News


Audition for the Guild’s upcoming production of Monty Python’s Spamalot by Eric Idle

Whitehorse, Yukon. December 2nd, 2024

MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT

Book and lyrics by Eric Idle
Music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle
Directed by Brian Fidler and Reid Vanier
Musical Director - Hannah Mazurek
Choreography - Velvet Antler

Dates March 25th to March 30th, 2025

The Guild is thrilled to co-produce a large-scale musical on the Yukon Arts Centre stage. It has been over a decade since the Guild has collaborated with the YAC to bring local audiences a taste of Broadway on the luxuriously big stage of the Arts Centre. A Broadway smash hit and winner of three Tony® awards, Monty Python’s comic masterpiece, Spamalot, is known for its widespread appeal and brilliantly hilarious script. See it on the Yukon Arts Centre stage in March 2025!

Newcomers and veterans of the stage are welcome! There is an honorarium for performers.

Email guildproducer@gmail.com to book an audition or for more info.

Audition Details

Audition slots will be available:

  • Tuesday, December 10th 6pm-10pm
  • Saturday, December 14th 9am-5pm
  • Sunday, December 15th 6pm-10pm

Auditions will consist of a chat with the directors, performing a song (of your choice, please bring your own backing track), and reading a scene from the script (which we will send you in advance).

Rehearsal and performance info

Rehearsals begin January 7th and run through March 25th. Three evenings (between Tuesday and Friday) per week plus one weekend day will generally be required of all performers for the first month of rehearsals.

In February and March, additional time will be required - not all performers will be called for all rehearsals, however rehearsing Tuesday through Friday evenings as well as time during weekend days will be necessary. Performances will run March 25th through 30th.

Characters

KING ARTHUR (Late 30s-60s.)

The King of England who sets out on a quest to form the Knights of the Roundtable and find the Holy Grail. Great humor. Good singer.

SIR ROBIN (30s-40s)

A Knight of the Roundtable. Ironically called 'Sir Robin the Brave,' though he couldn't be more cowardly. Joins the Knights for the singing and dancing. Also plays GUARD 1 and BROTHER MAYNARD, a long-winded monk.

SIR LANCELOT d/b/a LANCE (30s-40)

A Knight of the Roundtable. He is fearless to a bloody fault, but through a twist of fate, does discover his 'softer side.' This actor MUST be great with character voices and accents, as he also plays THE FRENCH TAUNTER, an arrogant, condescending, over-the-top Frenchman, the KNIGHT OF NI, an absurd, cartoonish leader of a peculiar group of Knights, and TIM THE ENCHANTER, a ghostly being with a Scottish accent.

PATSY (30s-40s)

King Arthur's horse and servant. Underappreciated but always longing for King Arthur's approval. Good, funny, physical mover with some tap dancing. Also plays MAYOR, a jolly red-faced man who advertises the merits of his home town, and the drunken, useless GUARD 2.

SIR GALAHAD (30s)

A Knight of the Roundtable. Begins as Dennis, a lower class 'mud gatherer' who becomes knighted and transforms into the dashing Sir Galahad. Also plays PRINCE HERBERT'S FATHER, a wealthy, brutish Yorkshireman at odds with his sensitive son, THE BLACK KNIGHT who is always ready to duel despite multiple injuries. Strong baritenor singing required.

SIR BEDEVERE (20s-40s)

A Knight of the Roundtable. An inept scholar. Also plays DENNIS GALAHAD'S MOTHER, a shrill peasant woman, and CONCORDE, Sir Lancelot's horse. No solo singing.

THE LADY OF THE LAKE (20s-30s)

A Diva. Strong, beautiful, possesses mystical powers. The leading lady of the show. Great singing voice is essential, as she must be able to sing effortlessly in many styles and vocal registers. Especially seeking actresses of all races for this role.

SIR BEDEVERE (20s-40s)

A Knight of the Roundtable. An inept scholar. Also plays DENNIS GALAHAD'S MOTHER, a shrill peasant woman, and CONCORDE, Sir Lancelot's horse. No solo singing.

ENSEMBLE

12 Members, who will also cover the following roles:

  • HISTORIAN: A tweedy academic.
  • NOT DEAD FRED: A sickly little fellow who, despite others' beliefs, claims he is "not yet dead."
  • FRENCH GUARD: The condemnatory French sidekick to the French Taunter.
  • MINSTREL: In Sir Robin's band.
  • PRINCE HERBERT: The hopeful and frilly prince who loves to sing, and pines for his love atop a tower.
  • SIR NOT APPEARING may double as THE DANCING MONK
  • A DANCER appears as THE DANCING NUN
  • THE VOICE OF GOD (may be pre-recorded)
  • TWO FRENCH GUARDS
  • ROBIN'S MINSTRELS
  • SIR BORS

The Guild supports a welcoming environment for all artists and is committed to inclusive casting, including casting across gender identities, and ethnic backgrounds.

About Monty Python’s Spamalot book and lyrics by Eric Idle Music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle

Lovingly ripped off from the classic film Monty Python’s classic film the Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Spamalot retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table. Featuring killer rabbits, coconuts, and flying cows, this outrageous and irreverently entertaining story of King Arthur and the Lady of the Lake’s search for the Holy Grail will delight audiences and remind them to “always look on the bright side of life.”

Message from co-directors Reid Vanier & Brian Fidler

REID VANIER

I’m thrilled to be directing once again for the Guild, and to be immersing myself in the comedy of Monty Python that has always been special to me. Spamalot is a gift of a show, full of opportunities to play different styles of comedy, and getting to do so on the Yukon Arts Centre stage means that there is no ceiling to how BIG we can play with this show.

BRIAN FIDLER

As a lifelong Monty Python fan, I’m thrilled with this opportunity to co-direct Spamalot with Reid Vanier. The goal with this production is to have as much fun making it as we do performing it. So come on out and play!


The Guild announces its 2024-25 season!

Whitehorse, Yukon. May 23rd, 2024

The Guild’s upcoming 45th anniversary season promises to delight Yukon audiences with award-winning plays, comedy nights and more!

The Guild will launch its 2024-25 season this July with another edition of ‘Round Back - the Guild’s outdoor arts smorgasbord. Mainstage productions will begin in the fall, starting with Hurricane Diane by Madeleine George, followed by Animals Out of Paper by Rajiv Joseph, and ending with Monty Python’s Spamalot, book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. The Guild will also feature additional programming across the year - including comedy nights and more. All events will take place at the Guild Hall, except Monty Python’s Spamalot, which will mark the Guild’s return to performing at the Yukon Arts Centre.

“We are thrilled to co-produce a large-scale musical with the Yukon Arts Centre on its stage in 2025. It has been over a decade since the Guild has collaborated with the YAC to bring local audiences a taste of Broadway at the Arts Centre and we are so excited that we will return with Monty Python’s Spamalot,” Artistic Director Brian Fidler said.

More information about auditions and other production opportunities will roll out over the coming season. The Guild encourages anyone interested in participating in a show at the Guild to email Artistic Director Brian Fidler at ytguildhall@gmail.com to discuss their interests and potential opportunities. The Guild is always looking to welcome new artists - whether they are established in their careers or aspiring artists and performers.

Look for more information on the 2024-25 season in the coming weeks on the Guild’s website at guildhall.ca or the Guild’s Facebook page. Tickets for mainstage shows go on sale about three weeks before opening at yukontickets.com.

Contact: Brian Fidler, Artistic Director, ytguildhall@gmail.com

About The Guild Hall: The Guild Hall strives to be a vibrant hub of artistic expression and creativity, committed to fostering local artists and supporting community engagement through captivating performances and innovative initiatives.


Call for Indigenous Artists

Whitehorse, Yukon. March 15, 2021

The Guild and Gwaandak Theatre are working together on an Indigenous-focused production this spring: Dreary and Izzy by Tara Beagan, directed by Katey Wattam.

We're looking to gauge interest from local Indigenous artists to fill design and production roles for this play. These would be lead roles, supported through mentorship.

Experience is great but isn't necessary. We're looking for enthusiastic people with a background in related arts who most importantly have a strong interest in exploring their art in theatre. There will be an honorarium for these positions.

We're looking for folx interested in the following areas:

  • costume design
  • props design
  • stage management

Work on the production begins in early April and runs through mid-May.

Have questions? Would like to learn more? Please email Brian Fidler at ytguildhall@gmail.com.