Alan Dale to play King Arthur in Spamalot

Alan Dale to play King Arthur in Spamalot

Alan Dale, best known on TV for playing Publishing mogul Bradford Meade in Ugly Betty, will join the cast of Monty Python's Spamalot at the Palace Theatre from 3 March 2008 to play King Arthur, following in the footsteps of Tim Curry, Simon Russell Beale and Peter Davison (who continues in the role until 1 March 2008)

Monty Python's Spamalot, opened on 16 Oct 2006, following previews from 30 Sep, to excellent notices from the popular press: THE INDEPENDENT says, "Deliriously silly and loopily enjoyable evening." THE DAILY TELEGRAPH says, "Inventive production...It's a wonderful night"; THE GUARDIAN says, "In short, the show has its moments... Irony has its place but it's not quite enough to sustain a whole evening." THE TIMES says, "Cheerfully mischievous...Silly? Very. Funny? You bet."

The current cast includes Peter Davison (King Arthur, until 1 Mar 2008), Jake Nightingale (Sir Lancelot), Graham McDuff (Sir Dennis Galahad), Marin Mazzie (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), Andrew Spillett (Patsy), Robert Hands (Sir Robin

The show has a book by Eric Idle, from the screenplay of the Pythons' film, Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Featuring a new score with music and lyrics by Eric Idle and John Du Prez. The show also has three songs from the 1975 film.

It is directed by Mike Nichols, Choreography by Casey Nicholaw , costumes & design by Tim Hatley, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, produced by Boyett Ostar Productions.

Telling the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and their quest for the Holy Grail, Monty Python's SPAMALOT features a chorus line of dancing divas (and serfs), flatulent Frenchmen, killer rabbits and a legless knight.

Monty Python's Spamalot is currently taking bookings to 27 Sep 2008.