Almost a full Monty at Pythons' premiere

Four members of the British cult comedy team Monty Python reunited briefly yesterday to attend the London premiere of Spamalot, a musical version of the 1974 classic comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Author and lyricist Eric Idle, who took three years to finish the project, hopes to match Spamalot's record-breaking run on Broadway where it took more than US$1 million ($1.5 million) a week and won three Tony awards.

"I am a little nervous," Idle admitted, as he was joined by fellow Pythons Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. John Cleese was away in Australia.

Most British critics raved about Spamalot with Tim Curry reprising his Broadway role as King Arthur, gathering knights to join him on his Holy Grail quest.

"Deliriously silly and loopily enjoyable," decided the Independent. "Manic, tasteless, derivative, scatter-shot and very funny," said the Daily Express.

However the Guardian complained: "Irony has its place but it's not quite enough to sustain a whole evening."

Before embarking on the musical, Idle had to get permission from the other four surviving members of the comedy troupe. Graham Chapman died in 1989.

Palin revelled in the reunion. "We really don't see each other enough as Eric lives in America. He is very funny and very good company. We become quite juvenile together."

Jones agreed: "It is a very emotional moment. I hope I will ... survive the emotional shock of it all."

- REUTERS