Culture · 23 September 2026

Monty Python Legend Eric Idle Announces Australian & New Zealand Speaking Tour

The writer and actor's return comes in support of his new memoir, 'Idle in Provence: A Brief History of Thyme'.

Eric Idle - photo supplied

After leaving fans crying in the aisles with laughter during his 2024 tour, Monty Python co-founder Eric Idle returns to Australia and New Zealand this November and December for An Evening of Idle Conversation.

The live speaking tour celebrates the release of Idle's brand-new memoir, Idle in Provence: A Brief History of Thyme.

The Monty Python great will spend each show chatting about his life, from the trauma of his childhood through to the giddy heights of Monty Python, opening up about the highs and lows of life in the spotlight.

"I'm going on tour to celebrate the launch of my new book Idle in Provence! A heartfelt memoir of my life, mishaps and escape in the south of France. Join me for an evening of stories, laughter and Monty Python memories," says Idle.

Idle begins his run of speaking engagements in Melbourne on Sunday 22 November at Palais Theatre before heading to New Zealand for three performances at Auckland's Bruce Mason Centre on Tuesday 24 November, Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal on Thursday 26 November and Wellington's St James Theatre on Sunday 29 November. The tour then returns to Australia for shows at Brisbane's QPAC on Saturday 5 December, State Theatre in Sydney on Tuesday 8 December, Adelaide's Her Majesty's Theatre on Thursday 10 December and Perth's Riverside Theatre on Saturday 12 December.

Tickets are on sale now at fane.com.au.

A man of many talents, Eric Idle is a comedian, actor, author and songwriter who first got his start on the UK comedy series Do Not Adjust Your Set, where he met fellow performers Terry Jones, Michael Palin and Terry Gilliam.

The four, along with Graham Chapman and John Cleese, would go on to form the comedy troupe Monty Python, producing the hit sketch comedy series Monty Python's Flying Circus.

A roaring success, the group went on to release three hilarious films, Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983), before going their separate ways shortly after the release of their final flick.

Idle has continued a life in comedy, writing and directing The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash, the world's first mockumentary, and creating the Tony Award–winning musical Spamalot.

His first memoir, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life, was a New York Times bestseller, with his latest, Idle in Provence: A Brief History of Thyme, out now and available to buy at his upcoming tour.

Catch Eric Idle's An Evening of Idle Conversation at Her Majesty's Theatre on Thursday 10 December. Tickets on sale now at fane.com.au.