Beyond the Fringe News

DVD Talk Collector Series THE SERIES: Monty Python: Almost the Truth is a documentary series that knows its audience.

First, the bad news: It's highly unlikely that the surviving members of Monty Python will reunite for any serious sort of performance -- film, TV, stage -- any time soon.

AUDIO CD REVIEW: Alan Bennett's On The Margin, BBC Audio Books, A 5.95. A fairly-minor footnote in comedy history is dusted down for a new BBC Audio Books release which mildly amuses without ever quite having you in stitches.

Beginning Sunday, Oct. 18, the Independent Film Channel presents a six-evening, six-hour documentary about Monty Python's Flying Circus - The Lawyer's Cut, timed to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking British TV series and comedy troupe.

From the surrealism of the Goons to the ironic self-absorption of Ricky Gervais, the homegrown comedy hits of recent decades are nothing if not varied.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart gets lionized - and somewhat embalmed - in this solemn Festschrift by British filmmaker Phil Grabsky .

Paperbacks That Was Satire That Was by Humphrey Carpenter That Was Satire That Was by Humphrey Carpenter The Sixties satire boom is well-ploughed terrain, but Carpenter tells the interlinked stories of Beyond the Fringe, TW3 and Private Eye with his customary energy and readability.

Arden Theatre Company kicks off its 2009/10 season with the Philadelphia premiere of The History Boys, Alan Bennett's international hit that explores the anarchy of adolescence and the purpose of education.

The Edinburgh Fringe enjoyed a massive boom in the 1980s. A significant proportion of its growth was down to the new breed of funny people who were lumped under the title "alternative comedy". In 1981 there were only about 30 shows eligible for the first ever Perrier award.

Lockwood , center, acts as a wounded soldier comforted by Akthar , left, Posner and Timms in "The History Boys." Meretricious or disingenuous -- which quality would you choose in a teacher? These are the lofty labels presented in Alan Bennett's "The History Boys," winner of the 2006 Tony award for best drama, now in a lively revival at Pittsburgh ...

The Edinburgh Festival, which starts on Friday, is at the glorious beating heart of civilisation, says Michael Henderson.

In recent years the English author, lecturer, physician and director Jonathan Miller has repeatedly stated that he is done with opera.

In recent years the English author, lecturer, physician and director Jonathan Miller has repeatedly stated that he is done with opera.

You may recall the Beyond the Fringe sketch in which Squadron Leader Peter Cook tells Jonathan Miller, the doleful pilot, that he must set out on a doomed mission because "we need a futile gesture at this stage.

IS THERE anything new in the theatre? Patrons of a certain age, like me, will remember the intimate revues of earlier years when a group of performers presented a programme of songs, dances and sketches.

You know that cultural journalism is in a sorry state when only four people show up for a screening, and not a single dead soul has the courage to laugh at legendary comedy material or get excited by consummate performers tinkering with sketches like tetchy scientists.

The Music Hall announced today the balance of the 2009-2010 lineup in the new international partnership - National Theatre of London HD Broadcast Series.

Philip French's classic DVD: The Bed Sitting RoomThe film comes across as a grimly prophetic depiction of a world out of control, says Philip French Richard Lester made his name with A Hard Day's Night, Help! and The Knack, cheerful, freewheeling comedies celebrating what became known as the swinging 60s.

"I saw The Secret Policeman's Ball and it became a part of me. It sowed a seed." - Bono "I think everyone is in for a grave disappointment." - John Cleese NEW YORK , June 19 /PRNewswire/ -- The Film Society of Lincoln Center is proud to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Amnesty International's stellar and anarchic comedy and rock extravaganza ...

June 2009 marks the 30th anniversary of the pioneering Secret Policeman's Ball series of benefit shows for Amnesty International.