Steve Thompson’s play is about Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam’s trip to the US in 1975 to challenge ABC’s edit of the fourth series of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. What seems superficially to be a simple tale of plucky Palin and honorary Brit Gilliam taking on the Goliath figure of the culturally bland American network, is in fact a much cleverer and more nuanced look at the creative process, ownership of intellectual property, taste, and the business of culture.
It’s also incredibly funny. There are no weak links in the cast, with a particularly strong performance from Harry Haddon-Paton as Palin and a fantastic comic turn from Matthew Marsh as the judge. A special mention also for Francis O’Connor’s set, which has some marvellous Gilliamesque treats.
Astonishingly, the theatre is offering 2-for-1 tickets midweek for the rest of the run.
For pure enjoyment: 9/10