I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again
"An extravaganza specially written for the wireless by several persons, featuring a number
of performers"
Opening Credits - Program One
All information stolen from this I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again page, with many thanks.
Cleese's rant from the start of the 1970 Christmas show:
Through seven years and nine series we have sweated and toiled to write and
perform over fifty hours of material and always we have striven to make it
ever fresh, subtle and sophisticated, and yet even now people stop us in
the street and say "When's spot coming back" or "Do your Grimbling voice".
It makes you sick, you rabble don't care about the clever stuff all you
want are these inane catch phrases, right you can have them, here they come
the whole putrid lot...
1965 - Ferrets
1966 - How de do dere Honey
1967 - Four
1968 - Woof
1969 - Gibbons
1970 - O.B.E.
I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again
A BBC Radio Comedy series
starring and mainly written by:
The Cast
Tim Brooke-Taylor
John Cleese
Graeme Garden
David Hatch
Jo Kendall
Bill Oddie
Produced By
Humphrey Barclay
and later
David Hatch
Music from:
Dave Lee & the Boys
"The Boys! - You should see them!" - D. Hatch
arranged by Leon Cohen
ISIRTA
My Name is Angus Prune,
and I always listen to,
I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again.
My name is Angus Prune,
and I never miss,
I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again.
I sit in my bath,
and I have a good laugh,
'cos the sig-tune is known after me.
My name is Angus Prune,
and this is my tune, - it goes;
I - S - I - R - T - A
I'm Sorry I'll Read That A - gain.
Tune: Trad.
Lyrics: A. Prune
Arranged A.Prune
How it all happened
In the beginning there was Cambridge, there were students and there were the Footlights Revues.
Then came 1961, and then some other numbers. From the '61-'63 revues came most of the
names to be mentioned on these pages.
The first three shows, were produced from some new, and some previously unbroadcast material,
from Cambridge Circus, a stage show that had gone to America in 1963. The title I'm Sorry I'll
Read That Again was taken from the standard newsreaders' apology at the time. The first of
these three shows was aired on 3rd April 1964. These shows were in a more formal revue
structure, were not completely understood or accepted by their audience, but can be considered
the breeding ground for the show that was to steal their name.
There followed a gap of close to 18 months before the fourth show (the start of the real first
series) was broadcast on 4th October 1965.
The second series began transmission on 14th March 1966, and the third on 3rd October the
same year. Now with a settled cast ISIRTA ran to seven series, and came back in 1973 after a
three year gap for a final (eighth) series. In all some 103 shows were transmitted over a period
spanning 10 years.
On 25th December 1989 the 25th anniversary show was transmitted making a grand total of 104
shows in 25 years! Something of an achievement for a radio comedy program.
Above all, ISIRTA is fun to listen to. Certainly it is undisciplined and frequently
self-indulgent, but the exuberance and sheer enjoyment of the cast communicates
itself clearly to the listener. Barclay:`We were very lucky to get away with it, . . .
and the listeners were willing to follow us and support us through a great deal of
public experiment.'
The experiment can be classed as an unqualified success; seen in perspective,
ISIRTA belongs in the top handful of radio comedy shows.
FFFC - p134
Format of a Typical Program
The first half of the program revolves round short usually linked
sketches interspersed with fast jokes, quickly delivered, and collection
of the worst puns ever broadcast, (usually about food !).
The two halves are usually separated by a song, Bill Oddie was the
`resident song-writer'.
The second half is usually a longer sketch, commonly a parody of a current
TV program or piece of cinema. Two of the series however featured a serial
in this part of the show.
Parody is central to the theme of most of the shows, usually of
current Radio & TV shows and styles, many of Bill Oddie's songs are
parodies of either contempary popular songs or musical styles.
During its run ISIRTA at various times focused on some standard
targets, amongst them were; the OBE, gibbons, the MCC, Rolf Harris and the
BBC.
A feature that developed with the show was the use of old jokes in such
a way that the audience grew to treat them (the jokes) as old friends.
By the end of the fourth series, ISIRTA had built itself a cult following, and the audience cheer the
jokes as they appear.
The jokes themselves are telegraphed by the cast because the humour lies
in the audience responding to the joke before the punch-line. Typical of
this type of humour is people with silly
names.
Several record albums were released, and have been recently released, along with the 1989 reunion program. There are also two books:
I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again: The Classic Scripts
(by Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie) Scripts from the radio program.
(Javelin Books 1985, £1.95 0-7137-1759-9 paperback) OUT OF PRINT
I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again_ (Scripts from show)
(Hodder and Stoughton 1984, 0-713-71759-9 paperback)
Baby Talk
From Series 4 Program 9
Tim Brooke-Taylor
John Cleese
David Hatch
Bill Oddie
Jean Hart took Jo Kendall's part in this show.
RUPERT:
Morning, Cyril - what's the trouble?
CYRIL:
Just bewailing my lost youth.
RUPERT:
But You're only one.
CYRIL:
Yes - but in forty-nine years time I shall be fifty. Imagine - I'm nearly
fifty! Then it's but a step 'til I'm a hundred and three, And then I
won't be able to walk.
RUPERT:
Well you can't walk now!
CYRIL:
Yes, but when I'm old I won't even be able to crawl along the
mantlepiece and be sick in the clock.
RUPERT:
I don't see why not - my grandfather does.
HUGH:
Oh, go on - cheer up - would you like some milk from my bottle?
CYRIL:
No thanks - I'm trying to give it up. I've got three chins already.
How ever many will I have when I'm fifty?
HUGH:
You shouldn't eat so much.
CYRIL:
It's my only vice. I don't smoke - I don't drink - and I can't.
RUPERT:
Here comes your old bag again, Cyril.
CYRIL:
Let's give her Test Three.
ALL THREE:
Moo, moo, moo!
CYRIL'S MUM:
Well what's the game, children - can you see a moo-cow, den?
CYRIL:
She is so stupid!
John and Mary (1)
From Series 2 Program 12
John Cleese
Jo Kendall
JOHN:
Ah, how I love to be alone in the country.
MARY:
John?
JOHN:
Yes?
MARY:
I'm with you.
JOHN:
How I love to be alone in the country.
MARY:
But John - you brought me with you!
JOHN:
I didn't. You hid in the back.
MARY:
But you must have noticed.
JOHN:
Not at all - it's a very large tandem.
MARY:
But John - when we fell off going down the stairs - you must have
seen me.
JOHN:
I thought you were a hitch-hiker.
MARY:
But I'm your wife. You must have recognized me.
JOHN:
I didn't, Mary.
MARY:
Why not?
JOHN:
Well, because you were disguised as a cactus.
MARY:
Oh, John - why don't you admit it? You don't love me any more.
(pause)
JOHN:
All right, I admit it.
MARY:
John - once we had something that was pure, and wonderful, and -
and good ... what's happened to it?
JOHN:
You spent it all.
John and Mary 2
John Cleese
Jo Kendall
From Series 3 Program 3
MARY:
Goodnight, darling.
JOHN:
Goodnight.
(effects of bed creaking and bedsprings twanging)
MARY:
John - how much longer is this going to go on? This lying awake at
night, tossing and turning, talking and arguing, never knowing
what you're thinking - what's on your mind, John? Why can't you
sleep? Why can't you rest? Oh John - where's the sleep that knits
up the ravelled sleeve of care? Oh John - if there's anything I can do
or say that'll help you rest a little - John? - wake up!
JOHN:
What is it - what is it?
MARY:
Oh, John - can't you see what I'm doing to you? ... Why are you
laughing?
JOHN:
I always laugh when you do that to me.
MARY:
Oh John - talk to me!
JOHN:
I'm sorry, I've got things on my mind - I'm tired - I'm worried
about the chickweed - it was thoughtless of me, I know, but God
knows I haven't had much sleep skinning that bison last night ...
MARY:
Which bison - not George?
JOHN:
No, Henry.
MARY:
So Henry's dead.
JOHN:
Yes.
MARY:
I can't say I'm sorry, he was mean, even for a bison.
JOHN:
I'm going to sleep.
MARY:
John - talk to me - say something to me - say you hate me, say I'm
ugly ...
JOHN:
Which?
MARY:
Say I'm ugly.
JOHN:
You're ugly.
MARY:
You're only saying that - you don't really mean it! You don't care -
you never think about me - up and down all night, warming the
milk, mashing the rusks, all the crying and the bedwetting -
JOHN:
Yes I know ...
MARY:
I wouldn't mind if we had a baby.
JOHN:
I'm sorry, but I prefer bisons - good night.
MARY:
John - what's happening to us?
JOHN:
I know you know.
MARY:
You know?
JOHN:
Yes.
MARY:
Oh God. John -
JOHN:
Yes?
MARY:
What do you know?
JOHN:
Well I could be wrong.
MARY:
You mean about me and Nigel?
JOHN:
Oh, I was wrong! I thought it was Rupert.
MARY:
You're right - it is Rupert - I can never remember names.
JOHN:
Anyway I know about last Friday.
MARY:
Last Friday?
JOHN:
Yes - he was in my bed wasn't he.
MARY:
How did you know?
JOHN:
He kept pushing me out.
MARY:
You mean you were there too?
JOHN:
You didn't even notice? Oh, God!
MARY:
Well, you've been having your little bit of fun, too. I noticed the
lipstick on your cheek, and I suppose it was you who took my
mascara.
JOHN:
I was playing circuses.
MARY:
All right - but I've something else to say - I don't want Mother in
the front room any longer.
JOHN:
But, Mary -
MARY:
It's no good - you've got to bury her.
JOHN:
But she's still useful - she still feeds the dogs.
MARY:
No, no - they haven't touched her for weeks.
JOHN:
But, Mary - can't you see ...
MARY:
She's not my mother.
JOHN:
Well, she's not my mother.
MARY:
Oh!
JOHN:
Mary?
MARY:
Yes?
JOHN:
What's your second name?
MARY:
Cleethorpes.
JOHN:
Oh, I'm terribly sorry, I seem to have made some sort of silly
mistake - I'm awfully sorry about this ...
John and Mary (MP3 audio, from I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, 1967)
A John and Mary sketch, with John Cleese and Jo Kendall. From a 1967 I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again album. Actually a combination of two sketches.
Robin Hood
From Series 2
Tim Brooke-Taylor
John Cleese
Graham Garden
David Hatch
Jo Kendall
Bill Oddie
Announcer: And now the moment you've all been
waiting for.
Heckler: The end of the show!
Announcer: Come back with us now to merrie England
in the middle ages, it
is early in the 14th Century.
Heckler: About half past seven in the morning.
Announcer: Look, do I have to go through this every
week. I'm sorry but somebody
else can do the serious bits, I'm getting fed up with it.
Heckler: Ah come on you're ever so good.
Announcer: You're just saying that.
Heckler: No honestly I think you're fabulous, say
some more, go on, say
some more.
Announcer: (coyly) No.
Heckler: Aw go on, I'll give you a kiss.
Announcer: (coyly) No.
Heckler: Go on.
Announcer: Alright, let us return to the depths of
Sherwood forest to meet
the greatest outlaw of them all.
Heckler: Yes lets.
MUSIC: Fanfare.
Announcer: (sings) In days of old when men were
bold, And spent their time
in doing good, There lived in Sherwood forest, A man called Robin Hood.
Heckler: (tearfully) I didn't know you could
sing.
Announcer: Over now to the outlaws hideout.
Maid Marian: Robin, Robin where are you? Robin.
Friar Tuck: Why Maid Marian, what are you doing
here?
Maid Marian: Oh! Friar Tuck, you caught me
unawares.
Friar Tuck: I never touched them madam, but this is
no place for a young lady,
let alone an old bag like you.
Maid Marian: Friar Tuck, I'm looking for Robin, do
you know where he is?
Friar Tuck: I think he's under the greenwood
tree.
Maid Marian: Oh good, I'll go and find him.
Friar Tuck: I should wait till he comes out.
Robin Hood: (sings) Heigh Ho for the Lincoln
Green......
Friar Tuck: Ah that's Robin now, yes here he
comes.
Robin Hood: Why if it isn't Maid Marian, come here
you lovely creature.
FX: Kiss.
Friar Tuck: Stop it Robin, she'll get jealous.
That's Maid Marian over there.
Robin Hood: Ah me, so it is. Let us sit down on this
mossy bank, I'm exhausted.
Maid Marian: Why so.
Robin Hood: I've been hunting bear all afternoon,
and I'm frozen.
Maid Marian: Robin, I've heard that there's to be an
archery competition at Nottingham
and a prize of 500 golden crowns for the winner.
Friar Tuck: Well we all know who's the best archer
around here don't we.
Alan a'Gabriel: (As Walter Gabriel from the archers)
Hello there Robin me old pal,
me old beauty.
Robin Hood: Alan a'Gabriel.
Alan a'Gabriel: Here, here, here, here, what's all
this I've a heard about an archery
competition.
Maid Marian: Tis true, there is an archery
competition and Robin is going to
win it.
Alan a'Gabriel: Ooooooh.
Robin Hood: The trouble is I'm wanted by the
Sheriff, cheeky thing. I shall
have to go in disguise otherwise I shall be thrown into prison.
Alan a'Gabriel: Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.
Robin Hood: Alan a'Gabriel run along now, run along?
We have work to do.
Alan a'Gabriel: Alright Robin, I know when I ain't a
wanted, it ain't fair that
it ain't treating an old man like me, they ain't got no respect for my
grey hair oh, ooh, ooooh.
FX: Thud as Alan a'Gabriel falls over.
Robin Hood: Poor old soul we only keep him on out of
cruelty.
Maid Marian: Robin, do you think you can win this
archery competition?
Robin Hood: But of course my dear, but I shall need
a new bow.
Maid Marian: Why?
Robin Hood: Because my hairs such a mess.
FX: TWANG.
Maid Marian: What was that?
Robin Hood: I think I've bust my corset.
Friar Tuck: No no no look, its a message with an
arrow attached.
Robin Hood: What does it say?
Friar Tuck: Made in Japan.
Robin Hood: No no no the message.
Friar Tuck: It says "Here comes Will
Scarlet".
Will Scarlet: Robin, Robin.
Robin Hood: Odd socks it's Will Scarlet.
Will Scarlet: Robin there's a stranger in the
woods.
Robin Hood: What's he doing.
Will Scarlet: He's hunting deer.
Robin Hood: Is he really duckie, did you recognise
him?
Will Scarlet: Yes - it looked like Sir Angus of the
Prune.
Robin Hood: Sir Angus of the Prune, this is our
chance, we shall ambush him,
take his clothes, then I shall go to Nottingham disguised as Sir Angus
of the Prune and win the archery competition.
Maid Marian: But you don't look a bit like Sir
Angus.
Robin Hood: That's alright, he doesn't look like me.
Now then lets gather the
outlaws. (calls) Little John, Little John, Little John.
Little John: (very high pitched) Yes Robin?
Robin Hood: Ah there you are, we're going to ambush
Sir Angus of the Prune.
Little John: Goody goody gumdrops, I'll go and get
my quarter staff.
Robin Hood: Why haven't you got a whole one?
Little John: Well we're rather short staffed.
Robin Hood: That is no excuse, its not even a joke !
Oh well I'd better fetch
my arrows and quiver, on second thoughts I'll quiver first. Brrrr. Right
come Lads.
Announcer: (sings) So Robin and his merry men, Did
hasten through the greenwood,
And there they did prepare to trap, Sir Angus of the Prune.
Robin Hood: Well Friar Tuck is everything ready for
Sir Angus?
Friar Tuck: Yes it is Robin, we've rolled Little
John across the road to block
his path and Will Scarlet is hiding in the bushes.
Robin Hood: Don't tell me he's torn his trousers
again.
Friar Tuck: No Robin. We're all going to lie
concealed and then when Sir Angus
comes along we'll surprise him.
Robin Hood: How?
Friar Tuck: We'll all jump out wearing false noses
and sing happy days are here
again.
Robin Hood: Good work Tuck, Tuck good work and here
comes Sir Angus now.
Sir Angus: (sings) In Nottingham there lives a maid,
Sing fol de rol de ri do,
And she was mistress of her art, Wilikins walikins rhubarb tart.
Robin Hood: Hold hard there Sir Angus, get off that
horse.
Sir Angus: I'm not riding a horse.
Robin Hood: Oh I'm so sorry.
Sir Angus: It's a Water Buffalo.
Robin Hood: But why are you riding a Water
Buffalo?.
Sir Angus: It's quicker than walking
Robin Hood: Be that as it may, you're coming along
with us, tonight you shall
be our guest of honour at a banquet under the greenwood tree, you'll enjoy
it, we're having Water Buffalo.
Sir Angus: But aren't you going to rob me?
Robin Hood: Wait till you get the bill. But we want
more than your money, we
want your clothes.
Sir Angus: My clothes, but what will I wear?
Robin Hood: Don't worry, I'll lend you a suit of
homespun Lincoln green, which
we make ourselves.
Sir Angus: How do you make Lincoln green?
Robin Hood: Give him a dose of castor oil.
Sir Angus: You unprincipled rogue, the Sheriff of
Nottingham shall hear of
this. He listens every week. He and I are very close. In fact he's probably
even closer than I am.
Robin Hood: Yes the Sheriff is a greedy old miser.
Think of all the tax he gets
from the peasants.
Sir Angus: Well he needs something to keep his
carpets down. Anyway he's not
all that unfair to the peasants. He only takes fifty percent of their corn.
Robin Hood: So that's where he gets his
material.
Announcer: (sings) And so next morning Robin Hood,
Disguised as Angus of the
Prune, Together with Maid Marian, Set out for Notting-Hume.
Grimbling Sheriff, Sheriff it's me Grimbling your
faithful bailiff. Oh Sheriff
I bring you grave news sir grave news. I have ridden day and night for
the last half hour to bring you this news. Robin Hood is arrived in Nottingham
disguised as Sir Angus of the Prune for the archery contest.
Sheriff: Robin Hood here in Nottingham, you have
done well Grimbling. Here
take this tennis racket for your services.
Grimbling: Thank you very much sir.
Sheriff: Robin Hood at last within my clutches.
Grimbling: have him brought
to me dead or alive, and preferably both.
Grimbling: But sir he is to wiley.
Sheriff: He may have been to clever in the past but
this time Grimbling:,
you mark my words.
Grimbling: Ten out of ten Sir.
Sheriff: Thank you, but this Grimbling: time he will
not grasp so easily through
my slip. This time Grimbling: I have a plan.
Grimbling: A plan?
Sheriff: Yes a plan ! I shall set a trap for Master
Hood and he will walk
innocently and unsuspecting into it. Then when he's in my trap do you know
what I shall do?
Grimbling: Shut your trap.
Sheriff: Careful Grimbling:.
Announcer: (sings) And so they came from far and
wide, To Nottingham that afternoon,
To find out which among them was, The best shot with a Bow and Arrow, Egg and
Spoon.
Sheriff: Ah well Grimbling: there seems to be a good
crowd here for the tournament,
I say what's that going on over there?
Grimbling: That's Morris dancing.
Sheriff: Yes, I've been a little worried about
Morris lately.
Grimbling: Yes sire, wait a minute, look sire, over
there, that's him.
Sheriff: That's who?
Grimbling: Robin.
Sheriff: Robin who.
Grimbling: Robin the rich.
Sheriff: Why?
Grimbling: To give to the poor.
Sheriff: But how do you know?
Grimbling: I recognise his legs sir, I know those
legs anywhere, those are his
legs alright.
Sheriff: Don't bandy legs with me Grimbling:. Now
come along, if all goes
well with my plan Robin Hood will ride no more, He'll have to walk.
Grimbling: Nasty.
Maid Marian: Robin, Robin.
Robin Hood: Here I am Marian.
Maid Marian: Oh I didn't recognise you, that black
patch over your left eye was
a brilliant idea.
Robin Hood: Yes, but I'm not so happy about the
black patch over my right eye.
Maid Marian: Oh Robin, are you sure we'll be
alright? I don't feel safe.
Robin Hood: Don't worry my dear, you're with me.
Maid Marian: That's why I don't feel safe.
Robin Hood: The contest is beginning.
Herald:: My lords, ladies and gentlemen. Pray
silence. Here is the result
of the first competition of the afternoon. Sir Otto of Wensleydale who
consumed his arrow with butter and jam in 30 seconds exactly is named the
winner of this years Eaten and Arrow match. Be that as it may, the archery
tournament is about to commence, so kindly take your seats and put them
on the chairs provided. Each contestant will fire one arrow, only, individually
at the target, one at a time and no more. Any contestant firing more than
one arrow is a dirty cheat. The target shall be at one hundred paces, not
more than fifty of which shall be backwards, and the winner shall receive
fifty pieces of gold. Very tiny pieces of gold. The first contestant is
Sir Richard of Tewkesley.
FX: TWANG.
Robin Hood: What a terrible shot.
Maid Marian: Yes, darling hold still and I'll pull
it out.
Herald:: The next contestant Lord Ulrich of...
FX: TWANG.
Robin Hood: Where did that one go
Maid Marian: Straight through Friar Tuck's hat.
Robin Hood: But Friar Tuck isn't wearing a hat.
Maid Marian: Oh dear.
Herald:: And the next contestant is Sir Angus of the
Prune.
Maid Marian: It's your turn Robin, good luck.
Robin Hood: Thank you, what are we aiming at?
Maid Marian: That big target there in front of the
castle.
Robin Hood: What castle? Oh well here goes.
FX: TWANG....MOOOO.
Maid Marian: Right in the bull's eye, you won Robin,
Oh Robin I could Kiss you.
Robin Hood: I say, steady on. I'd better go and
collect the prize money from
the Sheriff. Excuse me are you the Sheriff.
Cowboy:No I'm a deputy Sheriff. Ye haw. If you want
the Sheriff
he's over there.
Robin Hood: Sheriff, I have come to claim the prize
money.
Sheriff: Not so fast Sir Angus.
Robin Hood: Oh alright (very slowly) Sheriff, I have
come to claim...
Sheriff: Sir Angus, before I give you the money I
must ask you to look at
what I have in this casket.
Robin Hood: But it's ticking, what is it?
Sheriff: Open it and see.
Robin Hood: What shall I do?
OMNES: Take the money...Open the box.
Sheriff: So you hesitate, guards arrest this man,
seize him.
Robin Hood: But why?
Sheriff: Because I know that you are Robin Hood.
Robin Hood: Wrong, I am really Angus of the Prune
disguised as Robin Hood disguised
as Angus of the Prune.
Sheriff: I don't believe it.
Robin Hood: Tis true, tis true, the man who called
himself Sir Angus you will
find tied under a tree disguised as Robin Hood.
Sheriff: I won't even ask you why a tree should be
disguised as Robin Hood.
Robin Hood: Just as well.
Sheriff: But in that case where is the real Robin
Hood.
Robin Hood: Robin Hood, he doesn't exist, Robin
Hood's just a legendary figure.
Sheriff: Really?
Robin Hood: What's more the Sheriff of Nottingham
doesn't exist either.
Sheriff: Don't I?
Robin Hood: Of course not, so just drop that silly
voice and be yourself.
Sheriff: (as pirate) Aaah ha Jim lad.
MUSIC: Play out.
Transcription by Colin Day.
The Cambridge Circus
The Radio Performance
CAMBRIDGE CIRCUS
Monday 30th December 1963,
Timeslot unknown (29 minutes duration)
BBC Home Service.
A recording for radio of the stage show "Cambridge Circus". A selection
of the sketches appearing on the "Cambridge Circus" LP were adapted for
the BBC and re-performed. This included a highly truncated version of
the sketch 'Judge Not'.
Cast: Tim Brooke-Taylor, John Cleese, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill
Oddie.
Producer: Humphrey Barclay.
Note: This was a special recording by the BBC, and differs from the EMI
/ Parlophone recording which appeared on the "Cambridge Circus" long-
playing record. This is the earliest broadcast by the ISIRTA team.
ISIRTA Record Album from EMI - 1967
I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again (EMI - 1967)
Emi M-11634
Features John Cleese, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, David Hatch, Jo Kendall and Bill Oddie. Among other roles, Cleese plays the Doctor, Mary's John, Little John, Sir Angus of the Prune, the MC, Baby Rupert, Captain Cleese and Wong Tu.
Album Tracks
SIDE ONE :
The Auctioneer; The Day After Tomorrow's World; The Doctor (written by Oddie/Cleese); Blimpht; John and Marry (Cleese/ Oddie); Robin Hood (Garden/Cleese)
SIDE TWO :
Identikit Gal; Baby Talk; Family Favorites; The Curse of the Flying Wombat; Closing/Angus Prune Tune
Audio clips
Pre-Python John Cleese "Courier" monologue from I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again.
Cleese makes life hell for some passengers on a bus holiday in this rare Pre-Python sketch. This was also performed on The Frost Report.
Judge Not (The Courtroom Sketch That's Not as Silly As the Other Courtroom Sketch)
John Cleese, Cambridge Circus, 1963 (MP3)
More rare Pre-Python Cleese. The Cambridge University revue that went to Broadway, albeit briefly. From the LP of the Cambridge Circus Broadway show. A "Judge Not" sketch was also done on The Frost Report and At Last the 1948 Show ... a clip of this was shown in "Life of Python."
John and Mary (from I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, 1967)
A John and Mary sketch, with John Cleese and Jo Kendall. From a 1967 I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again album. Actually a combination of two sketches.
All this material is available as part of the BBC Records 2-cassette set "John Cleese at the Beeb," part of "The Golden Skits of Muriel Volestrangler."
SONGS:
Ferret Song (MP3)
(Performed by John Cleese, 1967, from At Last the 1948 Show)
Rhubarb Tart Song (3.54 MP3 by SirKobble)
(Performed by John Cleese, 1968, from At Last the 1948 Show)
