Monty Python Rides to NKHS

Julia Tobin, Staff Writer
February 6, 2018

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The NKHS Drama Club is presenting Monty Python this year, a funny, classic favorite that brings audiences together through the widely-known story of King Arthur. This comedy is bound to have all people, old and young, laughing uncontrollably. For those who have not seen the movie, the story takes place around medieval times as King Arthur, the protagonist, embarks on a quest to assemble the knights of the round table, and later to seek the holy grail. I spoke with Courtney Naughton, the stage manager of the production, to find out more. “It’s a really well-known story…” Naughton added when commenting about the play, “I know a few people who came up to me and were like ‘I usually don’t do the show but I had to because it’s Monty Python’ it’s different in that way…people were really excited to do this show…”. Reactions to the play came as no surprise, as the show is known for its spontaneous and random humor. Naughton also commented on the plot, “I think it’s a really well known story. It’s definitely one of the better shows we’ve probably picked. It’s got a really unique energy…”.

 

As for challenges facing the show, the choreography was an obstacle. Naughton stated that she was not directly involved with the choreography, but spoke of other stage managers obstacles when choreographing the play, “The hardest parts would probably be [that] there was not much to go off of. If you look at the [movie], most of them are standing or swaying, [they] had to make a dance out of that.. When talking about other special effects, she also commented that they “make do”, and to see the show to find out what they did for the infamous flying cow scene.

 

Monty Python and The Holy Grail is not a traditional play that teaches a moral or lesson. It’s comedic dialogue and beloved characters people love to watch and experience. As for any messages or impacts she wants the show to have on its audience,  Courtney replied she “wants people to have fun with this. It’s a relatively happy show.”

 

When asked if this play will top last year’s (a Christmas Carol), she responded, “I think there’s a possibility that it could. We’ve kind of lost a lot of time with missed rehearsals and things that have come up but I think we’re going to be able to pull off a really good show.”