The Monty Python crew always maintained an optimistic outlook when it came to their renowned film parody, Life of Brian.
However, Monty Python star John Cleese clarifies that he never made any statements about removing a politically incorrect scene from a stage adaptation of Life of Brian.
While the film’s comedic impact may have changed over time due to the increased awareness of trans issues, Cleese asserts that reports suggesting his intention to cut the “Loretta” scene from the religious satire film were inaccurate. He firmly states that he has no plans to remove it.
In the particular scene in question, a male character expresses the desire to transition into a woman named “Loretta” and expresses his wish to bear a child. Cleese’s character responds by deeming the idea absurd, while another character advocates for the man’s right to conceive. The dialogue unfolds with the character asserting, “I want to be a woman… It’s my right as a man. I want to have babies… It’s every man’s right to have babies if he wants them.” Cleese’s character objects, leading to a retort from the character, “Don’t you oppress me!”
Undoubtedly, the impact of this humor has evolved over time.
Reports emerged stating that Cleese had raised the question of whether the “Loretta” scene should be omitted during a read-through with American actors. Allegedly, he was informed that the joke was no longer appropriate in the present era.
Cleese took to Twitter to clarify that his comments were merely relaying the advice he received, rather than indicating his intention to make the cut. He expressed bewilderment over the fact that, after 40 years without any known complaints, the scene was now considered potentially offensive.
“A few days ago I spoke to an audience outside London. I told them I was adapting the Life of Brian so that we could do it as a stage show (NOT a musical ). I said that we’d had a table reading of the latest draft in NYC a year ago and that all the actors – several of them Tony winners – had advised me strongly to cut the Loretta scene. I have, of course, no intention of doing so.”
