Friday, February 20, 2015 Follow us on Twitter @Argus_The Guide
Enjoying life in the court of King Arthur
MONTY Python’s Spamalot gallops to Cardiff in March as part of its 2015 UK tour fea- turing Joe Pasquale, reprising his much loved role of King Arthur, alongside Todd Carty as Patsy. Having first played King
Arthur for a successful West End run last summer, come- dian Pasquale is pleased as punch to be back in the role (he would be pleased as Holy Grail Ale, but it’s not re- ally got the same ring to it). He will star alongside Todd
Carty, who starred as Patsy from the very start of this production both on tour and in the West End run. Lovingly ripped off from the
classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spam- alot is a kind-of new musi- cal with a book by Eric Idle and an entirely new score for the new production, (well, almost) created by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. Spamalot tells the legend-
ary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features fantastic tunes more magical than a Camelot convention, includ- ing He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Ta- ble, Find Your Grail and of course Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life. Ahead of the show’s forth-
coming visit to Cardiff New Theatre, Andy Howells chats with Joe Pasquale.
Can you tell us about the role you’re playing in Spamalot? I’m playing King Arthur which is one of the best things I’ve
Interview
ever done. I love the part and I love the show. I grew up watching Monty Python so it’s my generation!
How did you get into come- dy originally? I was always such a fan grow- ing up and watching comedy on the telly, Tommy Cooper, Norman Wisdom, Eric and Er- nie, Bob Monkhouse, were all great comics I grew up with. Then, when I got the chance to go out on stage, I was never scared. It was just a case of showing off. I had two older sisters and a younger brother, I was the one in the middle who had to find his own en- tertainment and I think that had a bearing on trying to get noticed.
When you got into comedy and started getting noticed what was that like was for you? I only ever wanted to get up on stage, I never thought of it as a long-term career or mak- ing money from it, it was just a way of showing off and that’s what you do on stage – show off! When it came together I started enjoying it more than I thought I would. Then it be- comes your job and you have mortgage payments to pay and things like that. Then it becomes more than a job and you’ve got to keep working. There’s pressure as well, not a pressure to be funny but a pressure to find work. I had a great friend and mentor in
ANDYHOWELLS chats to Joe Pasquale about his role in Spamalot which comes to Cardiff nextmonth
Legend is honoured with show
AONE-MAN showbased on the life of rugby legend and cul- tural icon Ray Gravell comes to The Met, Abertillery, on Febru- ary 24, at 7.30pm. Raymond “Ray” William Rob-
Bob Monkhouse. He helped me out a lot in the early days and in particular my first ap- pearance on the Royal Variety Show, he just looked after me all the time – a genius and a gentleman.
You enjoy your work? I love what I do, to go out and do an Eric Idle script any comic of any generation these days would give their right arm to do this show, its two hours of non-stop laughter.
What’s Todd Carty like to work with? I love working with Todd, he’s deaf as a post in one ear so I have to make sure I’m on the right side of him when I talk to him. We’d both done the show before but not together, it’s lovely because we’ve formed a little partnership in the show. I do most of the talking between the two of us as he only has about eight lines but he makes every single one count. I can’t look at his eyes on stage with- out starting to laugh.
How would you sum up Spamalot? Its just funny. It hasn’t dated. It changes on a nightly basis depending on whose in the news. Everything is carved and created around where we are currently. It’s always bang up to date on topical stuff.
How long are you carrying on with Spamalot for? Its open ended at the moment so who knows?
Have you got any other projects lined up for 2015? I’m going back on the road for a stand up tour in August, but anything after that I’m not quite sure yet. I enjoy my act- ing but I like to keep my hand in with stand up as well.
Do you prefer stand up or TV? I don’t do anything for too
long. I don’t do much telly, stand up or stage work. Its an eclectic career, which has developed more by accident than design. I’m lucky enough to do a job that I love so I never get stuck in anything for too long.
l Spamalot plays Cardiff
New Theatre from March 2 to 7. Visit newtheatrecardiff.
co.uk or call 029 2087 8889 for ticket details.
ert Gravell was a Welsh rugby union centre who played club rugby for Llanelli RFC. At international level, Gravell earned 23 caps for Wales and was selected for the 1980 Brit- ish Lions tour to South Africa. In his later career, he became a respected broadcaster and occa- sional actor. Gravell sadly passed away
aged 56 in October 2007, after succumbing to complications resulting from contracting dia- betes. Written by Owen Thomas,
Grav has been written with the blessing of Mari, Ray’s widow, and contributions from his Welsh and British Lions team mates. Directed by the Torch Theatre’s artistic director Peter Doran, this one-man show will explore the life of a man who was as compelling away from the rugby field as he was on it. Performed by Gareth Bale
SPAMALOT STAR: Joe Pasquale
(TheIndian Doctor,HighHopes), Grav will remind the world of a unique life well lived. For tickets, call 01495 355800.
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