Monty Python in Mansion House Blasphemy

Coming out of Bank Station yesterday, at Mansion House Place, I was intrigued by this old poster on a newspaper stand.

I thought for a moment that I had discovered a single vintage poster, The Evening News merged with The Evening Standard over 30 years ago. Then I came around to the front of the stand and I saw this.

Now aside from my admitted London nerdiness I will admit that I also possess a definite streak of "old newspaper nerd" and also a lifelong affection for Monty Python. So here I was, in front of a stack of old London newspapers, all bearing a Python headline.

Thoughts of eBay profits joined and jostled with my naturally acquisitive impulses, I was sorely tempted to liberate a few copies (i.e. as many as I could carry) and if challenged, pretend to be a tourist unwittingly picking up a free paper or two. As my hand reached out to touch the treasure two security staff offered therapy.

Their approach owed more to Pavlov than to Jung and I gradually backed away. Apparently all these newspapers were props in the upcoming BBC4 production Holy Flying Circus. A glance around the corner revealed some filming taking place.

A 90 minute comedy drama based on the furore surrounding the release of The Life of Brian is due to be screened this Autumn. Stars will include Stephen Fry, as God, Darren Boyd as John Cleese, Charles Edwards as Michael Palin, Steve Punt as Eric Idle, Terry Jones will be played by Rufus Jones, Tom Fisher is to be the late Graham Chapman and Phil Nichol takes the part of Terry Gilliam.


More details about the film from the Guardian and the BBC.

Sometime soon, a grown man will be glued to the box waiting for the moment when this newspaper stand features in the film, just so that he can announce "I was there!".