Originally, there were six of them in Monty Python. But Graham Chapman died of cancer and Terry Jones of the effects of dementia. Of the remaining four - Idle, Cleese, Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin - it is the latter three who keep in touch with each other. The last time all four met was in 2014, when they did a series of sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena.
Money disputes have meant that Idle has not spoken to the others for many years, and when TT interviewed him, he cited his finances as one of the reasons for the tour. He has toured the US, Australia and England. On April 14th, the Scandinavian premiere will be at Cirkus in Stockholm.
“Mine is funny”
Is there any difference between his show and John Cleese's?
Eric Idle answers briefly:
Mine is funny.
He describes his performance as a one-man musical with stand-up, songs, film clips and talks about the Beatles parody "The Rutles," but he also shares memories of deceased friends such as George Harrison and Robin Williams.
It's touching, but funny. People laugh and sing along to "Always look on the bright side of life," says Idle.
Wrote the most songs
The show is named after that song, immortalized in the Python film “Life of Brian.” It was Idle who wrote most of the songs, not least for the films.
But times have changed, and with them the view of what is appropriate. Today I can't sing half the songs I wrote, for example "I Like Chinese." There is always someone who is worried that someone else will be upset.
Idle wrote the musical "Spamalot," which is based on the story in the film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." It has become a huge success worldwide after its Broadway premiere in 2005. This fall it will be staged in Malmö.
Near death
A few years ago, Eric Idle was close to death when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of cancer. He says he was very lucky to survive it and is now active in raising money to fight the disease.
He has lived in Los Angeles for many years, but is unhappy with current US politics and believes that “everything was better before the Nazis took over.” Idle is not a US citizen, but has a green card and says he would gladly be deported because of his political views.
The last filmmaker to be thrown out of the US for political views was Charlie Chaplin. It would be an honor to be in that company.
Facts: Eric Idle
Age: 83 years.
Lives: In Beverly Hills, USA.
Family: Wife Tania, two children.
Profession: Composer, singer, actor.
Known for: One of the six in Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Current: With his own stage performance at Cirkus in Stockholm on April 14th.
