Stephen Tompkinson to play King Arthur in Spamalot

Stephen Tompkinson is to play King Arthur in Monty Python's Spamalot when it returns to the West End, opening at the Playhouse Theatre on 20 Nov 2012, following previews 14 Nov 2012, booking to 13 April 2013

The cast also includes Anna-Jane Casey as The Lady of The Lake, and Todd Carty plays Patsy until 24 Nov 2012. Further casting to be announced.

Stephen Tompkinson's London stage credits include "Cloaca" at the Old Vic in 2004; "Rattle of a Simple Man" at the Comedy in 2004; "Arsenic and Old Lace" at the Strand in 2003. TV roles have included "Drop The Dead Donkey", "Ballykissangel", "Wild At Heart" and "DCI Banks".

Monty Python's Spamalot is "lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail." Book by Eric Idle, score by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.

"Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, witch burnings (cancelled due to health and safety) not to mention cows, killer rabbits and French people. The show features fantastic tunes more magical than a Camelot convention, including He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail and of course the Nation's Favourite Comedy Song (Reader's Digest Poll 2010 - before it went bust) Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life."