Python’s greatest hits delight fans

The remaining members of Monty Python have delighted fans with a nostalgic run through their greatest hits at the first of their comeback gigs.

The cult comedy act – John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones – performed together for the first time in decades at London’s O2 Arena.

The show, which featured an extended cast of dancers, a full orchestra and special effects, ended with a singalong version of Always Look On The Bright Side of Life.

Among the classic sketches was the Four Yorkshiremen, comparing their tough upbringing, and the Lumberjack Song.

The audience was also treated to clips from old shows including the fish-slapping sketch, and some of the biggest cheers of the night were reserved for archive clips featuring sixth Python Graham Chapman who died in 1989.

The second half of the show kicked off with a spoof ballet – Spam Lake – before a performance of the X-rated Sit On My Face song. Other sketches included Idle and Palin as lingerie-wearing judges and Idle and Jones performing the “nudge, nudge, wink, wink” routine which inspired a song and dance number.

Fans applauded every aspect of the show which included big song and dance routines which allowed time for the numerous costume changes.

Daniel Sanderson, from Hammersmith, said the show had been worth every penny. He said: “They looked like they enjoyed it as well, which was great, so maybe they’ll do more shows.”

The Pythons, who have been open about the financial reasons for the reunion, even had two giant “merch-o-meters” at the side of the stage measuring sales of T-shirts, posters and other items during the interval.

Sally Baxter, from Swindon, said she was just glad to get the chance to see them live at last.

She said: “I saw them on TV when they started out so this was a little bit of my youth up on stage.”

Stephen Fry turned up on stage later in the night during a sketch about a game show host blackmailing misbehaving celebrities, and other famous faces included Professor Brian Cox and Stephen Hawking, who appeared on film after a performance of The Galaxy Song.

Monty Python’s Flying Circus was made for TV between 1969 and 1974 and generations of fans can recite lines and whole sketches.

Chapman died of cancer aged 48, and nine years later the five remaining members shared a stage at the Aspen Comedy Festival in the US.

The last ever gig – on July 20 – will be broadcast in cinemas around the world.

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Monty Python: Watch Mick Jagger send up Rolling Stones in hilarious video at …

Mick Jagger has taken a break from prancing around stage reliving the old days to have a playful pop at Monty Python for, er, prancing around on stage reliving the old days…

The 70-year-old rocker released a tongue-in-cheek video on the eve of the comedy show’s live gig at the O2 in London on Tuesday night mocking the stars John Cleese, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones.

Jagger also has a dig at his own reputation for being frugal. In the sketch he is told the Rolling Stones’ lighting engineer is working on Python’s one-off run of 10 shows.

In a reply that could have been about the Stones themselves, he said: “Monty Python, are they still going?

“Ten shows, they will coin it in. I bet it is expensive. But, I mean, who wants to see that again?

“It was funny in the 60s. They are a bunch of wrinkly old men trying to relive their youth.

“I mean the best one died years ago. We’ve seen it all before, they’ve put it all up on YouTube.”

Reuters

But the Python stars laughed off Jagger’s jibes. Idle, 71, said their fans wanted to see the classic sketches, just like Stones lovers turned up to their reunion gigs to hear great hits from all those years ago.

He added: “There are similarities. They want to see the parrot sketch, like you want to see Let’s Spend The Night Together.

“It would be odd to try to write better things than our best at this age.”

Jagger’s mick-taking video will not be shown at the Python gigs. But scientist Stephen Hawking makes an ­appearance. He will be in a video with Professor Brian Cox.

At a press conference in London, Idle said of Hawking: “He’s a big Python fan so he was asked if he would and within a minute he said yes.”

A different celebrity guest will also appear each night in a sketch called ­Blackmail.

Cleese, 74, said the show, which includes 10 male dancers and 10 female performers who writhe around in lingerie, costs around £4.5million to stage.

One source who saw a dress rehearsal at the weekend said it mixes live sketches with “lots of video and animation”.

Songs including I’m A Lumberjack and the dead parrot sketch will also feature.

 

The source added: “If you are a fan of Python you won’t be disappointed.”

It will be the goup’s first UK ­performance in more than 40 years. And they insist it will be their last.

Cleese revealed how he has been preparing. He said: “I’ve been sleeping a lot. I don’t feel so nervous. At our age if they have bought a ticket they like you.”

Idle added: “We wanted it to be energetic. We leap around. I am quite worn out even after the first number.”

Monty Python’s Flying Circus was a TV hit between 1969 and 1974. Sixth Python Graham Chapman died of cancer in 1989 aged 48.

• A new box set of the album Monty Python Sings (Again) featuring three unreleased songs and three new recordings, is out now.

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