In 1979, Monty Python’s film Life Of Brian caused outrage around the world. Nuns with banners picketed cinemas, councils banned the film without even seeing it and the religious group Festival of Light organised a concerted campaign against the film, trying to get it banned.

Against this backdrop Michael Palin and John Cleese found themselves facing prominent society figures Malcolm Muggeridge and the Bishop of Southwark in a television debate in front of a live studio audience to defend their film against charges of blasphemy: but who won?

Written by Tony Roche (In The Loop, The Thick Of It) Holy Flying Circus is a fantastical re-imagining of the controversy surrounding the release of Life Of Brian. Witty and humorous in tone, the comedy drama incorporates surreal cutaways including puppetry and animation in telling its narrative. Read more & comment »

Comedian and presenter Stephen Fry is taking on the role of God in a new BBC4 comedy which is entitled, ‘Holy Flying Circus’.

The show is based on the religious controversy that was caused by the Monty Python movie ‘Life of Brian’, which took an irreverent look at the life of Jesus Christ.

Many of the characters and actors from the original film will also crop up in the new show which as Darren Boyd playing John Cleese, Steve Punt as Eric Idle and Charles
Edwards will be Michael Palin.

Richard Klein, head of BBC4, said: “This is a smart and witty take on both the nature of censorship and the world of Monty Python.”

The show will also feature a re-enactment of a TV debate between John Cleese, Michael Palin and members of the Church of England, and will be aired in autumn. Read more & comment »