Victory for self-proclaimed '7th Python'

The producer of Monty Python and the Holy Grail has won his High Court battle for royalties from the spin-off stage show Spamalot.

Mark Forstater estimates he’s owed more than £220,000 following the ruling – but said his victory was tinged with sadness at having to face his former friends in court.

His legal claim centred on the contract for the 1975 movie from which Spamalot was ‘lovingly ripped off’. He argued that for financial purposes he should be treated as the ‘seventh Python’, entitled to the same share as the more famous six.

However, producers had argued that he was only due half the amount, and paid him accordingly since the show opened in 2005.

The judge said that Forstater’s claim to be a ‘seventh Python’ was inaccurate because he had not made a creative contribution, but nonetheless ruled in his favour.

Terry Gilliam, who once shared a flat with Forstater, had described his claim as ‘utterly laughable’, while John Cleese said it was ‘ludicrous’. Eric Idle admitted in court that he hated Forstater – but said he tried to be honest in his evidence. ‘I think he largely achieved that aim,’ said Mr Justice Norris.

Under the 40-year-old Holy Grail contract, investors in the film were entitled to a share in 50 per cent of all spin-off income from the film; and Mr Forstater successfully argued he was entitled one-seventh of that 50 per cent.

Published: 5 Jul 2013