North Peace Secondary School presents Monty Python-inspired King Arthur tale

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Students at North Peace Secondary School (NPSS) are retelling the legend of King Arthur with a Monty Python spin for this year’s musical.

Spamalot is based on Monty Python’s Quest for the Holy Grail and will be directed by NPSS teacher Ted Sloan.

“It’s about King Arthur trying to gather up knights. He’s told that he needs to find the Holy Grail, and he eventually does find the Holy Grail, but there’s a lot of weird and fun scenes in between,” Sloan said.

The play consists of grade 10 to 12 students from three classes: stagecraft, musical theatre, and the pit band.

“Between all three groups, we have basically 70 to 80 students, sometimes it feels like 100, all involved in this play,” Sloan said.

In September, the students learned the history of Monty Python and the play while getting to know each other.

Sloan says the show was cast in the first week of October, and the students have been practicing since, including on Saturdays and during lunchtime.

He wants to emphasize that though there will be Monty Python-style humour, the musical is a school version, so there will be humour and fun for every age.

“It’s very similar to Shrek, in that, some jokes for the older crew, a lot of gags for the young crew, and it’s super appropriate,” Sloan explained.

“The goal is for everyone to leave with a smile on their face,” Sloan said.

Sloan also wanted to thank the community and sponsors for being so generous.

The show will take place on December 1st, 2nd, 7th, 8th, and 9th at 7 p.m. at the North Peace Cultural Centre. Tickets can be bought on the North Peace Cultural Centre’s website.