Monty Python at City Center - 1976

During the Spring of 76 the entire cast from the BBC’s extremely popular Monty Python’s Flying Circus played a series of performances in the elegant City Center theatre. Accompanied by guitarist/pianist Neil Innis of the Bonzo Dog Band, the Python crew did a show which essentially consisted of their most memorable skits and tunes adapted for the stage. I went three times with one of my old high school pals.

It was quite apparent that the skits had to be changed somewhat for an American audience. The Yuri Geller Institute of Advanced Spoon Bending became the Abraham Beame Institute of Advanced Finance, in homage to our then mayor’s fiscal talents, and the tune which won Chairman Mao ten points during the Communist Quiz was changed from “Sing a Little Birdie” to “Great Balls of Fire.”

Probably the most memorable skit was an adaptation of their vignette involving the Philosophy Faculty of the University of Wallamalloo, Australia. Dressed in bush jackets, Eric Idle and two other heirs to Aristotle handed out cans of Foster’s Lager and led the audience in a philosophers’ drinking tune.

“Renee Descartes was a drunken fart
‘I drink therefore I am!’”

Innis contributed several hilarious tunes to the show, including a parody of a Dylanesque protest tune which he introduced with the warning “Ladies and Gentlemen, I’ve suffered for my music. Now it’s your turn.” The grand finale was the Lumberjack Song, sung by Eric Idle with Innis on piano. During one performance George Harrison sat in with the team of Mounties on the chorus.

Arista records rushed out an LP containing the highlights of the show. I still have mine- with the cover autographed by several of the performers during an appearance at Sam Goody.