Zany, goofy, silly, shocking, absurd, puzzling and stupidly creative — they all describe the British comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” but even those words seem inadequate.
Sarah Mills, a member of The Trash Panda Players, adds bizarre to the mix of adjectives, and she’s seen the movie several times. Monty Python included actors Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.
“It was one of my parents’ favorite movies, so I saw it growing up,” she said. “It has always been incredibly strange. Even now, it’s bizarre.”
Mills and the other members of The Trash Panda Players theater group in Maryville, will re-create some of that off-the-wall British sketch comedy when they present “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” on June 14-15 and again June 21-21 at The Bird and the Book in Maryville. Tickets are $15.
These actors will present a shadow cast of the film, which means the 1975 film will play on the screen as these local actors perform the various scenes in full costume. The audience will have an important part to play as well. Each will receive a bag of their own props to add to the chaos.
“Audience participation is super important to us,” Mills explained, “because that’s what makes shadow casting different from just watching a film. We always do our best to make the audience as involved as possible and that always insures that no two shows are ever the exact same.”
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail” is set in the Middle Ages as King Arthur embarks on a journey with his Knights of the Round Table in search of the Holy Grail. Sword fights, a run-in with a snarky Frenchman, a grumpy bridge keeper, three-headed knight, killer bunny, Trojan Rabbit, witch trial and cave monster are all part of this tall tale that will have audiences wondering what just happened here.
The movie has its beginning and end point, but Mills admits scenes seem random and even unconnected. That’s the beauty of watching a Monty Python production, she said. It can be hard to act out this lunacy without also getting caught up in the moment.
“So much of what we do is so absurd, I’ve found the best way to keep focused while chaos and hilarity is all around is just repetition and practice,” she said. “Sometimes the key to staying focused is just knowing who not to make eye contact with.”
There are close to 20 actors who will take the stage for this production. Some, like Mills, have been acting for a while; for others, this is a new experience. Mills said it takes all skill levels and diversity to create a show that is uniquely their own. “Every time we have a hair-brained idea, we somehow always have a member who has the skill set to achieve that idea,” she said.
With so many characters needed, Mills and the others find themselves with multiple roles for this production. That’s exactly how it was done by the British comedy troupe.
Sarah Lister is the director, someone Mills said is very familiar with the local theater scene. She also makes many of the props used in Trash Panda production, which have included “Rocky Horror Picture Show, “Beetlejuice,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Clue.”
Expectations are high for this one. Mills said they announced they were going to do “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” several months ago. Theater-goers are encouraged to get tickets now; there may not be any at the door.
The film was rated PG back in 1975. There are raunchy jokes and gory scenes with swords, so parents need to decide its appropriateness, Mills said.
Keeping shows within budget is always a challenge. The Trash Panda Players are experts at recycling old sets and creating new ones by using their best resources —cardboard, adhesives, yarn, paint and most importantly talent, Mills said.
The lunacy and creativity in this one “strikes the sweet spot in our group,” Mills said.
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