Monty Python

Who are they?

Monty Python was a British surreal comedy group, which

was a comedy sketch that aired on the BBC on the 5th

October 1969.

The programme aired 45 episodes over 4 series.

The series was conceived, written and preformed by

members Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam,

Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.

Influences

Their influence on British comedy has been apparent for

years and whilst in North America is has coloured the

work of cult performers from the early editions of Saturday

Night Life through to more recent absurdist trends in

television comedy.

Graham Chapman

Graham was born on the 8th January 1941 and lived until the 4th

October 1989.

He was a English comedian, writer, actor and one of the 6 members of

the Monty Python.

He was educated at Melton Mowbray Grammer School and studied

medicine at Emmanuel College in Cambridge and later in St

Bartholomews Medical College.

Eric Idle

Eric was born on the 29th March 1943 and is aged 71.

He was a comedian, actor, author, singer, writer and comedic

composer.

At this time school was a charitable foundation dedicated to the

education and maintenance of children who had lost one or both

parents.

Idle quoted ‘It was physically abusive, bullying, harsh environment for a

kid to grow up in…Perfect training for Python.’

Terry Gilliam

Terry was born on the 22nd November 1940.

He was an American born, British screen writer, film director, animator,

actor and member of Monty Python.

The family moved to a LA neighborhood of Panorama City in 1952. He

attended Birmingham High School where he was class present and

senior prom king. He was voted ‘most likely to succeed’ and achieved

straight A’s.

Monty Python Sketch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sljSf7KVlQ

Monty Python was mostly set in Scotland within castles such as Doune

Castle, Castle Stalker and Glen Coe.

Originally the characters were going to ride real horses, however when

the producers came to terms with their low budget the actors mimicked

riding the horses with crew trotted behind them bashing coconuts

together.