SPAMALOT Starring Marcus Brigstocke and Jon Culshaw Plays West End, July 24-Sep 9

Howard Panter (Mr West End himself) for The Ambassador Theatre Group presents Monty Python's Spamalot, a new musical lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, directed by Christopher Luscombe. Galloping into the West End for a truly bespoke season at the Harold Pinter Theatre (long pause) Tuesday 24 July – Sunday 9 September 2012 (press night Tuesday 31 July). Tickets on sale now.

Full mega star casting (their agent's trumpets roar!) Two Arthurs for the price of one. Marcus Brigstocke and Jon Culshaw share the role of Arthur, King of the Britons (much too complicated performance schedule below), Todd Carty will bang two coconuts together as Patsy Bonnie Langford is Lady of The Lake (when you can see her), and Eric Idle plays GOD* (see small print).

Lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot is a kind-of new musical 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. Following a staggering national romp, this new production will begin a petite West End season at the Harold Pinter Theatre from Tuesday 24 July.

Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, witch burnings (cancelled due to health and safety) not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. The show features fantastic tunes more magical than a Camelot convention, including He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course the Nation's Favourite Comedy Song (Reader's Digest Poll 2010 - before it went bust) Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

The full company includes; Robin Armstrong as Sir Bedevere, Rob Delaney as Sir Robin, Adam Ellis as Prince Herbert, Kit Orton as Sir Lancelot and Jon Robyns as Sir Galahad, along with Amelia Adams Pearce, Tim Bonser, Michael Burgen, Rachel Knowles, Hannah Malekzad, James Nelson and Paul Bullion. Spamalot is directed by Christopher Luscombe and features Eric Idle himself as God (see small print)*.

This new production began in May 2010 and during that time there have been seven onstage moustache incidents, one suspected case of swine flu (French pigs!), one outbreak of nits and 36 pairs of coconuts used (That Todd Carty is stronger than he looks!). The cast "Looked on the Bright Side of Life" eight times a week, and, everyone has to sing along.

* As a filmed recording. As if we could afford to cart this God-like comic in every night.

Marcus Brigstocke plays King Arthur - 24 July – 1 August, then Jon Culshaw plays King Arthur - 2 August – 2 September, then Marcus Brigstocke plays King Arthur 4 - 8 September. Performances run Tuesday – Saturday at 7.30pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2.30pm, Sunday at 5.00pm.

For full production details visit www.spamalotontour.co.uk. 

Marcus Brigstocke Marcus's talent was noted early on in his career in 1996 when he won the BBC New Comedian Award at the Edinburgh Festival. He is now regarded as a major comedy, writing and acting talent, performing stand up nationally to sell out audiences both on tour and on the well trodden comedy circuit. BBC Radio 4 has become somewhat of a second home to Marcus with regular appearances on The Now Show and Just A Minute; He has also written and recorded three series and four specials of his hit show Giles Wemmbley-Hogg Goes Off. Marcus has notched up an impressive list of TV credits including his role as team captain on Argumental (DAVE), and host of The Late Edition and I've Never Seen Star Wars (BBC FOUR). Other appearances include; Have I Got News For You (BBC ONE), QI (BBC TWO), Sorry I've Got No Head (BBC ONE), The Late Edition (BBC FOUR), and the 11 O'Clock Show (Channel 4). Marcus is the master of satirical comedy and has proved to be blisteringly funny over a wide range of topics including; Climate Change, Religious Extremism, Immigration, Loans Companies, The Special Relationship, Compensation Culture, Women's Magazines, The EU and David Blaine, not to mention his own personal battle against his middle class roots.

Jon Culshaw is an English comedian and master impressionist. He is best known as the star of the hit BBC series Dead Ringers, impersonating well known celebrities including George Bush, Tony Blair, Ozzy Osborne, Des Lynam, Tom Baker, Michael Parkinson and David Beckham. Jon first made international headlines by calling the switchboard of No. 10 Downing Street and fooling the operators with his 'William Hague' impression. Jon then found to his delight that he was talking directly to Prime Minster, Tony Blair, live on London's Capital FM. He joined the team of impressionists on "Spitting Image" where he provided the voices to over 40 characters including Frank Bruno, David Frost, KennetH Clark, Michael Portillo, Bill Clinton, Liam Gallagher and many more. He was awarded his own BBC radio series Dead Ringers, which won the British Comedy Award for 'Best Radio Comedy', the Sony Gold Radio Academy Award and the Broadcasting Press Guild Award for 'Best Radio Programme'. Due to its phenomenal success Dead Ringers transferred from Radio 4 to BBC television. Jon also has a multitude of other television credits to his name including Alter Ego, 2DTV, The Impressionable Jon Culshaw and Jon Culshaw's Commercial Breakdown and has guested on "They Think It's All Over", "Never Mind the Buzzcocks", "Call My Bluff" and "Celebrity Mastermind". Most recently Jon starred in the third series of his new comedy sketch show 'The Impression Show' with Debra Stephenson. With a catalogue of over 500 impressions, Jon is regarded by many as the best impressionist in the UK.

Bonnie Langford has packed a wealth of experience into her outstanding career which has embraced success in theatre, television, film and radio in both Britain and America. Bonnie recently garnered rave reviews for her portrayal of 'Roxie Hart' in "Chicago" both on Broadway and on the North American national tour, a role which she also played to standing ovations at the Adelphi Theatre and the Cambridge Theatre in London's West End. Bonnie made her debut in the West End at the tender age of seven in a musical adaptation of "Gone with the Wind" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The following year she played 'Baby June' in "Gypsy" opposite Angela Lansbury at the Piccadilly Theatre. In the West End she has also starred in "Cats" at the New London Theatre (original London cast); "The Pirates Of Penzance" at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and later at the London Palladium; "Peter Pan - The Musical" (playing the title role) at the Aldwych Theatre; "Me And My Girl" at the Adelphi Theatre, and her much acclaimed portrayal of 'Charity' in "Sweet Charity" at the Victoria Palace Theatre. She has toured the UK in "Oklahoma!", "42nd Street" and, most recently, as 'Miss Adelaide' in "Guys and Dolls" in the Donmar Warehouse Production. Bonnie appeared in the hit musical film "Bugsy Malone" and has starred in many British television series including "Just William", "The Lena and Bonnie Show", the award-winning "Hot Shoe Show", "Hotel Babylon", "Marple", "The Catherine Tate Show" and "Doctor Who". In 2006, she learned to ice skate in front of millions in the hit show "Dancing on Ice", skating her way to the final.

Todd Carty was born in Ireland and began his careerat the age of four in London. He made his stage debut at the New London Theatre, Drury Lane, were he played the leading role of 'Lionel' in the musical based on Lionel Bart's life. Todd's first major television role was playing the lead of 'Tucker' in BBC TV's Grange Hill for a period of five years, which proved so popular that he was then offered his own series playing 'Tucker' as an adult in Tuckers Luck. Todd is perhaps best known for his role as the central character in 'Mark Fowler' in the BBC's award-winning flagship drama series EastEnders a role he played for 12 years. Todd went on to play the regular role of 'P.C Gabriel Kent / David Kent' in Talkback / Thames Television's drama The Bill, 'Ray Hallam' in the Christmas special of Heartbeat and 'CameRon Cook' in the BBC's Casualty. He also appeared with his son James in C4's Dangerous Adventures for Boys. More recently Todd played the role of 'Det. Insp. Hallet' in the UK tour of The Business of Murder, directed several episodes of Doctors for the BBC and made an 'unforgettable appearance' in ITV's prime time entertainment show Dancing on Ice. He went on to appear in the UK tour of the show. He also directed the film A Perfect Burger for the British Youth Film Academy which is due for release this year.