Monty Python's Spamalot is a musical comedy "lovingly ripped off from" the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Like the film, it is a highly irreverent parody of the Arthurian Legend, but it differs from the film in many ways, especially in its parodies of Broadway theatre. Eric Idle, a member of the Monty Python team, wrote the musical's book and lyrics and collaborated with John Du Prez on the music. The original 2005 Broadway production, directed by Mike Nichols, won three Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical of the 2004–2005 season and received 14 Tony Award nominations.

Idle explained the title in a February 2004 press release:

Synopsis

Before the play

A recording encourages members of the audience to "let your cellphones and pagers ring willy-nilly," and warns them to "be aware there are heavily armed knights on stage that may drag you on and impale you."