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9 Entertainment Extra ANDYHOWELLS recalls hiswalk-on role in theMonty Pythonmusical Spamalot lastweek Performance of a lifetime


TEN seconds in a musical is a long time. I’m not talking about the actual performance of an individual performer but all the components that go together to make that per- formance. The preparation of the cast, crew and musicians, from wardrobe dressing to rehearsal, every prop, player and performer plays a part in bringing a script to life. My invitation to join the


cast of Monty Python’s Spa- malot as Sir Not Appearing at Cardiff New Theatre last week for all of ten seconds took some 90 minutes of re- hearsal and preparation, and I was but a small cog in the wheel of a big show. Well not quite, I mustn’t de- mean anything about Monty Python’s Spamalot, not even my carefully crafted walk on. “It gets a big laugh!” en- couraged Joe Pasquale when I interviewed him recently,” You’ve got to do it! You’ll love it!”


Stage manager Phil Sykes confirms this on the night as we sit in his office at TheNew Theatre, “It’s a small role but it gets a big laugh, so are you up for it?” I don’t hesitate in my response, “Definitely!” So it’s off to wardrobe to get measured up for my knight’s costume. “Well it’s a choice of small medium or large,”


ROLE CALL: Andy joins the cast of Spamalot including Todd Carty and Joe Pasquale


wardrobe master Iwan Har- ries tells me as he helps me buckle up. “How on earth did real knights cope,” I wonder before catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I look like an extra from a Monty Python sketch – probably be- cause I am. Then it’s down three flights


of stairs to the stage for my rehearsal, bumping into Joe Pasquale along the way who greets me with a warm handshake. The cast are go-


ing through their warm up movements while the band are tuning up at the back of the stage. To the side the tech- nicians are running through their final preparations. I sit in the sidelines for five min- utes watching the production come together noticing Joe Pasquale and Todd Carty dis- cussing a final adjustment to a comedy routine. Phil Sykes appears and leads me onto the stage: “This is Andy, from the South Wales…” “Argus,” I interject. “That’s right; he will play


SPAMALOT STARS: Joe Pasquale and Todd Carty


Sir Not Appearing tonight!” The cast give me a hearty cheer. I get a further greeting from Joe and Todd and then we go through my quick re- hearsal which involves the Knight before me arriving on stage at the very last min- ute following a quick change from another role that finish- es seconds before. I must wait for him, but not miss my cue. So the narrator’s announce- ment comes, “The wise Sir


Win album full of hits from country legends


SONY Music Entertainment UK present the First Ladies of Country, a celebration of extraordinary female talent in country music. The two CD collection spans over 50 years and in- cludes classics from legends such as Patsy Cline, June Carter Cash and Dolly Par- ton along with modern day stars such as Carrie Under- wood, Miranda Lambert and Kelly Clarkson. First Ladies of Country is a classic collection, featuring No.1 records, massive sell- ing singles and unexpected gems. From Crazy by Patsy Cline in 1961 to Follow Your


Arrow the 2014 CMA Song of the Year by Kacey Mus- graves, to a truly beautiful version of To Know Him Is To Love Him by Emmylou Harris with Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton. There are vintage clas-


sics from the likes of Lo- retta Lynn and and Tammy Wynette mixed with the lyrically brilliant Mama’s Broken Heart by Miranda Lambert, the touching If I Die Young by The Band Perry and hits by the stars of today. We have five copies up for


grabs. To be in with a chance of winning one, just tell us


the title of the 2014CMASong of the Year. Send your answer, name, address and contact details on a postcard to First Ladies of Country Competition, Edi- tor’s PA, South Wales Argus, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP20 3QN or you can enter by text. Start your message with


FLOC, leave a space and then send your answer, name and address to 80360. Messages cost 50p plus your


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PRIZE: First Ladies Of Country


Bedevere was the first to join King Arthur’s knights, but other illustrious names were soon to follow: Sir Lancelot the Brave; Sir Galahad the Pure; and Sir Robin the Not- quite-so-brave-as-Sir-Lance- lot who had nearly fought the Dragon of Agnor, who had nearly stood up to the vicious Chicken of Bristol and who had personally wet himself at the Battle of Badon Hill; and the aptly named Sir Not Appearing…” I walk on to join the knights and they all look at me like I’m not sup- posed to be there. I’m not, so I apologise and walk off. “Perfect!” says Phil. Ten minutes before curtain up I’m back in the wings. Seeing the clockwork precision of each piece come together at the side of the stage is both exciting and fascinating. Then, my moment ap- proaches, Joe Pasquale in his full King Arthur regalia steps off stage and strolls over to me. “You allright?” he asks, “Yes thanks,” I reply. “Good,” he smiles, “watch your ‘tache


doesn’t fall off!” I feel for my false moustache, fitted some 15 minutes before. It’s half hanging off! As I smooth it back on another actor tells me howproblematic they can be, but not to worry. Then Todd Carty, in his Patsy cos- tume steps over. “Just enjoy it,” he beams, before clopping back on to the stage. “We’re up next,” says a fel-


low knight and before I know it I’m in the queue with the knight before me joining us at a furious pace just as the first knight marches on the stage. Then, my name is spo- ken and I get a cheer from the audience as I walk on stage. It doesn’t last long, I meet the fixed glares of the cast and I apologise and make a quick exit just as I did in rehearsal. I don’t remember it, but I’m


told it got a big laugh. I guess I got caught up in all the ex- citement. Andy Warhol was wrong when he said every- one’s famous for 15 minutes, I didn’t get 15 seconds but I did get a big laugh and a personal experience of a lifetime.


A feast of intimate comedy


COMIC: Angela Barnes


The New Theatre has teamed up with MC Mark Olver (2015 Chortle Compere of the Year nominee) to open a monthly comedy night in the Circle Bar of the popular city centre venue.


Launching on Sunday, March


22, 2015 with Angela Barnes (Winner of Radio 2’s New Com- edy award 2011), Mat Ewins and two secret acts; Feast of Fools offers the chance to see established comedians perform intimate gigs for just £10/ un- der 25s £7. Feast of Fools opening night


will take place in the Circle Bar of the New Theatre on Sunday, March 22, 2015. Tickets are on sale nowfrom the Box Office on 02920 878889 (not available via online sales).


Harri-Parris are back!


BIG DAY IS COMING: The Harri-Parris


CULT hit stage show the Harri- Parris – the all-singing, all- dancing, not remotely func- tional Pembrokeshire farming family created by Mai oh Mai – will appear in their second comedy drama, with all-new, original songs, this spring. The Harri-Parris: The Big


Day will be the company’s sec- ond production, and the second to follow the ups and downs of the Harri-Parris. The first, The LeavingDo, was performed at venues across Wales and at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2013. Catch the show at The River- front, Newport, on Wednesday, March 18, at 7.45pm. For tickets, call the box office


on 01633 656757 or go to new- port.gov.uk/theriverfront


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