Live at Drury Lane

by Monty Python

Overview

After concluding work on the fourth and final series of Monty Python's Flying Circus, writer/actors Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Terry Gilliam adapted many of the classic sketches for the stage. This album commences with a faux sincerely toned "Introduction" from Idle in the role of narrator, as he observes: "...Amongst the glittering audience here tonight I can see, uhm...oh...what's his name, uhh, the...the fellow with the glasses on the telly. And next to him is, uhm...oh, uh, the lady with the big knockers in the jam commercial." There are notable variations between the scripts used for the TV show and the dialogue incorporated during live performances. Additionally, this disc includes a few items that were presumably created for the staged show. Among them are former Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band member and part-time Python Neil Innes' "Idiot Song," "Secret Service," and the remarkable physical comedy involved in "Wrestling," which is countered by an equally silly color commentary from Cleese. Many of the better-known titles ("Communist Quiz," "Nudge, Nudge," "Lumberjack Song," "Pet Shop," "Albatross," and "Colonel") date back to some of the earliest episodes and have clearly become favorites of those in attendance. The core of their set remained intact when the Pythons brought the show stateside in 1976. However, as their other concert album, Live! At City Center (1976), demonstrates, there are subtle differences in delivery and pacing, as well as a few new links such as "Short Blues" and Innes' brilliant "Protest Song" from Rutland Times (1976), a conceptual collaboration with Idle that would ultimately yield the sublime Beatles parody and mockumentary All You Need Is Cash (1978). Live at Drury Lane is a great place for Python enthusiasts to start and revisit, as the presence of a live crowd progresses the humor to a new strata that is absent from the comparatively sterile TV versions. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date:	04/26/2024
Label:	Universal Uk
UPC:	0602458896206
Rank:	59687

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Monty Python   Primary Artist
Monty Python's Flying Circus   Primary Artist
John Cleese   Vocals
Terry Gilliam   Vocals
Terry Jones   Vocals
Eric Idle   Vocals
Graham Chapman   Vocals
Neil Innes   Guitar,Vocals,Keyboards
Michael Palin   Vocals

Technical Credits

Dave Howman   Mixing,Editing
Alan Bailey   Engineer
Burt Bacharach   Composer
Agustin Lara   Composer
Andre Jacquemin   Mixing,Editing
Keith Mansfield   Composer
Hal David   Composer
Oscar Hammerstein II   Composer
John Cleese   Composer
Johnny Pearson   Composer
Richard Rodgers   Composer
John Philip Sousa   Composer
James Harpham   Composer
Barry Wentzell   Photography
Mai Jones   Composer
Dorothy Dodd   Composer
Katy Hebbern   Design,Cover Design,Sleeve Design
Fred Tomlinson   Composer
James Harper   Composer
Spoken Word   Composer
Lula Mae Joshua   Composer
Tony Hatch   Composer
Terry Gilliam   Composer
Terry Jones   Composer
Sheriff   Arranger
Eric Idle   Composer
Jackie Trent   Composer
Graham Chapman   Composer
Neil Innes   Composer
Michael Palin   Composer
Monty Python   Composer