESS ON STAGE: UTS BACKSTAGE REHEARSING FOR SPAMALOT

 

England 932 A.D. A Kingdom divided. Legend tells of an extraordinary leader who arose from the chaos to unite a troubled kingdom. A man with a vision, who gathered Knights together in a Holy Quest. This man was Arthur, King of the Britons!

UTS Backstage is thrilled to return once again, with its final and largest production of the year – a unique student adaption of the hilarious Tony Award Winning Musical; MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT , adapted from the original 1975 film, Monty Python and The Holy Grail, Spamalot tells the legend of King Arthur, The Lady of the Lake and The Knights of the Round Table and their quest to find the legendary Holy Grail.

First performed at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway in 2005 it was originally directed by the Master of Slickness and Comedy; Mike Nichols. SPAMALOT has been reviewed both positively and negatively by critics, dubbing the musical as ‘Utterly pointless and a money maker to the original troup’ to ‘great fun’. Since its debut in 2005, the musical has won three Tony Awards for Best Musical and has received over 14 Tony Award nominations whilst being performed across the world in Chicago, Australia and West End in London.

SPAMALOT, makes many references to the original 1975 movie; Monty Python and The Holy Grail and other Monty Python films such as The Life of Brian, through references to the ‘Lumberjack Song’, ‘the Ministry of Silly Walks’ and ‘Always look on the Bright side of life’. It is a riotous comedy that is full of misfit knights, killer rabbits, dancing nuns, ferocious Frenchmen and African Swallows.

“SPAMALOT was a chance to direct a show that is incredibly silly and fun, that is not bogged down by any political message or moral lesson”.  director Michael Karagiannakis explains, when asked why he choose to direct this musical.

“It is a unique contemporary approach to comedy, as it strikes the perfect balance between the musical numbers and acting scenes” . He further goes on to explaining why this adaption of SPAMALOT is so unique stating that he has “directed the actors to be more cynical in their performances to suit more modern comic sensibilities, gender swapped characters in every conceivable area!”

“My immensely talented cast and crew have succeeded my expectations and this production has become something that’s bigger than myself or any given person involved. If you’re looking to see a fun show staged by some incredibly talented amateurs, this show is for you!”

UTS Backstage is the resident Theatre Society at the University of Technology of Sydney. Each semester Backstage puts on an array of productions, plays, musicals and trivia/comedy nights – all entirely student run! Though only established in 2011, Backstage has its mark in the Sydney Theatre circles with performances such as the Australian premiere of Sondheim’s The Frogs in 2015, Hairspray’ in 2016 and the more recent successful and sold out performances of 2017’s The Crucible and Blood Wedding.

SPAMALOT will be performed in the NIDA Playhouse Theatre, 215 Anzac Parade, Kensington NSW 2033. The show will run from Wednesday November 22nd, through to Saturday November 25th, with curtains up at 7.30pm.

More information about SPAMALOT visit

https://www.facebook.com/events/717807941753034/?active_tab=about

https://www.facebook.com/UTSBackstage/