They are the Knights who say “laugh,” and boy did the audience follow instructions well.

Opening night of “Spamalot” at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts in Greenville was a rousing success, thanks mainly to a group of actors who put the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” on stage with no problem and whole lot of hilarity.

From the opening featuring a stuffy, old professor and his “knowledge” of the Middle Ages to the closing number including a surprise wedding and a bit of sing-along, “Spamalot” proved you can take a cult classic film and throw it on stage. Even with Frenchmen, wooden rabbits and God himself.

Most of what comes out is directly from the film itself. We meet King Arthur — masterfully played by Gary Beach — with his sidekick Patsy, coconut halves and all. After a bit of searching, Arthur finds his Knights of the Round Table who are prepared to follow him through swamp castles and “very expensive” forests in a quest for the Holy Grail.

But that is not the point of the show. The point is finding reasons for the expansive cast to sing, dance and generally entertain the audiences that are sure to flock to the Peace Center in search of their own Holy Grail of humor.

And they do just that to a tee.

Most of the audience recognized the clacking of the coconuts from the very start and laughter preceded each and every bit that the troupe had accomplished in the film. Once the argument over African versus European swallows carrying coconuts opened, the crowd was in stitches. And that was followed quickly by rants about yielding “supreme executive power” thanks to a “watery tart” who may or may not have thrown a sword in Arthur’s direction.

The music was the best part of the show. Funny and timely lyrics by Eric Idle ranged from a song about Camelot that took on a Vegas show feel to innuendos about Sir Lancelot coming out of the closet. And if you want your Frenchmen taunting you a second, third and fourth time, you won’t be disappointed.

One of the many treats was Patrick Huesinger playing, among others, Sir Lancelot and Tim the Enchanter. Mr. Huesinger practically channels John Cleese (the voice of God in the production) and pulls off the homage without a hint of overacting — except where called for.

In all, this is the perfect show for everyone. Especially anyone looking to find a way to get the person who hates plays but loves Monty Python out to the theater. It’s pure culture — in only the way the guys of Monty Python can do it.

Jake Grove, Anderson Independent-Mail