REVIEW: Spamalot, New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth

And the audience at last night’s production of Spamalot certainly left with a smile on their faces after a highly enjoyable performance.

Taking on the cinematic classic Monty Python and The Holy Grail is always going to be a tough task, but the actors on stage effortlessly took on the roles of their comedic, and mostly inept, characters.

The show, like the audience’s laughter, seemed to build as it went on. It followed the source material’s original storyline but also made time to include more modern references.

King Arthur attacking someone who we can only assume was meant to be Donald Trump was a particular highlight, but the likes of Piers Morgan and Hampshire’s own Amanda Holden weren’t safe from the actors’ mocking.

Cast-wise Rhys Owen gave a hilarious performance as King Arthur’s faithful servant Patsy – complete with the iconic coconuts – but all the knights put on a laughter-filled display.

For those nostalgic for the days of Monty Python – and the days where a first-class comedy film could be produced on a shoe-string budget rather than the millions Hollywood can produce – Spamalot is definitely worth a look.

Spamalot is at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth until Saturday, February 24.