We’re knights of the round table
We dance when e’re we’re able
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
People tell me “Oh, I’m not a Monty Python fan.” Therefore, they haven’t seen Spamalot, and don’t intend to go. I used to buy that excuse, but not anymore. Are you a fan of laughing? Do you just like being silly sometimes? Yes? Go see Spamalot. No excuses!
There’s an excellent production of this crazy musical now on the outdoor stage at The Grove Theatre in Fenelon Falls. It’s a beautiful setting, the bugs didn’t bite on opening night, and it was well worth of trip. And more importantly, there is one laugh-out-loud moment right after another.
It helps if you know the Arthurian legends: the story of a mythical place called Camelot, and the fictious King Arthur of Briton, who has a band of knights serving him. They sit at the round table to show they are all equals. Somehow the cup from which Jesus drank his wine at the Last Supper is missing. Better known as the Holy Grail, this cup becomes much sought after, as King Arthur and the knights are sent on a quest to find it.
If you think you need more background, see the musical Camelot. But if all this makes sense so far, see the musical Spamalot.
Frankly, the silliness of Spamalot reminds me more of the legendary Canadians Wayne and Schuster than Monty Python. Wayne and Schuster were brilliant at taking something from the history books or Shakespeare, and skewering it into hilarious satire.
In Spamalot, a historian opens the show, talking about the plague as if it’s a weather report for England. Just then dancers from Finland perform their country’s Fisch Schlapping Dance. I’ll leave that for you to see. But the angry historian has to announce that the show is about England, not Finland!
King Arthur is well played by Sean Cox, one of the originators of The Grove Theatre. He decides to search for the Holy Grail, taking it quite seriously, and therein lies the humour. Cox delivers a look or a move, making the audience laugh at the situation he’s in.
Arthur is accompanied by Patsy – is Patsy a horse or a man? Who knows? But Patsy gallops, canters and trots, using two halves of a coconut to create the sound. Ben Skipper is the perfect Patsy, trying to keep Arthur in check. His reaction to Arthur when he sings “I’m all alone” is priceless.
Jeremy Lapalme is hilarious as Dennis Galahad, spewing his political beliefs to the King. Then there’s “The Song That Goes Like This”—a duet he sings with the Lady of the Lake, who happens to be his real-life wife, Gabi Epstein. Lapalme also plays the Knight who has both arms and legs lopped off, claiming it’s nothing more than a flesh wound. He is also the rather nasty father of Prince Herbert. His comedic timing is perfect in all the situations.
Epstein is outstanding as the Lady of the Lake, and as lyrics in their duet go, she overacts like hell. “The Song That Goes Like This” mocks the big love songs in musicals. Epstein, true to her vow, overacts the song hilariously. In fact, she creates laughter with all the Lady’s attention-getting actions.
Trek Buccino is excellent in several roles – he is Not Dead Fred, and later Fred the Minstrel. He is also the very funny Prince Herbert who longs to be rescued from his father’s castle. Fortunately, the very funny Lancelot played by Scott Pietrangelo saves Herbert. Pietrangelo is also the fearless Frenchman that gives the King and Knights a horrible fright with his taunts.
The rest of the cast are all brilliantly funny. Special mention goes to the dancing show girls for their entertainment.
When the Knights who say Ni demand a Broadway show, the quest changes direction. The usual song is updated to include tributes to famous Canadian actors which is greeted with laughter.
The sets are marvellous, too. From the castle parapets to the hand-grenade explosion, from the huge Holy Grail to the wooden Trojan rabbit, every detail is covered.
In all, the entire show is a hysterical send-up of musical theatre traditions. Some of it is clever satire, but mostly, it is just plain silly.
Congratulations to director Lezlie Wade. She calls this production “riotously irreverent”, which it is. Fortunately, it comes at a time when we could all use a good laugh. Check the schedule and book your tickets.
Spamalot continues in repertory, at The Grove Theatre, 27 Veterans Way, Fenelon Falls, ON, until August 30, 2026. Visit https://www.grovetheatre.ca/ or contact boxoffice@grovetheatre.ca for tickets.
Photo: Cast of Spamalot at Camelot to find a Broadway Show!
Spamalot
Book & lyrics by Eric Idle
Music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle
Lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Hold Grail
From the original screenplay by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin.
Directed by Lezlie Wade
Musical Direction by Peter Aylin
Choreography by Kerry Gage
Performed by Isaac Bell, Trek Buccino, Sean Cox, Eric Dahlinger, Gabi Epstein, Charlotte Grutter, Jeremy Lapalme, Alyssa Lyn, Ashara MacGregor Mansilla, Cadence Oatt, Scott Pietrangelo, Ben Skipper, Maya Thomas, Suchiththa Wickremesooriya.
The Grove Theatre, Fenelon Falls
July 5 to August 30, 2026
Reviewed by Mary Alderson