BAZ BAMIGBOYE. Ousted Python Terry Gilliam, who holds talks in Bath about staging his show for the Old Vic after-snub










Terry Gilliam Monty Python’s founding member was culturely excommunicated following objections from staff at Old Vic Theatre to his views regarding trans people. Now, he is talking with a new theater about staging the Stephen Sondheim musical Into The Woods.

Gilliam’s version of the 1987 show, which reimagines a bunch of Brothers Grimm fairy tales, was to have opened at the Old Vic next April.

Gilliam, pictured in October this year, is in talks with a new theatre about staging his production of the Stephen Sondheim musical Into The Woods

Gilliam (pictured October 2012) is currently in negotiations with a theatre to stage his Stephen Sondheim musical Into The Woods.

It had sold a ton of tickets but last month the theatre and production company Scenario Two, which had assembled the show, ‘mutually agreed’ not to continue with it at the Waterloo venue.

The theatre’s staff refused to collaborate with Gilliam. He is a well-known director and illustrator.

It is now known that Gilliam (80) and his backers found refuge in Bath’s Theatre Royal.

As a preliminary step to formal negotiations, Gilliam and Leah Hausman (co-directors and choreographers) will visit Rome next week with executives from Scenario Two.

Into The Woods has been offered a four-week run there next summer, preceded by a long period to install the technically complex sets (Gilliam’s vision of the show has it set in a children’s home).

Gilliam’s version of the 1987 show, which reimagines a bunch of Brothers Grimm fairy tales, was to have opened at London's Old Vic, pictured, next April

Gilliam’s version of the 1987 show, which reimagines a bunch of Brothers Grimm fairy tales, was to have opened at London’s Old Vic, pictured, next April

After the out-of-town run, it’s hoped Into The Woods, which Sondheim created with James Lapine, will transfer to London’s West End.

Producers are said to also have been offered interest by the Haymarket Theatre, London, as well as a Broadway theater owner.

The theatre industry — all parts of the social landscape, really — seems riven with intolerance at the moment.

Some say it’s wrong that staff at theatres — and not artistic leadership — are allowed to dictate who is involved and what work is staged.

This is a worrying trend. ‘If we turn on everyone we disagree with, there’ll soon be no one to work with,’ one theatre chief told me. 

Monty Python's Life of Brian: Left to right, Michael Palin, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam and Terry Jones

Monty Python’s Life of Brian: From left to right, John Cleese and Graham Chapman as well as Eric Idle, Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones, and Terry Jones

‘It’s becoming dangerous to open your mouth in this business. People are offended if you say “hello”.’

Gilliam is a controversial figure who has earned a living from it. However, people who know Gilliam well say they recommend that anyone objecting to his views read through his previous comments.

His experience with censorship is not uncommon.

Monty Python’s controversial Life Of Brian (1979) had its funding pulled by EMI just days before production.

The movie slammed by some as ‘the most blasphemous film ever’ was saved by money from Beatle George Harrison.

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