Python fever is heating up in the UK with the imminent arrival of critically acclaimed, award winning, Eric Idle ('lovingly ripped off') theatre musical adaptation of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot. Well, when I say imminent I do of course mean this year. October to be precise but that's not the point.

If that wasn't exciting enough (for those who get excited over such things) the US fans have, in my opinion, slapped a challenging gauntlet across the chops of the nation that spawned the seminal comedy genius troupe in a marvellous World record setting event that would do the Pythons proud.

On March 22nd, an estimated 1,199 people gathered outside of the Shubert Theatre to celebrate the one year anniversary of the show's playing. They were then requested to clack coconut shells to a rendition of Always Look On The Bright Side of Life (from Monty Python's Life of Brian but is the curtain call in this too). This set the Guinness World Record for the 'World's Largest Coconut Orchestra' beating the previous entry of, er. Well, no, there wasn't a previous entry.

Guinness announced the official number the next day as actually being set at 1,789.

Spamalot opens at the Palace Theatre, London, on 2nd October returning original cast member Tim Curry (who has not been on a London stage in 20 years) in the role of King Arthur until January 2007 when current New York Arthur, Simon Russell Beale, will take over. Tom Goodman-Hill will reprise Hank Azaria's role as Sir Lancelot and Robert Hands in the David Hyde-Pierce role of Sir Robin.

Tickets are available through http://www.montypythonsspamalot.com

So, who's going to be with me on Shaftesbury Avenue on the 2nd, then? I only need another 1,788. Ni!