The St. Albert Public Library is encouraging adult and teen patrons to take a wild step back in time with an unusual event for fans of cult comedy films.
For one night only next week, it’s offering up an audience participation viewing of the immensely quotable and hilarious Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The 1975 classic featured a bizarro retelling of ancient English lore, starring members of the Monty Python comedy troupe including John Cleese, Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam.
Adult programming librarian Michelle Papineau-Couture admits that she too is a fan but the event has a broader social purpose behind it.
“We’ve had the summer reading game and there’s always an end-of-summer wrap-up party for the kids. We wanted something that would be fun for teens and adults. This is sort of a family-friendly movie that goes down through the generations.”
She has already had one man, a father, call to reserve tickets. He said that he and his whole family are huge fans and they know all of the lines.
“I think it’s going to be really neat. It’s a nice way to start what’s hopefully going to be a regular event.”
The movie is the twisted legend of King Arthur who went on a timeless quest to find the Holy Grail. Joined by Knights of the Round Table including Sir Lancelot the Brave and Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-As-Sir-Lancelot, they trek around and meet strange characters and get in surreal situations.
Papineau-Couture promised a good handful of planned participatory moments including shout-outs and props.
“I’m actually collecting coconuts and maybe some kazoos. Every time King Arthur says, ‘I’m Arthur, King of the Britons’, we’ll get people to trumpet that. I actually have chain mail so I’m planning to dress up.”
Everyone is also invited to show up in appropriate costumes. Instructions and props will be provided at the showing.
She is still working on the logistics of having sword fights at the front of the theatre to complete the event.
“I’m not making any promises about sword fights. If we do, it’ll be foam swords. Library programs are safe.”
In that same vein, there likely won’t be a catapult and cow, but she does have a desktop trebuchet.
“There might be an appearance from the killer rabbit. We’ll see what happens.”
At the very least, she suggested that the public could see the educational value in the screening. Attendees could learn about the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow. Perhaps there might even be some social studies value as well.
“There’s history in it!”
This is the first time that the library is hosting an audience participation movie screening but it won’t be the last. The next one, Ghostbusters, is already in the works for Halloween.
Preview
Monty Python & the Holy Grail<br />Audience Participation Movie Night<br /><br />Thursday, Aug. 22 starting at 7 p.m.<br />Rated 14A for violence and crude content.<br /><br />Grandin Theatres<br />#101 Grandin Park Plaza (22 Sir Winston Churchill Ave.)<br />Attendance is free but people must pre-register for their tickets. Please call 780-459-1682 or visit the second floor information desk to save your seats.<br />For more information, visit www.sapl.ca.