IT seems far fetched to think that literary giant JB Priestley would link up with the zany frivolities of Monty Python’s Flying Circus.
The carefully-constructed work of the hard-headed, Bradford-born playwright, author and broadcaster would seem to be at odds with the mayhem and madness of the Pythons.
Yet for all his serious intent, JB had a wicked and imaginative sense of humour - and he recognised creative talent when he saw it.
Which is why an out-of-the-blue phone call from legendary comic writer Barry Cryer led to the Python team meeting Priestley at his home near Stratford-upon-Avon in the 1970s.
All this and more will be explored and discussed by a star cast at the Bradford Literature Festival on Sunday, June 30 at 11am in the city-centre Alhambra Theatre Studio.
Actor and writer Bob Cryer, son of the late Barry Cryer, will divulge anecdotes and insights into his father’s incredible life and career, as revealed in his new book Barry Cryer: Same Time Tomorrow.
Bob, who starred in TV’s long-running ‘soaps’ Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, purposefully went into acting full time to distance himself from his late father’s fame as a leading scriptwriter for nearly all the comedy ‘greats’.
Yorkshireman Barry, born and brought up in Leeds before he sought fame and fortune in London’s Theatreland, wrote for Morecambe and Wise, Frankie Howerd, Tommy Cooper and David Frost. The list seems endless and included American Titans such as Jack Benny, George Burns and Bob Hope - and back in the UK, Ronnie Corbett, Les Dawson, Mike Yarwood, Spike Milligan, The Two Ronnies, Jasper Carrott, Dave Allen, Kenny Everett and Bruce Forsyth.
Alongside Bob Cryer will be Bradford-born Steve Abbott, who was manager-turned- film producer for the Python team of John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Michal Palin, Terry Jones, Eric Idle and Terry Gilliam.
Presiding over the event will be Bradford-born Lindsay Sutton, Chair of the J B Priestley Society, who has helped bring about the event in his beloved home city.
He revealed: “The key to this event is Barry Cryer, who was a member of the society, a devotee of his literary hero, and who became a great friend. They would often have tea together in London’s Cafe Royale, and discuss the creative talents of all and sundry in the theatrical and entertainment world.”
Lindsay added: “Bob will tell us how Priestley loved the Python team, and indeed the ability of Barry, both on radio with I’m sorry, I haven’t a clue and in his scriptwriting for the comedy ‘greats’. His son observed and heard his father’s talent first hand and dedicated his book to ‘the life and laughs of a comedy legend.’
Steve Abbott has promised to give an insight into the way the Python team worked and how they moved comedy in a new direction with their Flying Circus TV series, which moved the dial with its surreal sketches and it’s free-spirit scripting.
Steve will reveal the ‘dynamic tensions’ behind the scenes, which was probably inevitable in a six-strong team of strong-minded individuals, who were brought together initially on the David Frost’s TV programme The Frost Report.
Steve, whose home was in Barkerend Road, and who won a scholarship to Bradford Grammar School, and then went to Cambridge University, was hugely influential in winning Bradford its coveted UNESCO status as a City of Film.
He was with the Python team for 45 years as manager and then film producer, having an office in Los Angeles. He is best known for A Fish Called Wanda, Brassed off, Fierce Creatures, and his close and trusted affiliation with the Monty Python troupe.
Films he has produced have been awarded an Oscar, a Cesar, and several BAFTA awards. He was Chair of the Bradford UNESCO City of Film and was tongue-in-cheek awarded a BRAFTA by the city fathers.
Lindsay Sutton, who was the paper boy for Daisy Hill on the west side of Bradford, went into journalism as a career and worked on the Daily Mirror, Daily Mail and The Times, before embracing TV as a reporter then a documentary producer. He is now an author and feature writer, and has won the ‘American Travel Writer of the Year’ award. He still supports Bradford City and the Yorkshire County Cricket team.
He remembers the impact of reading JB Priestley’s English Journey, borrowed from Bradford’s Central Library. He says: “Priestley travelled the country during the height of the Depression, and he chronicled the state of Britain during those desperate years when people found themselves on the scrapheap. Reading it had a profound effect on me, and introduced me to the realities of life.
“Like Barry Cryer, I became a JB fan, albeit with a critical faculty. As Barry once observed: “Nothing is ever one dimensional.”
* Priestley and the Pythons is on Sunday, June 30, at 11am in Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre Studio. For tickets visit bradfordlitfest.co.uk, email boxoffice@bradfordlitfest.co.uk or call (01274) 044140.
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