Forty years ago, (Oct. 5 1969), the BBC aired the first episode of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus,” a lunatic assembly of skits written and performed by a team of British comedians.

Possibly unknowningly, it had launched a comic phenomenon that over 45 episodes of absurdist, rule-breaking, take-no-prisoners comedy that grew to include stage shows, films, books, albums and even a musical, “Spamalot.”

The Pythons’ influence on comedy has been compared to that of the Beatles on music, and left indelible imprints of upper class twits, dead parrots and arguments for sale.

John Cleese, an original member of the team that included Graham Chapman,  Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin, will come to the Lincoln Theater

Nov. 11, for a solo performance.

Cleese, who turned 70 last week, attended Cambridge to study law, but recognized that his real love was comedy.

He consequently devoted a great deal of his time at university to the legendary Footlights group, and to writing and performing in comedy reviews, which led him to the Monty Python ensemble.

After playing major roles in classic films as “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” “Life of Brian,” “Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl” and “The Meaning of Life,” Cleese went on to star in BBC series, “Fawlty Towers,” about the trials of an innkeeper.

His acting career continued with movies including roles in the comedy “A Fish Called Wanda” and in the Harry Potter and James Bond film series.

John Cleese at the Lincoln Theater

• When: Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7 p.m.

• Tickets: $39-$69

• Box office: 944-1300;

• Details: www.lincolntheaternapavalley.org