BRUSH up on your silly walks and dust off the dead parrot because, for the first time in more than three decades, comedy legends Monty Python performed live on stage together this year. Broadcast from London’s O2 Arena, Monty Python Live (Mostly) played in cinemas around the globe on July 20. Now South African fans can laugh along at Cinema Nouveau at the V&A Waterfront tomorrow and next Saturday at 8pm.
At a combined age of just 358, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin perform some of their greatest hits, with modern, topical, Pythonesque twists.
Monty Python are rightly regarded as among the world’s finest comedians. They influenced a generation and revolutionised comedy. Their eagerly awaited reunion promises to thrill fans.
The first night of the live show sold out within 45 seconds of tickets going on sale. All five of the living Pythons performed on stage together for the first time in 30 years, with clips of Graham Chapman interspersed throughout the show.
Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the British television comedy sketch show, first aired on the BBC in October, 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series. The Python phenomenon developed from the television series into something larger in scope and impact, spawning touring stage shows, films, numerous albums, several books and a stage musical as well as launching the members to individual stardom.
A self-contained comedy team responsible for both writing and performing their work, the Pythons had creative control, allowing them to experiment with form and content and discarding the rules of television comedy. – Arts writer
l Book at www.sterkinekor.com.