Playing Patsy: An Interview with Actor Blake Segal

I remember well my first encounter with Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It wasn’t actually through the movie; rather, a freshman classmate proved to be a huge Holy Grail fan and quoted the film constantly. I finally watched it, finally understood the references — as well as his enthusiasm — and have gone on to enjoy many Monty Python moments since. So I’m thrilled that Monty Python’s Spamalot is coming to the Tulsa PAC in September, and even more thrilled for the opportunity to interview Blake Segal, who plays Patsy in the production.

Acting in Spamalot

“If you haven’t seen the movie or the musical, you probably still know who Patsy is,” says Segal. “I’m the guy with the coconuts.” As Patsy, Segal recreates one of Holy Grail‘s most iconic images – the long-suffering squire banging coconut shells together, creating a clip-clop sound that works as a stand-in for King Arthur’s horse. In the musical, Segal explains, the coconut halves are made out of a repurposed bird toy. “We’ve gone through a few pairs now,” he says. And while you might assume the coconut sounds are pre-recorded, the sound is actually captured live.

I ask Segal whether he tends to gravitate toward comedic roles, like Patsy, or more dramatic roles in his career as an actor. “My career has brought me into more comedy,” he says. “I think when you’re in a 5’6” body and you’re a man in this industry, that tends to lead you to more comedic [roles] because of the way that we perceive people. That is changing slowly. But we are getting there.”

However, his priority is “telling great stories,” whether that be through comedy, drama, etc. — and in bringing a truthfulness and authenticity to the stage.

“I went to Yale Drama for my acting training, and everything is rooted in truth,” he says. “Clown training is rooted in truth. Commedia dell’arte training…it’s all rooted in truth.  And the lesson that nothing is funny unless it’s also truthful is really, really present. But we might surprise ourselves with how truthful it is to care so deeply about something that might seem absurd to the audience.”

Blake Segal

Touring as a new parent

Besides acting, Segal teaches at Syracuse University and is father to a toddler. His wife is an associate professor at Syracuse as well as a director who travels for her own work, so their daughter is already an experience traveler! Segal says she tends not to be scared of new things, thanks to this experience. But of course, they do have to think through things like bedtime and sleeping arrangements while traveling. “We are lucky to be parenting in the age of Facetime and Zoom because we see each other every day that way, which is awesome,” says Segal.

Beyond Facetime and Zoom, Segal says he’s incorporated some of his daughter’s mannerisms into his performance, which is a fun way to feel connected with her on stage. “The way that my daughter says ‘no’ is the way that Patsy says ‘no’ in the show,” says Segal. “So whenever that moment happens in the show, it’s just a little bit of my daughter with me.”

Parenting as an actor

Although being on the road has its challenges, being an actor has had a positive influence on Segal’s parenting in general.

“Being a musical theater actor, we sing everything. Music cues change, music can help regulate,” says Segal. As an example: “For a long time, changing diapers was very scary for her. So we would just make up diaper songs, and it would be different every day. And because they were different, I think she really cued in and paid attention.”

Another way acting has possibly influenced Segal’s parenting style is in the way he and his wife talk to their daughter. “We talk to her like an adult,” he says. “I think the acting [lesson] there is ‘really see your partner.’ Perceive what your partner is doing, and that will change your behavior — versus when you see an actor do a ‘planned thing’ that isn’t based on what the other person is doing, you can, as the audience, sense that this is kind of not real.” In other words, slow down and pay attention, and don’t react based off of assumptions.

Encouraging your young actor

When interviewing actors, we always ask what advice they’d give to kids interested in a theater career. Segal’s advice is very practical: Find out what acting programs are available near you, and try as many as you can. Segal himself benefitted from parents who encouraged him to try a variety of activities and supported him through his first formative experiences as an actor.

“I did many many, many shows with a children’s theater company called NJRT, New Jersey Repertory Theatre,” says Segal. “I think I did 17 musicals, from being young all the way through a teenager.” Over the course of these 17 musicals, Segal was able to progress from being in the ensemble to having starring roles. “So going from a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz to a lion in The Wizard of Oz,” he says.

Spamalot at the Tulsa PAC

Spamalot is playing at the Tulsa PAC Sept. 15-20. Get tickets at ticketmaster.com/venue/263271?attractionId=1424801

If you’re wondering whether your kid should see Spamalot, Segal says it does have some mild cussing (nothing worse than what you’d hear in the movie). But the biggest consideration might be whether your kid can sit through the entire performance, which consists of two halves roughly and hour each, plus an intermission.

“Please come, we are so excited,” says Segal. “It is our privilege and our joy to bring laughter across the country.”