A CHESTER-BASED youth theatre is set to stage not one but two smash hit musicals.

On The Mark Youth Theatre (OTMYT) will bring the Monty Python classic SPAMALOT (School’s Edition) and The SpongeBob Musical (Youth Version) to the stage this summer on July 10-12 and July 13-14, respectively.

Lovingly ripped off from the cult film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and featuring music and lyrics by Eric Idle and John Du Prez, SPAMALOT will feature OTMYT's older members aged 15-19. 

The hit Broadway and West End show retells the legend of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table, and features a bunch of hapless knights and Las Vegas theatre stars, not to mention monks, Finnish villagers, Susan Boyle, cheerleaders and many more.

The youth theatre's younger seniors group, aged 9-14, will present an abridged version of The SpongeBob Musical which has recently played on tour to audiences all over the country.

When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world!

Discussing the challenge of staging these two very different shows, Simon Phillips, OTMYT's Artistic Director said: “These two shows are a real departure from our offerings last Summer and the casts have worked so hard to bring these challenging musical theatre pieces to life in such a short time.

“Work is well underway on over 200 costumes, line-learning, songs and, of course, the big movement numbers that make musical theatre so very entertaining. We are so lucky to have a great following in Chester and we hope to see all our regulars and some new faces in the audience. This is a great chance to see two incredible shows right here in Chester and we know that we will send our audiences out with a huge smile on their faces.”

In addition to staging two productions back-to-back, OTMYT’s artistic team are also getting ready for their annual Summer Workshop week which will be held in Chester from August 12-16.  Open to anyone aged 5-19 and led by experienced musical theatre performers, the workshop offers budding performers the opportunity to spend a week during the school holidays working on singing, acting and dance, culminating in a specially staged performance for family and friends at the end of the week.

Full details of SPAMALOT, The SpongeBob Musical and On the Mark's summer workshop can be found at www.otmyt.co.uk where tickets can be booked online.