Mixed reviews for O2 farewell extravaganza

The first of Monty Python's reunion gigs at London's O2 Arena received a mixed reaction from critics this morning. Most reviews seemed to agree the extravaganza flipped between hits and misses, but thought the performances were a little sluggish and some of the magic had gone. Here's a round-up:

Daily Telegraph

The Pythons came, they doddered, but they conquered. What they lack in sprightliness is compensated for by the choreographed frolics of a troupe of 20 performers young enough to be their grandchildren. Although there's an over-reliance on TV clips between-scenes, the live material looks far more golden than olden, reminding us at every turn of the debt we owe them… They've still got it (just): this is an end-of-the-pier show fit for the funny, peculiar end of a comedy era, and at times, great wonder, this circus really flies.

The Hollywood Reporter

It is obviously not fair to judge the pop culture of yesteryear by the standards of today, but the Pythons must be the last people alive who find creaky caricatures of camp, mincing, cross-dressing homosexuals amusing. Likewise the dance routines, featuring young women in skimpy underwear and naked plastic breasts, feel jarringly anachronistic. What was once daring and risqué now feels perilously close to old-school, unexamined, casual sexism. Python's legacy is a mixed one, but it is smarter and more progressive than this.

In fairness, there is still much to enjoy in this show, which ends with a mass audience sing-along and a standing ovation. And there is huge warmth in the arena towards the Python team, amplified by the strong likelihood that this will be their last waltz together. It is hard to resent them this final cash-in, even if it ultimately feels more like a victory for commerce than for comedy.

The Guardian

John Cleese isn't quite match fit. He's got more of a tummy than the rest of the crew, and he has a bit of permanent frog in the throat. His delivery has slowed up and I sensed that he sometimes can't quite muster the energy….

Monty Python Live (mostly) isn't bad: it gives the crowd exactly what they want but relies pretty heavily on the fan love and makes a hefty withdrawal from the reputation bank.

The Independent

I was a fan of the Monty Ps from the start, and it pains me to criticise them. But this is desperately lazy production, resting on its laurels, uninterested in showcasing new material, relying on TV footage and the whooping adulation of an audience who know all the words. And when the animations and the hoofing girls and boys are on, you wonder: where have the cast gone? Are they having a little lie-down?

Daily Mail

The Python humour, at its best (and last night that mainly meant old film clips such as the 100 Yards Race for People With No Sense of Direction), is genius.At its less good it has aged. Inuendo no longer buys many spuds. Gags about the mentally deficient, gays and people with stammers are not much cop - but I did quite enjoy the camp judges.

What would the old Pythons have made of these sad old chaps? They might have taken the rise out of them. Maybe we should we more merciful and just thank them for the old memories.

Russell Kane in The Sun

The show is both clever and immature, just like the Pythons back in the day. The challenge was always going to be pace - inevitably in places the ball is dropped. But there's always another classic skit around the corner.

The Arts Desk

There's the occasional misfire or dip in pace, and a couple of sketches, such as Spam and Mr Anchovy (which sets up The Lumberjack Song), felt underpowered last night. But the material stands the test of time and the performances grow stronger as the night progresses. Some sketches, such as Michaelangelo meeting the Pope (pictured above), and, thankfully, the Dead Parrot - are triumphant in a highly entertaining show lasting nearly three hours.

The Republic, Indiana

It's just all ... so nice. The unpredictability and danger of Python sometimes seem far off, though there are hints of that edginess in Gilliam's surreal animation, and in some of the old TV routines. For Python fans, the show is huge fun. Non-fans may feel trapped in a vast in-joke. But there are enough laughs that they may not mind.

Published: 2 Jul 2014