Monty Python Promise "Filthy" Live Shows

As the final ever Monty Python live appearance draws ever closer, the fab five have promised a “pretty filthy” and “spectacular” finale to the celebrated comedy troupe’s career.

Starting on 1 July, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam will reunite for the final time to do 10 dates of ‘Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five To Go’ at the O2 in London. John Cleese revealed at a press conference earlier today that the show is costing £4.5m to stage but, despite fans speculation that they might take it on a world tour, these will be the final 10 performances together as a group.

The last date of the tour on 20 July will be shown live on UKTV Gold and streamed into cinemas giving those who didn’t manage to bag tickets the chance to say goodbye to the Pythons.

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“I think of it as a pre-posthumous memorial for all the fans to enjoy” Terry Gilliam told the press. A sizzle reel from the show’s rehearsals revealed the groups’ greatest hits would make up the bulk of the show, but Idle and the gang promise there will be some new material, plus a number of special guest cameos including one from Professor Stephen Hawking. There will also be the first ever live performance of the Spanish Inquisition sketch, which Gilliam jokily promised will feature “actual deaths”.

Mick Jagger and Charlies Watts of the Rolling Stones made a brief appearance at the press conference via a short video sketch which poked fun at the Pythons trotting out the old hits. “It was funny in the 1960s, but now it’s a bit embarrassing” Jagger quipped.

Idle revealed the shows have sold more tickets than Glastonbury, but that more tickets would become available for all dates later today ranging from £25 to £90. They look set to make a pretty penny from the show, which Cleese says will free the five up to move on with their lives creatively.

“The big question is, are you working for money? And I’m still paying off the alimony, so I could certainly do with the money, although I wouldn’t be doing it if I didn’t. And others are freer to do exactly what they want to do. But in a year’s time, we’ll all be doing exactly what we want to do. And I think there will be some surprises.”

‘Monty Python Live (Mostly): One Down, Five To Go’ will be coming to 570 cinemas on 20 July live from the O2.

For tickets and more info head to montypythonlive.com.

Image credit: Press Assocation