Eric Idle on ‘Spamalot’ Return, Monty Python & Finding Joy in Dark Times

Eric Idle’s “Spamalot” returns to the Hollywood Pantages on Tuesday, marking a new chapter for the Tony-winning musical and a shift in Idle’s own involvement with the show he created. While the production arrives with updated scenic and projection design, Idle, at 82, will appear only briefly during performances, offering “something funny or rude,” he said.

The last time “Spamalot” graced a major Los Angeles venue a decade ago, Idle played the role of the tweedy historian who sets the stage for the Arthurian spoof. This time, he’s stepping back from a full cast role, citing the physical demands of performing eight shows a week. “I can’t do anything eight times a week,” he explained in a recent interview at the Written Hand cocktail lounge, though he conceded his day already included a 6 a.m. Writing session, a meeting with his book publisher, and promotional function for the show.

The musical, based on the 1975 film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” has always been a labor of love for Idle. He recalled unlocking an affinity for musical theater while playing Ko-Ko in “The Mikado” in the 1980s, where he began rewriting the patter song, “I’ve Got a Little List,” to keep the satire current. “It made me realize that I could write funny songs quite quickly,” he said.

“Spamalot” was born from a collaboration with composer John Du Prez, with the pair writing some 40 songs at a studio they dubbed Killer Rabbit Studios. Their goal was to create a show that appealed to both “Monty Python” fans and newcomers, incorporating elements of romance and sincerity not present in the original film. Director Mike Nichols played a key role in shaping the musical, making cuts and occasionally changing his mind, as documented in Idle’s 2024 book, “The Spamalot Diaries.”

The current tour, directed by Josh Rhodes, is a fresh take on the 2023 Broadway revival, featuring updated scenic and projection design by Paul Tate dePoo III. Idle expressed particular excitement about a Saturday matinee performance for students from the Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center, which provides performing arts education to youth in South-Central Los Angeles.

Idle believes the show’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to make people happy, a quality he feels is particularly critical in the current climate. “People really love this show because it makes you happy,” he said. “And these are the times when we need it really badly, because somehow, we’re being oppressed all the time.”

Despite his long career and success, Idle remains actively engaged with his craft. He recently encountered the actor playing King Arthur from the Pantages production at a hotel bar and asked for feedback on the script. “He said, ‘There’s one speech.’ I said, ‘I realize exactly which one This proves,’” Idle recalled, explaining that he continues to refine his work, even after decades.

The return of “Spamalot” also stirs memories of Idle’s time with the Monty Python troupe. While he cherishes the collaborative spirit of those years, he acknowledged a sense of distance stemming from being the group’s sole unpartnered writer. He found a parallel experience in his friendship with George Harrison of The Beatles, who also occupied a unique position within a powerful creative partnership.

However, financial disputes and a 2013 lawsuit over “Spamalot” royalties have led to a long period of estrangement from his former collaborators. Idle prefers not to dwell on the fractured relationships, stating, “I think we were good, I really do…But it doesn’t make you brothers.”

As Idle prepares for the opening of “Spamalot” at the Pantages, he carries with him a Holy Grail-shaped bag, crafted by his daughter and lined with Spam-printed fabric, a playful reminder of the enduring legacy of his work. He ended his evening by leaving a voicemail for a fellow musician in Los Angeles, suggesting a casual jam session: “Hey, Alex, I’m just finished what I was doing. I’m down by the Pantages. If you fancy a ding dong, give me a call. Otherwise, I’ll just head home.”