We joined a group of Monty Python fans, both young and old (although mostly older!), at the Ellington Jazz Club. It was the perfect setting for the show, with a full house that was buzzing with excitement. You could tell that everyone was eagerly anticipating what was to come. There’s always a special kind of energy when you see the piano and props set up on stage – it hints at the kind of fun we were about to experience.

‘Dr H’ joined us and started by sharing a bit about his background, including his career in education. It’s always refreshing to hear about someone’s career change, especially when it goes from teaching to performing. There’s something wholesome and inspiring about that transition, and it really helped to make the audience feel connected and supportive of him.

The show took us on a journey through the history of Monty Python, blending storytelling with music. ‘Dr H’ had clearly done his homework, and I definitely learned a few things about the world of Python that I didn’t know before. The performances were highly interactive, with actions for the audience to perform along with a key change – the last of which involved a drink, which seemed to be a hit with everyone. He also encouraged us to sing along, and most of us in the room were more than happy to join in, recalling some of our favorite Python lines.

Due to copyright restrictions, he couldn’t include any skit material, which was a bit disappointing. I’d been hoping to shout out "It’s only a flesh wound!" or mimic the sound of a horse’s clopping. Still, he managed to set the tone for each song with a series of headwear, some of which were more fitting than others!

In the end, we all had a fantastic time, and the show concluded with an appreciative standing ovation. Maybe there could’ve been a bit more singing then storytelling to let us belt out a few more classics, but overall, it was a wonderful experience.