Monty Python’s Spamalot

Casting

The following is the Broadway doubling scenario. Scroll down to see great casting tips to create more female roles and more ensemble roles.

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. Also plays GUARD 1 and BROTHER MAYNARD, a long-winded monk.

SIR LANCELOT — 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.’ This actor MUST be great with character voices and accents, as he also plays THE FRENCH TAUNTER, an arrogant, condescending, over-the-top Frenchman, the KNIGHT OF NI, an absurd, cartoonish leader of a peculiar group of Knights, and TIM THE ENCHANTER, a ghostly being with a Scottish accent.

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. Also plays MAYOR, a jolly red-faced man who advertises the merits of his home town and the drunken, useless GUARD 2.

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. Also plays PRINCE HERBERT’S FATHER, a wealthy, brutish Yorkshireman man at odds with his sensitive son, THE BLACK KNIGHT who is always ready to duel despite multiple injuries. Strong bari-tenor singing required.

SIR BEDEVERE — 20s-40s. A Knight of the Roundtable. An inept scholar. Also plays DENNIS GALAHAD’S MOTHER, a shrill peasant woman, and CONCORDE, Sir Lancelot’s horse. 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. Especially seeking actresses of all races for this role.

THE FOLLOWING ROLES ARE PLAYED BY THE SAME ACTOR — 20s-30s. Tenor singing required. Very good mover.
HISTORIAN — A tweedy academic.
NOT DEAD FRED — A sickly little fellow who, despite others’ beliefs, claims he is “not yet dead.”
FRENCH GUARD — The condemnatory French sidekick to the French Taunter.
MINSTREL — In Sir Robin’s band.
PRINCE HERBERT — The hopeful and frilly prince who loves to sing and pines for his love atop a tower.

SIR NOT APPEARING may double as THE DANCING MONK

A MALE DANCER appears as THE DANCING NUN

THE VOICE OF GOD may be pre-recorded.

TWO FRENCH GUARDS are two of the MALE ENSEMBLE

ROBIN’S MINSTRELS are also ENSEMBLE: 2 MEN, 1 WOMAN

SIR BORS is MALE ENSEMBLE.

ENSEMBLE — Six or more men and six or more women with many casting opportunities for women roles in the ensemble.

Orchestral Information

14 Musicians

Piano/Conductor (Keyboard 1)

Keyboard 2 (Keyboard, Accordion)

Keyboard 3

Reed 1 (Piccolo, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Sax)

Reed 2 (Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone)

French Horn

Trumpet 1 (B-flat, Piccolo)

Trumpet 2

Trombone

Solo Violin

Guitar (Nylon, Steel, Electric (solid body & hollow body), Banjo, Ukulele)

Bass (Acoustic and Electric (5 string))

Drums

Percussion (Bass Drum, Bongos, Chimes, China Cymbal, Cowbell, Finger Cymbal, Glockenspiel, Maracas, Mark Tree, Piatti, Ratchet, Shaker, Siren, Spoons, Suspended Cymbal, Tabor Drum, Tambourine, Tambourine w/ Skin, Timpani, Triangle, Vibra Slap, Xylophone)

Optional Add On: 
Broadway String Packet available! (Violins 1, 2 & 3, Violas and Cellos.)  Contact one of our licensing representatives for details.
**The orchestration for the licensed version of MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT contains a reduction of the Broadway string parts which are played by Keyboard 2 and Keyboard 3. If you choose to order the Broadway String Packet for your performance, you can either use the live strings as a replacement for the KEYBOARD 3 part or alongside it to enhance the string sound in your orchestra. However, should you choose to use the strings as a replacement for Keyboard 3, be aware that Keyboard 2 remains essential. In addition, please be advised that the Broadway String Packet is an additional item and therefore, the Piano/Conductor book contains cues for the Keyboard 2 and Keyboard 3 parts, but not for the individual string parts.

Credits

Monty Python’s SPAMALOT

Book and Lyrics by ERIC IDLE

Music by JOHN DU PREZ and ERIC IDLE

A new musical lovingly ripped off from the motion picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail
From the original screenplay by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin

Original Broadway Production produced by Boyett Ostar Productions, The Shubert Organization, Arielle Tepper Madover, Stephanie McClelland/Lawrence Horowitz, Elan V McAllister/Allan S. Gordon, Independent Presenters Network, Roy Furman, GRS Associates, Jam Theatricals, TGA Entertainment, and Clear Channel Entertainment