A Violin Over The Head

Slapstick comedy and music often collided in the world of variety theatre.

Here, Oliver Double introduces a dazzling array of historic footage featuring routines by some of the comedians, singers, dancers and spesh acts who mixed melody and pratfalls. Performers you’ll meet include Stanelli and his Hornchestra, Little Tich, the Bill Hall Trio, Lily Morris, and Wilson, Keppel & Betty.

Also featured are Manley & Austin, whose knockabout routine starts with Florence Austin smashing her violin over her husband’s head.

Oliver Double is Head of Comedy and Popular Performance at the University of Kent.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 20 mins