Mike Webster is about to make his big local stage debut in Monty Python's Spamalot, opening next week. Tania McCauley reports.
Mike Webster has many happy memories of Monty Python's Flying Circus and subsequent madcap movies, one of the reasons he didn't hesitate to audition for the Napier Operatic Society's
version of Spamalot, which opens on Thursday next week.
No doubt plenty of people in the audience over the two-week season will be reliving the same sort of moments.
Spamalot, the Tony Award-winning musical written by Monty Python member Eric Idle, was based on the Monty Python & the Holy Grail movie, which told, in typical mocking Python fashion, the story of the quest of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table to find the Holy Grail.
Originally from Auckland, Webster's biggest show to date is Joseph & the Technicolour Dreamcoat. A big fan of theatresports and improv, his only dramatic forays since have been in church shows. "It's a bit of a leap (from that) to playing a psychopath and gay knight."
Ah yes. The characters. Webster plays more than one, including Sir Lancelot, a rude Frenchman, and a rather slow peasant. He has also had to learn how to walk on stilts, "I'm hoping people won't see me fall into the orchestra pit", and found singing and dancing quite challenging. "When you're kind of built like a fridge you move like a fridge," he says.
It's a world away from his day job as the Napier City Council's regulatory services manager. He winces when he recalls one of the costumes he has to wear. Although he is more excited than nervous about opening night, he's expecting some ribbing from work colleagues who have made plans to see the show.
Webster has always been interested in drama, but felt when he left school he would be better off getting a trade. A Bachelor of Science led to a post-graduate certificate in health inspection, and work with various councils.
His eldest daughter, however, has decided to pursue drama and is at performing arts school in Christchurch.
"Dealing with parking, dog and liquor control, you get to have a lot of negative interaction [with people], so it's really nice to do something where you're having fun. It's all about having a laugh yourself and making other people laugh."
Also playing multiple roles in Spamalot is Napier performer Rick Behague, who starred as Chris in Miss Saigon in 2009. As well as appearing in Tabard Theatre shows, Behague has had leading roles for Napier Operatic in Jesus Christ Superstar and Westside Story.
In Spamalot Behague's characters include a professor, lilting minstrel, rude Frenchman and gay prince. Diversity indeed.
Info
What: Spamalot
Where & When: Tabard Restaurant Theatre, Napier, April 19-May 5
Tickets: www.ticketdirect.co.nz