London Spamalot Aims to Break Coconut Orchestra Record

Cast members from the hit musical Monty Python's Spamalot will celebrate St. George's Day on Monday, April 23, by attempting to break the Guinness World Record for the World's Largest Coconut Orchestra.

The Spamalot team will teach members of the public how to 'clip-clop' their coconuts in time to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life from Monty Python's Life of Brian. To take part in the even, one must register at one of a number of check points in Trafalgar Square by 6:30pm and be ready to play their coconuts at 7pm. The event will be followed by a special screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in Trafalgar Square, at 7:30pm.

The previous Guinness World Record for the largest number of people gathered in one location playing coconuts at the same time currently stands at 1789, and was set on March 22, 2006 outside the Shubert Theatre in New York, to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Broadway production of Monty Pyton's Spamalot. 

Currently playing to packed houses at the Palace Theatre, Monty Python's Spamalot recently extended it's booking until November 3, 2007. Directed by Mike Nichols and based on the screenplay of classic film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot tells the story of King Arthur's quest for the Holy Grail, in which he encounters, according to press notes, "a chorus line of dancing divas (and serfs), flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits and a legless knight."

Book and lyrics are by Eric Idle with a Grammy Award-winning score by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.  Other members of the Spamalot creative team include Casey Nicholaw (choreography), multiple Olivier Award-winners Tim Hatley (sets and costumes) and Hugh Vanstone (lighting) and Acme Sound Partners.

Spamalot is currently running at the Palace Theatre, Cambridge Circus, at London W1. Performances are Monday – Saturday at 8pm, with Tuesday and Saturday matinees at 3pm. For more information, call the box office, 0870 8900142, or visit www.montypythonsspamalot.com.

Photo by Joan Marcus - Coconut Orchestra Event, New York City, 2006