★★★★☆
When you step into Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre and find the audience dotted with knights, damsels and the occasional peasant, it’s clear you’re in for a riotous night. Monty Python’s Spamalot, presented by Drew Anthony Creative, is a joyous collision of classic Python absurdity and musical theatre spectacle, a must-see for long-time devotees and newcomers alike.
Winner of the 2005 Tony Award for Best Musical, Spamalot follows King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table on their quest for the Holy Grail, gleefully weaving in beloved Python references such as the Knights Who Say “Ni!” and the indomitable Black Knight.
What delighted me most was the number of children and young people in attendance, many clearly embarking on their very first Monty Python adventure.
It’s always a pleasure to watch a cast so wholly committed to the chaos and craft of a show, and the Spamalot ensemble certainly doesn’t disappoint. Stephen Curry leads the company as King Arthur, marking his official musical theatre debut.
A natural master of audience rapport, Curry breaks the fourth wall with effortless charm, always seeming to know exactly where the next laugh is hiding.
Jaz Flowers is the undeniable audience favourite and the production’s most commanding presence as the Lady of the Lake. Her vocals are sublime, her characterisation meticulous, and her performances of Find Your Grail and Diva’s Lament are among the finest I’ve encountered.
Her playful approach to vocal runs showcases both her technical prowess and mischievous sense of fun, giving the character a magnetic, irresistible edge.
Arthur’s Knights of the Round Table are a formidable ensemble. Gareth Isaac is a standout as Sir Robin, delivering a flawless rendition of You Won’t Succeed on Broadway, demonstrating just how at home he is on stage.
Ethan Jones brings rich vocals and razor-sharp comedic instinct to Sir Galahad, leaning into the character’s self-obsession with giddy precision.
Jesse Vasiliadis (Sir Lancelot) and Noah Skape (Sir Bedevere) round out the quartet with assured timing and genuine ensemble chemistry.
Jamie Rolton brings wonderfully understated charm to Patsy, pairing deft comic timing with a terrific rendition of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, which becomes one of the show’s most uplifting moments.
While the cast is unstoppable, the production elements, however, occasionally feel underdeveloped. With minimal set pieces and a strong reliance on animated rear projections, the visual world often serves its purpose without fully enriching the storytelling.
Although the animations are at times interactive, they don’t significantly enhance the action and can feel more like a playful experiment than an integrated design choice. While the projections clearly draw inspiration from classic Monty Python aesthetics, their prominence leaves the stage looking somewhat sparse in places.
Costumes are generally effective and character-appropriate, though a little more detailing could have elevated the overall polish. The absence of a live band is also noticeable, as live music would have added another layer of vibrancy to a production already brimming with energy.
Despite these occasional production shortcomings, Monty Python’s Spamalot remains an infectiously entertaining night at the theatre. Drew Anthony Creative’s production captures the irreverent spirit of Monty Python with a cast that throws itself wholeheartedly into every absurdity, delivering plenty of laughs, memorable performances and musical theatre flair along the way.
For devoted Python fans, it’s a nostalgic celebration of familiar favourites; for younger audiences discovering this wonderfully silly world for the first time, it’s an invitation to join the madness. So grab your ticket and come along prepared to “laugh and smile and dance and sing.”
Monty Python’s Spamalot runs at the Athenaeum Theatre to 4 October 2026. 188 Collins Street Melbourne Vic 3000.
It then runs at the Sydney Event Centre at the Star Sydney from 15 – 18 October, before transferring to the Coliseum Theatre from 22 – 25 October 2026.
Melbourne tickets are available here.
Sydney Event Centre tickets are available here, and Coliseum Theatre tickets are available here.
Website: https://www.drewanthonycreative.com.au/spamalot-melbournesydney-2026
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/drewanthonycreative/
Photo credits: Ben Fon
