Eric Idle's latest book Idle In Provence: A Brief History of Thyme is  published later this year and tells the story of Idle's attempt to create a rural idyll in France.

In the book Monty Python co-founder Idle, who was also behind the award-winning musical Spamalot, tells the story of how he bought a ramshackle house in France in 1971 and spent over fifty years doing it up and unwinding there, making friends and trying to learn a new language. It is described at the holy grail of vacation memoirs.

To mark the publication the star will be appearing live onstage in the UK. He will be at G Live in Guildford on Saturday, September 19, The Lyceum in London on Monday, September 21 and at Bath Komedia on Wednesday, September 23. 

Beyond the Joke is giving readers the chance to win tickets for the London show at the Lyceum on September 21. We have two pairs of tickets to give away and each ticket includes a free signed book.

All you have to do to enter is answer the following question:

What was the name of the spoof rock band that Idle famously starred in in the late 1970s?

Please send your answers to [email protected] and the two winners will be picked at random.

The closing date for the competition is August 31.

If you don't win, details of the book tour and ticket links can be found at idleinprovence.com

You can also pre-order and buy the book here.

Idle In Provence: A Brief History of Thyme is published On September 10 by Ebury. 

Competition Terms and conditions here.