Not the Messiah at Albert Hall for 1 perf only 23 Oct 2009 to celebrate 40 Years Of Monty Python

Not the Messiah at Albert Hall for 1 perf only 23 Oct 2009 to celebrate 40 Years Of Monty Python

Not the Messiah (He's a Very Naughty Boy) will be at the Royal Albert Hall for one performance only on Fri 23 Oct 2009 to celebrate 40 Years Of Monty Python.

A comedic oratorio based on Monty Python's Life of Brian, it is written by Eric Idle and John Du Prez.

It is a night of baroque 'n' roll on a grand scale, with a full orchestra, massed choir, bagpipers and classical soloists, all hosted by Michael Palin as Mrs. Betty Parkinson, with Eric Idle as a 'baritonish' soloist - reprising some of the best-loved roles from the film, including Mr. Cheeky and Stan the Revolutionary who wants to be called Loretta.

Eric Idle said: 'It is rare you get to be silly on a mass scale. This work was commissioned by the Toronto Luminato Festival in 2007... It tells the tragic tale of Mandy, impregnated by a Roman soldier, giving birth to Brian, a reluctant revolutionary who falls in love with Judith, gets mistaken for a Messiah and is condemned to death. It ranges in reference from Handel, through a naughty Mozart duet, to the Festival of Nine Carols, Bob Dylan, and the classic finale Always Look On The Bright Side of Life.'

The cast includes William Ferguson (Brian), Shannon Mercer (Judith), Rosalind Plowright (Mandy), Christopher Purves (Reg). With Eric Idle (baritonish) and guest appearances from fellow Pythons Michael Palin, Terry Jones & Terry Gilliam and Carol Cleveland & Neil Innes.