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Monty Python's Holy Grail goes Broadway
Sixyphe writes "First sighted on Yahoo News, it would seem that Eric Idle of Monty Python fame is working on a Broadway musical adaptation of everybody's favorite source of accurate medieval data, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The goal is 2005, and the working title is Spamelot (and not Spamalot, contrary to what an AP wire claims). And as a bonus to all you North-American Python fans, Eric Idle is soon to be touring in Canada and the US."
the airspeed of an unladen swallow?
One over there, an another over there...
I think this is the main reason Americans really take to the Monty Python troupe. Rather than the normal subdued humor that is the hallmark of European humor (except for that weird shouting humor of Germany), Monty Python takes absurd scenes and works them over the top. In American culture the bigger, louder, more powerful, and more blatant something is, the better.
How popular is MP in Europe?
I just hope that they eat Sr. Robin's minstrels early.
134340: I am not a number. I am a free planet!
EVERYTHING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A MUSICAL!
o oo'
Oh lord, when will it end. Please. Monty Python has created some of the most hysterical movies I have ever seen. Their skit/sketch comedy was genius. Yes, they sometimes had musical bits.
But *ONE MEMBER* reworking Holy Grail?
Sorry, I can't be a fanboy. All I can think is.
'Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Whatever you do do not eat the free 'Crunchy Frog' candy they give you at the entrance.
Seriously though , why does this meret a slashdot posting?
:D I mean, even the term "spam" is purely attributed to Monte Python. Its a nerd thing.
Its Monte Python, for god's sake! Thats why!
I would say "You must be new here" but I don't need the karma.
Tequila: It's not just for breakfast anymore!
"A wonderful play you'll never take a date to!"
Gee...if only Eric Idle weren't my least favorite Python. Seriously, his stuff on the show and movies was so-so at best. Do any of the really classic Python quotes or scenes have Idle in them?
(Michael Palin, of course, being the best, with Terry Jones as Most Underrated).
Hopefully the actor that is going save get Galahad from the virgins is late coming onto the stage which will call for some adlibing . . .
Do you think they'll have a Spanish Inquisition? 'Cause I don't think I'd expect it...
Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos
Unfortunately this didnt stop the Bee-Gees.
.. the full size cow being catapulted into the audience
The possiblities are endless -
---- "Logoff! That cookie shit makes me nervous!" - A. Soprano
I have fond memories of sitting in an upscale Japanese hibachi restaurant 15 years ago with a bunch of programmer "nerds" singing the Spam song. That, and an alcohol-induced duet of Sit on My Face with a coworker's wife. Come to think of it, it's surprisingly difficult to get arrested for disturbing the peace.
My God, man, had this not shown up on Slashdot many a fine nerd might have missed Idle's tour. He's no Darl McBride, but he's still pretty damn funny...
That he's not just sitting around being idle
I rather found Monty Python's Life of Brian funnier (and it may perhaps be easier to recreate as a broadway musical, less props and all) than Holy Grail.
But anyway, this'll be very interesting (aside from merely nostalgic of a film many of us have seen multiple times)
Dennis: Oh but if I went 'round sayin' I was Emperor, just because some moistened bint lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!
But what I'm more interested in is how on earth they're going to end it?
They can't really have a cameraman being bumped into by the press or something because that particular 4th wall doesn't exist onstage.
Maybe they'll have policemen storm the aisles and evacuate the theater.
Kick in the Head
On second thought, let's not go to Broadway. 'Tis a silly place.
[100% ISO 646 Compliant]
SVM, ERGO MONSTRO.
Let us not go there for it is a silly place.
Its only a model.
... who are about to be exposed to endless repetitive Monty Python quotes. My gf was so relieved that I'm a Spaceballs fan.
Don't get me wrong, I love Mel Brooks, I think his best works (Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein) are better than any of Monty Python's movies, but if he could turn "The Producers" into an excellent musical, certainly the much better "Holy Grail" could be one also.
Of course, some gags, like the bunny might be dificult, it'd be very hard to see on stage. But the tradeoff is, we'll be able to see a chorus line singing, "We're Knights of the Round Table, we dance we e'er we're able...."
Of course, it also means more exposure to Sir Robin's minstrels probably. That could be problematic.
The thing I really want to see though, is how Terry Gilliam's animation transfers to broadway. How exactly do we depict an animator having a heartattack on broadway?! I mean, it's a given that the aptly named, "Sir Not Apperaing in this Musical" won't be there, but how can we cut the monster out?
Oh well, as long as they still depict god talking like a Gilliam creation, you know, head completely detaching, I will be happy.
I mean REALLY.... I fart in your general direction...
Do you or your partner snore? - Visit www.snoring.com.au
...we had to imagine the whole of Macbeth in seven different languages before we got any dinner!!
I can see this becoming a major success because the low-budget nature of the film offers itself to easily adapting to stage as there aren't any flashy special effects to emulate. Except the "non-moving charging knight" scene and of course all those whacky animations. Maybe you should discuss this, at great length, at the new Root Forum I bet it will dethrone the Producers as hottest ticket on Broadway.
The New Root Council, kickin' ass sinc
Then again, there are plenty of funny quotes to go around.
Hell, just check this poll and you'll see a good summary of the intro modded up in various posts.
"To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit." -Stephen Hawking
If it's without the original cast it's worthless. Anyone else saying "It's a flesh wound!", "Run Away!", "African or European?", "Ni!", etc, is just blasphemy.
Graham Chapman will appear in every scene. >> But wasn't he cremated? Er yes, but he will appear in every scene, ashtrays, vacuum cleaners...
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An imperfect plan executed violently is far superior to a perfect plan. -- George Patton
Wait a minute... Doesn't that mean that
We apologise for the karma-whoring in this post. Those user responsible has been sacked.
Losers choose to abuse the use of "loose".
Did you know that the "Holy Grail" was a huge hit in the Soviet Union at the time - something like No 3 at the box office? The Soviet censors liked the films send-up of religion (& imperialism - remember the socialist peasants!), and passed it as being suitable viewing, maybe missing the strong thread of anarchism that pervades all of Pythons work. You could argue that it was cultural erosion like this that helped bring down the Wall..
The film itself was shot for peanuts in a damp part of scotland in just a few weeks. The actors really were damp and cold when performing it, giving the film an authentic grimness missing from glossy Hollywood takes on medieval Britain. All the music was cheap "mood-music" taken off some LP. Gilliam is a great director who doesnt make nearly enough films, in my view.
"You lied to me! There is a Swansea!"
Some French actors decided to adapt some sketches from MPFC in French and made a show with them. As it seemed to be successful they are doing it again with "new" (still adapted) sketches.
See for example here to book tickets.
McCartney fans pay bus tickets. [...] Lennon fans too, with discretion.
This is supposed to be a happy occasion! Let's not bicker and argue about who made what into a musical!
Now that's something completely different!
Ni, ni ni ni.
Ni ni nininini
NI
Mind you, moose bites can be pretty nasti.
I bet someone replies to this, and sacks me.
The latest Slashdot meme.
You know, because nothing like "Survivor" or musical "Idol" shows has ever been successful in Britain.
All employees must wash hands before seeking equitable relief.
I met Cleese a couple years ago when he was a visiting professor where I went to school. I attended a couple workshops he conducted as well as a screening of 'Life of Brian' and another of 'Meaning of life.' In the smaller settings, and even to some extent in the larger groups, he was tremendously funny in person. But you could tell he had no interest in being funny on command; he'd tired of being funny for other people and wanted to be funny for himself. The thing that shocked me when I met him was that I never realized precisely how old they have all gotten; I grew up up with them even though Flying circus was already over by the time I was born. The first show he did at my school was 'Parrot Sketch Not Included,' which many people laughingly took to mean 'oh I am so tired of that blasted parrot sketch,' which, while true, was -- I think -- a hint of a broader issue, which is that he is tired of the expectations people have of him: namely, if you don't make me laugh, I'll be completely disappointed with you. Never mind that the man is highly educated and is a successful businessperson outside of his acting work.
Cleese was truly worthy of the title 'professor' while I am not sure Idle would have been. Yes, we could've had him do all the Python stuff, but Cleese could actually teach you something. (and did, for several of us).