Just in time for the 25th anniversary of its initial release–and, coincidentally, the Monty Python Live (mostly) reunion show, which is under way this week in London–is the re-release of Monty Python Sings, the new re-mastered version of thew CD with bonus tracks. It’s even available with a bonus disc. Here’s a little taste…
Tag Archives: Monty Python Live
Python: Alive Again…
The boys are off and running (or silly walking, as the case may be), so I thought I’d share a few thoughts.
First of all, the running order of the show seems to be about what I expected: just about everything a Python fan would expect to see is there, including a few favorites (such as Spanish Inquisition) that have never been performed live. There are a requisite number of video clips and musical production numbers which fill the gaps during the time needed for them to change and get ready for the next sketch. I’m not going to list the running order here–it’s easily available in the internet for anyone who wants to see it–but it’s a very good mix.
The critics seem to love it, except, of course, for those that don’t care to see a bunch of 70-year-old Pythons doing 45-year-old sketches. Sorry, but that’s the best you’re going to get. And it’s plenty good enough, according to the fans who were there the first night. A few critics don’t seem to get it at all (and why they would be tapped to review a Python reunion show, I’ll never know), and have continued to get facts wrong, and haven’t cared enough to look up the readily-available names of some of these 45-year-old sketches. No matter–nothing they write is going to prevent a single fan from buying tickets and turning up. There are some pretty good, perceptive critics with some good reviews, including this one and this one.
Eric deserved HUGE credit for putting the script together and directing this massive enterprise. How massive, I’ll know for sure after I’ve seen it, but I have a feeling it’s pretty massive.
And I’m so glad to see that Graham starts and ends the show. I’m sure that he would be bemused by the whole idea of the reunion, but as eager as anyone to participate. The others did him right.
The boys are doing shows five days in a row this week. That would be a lot of men half their age. I think they’re going to need every day off to rest up for the second and final week. Fortunately, they’ll be doing two shows, with a day off before the final three shows. And I think some of them may be regretting that they agreed to meet and greets every night after the shows…
I’m planning to be there for the final three shows. Having seen them at the City Center in NYC in 1976, as well as the Hollywood Bowl in 1980, this has a momentous feel to it (probably because, in the world of modern comedy, it IS pretty momentous).
Stay tuned.
The Reviews Are In…
Not that they’ll mean much anyway. The Pythons are back together, live, on stage. What’s more important than that?
But you can have a look here, and here, and here. (The latter review, from The Independent, seems noticeably flawed: the Michelangelo Sketch is not, as is described, new, but one of the show’s pre-Python sketches, and Four Yorkshiremen is described as “The Clubmen Sketch.” Buyer beware.)
But in general, it sounds like a real triumph. I’ll be reporting in person when I’m in London for the final shows. And I can’t wait.
Final Countdown to O2…
It’s just a few hours before the Pythons take the stage at the O2 Arena. Here’s what’s been happening to make it happen…
Python Predictions
Every time I’ve seen Terry G perform “I’ve Got Two Legs” (City Center, Hollywood Bowl), he increases his altitude. But it looks like the O2 is going to top them all… BTW, any guesses what’s in the backpack (frontpack) around his waist? If he’s running true to form, it’ll be something disgusting.
What’s going to be in the show? What won’t be? Here are a few of my predictions…
Sketches to look for in the show:
I’ve Got Two Legs: This Terry Gilliam song has, I believe, been performed in the Drury Lane, City Center, and Hollywood Bowl shows, with Terry being hoisted up on a wire. See photo.
Spanish Inquisition: this is one of the classic sketches that I don’t think has been performed live in a Python show before. It’s complicated by the fact that Graham isn’t here to note that there’s trouble at the mill, but someone else could play this somewhat smaller role, or Graham could do it on video.
LLamas: This is a particularly silly thing that has been in virtually all the stage shows, for no particular reason. Why should this one be any different?
What sketches won’t be in the show:
The Most Awful Family in Britain/Church Police: this was one that they used to love to close the show with; it was a great ensemble piece, allowed them to mug in the extreme, and allowed Terry Gilliam to load up on “More beans.” I suspect the lack of Graham was a factor in choosing to leave this out.
Most of the cast scenes that involve Graham. Unless, of course, they can be displayed on video. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Colin “Bomber” Harris wrestling scene, as it’s a stand-alone.
What sketches will be performed very differently:
Silly Walks: It’s too iconic to leave out, but John won’t want to perform this with his bionic hip. So, look for a singing and dancing version.
Dead Parrot: Again, it’s too iconic to leave out, but well-worn territory. I suspect a production number here…
#montypythonlive.com
#pythonspamclub
Rehearsals…
It’s happening, Reg!
Cinco de Palin
And a happy birthday to my globe-trotting friend Michael Palin.
Born May 5, 1943, Michael is still the youngest Python, though that doesn’t really mean as much as it used to. Hope he’s resting up for 10 performances–two months from the moment that I’m writing this, he’ll be on stage with the others at the O2 Arena. making John Cleese laugh during the Dead Parrot Sketch. Happy 71st Michael!
The Last of Python Goes Global!
If you’ve been fretting because Monty Python Live (mostly) won’t be coming to your corner of the world (which would be just about anywhere except for the O2 Arena in London), fret no more.
It’s true, the Pythons won’t be touring the U.S. (or anywhere else for that matter). Once the O2 show is done, so are the Pythons. But there is some good news. The Last Night of Monty Python will be shown live from the O2 Arena on the final night of live shows on Sunday, July 20th, broadcast live to 1500 movie theatres around the world. If you can’t be there in person, this is the next best thing. Actually, it’s the only thing. But it’s cheaper than a ticket to London.
Theatre details aren’t available yet, but keep your eyes peeled–this is liable to sell out quickly. Here’s the official press release:
The Last Night of Monty Python is coming to a cinema near you
“Thanks to the wonderful invention of moving pictures, The Last Night of Monty Python is coming to a cinema near you. Get your knotted handkerchiefs out and warm your brains one last time at any one of 450 cinemas across the UK, and 1500 across the world. Join the crowd live from London’s O2 in a final weepy, hilarious, uproarious, outrageous, farewell to the five remaining Pythons as they head for The Old Jokes Home …. On the big screen, in HD.” The Pythons
Picturehouse Entertainment will be broadcasting the upcoming Monty Python Live (mostly) show on July 20 2014, the historic Last Night of the Pythons live from London’s O2, to cinemas around the world.
UK cinema tickets will go on sale from April 25, with further information available on www.montypythonlive.com.
Monty Python rightfully hold a place amongst the world’s finest ever comedians, influencing a generation and revolutionising comedy on their way to greatness. There was huge demand for tickets at the O2, which will be the first live performances on stage by the stars of Monty Python since performing at the Hollywood Bowl on 26-29 September 1980. It will also mark 40 years after they last appeared on stage in the UK at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. At a combined age of nearly 361, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin will once again take to the stage and perform some of Monty Python’s greatest hits with modern, topical, Pythonesque twists.
The Monty Python Live Facebook page just went live last week, and it looks like it might be a very good place to check in for occasional updates. Of course, this will, I hope, continue to be another very good place to check in for occasional updates. Why not keep using us both?
BTW, a couple of people have asked me if Terry Gilliam will be taking over Graham Chapman’s roles in this show. As I understand it…not quite. First of all, Terry and Graham are rather different types. Other Pythons may fill in for Graham in some circumstances, but there will also be clips and recordings of Graham filling in for Graham.
I should point out that while the show will include lots of favorite old sketches, there’s going to be new material, and new twists on old material. If you’ve seen or heard Monty Python Live at City Center or Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl, you haven’t seen Monty Python Live (mostly). Tickets are still blah, blah, blah…
howardjohnsonblog 
You must be logged in to post a comment.