Off in the distance

We went to the Phill Jupitus-led production of Spamalot at the Corn Exchange last night. uitlander had secured us tickets J16-18, which meant pretty much in the middle of the second row, a point close enough to the stage that we could easily make out the badges the performers were wearing as their coats of arms (Jupitus was wearing the arms of Cambridge University, perhaps as a tribute to the venue).

A great show, based on the Monty Python and the Holy Grail story, but with certain meta aspects addressing the form of the musical itself, including the point where King Arthur has to stage a musical, and has to find a star to perform in it or it won't work. This does, of course, reflect the way that Jupitus is a known name in an otherwise pretty well unknown ensemble cast.

The first half was good, but I think it got even better for the second half. It was relatively short, finishing about two hours after it started (and there's a half hour for the interval), but the density of the comedy made it feel longer.

Overall, well recommended, even to those like me who would normally steer well clear of musicals.

Last night, bellinghwoman hauled me along to see the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.

Which was ... different.

By the end of the first piece, I was seriously wondering whether I could last till the interval. Then they played Silver Machine, and totally changed my mind.

One of the funniest things I've seen so far this year is an auditorium full of people singing along to Anarchy in the UK, as played by a group of performers in formal wear, seated on a stage playing ukes. There were a couple of items that I wasn't keen on, but in general, I'd say the hit rate was somewhere around 90%.