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."

What is..

[Anonymous Coward]

the airspeed of an unladen swallow?

Ni!

[LurkerXXX]

And we shall decorate the set with shrubbery.

One over there, an another over there...

Re:Ni!

[marcel-jan.nl]

..only slightly higher, so you get the two-level effect with a little path running down the middle.

Re:Ni!

[override11]

A Path, A Path, A PATH!!!!

Sweet!

[digital bath]

I'm not usually a fan of this kind of stuff, but oh god! do I love monty python.

I guess I'll just wait a bit for the probable flood of holy grail quotes/jests.

Re:Sweet!

[Golias]

If it works, it will be the first funny thing Eric Idle will have done in decades. Here's hoping!

Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[Dancin_Santa]

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?

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[Bob The Lizard]

How popular is MP in Europe?

I don'y know about Europe, but most MPs arn't very popular in NZ. :-)

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[kaan]

Shut up! Shut up, you American! You always talk, you Americans, you talk and you talk and you say, "Let me tell ya something...", and "I've just gotta say this..."

modding instructions:
if you laughed, mod up
if you did not laugh, get off the computer and go watch The Meaning of Life

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[override11]

Eeevry sperm is precious....

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[Monkelectric]

americans are all stupid, blah blah ...

What you see on the TV isn't *really* what americans like. It's what bullshit TV execs think americans like. I've enjoyed the hell out of british shows like, sharp's rifles, mr bean/black adder/thin blue line, danger uxb, all creatures great and small, yes minister ... etc. I think given a chance american audiences would rise to the task and appreciate more sophisticated humor ... if given a chance, that is...

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[CastrTroy]

you probably aren't the average american, nor are most slashdot readers. Most americans go for the kind of stuff you see on TV. Because that's what most american's (not necessarily you) find funny.

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[corbettw]

When you want to put down Americans and their TV watching, just remember: it wasn't America who made "Baywatch" the most watched show on the planet.

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[dolo666]

Black Adder is my hero. I just love how his quirky relatives toss him into the most obnoxious situations. Makes ya wonder what makes Bean tick, y'know... and I think it's still really hillarious to see reruns.

Okay, this from a guy who liked 3's Company, but hey, Mr Roper was really sneaky trying to catch Jack in bed with the girls!

Re:Thin Blue Line was subtle?

[ArsSineArtificio]

Americans (and Canadians) watch reality TV and "idol" shows

You know, because nothing like "Survivor" or musical "Idol" shows has ever been successful in Britain.

European Subtlety

[The Monster]

Rather than the normal subdued humor that is the hallmark of European humor

France. Jerry Lewis. 'Nuff said.

Re:European Subtlety

[byolinux]

"France... country that made Jerry Lewis famous for christ's sake!" - Denis Leary.

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[Anonymous Coward]

Do you mean subdued as in "Bennie Hill"? Or perhaps the subtle reparte that we see in "Are You Being Served"?

Just asking.

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[Anonymous Coward]

Probably more like Fawlty Towers.

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[fucksl4shd0t]

Do you mean subdued as in "Bennie Hill"? Or perhaps the subtle reparte that we see in "Are You Being Served"?

Maybe he's talking about Red Dwarf? Or the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[Aussie]

Actually, MP was known to make their jokes less subtle for the US audiences.

eg: "Do you want to come upstairs ?" becomes "Do you want a blowjob ?" in the US version of the travel agent sketch.

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[Stubtify]

Americans are not a Race, they're a nation, this is not racism, its Nationalism!

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[Anonymous Coward]

Americans are not a race.

Yeah, they're a disease.

Re:Subtlety, Monty Python ain't got it.

[ncc74656]

Americans are not a race.

Yeah, they're a disease.

Go away, or I shall taunt you a sec...oh wait, that's obviously your line.

Schmuck.

I just hope

[the_other_one]

I just hope that they eat Sr. Robin's minstrels early.

SPOILER ALERT ?!?!?!

[rizzo]

THANKS for ruining the ending for me!

Re:SPOILER ALERT ?!?!?!

[the_other_one]

That's not the ending.
The ending is where .... oh look a bunny..........

Re:SPOILER ALERT ?!?!?!

[fucksl4shd0t]

That's not the ending.

The ending is where .... oh look a bunny..........

Personally, I hope they change the ending. I always thought the ending was rather, disappointing. I mean, it's not like they all end up on crucifixes seeing a happy song or anything.

Oh no, oh no, oh, no.

[JasonUCF]

EVERYTHING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A MUSICAL!

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.
'Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oo'

Re:Oh no, oh no, oh, no.

[xybe]

You mean: Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiii

Re:Oh no, oh no, oh, no.

[Nept]

Or rather ...

Re:Oh no, oh no, oh, no.

[heli0]

It can not be any worse than the Broadway adaption of Voltaire's Candide.

Re:Oh no, oh no, oh, no.

[niko9]

EVERYTHING DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A MUSICAL!

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.
'Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oo'

Relaaaax, in through the nose, out through the mouth. The carpal pedal spasms will go away in a few minutes.

Not everything is a musical.

I gather you haven't seen The Producers on Broadway, have you? There was no Wilder or Mostel, but it was the most fun I have had in a loooooong time.

It's just a musical.

Whatever you do...

[Anonymous Coward]

Whatever you do do not eat the free 'Crunchy Frog' candy they give you at the entrance.

Re:Whatever you do...

[the_other_one]

The Crunchy frog is ok if you are not a vegan.
Watch out for the Spring Surprise though.

Critics Agree

[michaelnz]

"A wonderful play you'll never take a date to!"

Re:Critics Agree

[fruity1983]

What are these "dates" you speak of? Is this a reference to an earlier slashdot article?

Re:Critics Agree

[fucksl4shd0t]

We obviously have very different taste in women.

He's obviously never tasted a woman.

Idle

[ceswiedler]

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).

Re:Idle

[Jonin893]

Wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more!
Idle was Sir Robin and was the guy on the cross next to Brian.
Idle was the best singer. I dunno, he might have been the weakest, but he had his moments. Some roles were roles only he could play. He's kinda like Phil Hartman on SNL. Doesn't have the most individually funny characters, but he did so many things that only he could do (announcers is the one that springs to mind quickest).
Also, I think he was one of the better writers. "Road to Mars" and his other m

Re:Idle

[red floyd]

the guy on the cross next to Brian.

I believe he's credited as "Mr. Cheeky".

Guard: Crucifixion?
Mr. Cheeky: No, freedom, actually.

Re:Idle

[stang]

Actually, Eric Idle wrote the "Argument Clinic" sketch. I think it's the funniest thing they ever did and one of the funniest bits of comedy ever.

Not to mention..

[k98sven]

Adding to the other comments in defense of Eric Idle:
He did a great job with the music as well. Who can't whistle "Always look on the bright side of life"?

With his musical and comical talent.. This might well be worth seeing.

"And spank me-" "-and me"

[abscr]

Hopefully the actor that is going save get Galahad from the virgins is late coming onto the stage which will call for some adlibing . . .

Re:"And spank me-" "-and me"

[echucker]

Perhaps this would be a prime spot to have some audience participation. :-)

Do you think...

[i.r.id10t]

Do you think they'll have a Spanish Inquisition? 'Cause I don't think I'd expect it...

Just imagine ....

[bizitch]

.. the full size cow being catapulted into the audience

The possiblities are endless -

Re:Just imagine ....

[doomdog]

If they catapulted CowboyNeal into the audience, I'd definitely consider going to the show :)

It's good to see

[alex_ant]

That he's not just sitting around being idle

Re:It's good to see

[barfy]

Of course he is... Don't be daft.

But really...

[Anonymous Coward]

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!

Would you believe it's been done?

[Burb]

A local theatre group near me has performed L.O.B. [swindonweb.com] Apparently there's no official released script, but they just asked nicely, and the rights holders just said "OK"

But not, as far as I know, as a musical. It was a straight play

Could be cool

[yoshi1013]

It has potential, it would certainly be a lot of fun to see stuff like the Camelot scene performed live.

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.

Re:Could be cool

[jwriney]

...it would certainly be a lot of fun to see stuff like the Camelot scene performed live.

It's only a model.

--riney

Re:Could be cool

[bersl2]

<song src="memory">

We're Knights of the Round Table
We dance whene'er we're able
We do routines and chorus scenes
With footwork impecable
We're opera-mad in Camelot
We eat ham and jam and spam a lot

</song>

I wanted to do something to the Camelot Song for a skit at school. Just have people doing crazy shit on stage.

Also, LEGO did the Camelot Song using their eponymous objects. The movie used to be on the LEGO site, but they seem to have removed it. It was very amusing to listen to it in a fast

Re:Could be cool

[anakuran]

Still available here [ifilm.com] :)

On second thought...

[Kedisar]

On second thought, let's not go to Broadway. 'Tis a silly place.

Re:On second thought...

[Nept]

Lancelot: Look, my liege!
[trumpets]
King Arthur: Spamelot!
Sir Galahad: Spamelot!
Lancelot: Spamelot!
Patsy: It's only a musical.
King Arthur: Shh!

I just watched the film recently

[YllabianBitPipe]

And I must say I could see it work quite well as a musical. Especially that foppish Prince Hubert guy, what a riot. I'd like to see his role expanded into several numbers.

Broadway!

[Anonymous Coward]

Let us not go there for it is a silly place.

Its only a model.

I feel sorry for all the women out there...

[Anonvmous Coward]

... who are about to be exposed to endless repetitive Monty Python quotes. My gf was so relieved that I'm a Spaceballs fan.

Re:I feel sorry for all the women out there...

[Pseudonym]

Well, that's just the sort of blinkered, phillistine pig-ignorance I've come to expect from you non-creative garbage. You sit there on your loathsome spotty behind, squeezing blackheads, not caring a tinker's cuss for a struggling artist, you EXCREMENT! You whining, hypocritical toady with your colour TV set and your Tony Jacklin golf clubs and your bleeding masonic secret handshakes. You wouldn't let me join, would you, you blackballing BASTARD! Well I wouldn't become a Freemason now if you got down on your lousy stinking knees and begged me!

Sorry, I don't know what came over me.

Re:I feel sorry for all the women out there...

[Anonvmous Coward]

"Well, that's just the sort of blinkered, phillistine pig-ignorance I've come to expect from you non-creative garbage. You sit there on your loathsome spotty behind, squeezing blackheads, not caring a tinker's cuss for a struggling artist, you EXCREMENT! You whining, hypocritical toady with your colour TV set and your Tony Jacklin golf clubs and your bleeding masonic secret handshakes. You wouldn't let me join, would you, you blackballing BASTARD! Well I wouldn't become a Freemason now if you got down on yo

Re:I feel sorry for all the women out there...

[_ph1ux_]

"My gf was so relieved that I'm a Spaceballs fan"

Which can only mean that you merely have a rather limited memory.

If Mel Brooks can do it...

[Jonin893]

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.

Re:If Mel Brooks can do it...

[fucksl4shd0t]

Of course, it also means more exposure to Sir Robin's minstrels probably. That could be problematic.

Just have your fork and steak knife ready, just in case the minstrels really do sing a lot.

Re:If Mel Brooks can do it...

[Bodrius]

I would think the advantage "The Producers" had in that sense is rather obvious, considering the theme and plot of the movie... even the rythm of the movie.

I have to wonder how they'll tie this one together. Although some scenes are obviously easy to transfer to a musical (the Camelot song, Launcelot's "rescues"), there are other scenes and random pieces of absurdity that don't fit the format that well.

Was I the only one

[lewko]

...who saw the topic and knew that the vast majority of replies would be nothing more than random Python quotes?

I mean REALLY.... I fart in your general direction...

When I was a lad...

[Basehart]

...we had to imagine the whole of Macbeth in seven different languages before we got any dinner!!

Potential

[Kenterlogic]

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.

Now...

[mraymer]

If only people still got karma for funny mods... then this would be a real frenzy to see who would post the funny quotes first.

Then again, there are plenty of funny quotes to go around.

Hell, just check this poll [slashdot.org] and you'll see a good summary of the intro modded up in various posts.

Holy Grail - Monty Python = 0

[Executive Override]

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.

I got yer ...

[Medieval]

... Medieval data right here.

From the least (and nastiest) of the Pythons...

[el borak]

Ever wanted to know what Idle is really like? Or why his fellow ex-Pythons rarely work with him? The original page is gone, but The Wayback Machine [archive.org] comes to the rescue. A choice quote:

The other Pythons have become accustomed to this attitude over the last 30 years - and because they have continuing business interests in common - have to tolerate it. Living 6,000 miles away from him and seeing him only very occasionally helps.

But they are unsparing about him behind his back. "Eric Idle gives selfishness a bad name" is John Cleese's openly-expressed and widely-repeated description of his former colleague.

Riddle me this.

[Dolemite_the_Wiz]

How is the Cartoonist supposed to suffer a heart attack from the man eating rabbit?

Dolemite
_________________

/.ers submitting movie quotes have been sacked

[PoisonousPhat]

Wait a minute... Doesn't that mean that
We apologise for the karma-whoring in this post. Those user responsible has been sacked.

Holy grail in Russia..

[adeyadey]

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.

Monty Python on stage in Paris

[Monsieur_F]

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 [billetreduc.com] to book tickets.

No Florida tour dates :-(

[DamienMcKenna]

I'd love to attend his tour but he isn't coming to Florida :-(

More Proof...

[JimPooley]

...if any were needed that Eric Idle does not have a single grain of talent left in his entire body.
The only ex-Pythons to have done anything worthwhile in the last 20 years are Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin. In the last 10 years I'd say Terry Gilliam alone.
The rest are just painfully unfunny, Cleese and Idle especially.

Re:More Proof...

[BenjyD]

Maybe we can forgive John Cleese his recent unfunnyness. Fawlty Towers still stands as the funniest British sitcom, nearly 30 years later.

Michael Palin is too busy going round the world in ever stranger ways to work on comedy.

Re:More Proof...

[Aquitaine]

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

People!

[InsaneCreator]

This is supposed to be a happy occasion! Let's not bicker and argue about who made what into a musical!

well well

[VanillaCoke420]

Now that's something completely different!

Ni?

[Manic Ken]

Ni, ni ni ni.
Ni ni nininini

NI

Another book

[alext]

Just saw Monty Python Autobiography by the Pythons [dailyllama.com] in my local bookstore (London) and, well, it's certainly big. From the same people that brought out the equally massive Beatles tome a couple of years ago. Looks quite good - about 1000 photos they say, but text mostly for serious cases who won't be too bored by the details of early 60s "light ent". Just in time for Xmas, coincidentally.

A moose bit my sister once. No, really.

[Bob Cat - NYMPHS]

Mind you, moose bites can be pretty nasti.

I bet someone replies to this, and sacks me.

Re:cool

[Pharmboy]

Seriously though , why does this meret a slashdot posting?

Its Monte Python, for god's sake! Thats why! :D I mean, even the term "spam" is purely attributed to Monte Python. Its a nerd thing.

I would say "You must be new here" but I don't need the karma.

Python, not Three-Card, Del, or Cristo

[The Monster]

Monte Python,

Don't give me that, you snotty-faced heap of parrot droppings! Shut your festering gob! The spelling 'Monte' is appropriate for French or Spanish, but not English. Spell it 'Monty', you vacuous, coffee-nosed, maloderous, pervert!!!

I just came here

[geekoid]

for an argument.

they mentioned Evil Dead's musical

[SHEENmaster]

and evil Monte Python has an even larger evil cult following.

(In all seriousness, Evil Dead 3 sucks. Evil Dead 2 is "meh". The original is awesome. Can't attest the musical, it's a self respect thing.)

Re:they mentioned Evil Dead's musical

[ceswiedler]

Evil Dead 3? As in Army of Darkness? That's an absolute classic, and the source for Duke Nukem's one-liners.

"Hail to the King, baby."

Re:they mentioned Evil Dead's musical

[mcpkaaos]

Can't attest the musical, it's a self respect thing.

Listen bub. Anyone that fesses up to seeing not one, not two, but *all three* Evil Dead flicks is already short on self respect. So hell, why not catch the musical, too. I'll drive. =o

Re:cool

[druske]

Seriously though , why does this meret a slashdot posting?

To justify the "foot" icon, of course!

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 n

Re:It's just insane

[the_other_one]

It probably is possible.
If SCO can make a case using whitespace for code.

Re:Just one technical problem...

[goodbye_kitty]

Unfortunately this didnt stop the Bee-Gees.

Ohhh, I'm so stupid

[Elpacoloco]

It's only BASED on Monty Python scripts, not necesarily performed by them.

Re:Just one technical problem...

[LardBrattish]

Graham Chapman will appear in every scene. >> But wasn't he cremated? Er yes, but he will appear in every scene, ashtrays, vacuum cleaners...

Re:Just one technical problem...

[Erik K. Veland]

I think he performed terribly well on the Monty Python reunion show a couple of years back...

Re:Sad

[Golias]

IMHO he's far from washed up (see "the Rutles")

The Rutles was 25 years ago. Yes, he is washed up (see his guest-staring role on the final, dying season of "Suddenly Susan"... actually, don't. It's every bit as awful as it sounds.)

I have modest hopes for "The Remains of the Piano" to be funny, and I pray that this musical doesn't suck, but Eric Idle has not been very funny in a long, long time, unless you count the many times he's recycled the stuff he and the other Pythons wrote back in the late 1960s.