Theatre and musicals in Melbourne this week

If the words “it’s just a flesh wound!” ring a bell then you’ve likely come across the extremely funny 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail or the Eric Idle-penned musical Monty Python’s Spamalot based on the cult hit.After picking up three Tony Awards and 14 nominations during its original Broadway run in 2005, the cheeky Arthurian spoof went on to conquer stages around the world, including a Melbourne season in 2019. Now, the knights of the Round Table are saddling up once again for a limited run in Melbourne from September 16 to October 4.  Produced by Drew Anthony Creative, this latest iteration delivers all the original over-the-top musical numbers from composer John Du Perez, mediaeval mayhem and fourth-wall-breaking gags that made the show a hit. Plus, plenty of Monty Python silliness including the beloved anthem “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”.  “After celebrating 20 years since the original production last year, it is a great honour to restore Monty Python’s Spamalot’s place on Australian shores for fans who have longed for its return and for new audiences to meet the Knights of the Round Table for the first time,” said producer Drew Anthony.  Legendary Australian actor and comedian Stephen Curry is making his musical theatre debut as King Arthur. Joining him on stage is Jaz Flowers (Hairspray) as The Lady of the Lake for the Melbourne run with Marney McQueen (Titanique) taking over for Sydney. To round out the crew, Nick White is taking on the Man...

Melbourne’s stages have seen a slew of jukebox musicals tread the boards over the past few years. They’ve ranged from the powerful (Tina – The Tina Turner Musical) to the cheesy-yet-crowd-pleasing (Mamma Mia! The Musical) and the glossed-over tributes (MJ the Musical). Thankfully, at a time when it feels more important than ever to encourage people to get out and support the local arts industry, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical arrives at the Princess Theatre full of razzle-dazzle, an abundance of infectious energy and a stacked setlist guaranteed to appeal to the masses. What is A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical about?  Written by Anthony McCarten, directed by Michael Mayer and created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise opens on a dour therapy session between an older Diamond (played with commanding gravitas by Terence Crawford) and his doctor (Monica Sayers). It’s an unflinchingly sharp first introduction to the musical legend – all the more surprising given the heavy involvement of Diamond and his wife Katie – who is being particularly stubborn about revealing anything about the “clouds” that darken his demeanour. Enter the doc whipping out a book of all his lyrics, and suddenly, in true musical theatre fashion, the songs are quite literally spilling onto the stage in the form of the ensemble singing a teasing medley of hits to come.   From there we’re transported back in time as a young Diamond (Will Swenson) gets his big...