Not The Messiah (He’s A Very Naughty Boy) is a comic oratorio based on Monty Python’s Life Of Brian which is staged for one night only at the Royal Albert Hall to celebrate 40 years of Python shenanigans.

Created by Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin. Monty Python’s Flying Circus was an era-defining television series which was orginally broadcast from 1969 to 1974. Proving hugely popular, the Pythons set out to translate their very British humour to a series of films, which included Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Meaning Of Life and Life Of Brian.

From his days as the composer of Life Of Brian in 1978, composer John DuPrez went on to write music for several other Python projects, including Eric Idle’s stage creation Monty Python’s Spamalot, which had a two year run in the West End and was Tony nominated on Broadway.

Now DuPrez and Idle have created Not The Messiah (He’s A Very Naughty Boy), a comic oratorio based on Life Of Brian, which charts the tragic life story of Brian, a reluctant revolutionary who is mistaken for the Messiah and condemned to death. Comprising a full orchestra, choir, bagpipers and classical soloists, the show’s music will also include the famous song sung by Brian and his fellow condemned as they hang on the cross: Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.

Pythons Palin, Jones and Gilliam are expected to make guest appearances alongside Idle, who recreates roles from the film including Mr Cheeky and Stan the revolutionary who wants to be called Loretta.

Looking to see some musical theatre? Find out more about London musicals.