FORTY years after their last stage appearance in the UK, at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, the Monty Python crew recently got together for a live show at London’s O2 Arena.
When the news broke, the first show was sold out in 45 seconds of the tickets being available online. The five remaining live Monty Python members, plus some recorded footage of Graham Chapman, got together with some special guests for 10 performances.
The last of the 10 stage shows was broadcast in England on Gold TV and in theatres through a satellite link on Sunday July 20 and we get to see this particular show at Cinema Nouveau for a limited screening this month.
The live show, directed by Aubrey Powell, features John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin (with Graham Chapman on screen) and performances by Carol Cleveland.
The Monty Python crew first hit the TV screen in 45 episodes of the Flying Circus, broadcast over four BBC series between 1969 and 1974. They were an instant success, becoming the face of British comedy and going on to achieve international acclaim with films such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail in 1975, The Life of Brian in 1979 and their final film, The Meaning of Life in 1983.
If a phrase such as “This parrot is no more! He has ceased to be! If you hadn’t nailed’im to the perch, ‘e’d be pushing up the daisies” means something to you, then this is a must-see event.
The production runs at 190 minutes, which include a 20-minute interval.
• Monty Python Live (mostly) will screen at Cinema Nouveau Theatres in Rosebank Mall in Joburg, Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria, Gateway in Durban and V&A Waterfront in Cape Town plus Ster-Kinekor sites at Bedford View, Cedar Square, Sandton and Somerset Mall on August 6, 9 and 16 at 8pm.