by Graeme Stirling
It’s been a big week for icons of British television – not only have we seen the fiftieth anniversary of Doctor Who, perhaps the most treasured BBC series of all time, but the potential return of the UK’s best-known comedy troupe.
It’s been a big week for icons of British television – not only have we seen the fiftieth anniversary of Doctor Who, perhaps the most treasured BBC series of all time, but the potential return of the UK’s best-known comedy troupe.
The Pythons met as Oxbridge upstarts in the days of black and white TV and legal drink-driving, performing in university revue shows before being picked up by the BBC to film Monty Python’s Flying Circus, a surreal sketch show that aired for four seasons and led to several spin-offs across various media and long, distinguished broadcasting and film careers for many of its members. John Cleese and Michael Palin are perhaps the most recognisable, with the former going on to create staple Fawlty Towers and the latter making several series of world-wide travelogues and penning multiple books. Terry Gilliam went on to create equally surreal cinema – e.g. Brazil and Twelve Monkeys. Meanwhile, Spamalot, the musical off-shoot of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the first of three hugely successful Python feature films, is still enjoying stage success.
Perhaps this is the reason that the Pythons, having last worked together in 1988, have decided to revive their act with a stage show in the tradition of their student days. This follows the news that Fry & Laurie, the former half of whom credits his entire comedy career to a love of the Pythons and his efforts to emulate them, have been mulling over the idea of a stage revue show in the style of their own series, A Bit of Fry and Laurie.
As yet, no dates have been set for either, but when the day comes demand will surely be high. Python fans, quiver in your seats. The rest of you, prepare for the endless barrage of quotes and impressions for another decade to come.
Are you excited for Monty Python? What's your favourite sketch?
Perhaps this is the reason that the Pythons, having last worked together in 1988, have decided to revive their act with a stage show in the tradition of their student days. This follows the news that Fry & Laurie, the former half of whom credits his entire comedy career to a love of the Pythons and his efforts to emulate them, have been mulling over the idea of a stage revue show in the style of their own series, A Bit of Fry and Laurie.
As yet, no dates have been set for either, but when the day comes demand will surely be high. Python fans, quiver in your seats. The rest of you, prepare for the endless barrage of quotes and impressions for another decade to come.
Are you excited for Monty Python? What's your favourite sketch?
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