Warwick Davis, star of comedy Life’s Too Short and innumerable blockbuster films, is to join comedian Les Dennis as they hunt for the Holy Grail in hit London musical Spamalot.
Davis, one of the few actors to appear in both the Star Wars and Harry Potter film franchises, will make his West End debut playing coconut-wielding sidekick Patsy from 23 September to 19 October opposite Dennis, who plays Arthur, King of the Britons, from 3 August until 2 November.
The Return Of The Jedi actor, who also played the title role in cult 80’s fantasy classic Willow, is “delighted” to make his West End debut in the comedy inspired by Monty Python and the Holy Grail, saying “I’ve been in hit TV shows and blockbuster Hollywood movies, but you are never really taken seriously as an actor until you’ve done a play. That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to play Patsy in Spamalot.”
Dennis, by contrast, could be considered a musical theatre veteran having appeared in productions including Chicago, Me And My Girl, Hairspray and Legally Blonde The Musical, though he is undoubtedly best known for his TV appearances hosting Family Fortunes, starring in Russ Abbot’s Madhouse and memorably appearing in Ricky Gervais sitcom Extras.
“As a kid I was always a massive fan of Monty Python so when Spamalot came to town I thought ‘I’d really love to be in that'”, Dennis said. “Now I’m excited that I’m actually not just in it, but playing the lead role.”
Spamalot, which also stars British entertainment icon Bonnie Langford as the Lady Of The Lake, tells the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table as they embark on a mission from God and encounter insulting French people, a knight who refuses to be beaten and a rabbit with sharp pointy teeth. Though God is normally played by the show’s creator and former Python Eric Idle, a collection of stars are stepping into the heavenly role this summer and donating their fees to charity. The divine selection comprises Hugh Bonneville, Bradley Walsh, Barbara Windsor, Simon Callow, Christopher Biggins and Larry Lamb.