Holmgren & Söderquist Vie for Lady of the Lake in UK 'Spamalot'

After a six month search in Sweden the two finalists - Linda Holmgreen and Nina Soderquist - will perform live in TV3's "West End Star" series finale this Saturday 2 February, battling it out to win the holy grail of prizes:  the role of The Lady of the Lake in the West End production of Monty Python's Spamalot.

"West End Star" began with open auditions during September and October 2007 in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmo where a panel of experts saw over a thousand girls.   Since Monday 7 January 2008 the five finalists, voted for by the viewing public, have been rehearsing at London's Palace Theatre with the cast and crew of Monty Python's Spamalot led by British TV star Peter Davison who plays the legendary King Arthur and Broadway musicals star Marin Mazzie who is currently starring as The Lady of the Lake.  Over this period the finalists have returned to Sweden once each week to face the judges and the viewing public in a live TV sing-off.  The winner of "West End Star" will join the Company to play The Lady of the Lake at the Palace Theatre on Monday 11 February 2008.

Linda Holmgren is a 27 year old cruise ship entertainer from Gothenburg and older sister of Jenny who was also one of the ten finalists on the show.  As well as working on Baltic cruise ships she has performed regularly in Sweden where she has taken leading roles in Cats and You're a Good Man Charlie Brown. 

Nina Soderquist a 35 year old singing waitress from Stockholm and a Lieutenant in the Swedish Army.  Nina has worked alongside many bands including Toto and The Bee Gees as well as collaborating with US singer Robin Beck.  She also performed at the Victory Concert for Sweden's Olympic Gold winning Hockey Team and for the Swedish Soccer League at the World Championships in Berlin.

The London production of Monty Python's Spamalot currently stars Peter Davison as King Arthur, Marin Mazzie as The Lady of The Lake, Robert Hands as Sir Robin, Steven Kynman as Prince Herbert, Graham MacDuff as Sir Dennis Galahad, Andrew Spillett as Patsy, Tony Timberlake as Sir Bedevere and Jake Nightingale as Sir Lancelot.  Alan Dale will take over the role of King Arthur from 3 March.

In an exclusive arrangement between Swedish broadcaster TV3 and Python (Monty) Pictures an English language version of each episode is being made available online at the newly re-launched official Python website www.pythonline.com

Directed by Mike Nichols, Monty Python's Monty Python's Spamalot is "lovingly ripped-off" from the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.  Book and lyrics are by Eric Idle with a Grammy Award-winning score by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.  Other members of the Monty Python's Spamalot creative team include Casey Nicholaw (choreography), multiple Olivier Award-winners Tim Hatley (sets and costumes) and Hugh Vanstone (lighting) and ACME Sound Partners.

Monty Python's Spamalot continues to play at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway having won more Best Musical awards than any other show in 2005.  A new production opened at the Las Vegas Wynn in 2007 and recently the Australian production opened in Melbourne.

Monty Python's Spamalot performs at Palace Theatre, Cambridge Circus, London W1. Booking until 27 September 2008. Show times are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday at 8PM; Fridays at 5:15PM & 8:30PM, Saturday Matinee at 3PM.

Tickets: Monday - Thursday 8pm, Fridays 5:15PM & Sat 3PM
Stalls £55, £45, £35, Dress Circle £55, £35, Grand Circle £40, £30, £20, £15, Balcony £20, £15, Boxes £55, £35, £20

Tickets: Friday 8:30pm & Saturday 8PM
Stalls £60, £47.50, £37.50, Dress Circle £60, £37.50, Grand Circle £42.50, £32.50, £22.50,  £17.50, Balcony £22.50, £17.50, Boxes £60, £37.50, £22.50

Kids between the ages of 5 -15 pay the price of their age for a top price ticket when an accompanying adult pays full price (1 adult can accompany up to 2 children) for all weekday performances.  Young people aged 16 - 26 are able to buy best available for just £20

Call the box office at 0870 890 0142 or visit www.montypythonsspamalot.com