Overview
Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this middle school adaptation of MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. The 2005 Broadway production won three Tony® Awards, including Best Musical, and was followed by two successful West End runs. The outrageous, uproarious, and gloriously entertaining story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake will delight casts and audiences as they search for the Holy Grail and “always look on the bright side of life.”
MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT: Young@Part® is the authorized 60 minute edition of the Broadway musical for primary and secondary schools, and youth theatres. Through a series of workshops with industry professionals and actual kids, the Young@Part® musicals are tailor-made for younger actors. Song keys are changed where needed, songs and scenes are edited for time and content, while keeping the spirit of the original Broadway show intact. There are great parts for girls, boys and can feature any size ensemble/chorus, who are featured throughout the show. Each Young@Part® title comes complete with Performance Tracks, Guide Vocal Tracks, Director’s Guide, 30 Student Scripts and more with an affordable Performance License package.
Casting & Production
Casting
1 female, 3 male, and 6 gender-flexible featured roles.
Flexible casting and featured roles in the large ensemble
KING ARTHUR (Late 30s-60s.): The King of England who sets out on a quest to form the Knights of the Roundtable and find the Holy Grail. Great Humor. Good singer.
SIR ROBIN (30s-40s): A Knight of the Roundtable. Ironically called ‘Sir Robin the Brave,’ though he couldn’t be more cowardly. Joins the Knights for the singing and dancing.
SIR LANCELOT d/b/a LANCE (30s-40): A Knight of the Roundtable. He is fearless to a bloody fault, but through a twist of fate, does discover his ‘softer side.
PATSY (30s-40s): King Arthur’s horse and servant. Underappreciated but always longing for King Arthur’s approval. Good, funny, physical mover with some tap dancing.
SIR GALAHAD (30s): A Knight of the Roundtable. Begins as Dennis, a lower class ‘mud gatherer’ who becomes knighted and transforms into the dashing Sir Galahad. Strong bari/tenor singing required.
SIR BEDEVERE (20s-40s): A Knight of the Roundtable. An inept scholar. No solo singing.
THE LADY OF THE LAKE (20s-30s): A Diva. Strong, beautiful, possesses mystical powers. The leading lady of the show. Great singing voice is essential, as she must be able to sing effortlessly in many styles and vocal registers.
HISTORIANS (3): Tweedy academics. Must have excellent diction.
NOT DEAD FRED: A sickly little fellow who, despite others’ beliefs, claims he is “not yet dead.”
THE VOICE OF GOD may be live or recorded. (Eric Idle’s GOD voiceover is provided on the TRW Production CD.)
ENSEMBLE: The ensemble/chorus also cover the following roles:
(These roles can all be played by female or male actors.)
MAYOR and FINLAND VILLAGERS
SINGING MONKS: Males can sing offstage with female monks onstage
SIR NOT APPEARING: DON QUIXOTE or any other well-known knight such as BATMAN the Dark Knight, a Jedi Knight, a Knight of Columbus, etc. (This character is a good opportunity for a cameo appearance by a beloved administrator, local official, etc.)
DENNIS GALAHAD’S MOTHER: a shrill peasant woman (often played by a large male actor as an homage to the original Python sketches.
THE DANCING MONK
THE DANCING NUN
THE FRENCH TAUNTER: an arrogant, condescending, over-the-top Frenchman
TWO FRENCH GUARDS: also arrogant, condescending, over-the-top Frenchman
ROBIN’S MINSTRELS: In Sir Robin’s band
THE KNIGHT OF NI: an absurd, cartoonish leader of a peculiar group of Knights
THE KNIGHTS OF NI: usually played by female actors
GUARD 1: The lead guard
GUARD 2: A drunken, useless guard
CONCORDE: Sir Lancelot’s horse and servant
TIM THE ENCHANTER: a ghostly being with a Scottish accent.
SIR BORS: a knight who will confront the killer rabbit
Music & Materials
Young@Part® Materials Include:
Director’s Script – 1
Cast Script & Vocal Books – 30
Piano/Vocal Score – 2
Guide Vocals CD – 1
Performance Tracks CD – 1
Logo Pack – 1
*Additional materials and resources may be added a la carte.
Credits
Monty Python’s SPAMALOT Young@Part®
Book & Lyrics by ERIC IDLE
Music by JOHN DU PREZ & ERIC IDLE
Young@Part® Edition Adapted by Marc Tumminelli
Young@Part® Edition originally produced at Broadway Workshop in New York City.
Media
Authors
Upcoming Productions
Girls Middle School
Palo Alto, CA
TheatreWorks
New Milford, CT
TheatreWorks
New Milford, CT
Resources
