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Spamalot with added schmaltz
Robert Shore, Metro 27 Nov 2006
TV viewers who favoured talent show How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? semi-finalist Abi Finley may want to catch this revival of Tim Rice's 1983 medieval rock opera - essentially Spamalot with added schmaltz - written after the end of his partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Finley acquits herself honourably in the slightly pale role of Fiona, girlfriend of court minstrel Blondel. The story begins in 1189 as Richard the Lionheart sets off on crusade. When he is taken prisoner and Prince John refuses to pay his ransom, it falls to Blondel to rescue the king.
Composer Stephen Oliver died in 1992, but Rice has been busy making revisions for this spirited revival directed by Patrick Wilde. As a result, the script now features topical allusions to the Middle East. Not that Blondel is at all serious - in fact, the silliest bits are the best.
The villains get the most memorable lines and songs: Matt Harrop is eminently hissable as wicked Prince John but the laurels go to Napoleon Ryan's vengeful Assassin, who gets to rhyme 'tortured' with 'orchard'. Good, panto-style fun.
Until Dec 31, Pleasance Theatre, Carpenter's Mews, North Road N7, Tue to Sat 7.30pm, Sun 5pm (Dec 24 2.30pm only), Sat mats 2.30pm, £10 to £18.50. Tel: 020 7609 1800. www.pleasance.co.uk Tube: Caledonian Road
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (2)
This is the best show I have seen in a long time. Combining the silliness of Spamalot with the wit of Blackadder, you couldn’t want for a more entertaining musical. Abi Finley is superb as Fiona, and the singing monks are pure comedy genius. How nice to see a truly original show that can be enjoyed by all the family!
- Robert Chadwin, London, England, 28/11/2006 12:39
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Having seen both Spamalot and Blondel in the space of a week I can say that while the former is a 'fun evening' the latter is both entertaining and amusing but with a large helping of romance and yes, schmaltz!
Tim Rice has definitely updated the libretto to reflect the similarities between now and the medieval times (there are quite a few... think tithing/congestion charge - crusades/war in Iraq).
The performances are great - the musical score uplifting and varied, as one would expect from a longstanding and respected musical theatre impressario Rice. Abi Finlay (bronze winner of the 'How do you solve the problem like Maria' saturday show) is feisty, and definitely talented; Chris Grierson's Blondel is youthful, exuberant, naive and quite sexy to boot! the Monks Quartet 'heavenly' ; Prince John suitably scowling; Richard almost Blairlike (while imprisoned in Austria, one can almost sense a similarity of the angst that our illustrious leader must be feeling behind the closed doors of Number 10). There are lots of highlights, laughs and fun moments in this production - and the setting at the intimate Pleasance Theatre means that wherever you are in the audience you feel a full participant in the on stage entertainment. I would recommend this for young and old alike - think Monty Python with heart! Don't miss out - I loved it!
- Padraig Turlough, Crystal Palace, UK, 28/11/2006 11:14
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