Last night was my final appearance in Monty Python’s ‘Spamalot’ at the Theatre Royal Brighton and I have to say, it’s been an utter joy. I made my debut on Tuesday, popping in with a cameo appearance and a delivering a crucial word (I won’t tell you what it is, in case you’re coming). At the end I do a little speech from the castle and then join in with the cast for a rousing rendition of, ‘Always look on the bright side of life.’
The cast have been brilliant and the main stars Marcus Brigstocke (loved my shirt and insisted on telling me where it was from), Todd Carty (loves a fag) and Jodie Prenger (more northern than the northern lights), have particularly welcomed me in to the thespian bosom.
It all started off hilariously with the costume fitting (see picture) got even more comical when I took part in the warm-up (this included some Dad dancing on my behalf) but my favourite moment came shortly before the performance.
Hello sailor. I mean Knight.
Immediately after the costume fitting and warm up, I was assigned my dressing room, where I was given space to, ‘get in the zone.’ In each dressing room and on the stage, there is a speaker, from which the Stage Manager barks orders and tells you what is happening and when. It’s very professional, as you’d expect.
About thirty minutes before show time, the Stage Manager announces that there is ‘thirty minutes until show time (I could have told him that) and that ‘could all the cast be aware that today’s special guest playing Sir. Not Appearing (my character) will be……..…Guy Pearce.
I don’t need that kind of pressure on my first night.