THEY are the most eagerly anticipated shows of the year, and you can watch Monty Python’s comeback live at two Colchester venues.

The Last Night of the Pythons concerts at London’s O2 arena are a sell-out, but thanks to Picturehouse Entertainment, more than 450 cinemas across the UK will take part in the live broadcast.

The concerts are a chance to say farewell to the Pythons and in Colchester we have two venues showing the broadcasts.

The Odeon cinema, in Head Street, Colchester, is showing the July 20 concert only, and the auditorium of the Firstsite art gallery, is showing both concerts.

Monty Python hold a place among the world’s finest ever comedians.

First hitting our screens with the Flying Circus, which saw 45 episodes broadcast over four BBC series between 1969 and 1974, the Pythons were an instant success.

They went on to achieve overwhelming international acclaim with the huge success of films such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail in 1975, Life of Brian in 1979 and their final film, the Meaning of Life in 1983.

These will be their first live appearances since performing at the Hollywood Bowl in 1980 and 40 years after they last appeared on stage in the UK at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

At a combined age of just 357, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin will once again perform some of Monty Python’s greatest hits with, of course, some modern, topical, Pythonesque twists.

Monty Python Live (Mostly) Firstsite Gallery, Lewis Gardens, Colchester, July 20 and encore show on July 26. 7pm, £15, £12.50 concessions.

www.firstsite.uk.net Odeon Cinema, Head Street, Colchester, July 20. £15.50 and £13.50 concessions www.odeon.co.uk