Monty Python Live (mostly) O2 Arena London 16th July 2014
“Knotted hankies at the ready: it’s Monty Python’s historic last stand live at London’s O2 Arena. It’s been more than three decades since they last appeared on stage together for a Hollywood Bowl show. But now surviving Pythons John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin – combined age: 357! – are dusting down those classic comedy routines for their final farewell.” John Cleese said: “The response to our planned reunion has been very, very silly. But, we’re all touched that so many fans still want to see such old people perform.”
Monty Python was part of my growing up. For me it means the early sketches like The Lumberjack song, the albatross, dead parrot, silly walks, nudge nudge, and the argument. The later series are less familiar. So David and I were two of the 200,000 people who made the trip to the 02 arena to see the guys perform for one last time. This was the 7th night of a massively successful 10 night run. The show works well, incorporating all of the old routines, as you would expect, and with the “female Python” Carol Cleveland joining in the fun with her old workmates. John Cleese forgetting his lines, and not being able to stop himself laughing only added to our fun. Of course the remaining Pythons look, and are, a lot older than when I last saw them perform at the Lincoln festival 42 years ago, and some of the routines seem quite dated, but seeing it all together presented in one show, reminded me of just how ground-breaking it was at the time. 
Yes there are parts that don’t quite work today, and I wasn’t too keen on some of the more theatrical Spamalot type dance routines, but the use of the original video, the recreation of the famous sketches, and the tributes to Graham Chapman all work, and overall this is a great show.
Set 1: Llamas; Liberty Bell March; Four Yorkshiremen; Penis Song (Not the Noel Coward Song); Naval Medley; Batley Townswomens’ Guild presents the Battle of Pearl Harbor; The Last Supper; Every Sperm Is Sacred; Mr. and Mrs. Blackitt; Silly Olympics (Video); Vocational Guidance Counseller; Lumberjack Song; International Philosophy (Video); Bruces’ Philosophers Song; Crunchy Frog; The Man Who Speaks in Anagrams; I Like Chinese.
Set 2: Spam Lake; Sit on My Face; Death of Mary Queen of Scots; Penguin on the TV; Gumby Flower Arranging; Camp Judges; Albatross; Nudge Nudge; Blackmail; Anne Elk; Spanish Inquisition; The Galaxy Song; Silly Walk Song; The Argument Sketch; I’ve Got Two Legs; Spam; Dead Parrot; Cheese Shop; Christmas in Heaven.
Encore: Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
17 Jul
Monty Python Live (mostly) O2 Arena London 16th July 2014
Posted July 17, 2014 by vintagerock in Monty Pythons Flying Circus. Tagged: comedy, concerts, gig, gigs. Leave a Comment
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