Based on the cult 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the uproariously funny musical follows King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table on a jaunty quest to find the renowned relic. Original Monty Python member Eric Idle wrote the music and lyrics, and had a prominent place a the 2012 Olympic Closing Ceremony singing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” which features prominently in the musical. Other musical highlights include “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Knights of the Round Table,” and “The Diva’s Lament (What Happened to My Part?).” The show first opened on Broadway, winning the 2005 Tony Award for Best New Musical. Its subsequent West End production opened in 2006 at the Palace Theatre and ran for just over two years, featuring among its cast Tim Curry, Simon Russell Beale, Hannah Waddingham, Peter Davison, Marin Mazzie, and Sanjeev Bhaskar.

Monty Python are considered comedy pioneers, with their TV series Monty Python’s Flying Circus running for five years starting in 1969 on the BBC and subsequently being exported throughout the world. Alongside Idle, original members included John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, and Terry Jones.

Cast and Creative Information

Monty Python’s Spamalot features a book and lyrics by Eric Idle, with music by John du Prez and Eric Idle. Directed by Christopher Luscombe, this new production features Ballykissangel star Stephen Tomkinson as King Arthur.

Critics’ Reviews

‘I’d go so far as to say that it should be prescribed to all on the NHS. It’s not just a singalong bout of “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” that sends an essential fillip of happiness coursing through you – it’s every ruddy scene.’
Dominic Cavendish, The Daily Telegraph

“The show earns a sizable thumbs-up.”
Kate Bassett, The Independent

“I enjoy the silliness of sketches such as the opening Fisch Schlapping Song and the rude, raspberry-ripping Frenchies who hurl insults from a castle wall.”
Quentin Letts, Daily Mail

Synopsis and Song List

King Arthur and his loyal servant Patsy set out on a quest to find knights to join his Round Table. Along the way he manages to collect a ragtag band of misfits including Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot, and Sir Not-Appearing-in-this-Show (who understandably only makes a brief appearance). After they manage to repel a French invasion before encountering the Black Knight, who insists they come up with a musical and take it to Broadway, and the Knights are only too happy to comply.

Act I

• Overture
• “Historian’s Introduction to Act I” – Historian
• “Finland” / “Fisch Schlapping Dance” – Mayor and Company
• “Monk’s Chant” – Company
• “King Arthur’s Song” – King Arthur, Patsy
• “I Am Not Dead Yet” – Not Dead Fred, Lance, Robin, and Bodies
• “Come With Me” – King Arthur, Lady of the Lake, and Laker girls
• “Laker Girls Cheer” – Laker Girls
• “The Song That Goes Like This” – Sir Galahad and Lady of the Lake
• “All for One” – King Arthur, Patsy, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad and Sir Bedevere
• “Knights of the Round Table” – Company
• “The Song That Goes Like This” (Reprise) – Lady of the Lake
• “Find Your Grail” – Lady of the Lake and Company
• “Run Away!” – Company

Act II

• “Historian’s Introduction to Act II” – Historian
• “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” – Patsy, King Arthur, Knights, and Knights of Ni
• “Brave Sir Robin” – Sir Robin and Minstrels
• “You Won’t Succeed On Broadway” – Sir Robin and Ensemble
• “The Diva’s Lament (Whatever Happened to My Part?)” – Lady of the Lake
• “Where Are You?” – Prince Herbert
• “Here Are You” – Prince Herbert
• “His Name is Lancelot” – Sir Lancelot, Prince Herbert, and Ensemble
• “I’m All Alone” – King Arthur, Patsy, and Knights
• “Twice in Every Show” – Lady of the Lake and King Arthur
• “The Holy Grail” – King Arthur, Patsy, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot, Sir Galahad, Sir Bedevere, and Knights*
• “Act II Finale” – Company
• “Always Look On the Bright Side of Life” – Company and Audience

Show Length and Times

Evening performances for Spamalot will run Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2:30pm . The running time is 2 hours including a 15 minute interval.

Official Tickets

Official tickets for Spamalot can be purchased by using the search form at the top left-hand corner of this page.

The post Spamalot appeared first on Playhouse Theatre London.

Singin’ in the Rain

Based on the 1952 classic film, the stage version of Singin’ the Rain has been one of the biggest hits to open in the West End. Featuring all of the movie’s memorable songs including “Good Morning,” “Broadway Melody,” and “Make ‘em Laugh,” it tells the story of the silent film industry struggling to cope with the advent of sound. Hollywood’s biggest on-screen couple, Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, face an uncertain future given Lina’s squeaky voice, until Don finds a young stage actress named Kathy Seldon to dub all of her lines. This stage spectacular has all the pizzazz of the film, and you won’t believe your eyes when that famous title sequence is recreated onstage (there are even splash zone seats at the front of the stalls for those who want to really be a part of the action!).

For tickets, click here.

Jersey Boys

Fans of the Dreamboats and Petticoats soundtrack will love Jersey Boys, the true story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Charting their rise from four unknowns in New Jersey to the height of fame in the 1960′s. Despite their often turbulent relationships behind-the-scenes, they produced some of pop’s greatest songs of all time, all of which you’ll see performed onstage with a live band, including “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Beggin’,” “Working My Way Back to You,” “Walk Like a Man,” and “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)”. This smash-hit musical won both the Olivier and Tony Awards for Best New Musical, and it has been a firm fixture in the West End since opening in 2008.

For tickets, click here.

Top Hat

Another classic musical that has been brought to the stage this year with wonderful results, Irving Berlin’s Top Hat waltzed its way into the West End this spring and has been delighting audiences ever since. In the 1930′s, Broadway hoofer Jerry Travers finds himself in London, and after a chance encounter with a beautiful socialite, he dances his way across Europe in pursuit of her. Featuring some of Berlin’s most iconic numbers, including “Cheek to Cheek,” “Let’s Face the Music and Dance,” and “Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails,” this charmer will have you dancing your way home.

For tickets, click here.

The post If You Liked Dreamboats and Petticoats, You’ll Love… appeared first on Playhouse Theatre London.

THIS SHOW IS CLOSED. YOU CAN NOT BOOK TICKETS.

Simon Callow brought his acclaimed one-man show The Mystery of Charles Dickens to the Playhouse Theatre for a limited run through 10 November 2012.

Written by Peter Ackroyd, the play tells the story of one of Britain’s most celebrated authors who wrote beloved classics such as A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, A Tale of Two Cities, David Copperfield, Oliver Twist, and Nicholas Nickleby. Taking inspiration from the recitals Dickens himself gave all around the world, the production gave a taste of Victorian life in the words of the man who described it best. In this exhilarating tour de fource, Callow brought Dickens’ story to life, as well as 49 of his well-known characters from Bill Sikes to Miss Havisham. The Mystery of Charles Dickens first premiered in 2000 before being revived in 2002. This production marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens.

There was a post-show Q&A with Simon Callow after all Wednesday matinee performances from 26 September to 24 October.

Cast Information

Simon Callow’s exceptional career in theatre includes playing Mozart in the original production of Amadeus, The Woman in White, Waiting for Godot, and Equus. His film and television appearances include Four Weddings and a Funeral, Shakespeare in Love, The Phantom of the Opera, Acts of Godfrey, Jamie’s Dream School, and Doctor Who, while he has also appeared as a judge on Popstar to Operastar. His most recent appearance in the West End was in his one-man show Being Shakespeare, which played at the Trafalgar Studios after a successful international tour. He also appeared in a one-man production of A Christmas Carol last year at the Arts Theatre.

Show Length and Times

Evening performances for The Mystery of Charles Dickens began at 7.30pm from Monday to Saturday, with matinees on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2:30pm. The running time was 2 hours including an interval.

The post The Mystery of Charles Dickens appeared first on Playhouse Theatre London.

The popular jukebox musical features classic hits from the 50′s and 60′s and an a original storyline about teenage love in that era. It originally opened on in July 2009 at the nearby Savoy Theatre, running through October of that year before reopening at the Playhouse in January 2010. Past cast members have included Tony Christie, James Ellis, and Des O’Connor.

The UK tour of Dreamboats and Petticoats will continue through November 2012, with stops including Doncaster, Newcastle, Ipswich, and Cardiff. The touring cast includes X Factor star Terry Winstanley.

Despite mixed reviews from critics, this simple story of boy meets girl has found its own legion of fans, including those who love seeing the hits from the golden age of rock and roll live on stage.

No replacement production at the Playhouse Theatre has yet been announced.

The post Dreamboats and Petticoats to Close 4 August appeared first on Playhouse Theatre London.

Playhouse Theatre London Stage Door

Dreamboats and Petticoats was first brought to the West End in 2009 and has made its home by the River Thames at the Playhouse Theatre, London. It has seen a surge in popularity with its classic late 50s and early 60s songs drawing in audiences from afar, and some well-known names have played characters in the show since it opened, such as The X Factor’s Scott Bruton and Emmerdale’s Ben Freeman, both of who have actually left the show now. It can often be exciting to try and meet the cast after a performance, and if you do wish to get an autograph, a photo or just chat with a cast member for a bit, then you will have to go to the stage door. So where is the Playhouse Theatre’s stage door?

The stage door is extremely easy to locate. When you exit the theatre, take a right, and just carry walking up alongside the theatre for about 30 seconds. You will eventually notice the stage door on the right hand side of you. If you are still unsure of exactly how to get to the Playhouse Theatre London’s stage door, then please view our video of walking directions to the door, below:

Once you are at the door, you are almost there to meeting some of the cast members of Dreamboats and Petticoats! Sometimes the cast members will take up to half an hour to exit, but most of them usually exit quite promptly. They will only be too happy to sign your ticket or any programmes you have bought, and will usually pose for photographs, as well. It is always thrilling to see the actors straight after you have seen them live on stage, and can often make your theatre trip all the more special.

The current cast of Dreamboats and Petticoats include Alexis Gerred as Bobby, Megan Jones as Laura, Emma Stephens as Sue and Bradley Clarkson as Norman. Simply follow our directions to the stage door and meeting them should be very easy!

The post How to Meet the Dreamboats & Petticoats Cast appeared first on Playhouse Theatre London.

THIS SHOW IS CLOSED. YOU CAN NOT BOOK TICKETS.

Dreamboats and Petticoats is a musical based on a best-selling compilation album of the same name based on classic 1950s and early 1960s rock ‘n’ roll songs. It was first introduced to the London stage in July 2009 for 3 months at the Savoy Theatre, and the Playhouse Theatre is now hosting this fun and nostalgic musical. Dreamboats and Petticoats tickets can be purchased for its limited run at the Wyndham’s Theatre beginning in October 2012.

Written by Maurice Gran and Laurence Marks, famous for creating TV sitcom Birds of a Feather, Dreamboats and Petticoats is set in 1961 and tells the story of Norman and Bobby, young musicians who compete with each other to win fame in a song writing competition, as well as the eyes of girls Sue and Laura. Bobby soon realises that Laura has musical talent of her own, and rock ‘n’ roll fame awaits them along with romance and love. Dreamboats and Petticoats features classic tracks from Roy  Orbison, Chuck Berry and many, many more.

Critics Reviews

“What’s extraordinary about both the up-tempo rockers and the hauntingly maudlin ballads of the period (circa 1956-62) is how evocative, melodic and fresh this music still seems. Noël Coward would have hated these songs, but his remark in Private Lives about the potency of cheap music might have been coined to describe Dreamboats and Petticoats.”
Charles Spencer at the Daily Telegraph

“The whole thing is pacy, as shallow as a paddling pool, and innocent fun – particularly for those who lived through the songs first time round.”
Quentin Letts at The Daily Mail

“Audiences will be pleased to see Scott Bruton from The X Factor bopping as Bobby, Jennifer Biddall from Hollyoaks ruling the roost as Runaround Sue and pert newcomer Daisy Wood-Davis as Laura getting Bobby in a twist again, like she did last summer.”
Michael Coveney at the Independent

Our Review

Great rock ‘n’ roll songs from the early 60s fill The Playhouse Theatre with nostalia, laughter and fun.

Dreamboats and Petticoats bursts with energy and nostalgia, and is full of fun, laughter and of course, great 1960s rock ‘n’ roll tunes. If you are not from this era and aren’t as familiar with the songs, then you may not enjoy it as much, as there are countless throughout, but you will still laugh along with the storyline and connect with the characters.

The musical is set in 1961 and tells the story of youth club members Bobby and Norman. Bobby is young, innocent and ‘uncool’, whereas Norman is older and has the ladies all over him. They compete with each other in more ways than one, as they battle it out in a song writing competition as well as fighting for the love of sex-siren, Sue. Bobby soon realises that she is not the one for him, and sets his sights on Laura, the youth club geek. Soon enough, he realises that Laura possesses musical talent of her own and they soon get caught up in a whirlwind of music, romance and love.

With brilliant set designs that see the group riding on bumper cars and playing ten-pin bowling, Dreamboats and Petticoats will take you back to a simpler time, before The Beatles arrived and shook up the music industry. Being a 90s child myself, I was unfamiliar with most of the songs, and only knew the most classic of tunes such as Sam Cooke’s ‘Wonderful World’, but I still had a fun time and enjoyed the set designs and costumes.

Bobby, played by Alexis Gerred, was brilliant in his portrayal of a 17 year old boy who is trying to impress the most popular girl at the youth club. His vocals were impressive and he was a highlight of the show for me, along with Megan Jones who plays Laura. Laura goes through a transformation, both physically as the class nerd to a pretty 16 year old, and emotionally, as she grows in character. Her voice was also phenomenal, and I enjoyed her performance. Other notable actors include Emma Stephens who has previously performed in the West End stage version of Grease. Emma plays the character of Sue who has both Bobby and Norman lusting after her. Norman is performed by Bradley Clarkson who was impressive with his big ego and challenging demeanour.

Other characters that captivated me were the two female saxophonists who would hover in the background and enter the foreground whenever a musical number would arise. In fact, all of the musicians were brilliant and they played live on stage throughout the whole show. Classic songs by artists such as Chuck Berry and Roy Orbison were featured, plus many more that are on the album of the same name that was released before the musical came to light.

Although I enjoyed the show, I am very familiar with Grease, which is set in the same era as Dreamboats and Petticoats and featured similar costumes and sets, but I felt like the storyline was not as strong and was only really bolstered by its music. It was fun and cheesy however, although I think I would have enjoyed it more had I been more familiar with the songs. If you were young in the late 50s or early 60s, or you are just drawn to these eras, then go and see it because the music, sets, costumes and jokes, especially the one about the ‘new’ soap Coronation Street not lasting, will make your theatre trip a very entertaining one.

Add Your Review!

We would love to know what you think to Dreamboats and Petticoats. Please add your review of the show and your Playhouse theatre experience below.

The post Dreamboats and Petticoats appeared first on Playhouse Theatre London.