KEY POINTS:
Monty Python star Michael Palin's old mate and fellow Python Eric Idle is on the way, bringing his oratorio Not the Messiah to the Civic for two nights in December.
Idle describes the work, based on The Life of Brian, as "shorter than Handel, funnier than Handel, but obviously not as good theologically".
Written by Idle and John Du Prez, the shows will feature the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Viva Voce, five soloists and four bagpipers. Du Prez conducts, while Idle will be narrator, "baritone-ish" singer and multi-instrumentalist.
Python fans will be thrilled to hear the show ends with a rousing sing-a-long finale of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life.
* Performances are at the Civic, December 15-16, with tickets on sale now via Ticketek.
