Monty Python Sells Out, Adds More Dates

Tickets for Monty Python Live at London’s O2 on July 1 reportedly sold out in less than a minute this morning, resulting in four more gigs at the arena.

Photo: Matt Dunham/AP

From left, Michael Palin, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and John Cleese during a press conference in London.

The surviving members of Monty Python – John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam and Eric Idle – announced their July 1 reunion show last week. Graham Chapman died in 1989. The website created to promote the summer shows describes the run as “Monty Python Live (mostly)” followed by “one down, five to go.”

During last week’s press conference the Pythons said the reunion show would feature some of the group’s classic sketches mixed with new material. While appearing on Andrew Marr’s BBC show during the weekend, Cleese talked about the problems Monty Python faces in bringing new laughs to the stage.

“We have to be very careful about doing new stuff,” Cleese said. “It’s not a theatrical presentation, it’s like a rock concert and when people go to rock concerts they want to hear the old songs and they’re actually literally disappointed if you do new material.”

Tickets for the July 1 show sold out in 43.5 seconds according to London’s Telegraph newspaper. Newly added shows are for July 2-5. Visit MontyPythonLive.com for more information.