Holy Grail becomes Spamalot musical

A Monty Python musical is to open on Broadway in spring 2005, Eric Idle has confirmed.

The show's tentative title is Spamalot, and it will be based on Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Mike Nichols, whose credits include the films The Graduate, Postcards From The Edge and Catch-22, is to direct the show, Canadian showbiz website Jam! reports.

Idle said: "I like the title Spamalot, but I was thinking it might be smart to ask audiences on my upcoming US tour if they liked it as much as I do.

"After all, they are the ones who will be paying Broadway prices to see the show."

Idle wrote the book for Spamalot, collaborating with John Du Prez on the music and lyrics.

Chortle reported last October how plans were afoot for a West End musical based on the work of the Pythons. And earlier this week, John Cleese said a Python reunion was unlikley.

Published: 12 Sep 2003