Swedish TV Lists 5 Finalists for Lady of the Lake in UK 'Spamalot'

The five finalists voted by Swedish television's reality show "West End Star" today visit London's Palace Theatre to begin rehearsals for the chance to play The Lady of the Lake, the leading female role in the West End hit musical, Monty Python's Spamalot.

Revealed this past weekend on Sweden's TV3, the finalists will be introduced to the London media by Peter Davison, Spamalot's King Arthur.  As well as meeting with Hannah Waddingham and Marin Mazzie - Spamalot's current West End and Broadway Ladies of the Lake - while in London the Ladies attended the UK Premiere of Charlie Wilson's War, the latest film by Spamalot's Director Mike Nichols.

The finalists - selected by a panel of experts from almost a thousand hopefuls who attended auditions across Sweden - will return to Sweden once each week to face the judges and the viewing public in a live TV special, battling it out in a series of studio shows to claim the holy grail of prizes:  the role of The Lady of the Lake in the West End production of Monty Python's Spamalot.  The series finale will be broadcast on 2 February 2008 with the winner taking over the role of The Lady of the Lake from Monday 11 February 2008.

The shortlisted five are:

Sandra Caménisch
35 year old full time mother of three from Stockholm

Linda Holmgren
27 year old cruise ship entertainer from Stockholm

Viktoria Krantz
31 year old show jumper from Stockholm

Divina Sarkany
34 year old actor from Gothenberg

Nina Söderquist
35 year old singing waitress from Stockholm

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 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.

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 MacDuffas Sir Dennis Galahad, Andrew Spillett as Patsy, Tony Timberlake as Sir Bedevere and Bill Ward as Sir Lancelot.  On 14 January 2008 Broadway leading lady Marin Mazzie who currently plays The Lady of the Lake in New York, will join the London cast, swapping roles with Hannah Waddingham.  Mazzie will appear as the Lady of the Lake until 9 February 2008, when she will pass the role to the winner of Swedish TV reality show West End Star.  On 14 January 2008 Jake Nightingale will take over the role of Sir Lancelot from Bill Ward.

Monty Python's Spamalot plays the Palace Theatre, Cambridge Circus, London W1, booking until 27 September 2008.

Performances - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday at 8pm

Ticket prices - 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

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

Family Rates:
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

Box Office: 0870 890 0142 Website:  www.montypythonsspamalot.com