Spamalot in London? — Page 2

"The London production hasn't been cast yet - although Simon Russell Beale, the award winning actor, has taken over from Tim Curry as King Arthur. Mr Curry is keen to open in London, but it could be Russell Beale playing Arthur at the Palace." (excerpt from The Daily Mail article, as provided by link above)

What would bother me more than Tim Curry's not appearing in the West End Production would be that he really wanted the role and lost it to another actor. I think he deserves to be cast in the London production--he helped establish the immense popularity of this musical on Broadway. Would Russell Beale have had the same following initially on Broadway and brought in as many ticket sales as Mr. Curry?

I think we (but particularly the UK fans) should start lobbying our choice of Tim Curry as the King with Eric Idle and Mike Nichols, before it's too late. I'm willing to write letters, as I had planned some day to write letters of thanks to these gentlemen for casting Tim in the Broadway role anyway. Does anyone have any useful addresses for these two creative geniuses?

Now even Broadway world is mentioning Beale's name. *sigh*

As others have said, I hope that it isnt a case of Tim wanting to do the show but being told he cant...words can not describe how awful that would be.

Just seen a link to the New York Post on the Broadway board that seems to be under the impression Beale has got it sewn up...
NY Post

If it is true - as, more and more, it appears to be - I will be verrrrry slow to forgive Hank Azaria for opening his mouth.

EDIT: Yup, it's true...and what I'd give anything to know is if Tim was ever approached at all, or if Simon was cast in the Broadway production with the thought from the start that he'd be the one to open the show in London. That thought depresses me more than I can say.

Updated On: 1/27/06 at 10:16 AM

Press release...where's a press release? That's really the only way to end all this speculation. I see that so far the NY Post is the only source for this casting news.

Someone just left feedback to the BWW story which cited the Post, claiming it can't be true because SRB is already committed to performing at the National Theatre in the fall. Does anyone have any idea if that's the case?

:)
my friend has been offered a 'swing' member...

which ofcourse he is taking...its going to be very exciting seeing him in the show...especially west end debut!
X

Hello - sorry long time no post on this thread! Its been all Evita & Wicked this week!

At the launches there was much buzz about Spamalot - Eddie Izzards names turned up regulary...cant say anything official but...

For what it's worth, group sales tickets for Wicked are already on sale, and that cast list isn't supposed to be announced until mid-May. So I guess it's at least possible that tickets will go on sale before the cast is announced.

I read that there's a press launch for Spamalot on the "magic date" of 2/21, so hopefully the cast will be announced at that time, if not before.

I cannot say for certain but i do know Tim and Eddie were not approached for the same role - so its possible they could star together.

Thanks for that clarification. Generally I would say whoever plays Arthur would be the one "leading the cast", and I was having trouble picturing Eddie in the role.

Now I'll just hope for even more clarification from the press launch!

Can Eddie sing? That's a genuine question...I don't know if he can or not. The role of Arthur requires someone with at least a reasonably good singing voice.