Book of the month - Bring on the clowns
THE PYTHONS<br>autobiography by The Pythons,<br>Orion Books, ISBN 978-0-7528-6425- 9
Anyone who grew up in 1970s Britain would know all about Monty Python's Flying Circus. And no, it had absolutely nothing whatever to do with trapeze artistes, clowns or any other circus paraphernalia. The Pythons, as they soon became known, were five comedians and a cartoonist who collectively came up with the idea of one of the most innovative and funny comedy series ever seen on TV.
They actually got together in 1969 and virtually changed the face of British TV comedy over the next decade. They also made a few very successful feature films, starting with Monty Python and the Holy Grail, progressing through a spoof on the life of Christ called The Life of Brian (which incidentally - and entirely predictable - was banned here) and also including the wonderfully-titled The Meaning of Life.
This splendid book contains contributions from the five surviving Pythons (Graham Chapman died in 1989 of Aids), edited together by journalist and friend of the Pythons Bob McCabe. It is absolutely essential reading for anyone who remembers this comedy phenomenon and heartily recommended by Showtime. The Pythons is available from Allied Retail and Commercial Ltd at €16.26.
They actually got together in 1969 and virtually changed the face of British TV comedy over the next decade. They also made a few very successful feature films, starting with Monty Python and the Holy Grail, progressing through a spoof on the life of Christ called The Life of Brian (which incidentally - and entirely predictable - was banned here) and also including the wonderfully-titled The Meaning of Life.
This splendid book contains contributions from the five surviving Pythons (Graham Chapman died in 1989 of Aids), edited together by journalist and friend of the Pythons Bob McCabe. It is absolutely essential reading for anyone who remembers this comedy phenomenon and heartily recommended by Showtime. The Pythons is available from Allied Retail and Commercial Ltd at €16.26.