Former Dr Who Peter Davison is embarking on a new quest. No longer will he fight intergalactic enemies, instead he will search for the Holy Grail when he replaces Simon Russell Beale as King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot from 23 July. Also joining the musical medieval romp is Bill Ward. The actor best known for playing misogynistic love-rat Charlie Stubbs in Coronation Street takes over from Tom Goodman-Hill as violent-though-slightly-confused knight, Sir Lancelot.
Current cast members Hannah Waddingham (The Lady Of The Lake), Robert Hands (Sir Robin), Steven Kynman (Herbert), Graham MacDuff (Sir Dennis Galahad), Andrew Spillet (Patsy) and Tony Timberlake (Sir Bedevere) all continue in their roles.
Davison played the regenerating timelord between 1981 and 1984 as a vision in cricket whites, becoming the fifth actor to take on the role. His many other television credits include All Creatures Great And Small, The Last Detective and At Home With The Braithwaites. Davison is no stranger to West End musicals, having previously appeared in Chicago at the Adelphi.
Ward left Weatherfield behind for good when he left Coronation Street earlier this year as his character met with an untimely death. On television he has also been seen in Jonathan Creek, Footballers’ Wives and Cold Blood, while his theatre credits include A Chorus Of Disapproval, The Beggar's Opera, Antigone and Around The World In 80 Days.
Monty Python's Spamalot, which is 'lovingly ripped off' from the film Monty Python And The Holy Grail, opened at the West End's Palace theatre in September 2006, starring Tim Curry as King Arthur. The transfer from Broadway received seven Laurence Olivier Award nominations including Best New Musical.
In addition to the West End and Broadway productions, a Las Vegas production of Monty Python's Spamalot opened earlier this year and a Melbourne production will open in November.
MA