Theatre audiences have the chance to enjoy a new production of Spamalot, when Axminster Drama Club stage the show at the end of September.

Midweek Herald: Axminster Drama Club will be hoping Spamalot is as successful as Blood Brothers (pictured), staged by ADC Youth, earlier this year. Picture: Andrew ColeyAxminster Drama Club will be hoping Spamalot is as successful as Blood Brothers (pictured), staged by ADC Youth, earlier this year. Picture: Andrew Coley (Image: Archant)

To give audiences a greater understanding of the musical, director Leigh Conley has written some of the background to the show.

In 1975, a film was released that would go on to become a cult classic enjoying midnight showings around the world and having a second life as a hugely successful musical. That film was the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and also released in 1975 was Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Written and performed by the complete Monty Python team, Holy Grail was made on a budget of only £400,000 and tells the story of King Arthur, in 932 AD, and his search for knights to join his round table and ultimately their quest to find the Holy Grail.

The film went on to gross only £5 million but has found longevity due to its cult status and regularly is listed high in ‘Best Ever’ film surveys, even being voted the second best comedy of all time in an ABC poll for US TV.

In 2005, Monty Python team member, Eric Idle turned the film into a hit Broadway Musical called Spamalot. The musical follows the same basic plot as ‘Holy Grail’ but with many more songs.

In its inaugural year, it won three tony awards and received 14 Tony award nominations. During its initial run of more than 1,500 performances, it was seen by more than two million people and grossed over 175 million dollars.

Now in 2017, Axminster Drama Club is proud to bring its version to Axminster Guildhall, with dancing bushes, singing corpses and flatulent knights, there is sure to be something there for everyone.

So why not look on the bright side of life and come and enjoy the show at the Guildhall from Thursday, September 28 to Sunday, September 30, at 7.30pm and Sunday, October 1, at 1.30pm.

Tickets cost £12 and are available from Archway Bookshop and www.ticketsource.co.uk or via Axminster Drama Club’s Facebook page.

Who knows, you may even spy a special guest or two.