Sketches premier at Edinburgh festival

Previously unseen scripts by Graham Chapman are to get their world premier at the Edinburgh Festival.

Sketches entitled Busy Messiah and Who's A Pretty Boy Then, about a gay budgie, form part of the show Sketch Club at the Gilded Balloon.

"These sketches have never been seen outside the confines of Graham's desk drawer," says Jim Yoakum, executor of the Graham Chapman Archives, based in the US.

"It's exciting to think this material will finally reach a live audience so many years after his death."

Former Python Chapman died from cancer in 1989. Gin and Tonic, a new film based on his life, is currently in pre-production at Los Angeles-based Hippofilms.

Sketch Club is the brainchild of Andrew Barclay and Brian West. "We,re delighted to have an opportunity to exclusively present new sketches by one of the true comedy greats," says Barclay. "As a huge Python fan, it's a real thrill."

Published: 15 Jul 2002