It remains the funniest show I've ever seen in my life... -- John Cleese
British
comedy revue written by
Peter Cook,
Dudley Moore,
Alan Bennett, and
Jonathan Miller. The collection of
satirical sketches made its premiere in 1960 and is credited with influencing
Monty Python and
Saturday Night Live.
Beyond the Fringe helped change the way comedy was presented.
Cook, who died in 1995, was referred to by Woody Allen as, "Britain's only comic genius." Moore went on to star as a comedic actor in numerous films - including Arthur, 10, and Mickey and Maude. Alan Bennett went on to become a renowned actor, director, playwright, and lyricist famous for his collection of monologues Talking Heads and his screenplay for The Madness of King George. Miller -- who already had a medical degree from Cambridge -- went on to become a popular director of British theatre, television and opera.
Beyond the Fringe teamed up with Monty Python in the 1977 movie Monty Python Meets Beyond the Fringe. The movie was not a success.