Monty Python Madness

Monty Python Madness is a performance of many famous Monty Python scenes as done by CTY students at Lancaster, Session 2. During 05.2, Nikka and Inbar began the tradition by asking the staff to allow them to perform during Quad Time on the last Tuesday of the session. They did, and it was relatively successful. So, they decided to pass down the tradition via their homemade 16-Ton Weight, which was given to Jeff Sachs; they also wanted to pass down a duct tape parrot (named Bob by Inbar), but it was lost. The ceremonial leader of Monty Python Madness is now known as Head Monk.

Mr. Jones

In 06.2, the tradition was continued, and a new parrot (see photo) was made by Sean Zimmermann, with creative feedback and some supplies from Jeff Sachs. A duct tape gun for "Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit" was also made. The parrot was passed to Kathy Ingram by Sean Zimmermann at Passionfruit 06.2. During the ceremony, Sean renamed the parrot "Mr. Jones" in honor of Sean's former science teacher (who told Sean about CTY). Both the gun and the 16-Ton Weight were subsequently passed down to Kathy Ingram by Jeff. They were temporarily adopted by Michelle Rush, their loving foster parent, because the airport security guards would not let Kathy take them on the plane to Iowa. This gave birth to the role of Assistant Monk, which was first given to Michelle Rush.

However, Michelle disappeared and neither the weight nor the gun returned to 07.2. Thus, sadly, "Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit" was not performed at 07.2 and was instead replaced by "Bookshop" from Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl. However, during 08.2, a new 16-Ton Weight and a new pink gun were remade by Maddy Jennewein (using duct tape) so that "Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit" could once again be performed. To avoid such a loss from occurring again, Head Monk Logan Phillips appointed a second Assistant Monk in 08.2 so that each Monk would receive one of the three holy props. This way, if one Monk were to disappear again, only one of the three holy props would be lost. The Parrot is given to the Head Monk and the 16-Ton Weight and Duct Tape Gun are divided amongst the Assistant Monks.

Sean's science teacher, and the parrot's namesake, Mr. Jones, died on September 3, 2006, only a few weeks after the parrot was named.

In 07.2, the RAs provided the cast with an actual microphone, thus making their performances more audible and interesting than in years past. Sadly, the improvement was limited for most sketches due to the physical and dramatic impossibilities associated with using a single microphone. However in 08.2, the RAs provided 5 microphones which, despite a few technical difficulties, made Monty Python Madness at last completely audible. In 09.2, Monty Python Madness never occurred, but it has not been abolished.

In 10.2 Monty Python Madness returned semi-successfully (see below) and to the entertainment of at least several CTYers. However, because the 16-Ton Weight did not return, Ramsey Opp and mostly Alex Kohanski had to create another one. It does not, at present and possibly contrary to precedent, have a name. It also functions as a storage device. The tradition of passing down the two All the Words volumes (which contain all the scripts to Monty Python's Flying Circus) along with Mr. Jones was created at 10.2 as well. The Head Monk writes a message or piece of silliness in the inside cover of Volume 1 (and when it runs out of space, Volume 2) for the next Head Monk. Upon receiving Mr. Jones, Alex Kohanski added two duct tape eyes in the shape of "X"s to him, as he is in fact dead.

Head Monks

The Head Monk is in charge of all things Monty Python at CTY and thus leads the Monk Walk as well.

• 05.2: Nikka and Inbar
• 06.2: Jeff Sachs
• 07.2: Kathy Ingram
• 08.2: Logan Phillips
• 09.2: Daniel Tracht
• 10.2: Ramsey Opp
• 11.2: Alex Kohanski
• 12.2: Elliot Konstant
• 13.2: Matt Pressman

Assistant Head Monks

• 07.2 Michelle Rush who did not return and was thus was replaced by Jeff Sachs
• 08.2 Ben Horkley and Daniel Tracht
• 09.2 Logan Phillips and Ramsey Opp
• 10.2 Alex Kohanski
• 11.2: Elliot Konstant
• 12.2: Matt Pressman

Sketches

Traditional (as much as they can be in four years) sketches for Monty Python Madness include:

• "Wink, Wink (Nudge, Nudge)"
• "Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit" (retired as of 07.2, replaced by "Bookshop" and then reborn in 08.2)
• "The Spanish Inquisition"
• "Argument Clinic" (Not performed 07.2; replaced with "Vocational Guidance Counselor" which was not performed in 08.2)
• "Dead Parrot" (starring the New Duct Tape Parrot)

Songs

The show ends with a sing-along (time permitting). Songs that cannot be sung during Quad Time (either due to time constraints of "other" reasons) are usually sung at the Passing of the Duck. Songs include:

• "Lumberjack Song"
• "Philosophers' Drinking Song"
• "Every Sperm Is Sacred" (from Meaning of Life)
• "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" (from Life of Brian)
• "Galaxy Song"

Cast List

07.2

In Show Order:

"Wink, Wink (Nudge, Nudge)"

• Man (Eric Idle): Jeff Sachs
• Squire (Terry Jones): Daniel Tracht

"Vocational Guidance Counselor"

• Mr. Anchovy (Michael Palin): Ben Horkley
• Counselor (John Cleese): Julia "Juice" Revzin

"Bookshop"

• Proprietor (John Cleese): Siri Maley
• Customer (Graham Chapman): Rebecca "Chris" Kotsonis

"Silly Job Interview"

• Interviewer (John Cleese): Ben Horkley
• Applicant (Graham Chapman): Emma Phillips
• First Number Holder (8/9): Rebecca "Chris" Kotsonis
• Second Number Holder (7/10): Maddy Jennewein
• Third Number Holder (9): Logan Phillips
• Fourth Number Holder (8): Daniel Tracht

"Dead Parrot"

• Shopkeeper (Michael Palin): Kathy Ingram
• Customer (John Cleese): Logan Phillips
• Parrot: Mr. Jones

Song: "Galaxy Song"

• Led by Charles Martin

08.2

"Wink, Wink (Nudge, Nudge)"

• Man (Eric Idle): Daniel Tracht
• Squire (Terry Jones): Declan Kennedy

"Spanish Inquisition"

• Man (Graham Chapman): Owen
• Woman (Carol Cleveland): Emily Grablutz
• Cardinal Ximenez (Michael Palin): Julie Leghorn
• Cardinal Biggles (Terry Jones): Reed Morgan
• Cardinal Fang (Terry Gilliam): Christian McConville

"Dead Parrot"

• Shopkeeper (Michael Palin): Sarah Hackney
• Customer (John Cleese): Logan Phillips
• Parrot: Mr. Jones

"Fish License"

• Praline (John Cleese): Ben Horkley
• Eric (Michael Palin): Daniel Tracht

"Crunchy Frog"

• Mr. Milton (Terry Jones): Alex Pressman
• Praline (John Cleese): David Morgens
• Superintendent Parrot (Graham Chapman): Disappeared before the show

"Dirty Hungarian Phrasebook"

• Hungarian (John Cleese): Peter Berexa
• Tobaccanist (Terry Jones): Austin

"Self Defense Against Fresh Fruit"

• Instructor (John Cleese): Logan Phillips
• Student 1 (Graham Chapman): Ben Horkley
• Student 2 (Michael Palin): Kuv
• Student 3 (Terry Jones): Juliana Biro
• Student 4 (Eric Idle): Ramsey Opp

Song: "Lumberjack Song"

• Led by Ben Horkley

10.2

(Note: Two sketches, namely Man Who Makes People Laugh Uncontrollably and Apology, were cut due to time constraints. Oh well.)
"Argument Clinic"

• Man: Alex Kohanski
• Receptionist: Alana Friedman
• Mr Barnard: Sam Barback
• Mr Vibrating: Ramsey Opp

"Silly Job Interview"

• Interviewer: Ramsey Opp
• Stig: Alex Kohanski

"Dead Parrot"

• Shopkeeper: Lilly Clew
• Praline: Alex Kohanski

"Crunchy Frog"

• Inspector Praline: Ariel Rock
• Milton: Emily Grablutz
• Parrot: Charlene Vance

"Self Defence Against Fresh Fruit"

• RSM: Alex Kohanski
• 1st Man: Kris Seavers
• 2nd Man: Kleo Greenwood
• 3rd Man: Alison Shay
• 4th Man: Eloise Gayer

Song: "Lumberjack Song"

• Led by Ramsey Opp

External Links

Script for Holy Grail available at Monty Python's Completely Useless Web Site