The South Bank Show goes behind the scenes of Spamalot on ITV1 Sunday 15 Oct 2006

The South Bank Show goes behind the scenes of Spamalot on ITV1 Sunday 15 Oct 2006

The South Bank Show goes behind the scenes of Monty Python's SPAMALOT broadcasting on ITV1 Sunday 15 Oct 2006 at 11.10pm.

The film has interviews with all the Pythons: Eric Idle, John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam. Interspersed with classic Monty Python extracts from television shows, films and stage performances; they discuss the creative processes behind Monty Python.

Devotee Python fan, Eddie Izzard, talks about why Python's unique and groundbreaking humour has endured.

The film also has access to Spamalot's London rehearsals plus some musical interludes from Eric Idle on guitar - following the holy grail of a show, as it comes home from Broadway to the West End.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT will begin previews at the Palace Theatre on Saturday 30 Sep. opening (Press night) 16 Oct 2006. (Although, there will be an American style opening night on 17 Oct 2006, where celebrity guests and families of the cast attend separate from the press!)

Directed by Mike Nichols, Monty Python's SPAMALOT, 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.

The cast includes Tim Curry (King Arthur), reprising the role he created on Broadway. (In January 2007 Curry will hand over the role of King Arthur to Simon Russell Beale). Christopher Sieber (Sir Dennis Galahad) reprising the role he created on Broadway. Hannah Waddingham (The Lady of the Lake), David Birrell(Patsy), Tom Goodman-Hill (Sir Lancelot) and Robert Hands, (Sir Robin).

Choreography by Casey Nicholaw , costumes & design by Tim Hatley, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, produced by Boyett Ostar Productions.

Monty Python's SPAMALOT has broken house records, playing to standing-room-only audiences since opening to critical acclaim in March, 2005 at the Shubert Theatre on Broadway. In addition, Mike Nichols won his eighth Tony Award for direction of the musical.

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.