Look on the Bright Side! Monty Python Comedy Troupe to Reunite for Stage Show

Variety reports that the Monty Python comedy troupe will reunite for The First Time in 15 years for a stage show. Troupe member Terry Jones revealed the news to the BBC today, Tuesday November 19th that he will be joined by the other four surviving members of the group, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin. Graham Chapman, who made up the original group of six, passed away of cancer in 1989.

"We're getting together and putting on a show - it's real," shared Jones. "I'm quite excited about it. I hope it makes us a lot of money. I hope to be able to pay off my mortgage!"

More details of the upcoming reunion will be revealed at a press conference which will take place in London ths Thursday. The event will be broadcast live on the UK's Sky News.

Eric Idle turned to Twitter to share his excitement with his followers, posting, "Only three days to go till the Python Press Conference. Make sure Python fans are alerted to the big forthcoming news event." He added, "Python meeting this morning. Can't wait. Press Conference Thursday will apparently be live on Sky News. I'll get you the online URL."

According to reports, the special press conference will be held appropriately at the Playhouse Theater in London's West End, the venue where Idle's musical "Spamalot," based on the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," was staged. The original 2005 Broadway production of Spamolot, directed by Mike Nichols, won three Tony Awards, including the Tony Award for Best Musical of the2004-2005 season and received 14 Tony Award nominations. During its initial run of over 1,500 performances it was seen by more than two million people and grossed over $175 million.

Monty Python created Monty Python's Flying Circus, a British television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969. Forty-five episodes were made over four series. The Python phenomenon developed from the television series into something larger in scope and impact, spawning touring stage shows, films, numerous albums, several books and a stage musical as well as launching the members to individual stardom. The group's influence on comedy has been compared to The Beatles' influence on music.