Monty Python have revealed events to mark their 50th anniversary in what they dubbed “an increasingly Pythonesque world”.
The birthday of Monty Python’s Flying Circus will be celebrated with a “BBC takeover” and a world record attempt.
Remaining Pythons John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Sir Michael Palin said: “Python has survived because we live in an increasingly Pythonesque world.
“Extreme silliness seems more relevant now than it ever was.”
Monty Python is turning 50! We're thrilled to announce some plans for our 50th anniversary, including a @BFI season, @BBC takeover, a @networktweets release of the fully-restored "Flying Circus", anniversary releases of Python books & albums & even a @GWR attempt. #Python50 pic.twitter.com/6N6vTD26od
— Monty Python (@montypython) June 26, 2019
BBC Radio 4 will air new radio specials, executive produced by Sir Michael, featuring “never-before-released material from the Monty Python sound archives.”
The “first official Monty Python Guinness World Record attempt” will take place on the anniversary date itself, with the “Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Gumbys” – a recurring character in Python sketches.
It is not known whether any members of the much-loved troupe will take part.
BBC Two will show “defining career pieces from the archives”.
Surreal series Monty Python’s Flying Circus altered the tone of British TV comedy when it first aired on BBC One on October 5 1969.
"Monty Python's Live at the Hollywood Bowl" was released on video on this day in 1982! #MontyPython pic.twitter.com/3AnO6H6l6I
— Monty Python (@montypython) June 25, 2019
It ran for four series and spawned four original films including The Holy Grail and Life Of Brian, live shows and albums.
Anniversary events will begin on September 1 with a month-long season at BFI Southbank.
It’s… Monty Python At 50 will feature the feature films, the entire Flying Circus series, “oddities” from the BFI National Archive, post-Python TV and films such as Fawlty Towers and A Fish Called Wanda, and an exhibition of Python material, including from The Monty Python Archive.
In 2014, the remaining members of the troupe – Graham Chapman died of cancer in 1989 – took part in a live stage show.
In 2016, it was announced that Jones had been diagnosed with dementia.
Information on the world record attempt can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gumbyworldrecord