Monty Python

Tags: singing, Royal Albert Hall, Monty Python, Not the Messiah, Doune

Date: 27 October 2009 21:42:51

Words cannot really describe what it is like to be singing in the Royal Albert Hall in front of an excited full house. Often they were singing along and waving (electric) candles. I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. It was one of the most amazing experiences.

How it all came about? I had ~~asked politely~~ begged to sing in the performance of Not the Messiah (He’s a very naughty boy) and the BBC Symphony Chorus let me!

As it was the 40th anniversary of Monty Python, apart from Eric Idle who performs in the show, there were guest appearances by Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones and Michael Palin and a few others that have been involved in Python things. I was such a groupie and got some cracking photographs with them. They were all so lovely about it.

[caption id="attachment_584" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Eric Idle, myself, Michael Palin (if you hadn\'t guessed...)"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_587" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Terry Jones and myself"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_589" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Sanjeev and myself"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_590" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="In the company of the lovely Dragoon Guards"][/caption]

A surreal experience but certainly unforgettable. I’m still smiling.

Continuing on the Monty Python theme, while on a fleeting visit to Glasgow for the days following the concert, I fitted in a visit to Doune Castle. This is where they filmed some of the scenes for The Holy Grail. It had been set up for the filming of a new HBO medieval drama called Game of Thrones. I wish I had known that the filming started the day after we were there because it stars the lovely Sean Bean and I'm a huge Sharpe fan. I could have continued on my celebrity hysteria and camped out for a glimpse.

Unfortunately, because they were ready for filming, we weren't allowed to photograph some bits of the castle (such as the grand hall and the kitchen) but on the other hand, it was easier to imagine just what it might have been like all that while ago.

[caption id="attachment_591" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Me standing in front of Doune Castle"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_582" align="alignnone" width="225" caption="Part of the reconstruction for the filming (I think I was allowed to photograph in the courtyard)"][/caption]

All in all, a very exciting week!