John Katsilometes on Eric Idle's idea of a new British Invasion as Spamalot' prepares to open

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Somehow, the complementary visions of Eric Idle and George Harrison wound up converging on the Las Vegas Strip. "It makes sense to me - I call it a new British Invasion," Idle said Monday afternoon during a media/VIP launch event for "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the newly expanded and renovated Grail Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The production opens for previews on March 8.

Participating in Monday's event were Idle, Steve Wynn, John O'Hurley (who will play King Arthur), composer John Du Prez and Nikki Crawford (who plays Lady of the Lake). As the troupe would say, in case you've been living under a giant foot for the past 40 years, Idle is an original member of Britain's groundbreaking "Monty Python's Flying Circus," which aired on BBC from 1969 to '74. "Spamalot," Idle's brainchild, is a stage adaptation of the 1975 film "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." In June he attended opening night of "Love" at the Mirage, which was a concept largely conceived by Harrison, who was for years a close friend of Idle.

"We've always been called 'The Beatles of Comedy,' and George was a very funny man and a fan of Monty Python. I think it is quite appropriate that we would have our shows in full productions in Las Vegas, which is a place built for fun," said Idle, who earlier from the theater stage recalled that Harrison paid $4 million of his own money to underwrite Python's "Life of Brian." "I think 'Love' is spectacular. I can't wait to see it again. I understand it is doing very well." Idle said "Spamalot" would be similarly well received: "If you are funny, people will come," he said. "That's what I have learned. And this show is funny. People start getting it in the first five minutes."