Week twenty-four

If I was ever to have my fantasy dinner party fulfilled, the guest that would always be at the top of the list is Michael Palin (along with Stephen Fry, Jeremy Clarkson and Jake Gyllenhall).  I've always loved Palin, from his farcical aquatic performances in Monty Python to his loveable s-s-s-tuttering in A Fish Called Wanda and his naked escapades in Around the World in 80 Days.  But, of course its Python that makes me love him so much. The other member that I always warmed to was Terry Jones, the one that was most often found in a dress.  Men dressed up as women make me laugh.

I think I was therefore going to be a little let down going to see Terry Jones and Michael Palin in conversation as I think I was half-expecting sketches, jokes or at least general tomfoolery.
It was part of Ray Davies' Meltdown Festival going on throughout all of June around the Southbank Centre and Mariella Frostrup was leading the conversation with interview questions.  That was a disappointment - that it wasn't even just the two of them rabbiting on to one another - there was someone to veer them in a structured way.

Nevrtheless,  it was very interesting - well of course, it would be.  Both men talked animatedly about their past.  Terry Jones talked of meeting and kissing his moustached Father for the first time and Palin talked about his father liking practical jokes like fake dog poos.  He said he knew early on that he was never going to be a bank manager or go into advertising.

Something I loved hearing them talk about was the differences in writing styles and humour between the Oxford and Cambridge set when referring to each of the Pythons (bar Terry Gilliam).  John Cleese, Eric Idle and Graham Chapman all went to Cambridge and used to write very long more traditional sketches but Terry Jones and Michael Palin both went to Oxford where they embraced silliness and wrote short sketches.  This it totally evident when you watch the films.  Chapman tended to play central character and you can see how serious he took each role (Arthur and Brian) whereas Palin played manic or erratic characters and Jones often played women - that he said often looked like his Mum.

You can also see how fond Jones and Palin were of the buffoonery by hearing them speak of their favourite sketches.  Palin was certainly not hesitant in saying that the stupendous Fish Slapping Dance was the best thing he's ever done in his life.  For Jones it was another utter gem in Every Sperm is Sacred.

The Fish Slapping Dance

Every Sperm is Sacred

I wonder if Graham Chapman was still alive there would have been more Monty Python and indeed some sort of reunion that would probably have been very of the moment circa now and no doubt a substantial portion of mankind would have killed for.  

Even though I didn't quite get what I'd hoped for in seeing Jones and Palin it was a pleasure to be in the company of complete geniuses and heroes of mine.

Next week I hope the sun shines as I'm off to London Zoo Lates where I'll be rocking out with the penguins.