British Sketch Comedy Show "Monty Python" Flying Into Edinburgh Fringe; Broadway Next?

By Ernio Hernandez
30 Jul 2003

Fans of the British sketch comedy show "Monty Python's Flying Circus" may soon seen the beloved show on the Broadway stage, the New York Post reported.

Producer Mike Nichols — who brought the British comedy sketch show The Play What I Wrote to Broadway last season — is said to be developing a stageshow that compiles many of the comedy troupe's television sketches and songs, along with material from their films "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," "Monty Python's Life of Brian" and "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life."

The Post said Nichols would team with producer Bill Haber. The cast of the Broadway show would be a group of young actors, not the original Python members.

The only authorized stage version, thus far, of the original "Monty Python" sketches will be seen Aug. 2-10 at the Edinburgh Festival — albeit performed in French. The five living authors of the comedy series — John Cleese, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam — granted permission to French producer Rémy Renoux. The estate of the late Graham Chapman has also given its blessing for the impresario's unique adaptation, reported The Observer/Guardian.

The French-language stageshow, Monty Python's Flying Circus, will feature some of the best-known sketches including "The Ministry of Silly Walks," "The Dead Parrot" and "The Lumberjack Song." The show will perform in French with English subtitles.