"WE eat ham, and jam, and Spam a lot" is the line from the original 1975 film that inspired this hilarious laugh-out-loud musical which is "lovingly ripped off from Monty Python and the Holy Grail".

The show is, like the film, based on Arthurian legend and stars Joe Pasquale and Joe Tracini as King Arthur and sidekick Patsy. Tracini is Pasquale's son in real life which heightened the chemistry and warmth between the two characters. Other cast members included Sarah Earnshaw as a fantastic Lady of the Lake – she has a great voice and her vocal range excelled.

The show stays fairly true to the original work, yet also differs as it is revamped to become more modern. There are songs such as The Song That Goes Like This and The Diva's Lament which specifically target and parody common characteristics and tropes of other musicals. There were also North-East gags included cameos from Ant and Dec and a mention of Cheryl Cole (or should I say Cheryl Fernandez-Versini).

A stand-out scene for me has got to be in the middle of act II when an extremely camp Prince Herbert (Richard Kent) and an only slightly less camp Sir Lancelot (Jamie Tyler) becoming romantically involved. The Holy Grail ended up being local Scott Henson, who was a great sport. Pasquale jokingly mocked Henson's accent and clothing and his impromptu comedic performance had the crowd roaring.

Spamalot is suitable for all (except small children, obviously). It's for fans of the original Monty Python and for those who simply just want to laugh constantly for two hours.

* Runs until Saturday. Box Office 0844 871 3022 or atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire