'Fawlty Towers' star John Cleese is coming to Dubai Opera for a comedy show

The Monty Python star will take to the stage for a performance of 'Alive! (Just)'

John Cleese is famous for roles in 'Fawlty Towers' and 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'. Getty Images

TV and film star John Cleese is set to tread the boards in Dubai next month.

The Fawlty Towers actor will host a show at Dubai Opera on December 16 that is expected to tickle viewers' ribs.

The British comedian and writer, who co-founded comedy troupe Monty Python in the 1960s, will perform his show Alive! (Just) from 8pm. The show is set to "examine the dysfunctional world we live in", according to Dubai Opera, with tickets on sale from Dh195.

Cleese, 81, is arguably best known for his role as chaotic hotelier Basil Fawlty in BBC sitcom Fawlty Towers, which ran between 1975 and 1979.

Together with his Monty Python founders, the actor also appeared in the troupe's on-screen titles, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Life of Brian (1979) and The Meaning of Life (1983).

As well as co-writing Fawlty Towers, Cleese also penned 1989's A Fish Called Wanda, which starred Jamie Lee Curtis, and netted him an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

The Bafta-winning actor also played Nearly Headless Nick in the Harry Potter franchise, and starred in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, the Shrek trilogy and in the 007 flick, Die Another Day.

Cleese's show joins a number of other performances recently added to Dubai Opera's autumn line-up.

The Downtown venue last week unveiled its festive programme for December, with music and dance featuring heavily among the upcoming performances.

Among the artists jetting into the UAE ahead of Christmas is Gareth Gates, who will perform as part of Christmas Cracker, a concert featuring Yuletide classics and singalong carols, while a spectacular ice show and Simon & Garfunkel tribute act are also coming to the venue next month.