By Joe Contreras, Latin Life Denver Media, (see video trailers below)
I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy seeing ‘Monty Python’s Spamalot’. The British comedy currently at Denver’s Buell Theatre through August 23, 2026. After all British comedy is often deadpan, subtle, and sarcastic, centering on social failures, embarrassment, and cringe-worthy situations. Whereas, American comedy is much more straight forward, performers use clear setups, obvious punchlines, and animated facial expressions to guide the audience.
The title comes from a line in Monty Python and the Holy Grail: “we eat ham, and jam, and Spam a lot,” the infamous canned meat made famous and mocked in a Monty Python’s “Spam” sketch and Camelot the home of King Arthur and his knights.
Turns out, Spamalot is quite humorous. The audience laughingly roared out loud throughout the show. Once I got the idea of how British comedy works, I too took to laughing out loud. The scene where the Black Knight has both his arms sliced off by the sword of King Arthur who uses his sword, Excalibur, to chop off the Black Knight’s arms one by one when the knight refuses to let him pass.
After the loss of his first arm he states, “‘Tis but a scratch” and his second arm “just a flesh wound”, is hilarious as the Black Knight stands there with both arms lying on the floor in front of him. He is then cut in half at the waist, leaving him with no legs as well. The audience laughed their butts off. It may sound crazy but that is how British humor works. The iconic stage gag was famously designed by magic duo Penn & Teller using special theatrical illusions to make the arms and legs fall off seamlessly during live combat.
The play was adapted from the classic 1975 British comedy film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” by Eric Idle, a member of the legendary British comedy troupe Monty Python. The original 2005 Broadway production received 14 Tony Award nominations and won three, including Best Musical, grossing over $168 million during a run of more than 1,500 performances. Now, it returns to Denver for a third time with a high energy cast of characters and non stop absurdness.
Spamalot is a parody based on the Arthurian legend, mythical and folklore figures from the tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, Sir Lancelot, Sir Robin, Sir Galahad, and Sir Bors. They set out on a goofy devine quest to find the “Holy Grail,” the cup Jesus used at the Last Supper.
What follows is non stop zaniness. Major Attaway, as King Arthur is amazing with his strong performance highlighted by his song and dance abilities. Along the way they encounter “The Lady of the Lake” (Amanda Robles) a mystical sorceress from Arthurian myth who hands Arthur the sword “Excalibur” and guides the musical’s magical elements. Amanda Robles first came to Denver eight years ago starring in the world premiere of American Mariachi.
Sir Lancelot (Chris Collins Pisano) is the wacky but brave, yet fiercely violent, knight of the Round Table. Sir Galahad (Leo Roberts) is the traditionally pure and noble knight, reimagined here with comedic twists. Roberts also plays the part of the Black Knight. Sir Bors, (L’ogan J’ones) that’s how his name is spelled, is the not so brave knight.
If dealing with the Black Knight wasn’t enough, the Knights of the Roundtable encounter the Killer Rabbit of Carbannog, A monstrous, mythical beast guarding a cave. In the play, the rabbit appears as cute and funny white rabbit. Don’t let fool you, this rabbit is a bloodthirsty razor toothed creature that defends its territory attacking King Arthur and his knights. Recreated live on stage using puppet mechanics, it provides one of the shows most nostalgic and slapstick comedic scenes.
The knights also make a visit to Camelot, the legendary castle and court of King Arthur. It first appeared in 12th-century French romances as a glowing symbol of chivalry, peace, and a united realm. Here it is more of a Vegas style showroom complete with bright lights and exotic dancers.
So it goes for this over the top comedic production culminating with the musical number “Find Your Grail Finale” and the audience joining in singing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”. All in all, Monty Python’s Spamalot, is non-stop fun with non stop laughter that will leave you singing a song as you exit the theatre.
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