April 17, 2013
Media Release
For Immediate Release
London’s Original Kids Theatre Company raises silliness to an art form with
Monty Python’s Spamalot
From April 24th to April 28th, the Original Kids Theatre Company presents the first local production of the 2005 Tony Award winning Best Musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot, in the intimate Spriet Family Theatre. Based upon the popular 1975 film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, this hilarious send-up of the Arthurian legend features flying cows, flatulent Frenchmen, killer bunny rabbits and a chorus line of dancing knights.
Lovingly “ripped off” from the internationally famous comedy team’s most popular motion picture, Monty Python’s Spamalot features tunes catchier than the plague including “He is Not Dead” Yet, “Knights of the Round Table”, “Find Your Grail” and of course, “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.”
Most of the films and television series of Monty Python was done on a shoe-string budget, opting for creative solutions to some big challenges. The OKTC production has embraced this “do-it-yourself” or “poor theatre” storytelling. “Part of the fun of the original film was Python’s use of scarce sets and ramshackle props,” comments artistic director Andrew Tribe, “Rather than hiding cost-cutting measures, we wanted, much like the Pythons, to stay true to the film’s spirit and allow homemade, cardboard-built props and set pieces to become a part of the show’s hilarity.”
Monty Python’s Spamalot features a book by Eric Idle, based upon the screenplay of Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, with music and lyrics by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. The OKTC production features direction by Andrew Tribe, musical direction by Alex Baerg and choreography by Emilee Nimetz.
Tickets and show schedule are available online by going to the Original Kids website
www.oktc.ca, visiting our Box Office at the Spriet Family Theatre, Covent Garden Market or by calling 519-679-8989. When unsold seats are available, they are sold at our box office prior to the performance.
The production runs April 24 at Noon, April 24-28 at 7pm, April 27 & 28 at 2pm at the Spriet Family Theatre, Covent Garden Market.
About the Original Kids Theatre Company
Since 1991, Original Kids Theatre Company is a non-for-profit charitable performing arts organization where young people can grow and flourish without the fear that taking a risk is wrong or dangerous. It’s a total theatre experience where our youth can blossom as performers. The learning extends further than that. Original Kids is an attitude of support and a standard of behaviour. It is an environment in which kids can feel safe expressing themselves without fear of ridicule. After all, they’re among friends.
Our carefully chosen artistic staff has found a way to produce fine results on the stage, while maintaining the natural spontaneity of the child. They nurture a love of the arts by sharing their knowledge and passion with anyone who will learn and listen. Original Kids Theatre was not formed to create stars. Each child already shines in his or her own special way. It is hoped that through exposure to the arts, youth will more easily share in the joy of life with a heightened appreciation for themselves and those around them. The company extends with its Main Cast, Summer Camp and Original Kidlets programs.
Contact:
Andrew Tribe
Artistic Director
Original Kids Theatre Company
andrew@oktc.ca
519-432-4991
