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20th Slapstick Festival

WELCOME TO SLAPSTICK 2024  Drum roll please as we unveil the exciting and star-studded programme for Slapstick 2024, including the long-awaited return of our cherished Gala to the venue where it all began, now renamed Bristol Beacon and looking and sounding truly glorious after its extensive refit. As you flick through this festival guide you […]

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Join the team: Personal/Executive Assistant

Join the team: Personal/Executive Assistant Slapstick Festival, a renowned celebration of silent, visual, and classic film comedy, is seeking a passionate and organised individual to fill the crucial role of Personal/Executive Assistant to the Director. This exciting opportunity offers a unique glimpse into the dynamic world of film festivals and entertainment, all while contributing to […]

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Gender Rebels: Post event notes

Gender Rebels On Saturday 22nd April Slapstick presented a series of screen comedies at Watershed, Bristol examining how queer-coding and gender play was taking place onscreen as far back in the 1910s. With three films and three guests hosts feedback from attendees gave us rave reviews with over 85% saying they found the screening’s ‘excellent’. […]

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Competition Time

Slapstick Sgt. Pepper’s Competition There’s been so much interest in the Sgt Pepper-esque image created by Keith Kilpin of Aardman for the cover of the Slapstick 2023 brochure and other publicity print that we’ve decided to make it the subject of a Guess Who competition. To enter, study the original artwork, then turn to the […]

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Slapstick Sunday

Slapstick Sunday Our last full day of festival events began with Paddington (2014), introduced by Andy Day, and concluded with Lee Mack’s hilarious Desert Island Comedy Flicks. In between there was a moving tribute to the late great Barry Cryer hosted by his friend and long-time comic collaborator Les Dennis, with Barry’s Son Bob Cryer […]

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Three Ages Program Notes

THREE AGES (1923) Directed by Buster Keaton USA 63 mins U Three Ages is the first feature-length film that Buster Keaton wrote, directed, produced and starred. The film contains three different stories set in three different time periods of human history: the Stone Age, ancient Rome, and modern times (the Jazz Age). The film was […]

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Slapstick and Mr. Punch

Slapstick and Mr. Punch January is just around the corner! We are busy, busy, busy in Slapstick HQ getting everything prepped for the festival. One of the new additions to our programme this year is called Young Slapstick! The events are happening on Saturday the 27th and it is a great way to introduce the […]

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It all started with Alice…

It all started with Alice… One of the tasks that I’m doing for the festival now is organising its DVD library. It is very interesting going through all the titles… I enjoy coming across new and different films. One of the discs that I was reviewing contained two of Walt Disney’s very early animated shorts. […]

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A Bit About The Freshman

A Bit About The Freshman Last month, Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman was screened at our annual Silent Comedy Gala. I thought I’d take a moment to share some trivia about it. “The more trouble you get a man into, the more comedy you get out of him” – Harold Lloyd A little bit of trivia: […]

A Few Reviews

A Few Reviews

A Few Reviews Has it really been five days since the festival ended? Just thought I’d post few links to some reviews and articles that were written about our events! Please make sure you read a summary of the festival from Festival Director, Chris Daniels, that is available on our homepage. It’s great to read […]

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Keaton/Beckett

Keaton/Beckett Wow! It’s been a freezing start to January in Bristol. What’s amazing about January? Hopefully, you are reading this post as a festival fan! It’s now less than two weeks until Slapstick Festival 2017! There is such a great line-up of events this year. Make sure to check out the programme! I thought I’d […]

A Tribute to Victoria Wood

A Tribute to Victoria Wood

VICTORIA WOOD SAVES SLAPSTICK EVENT Chris was surprised and delighted when the comedian offered her time for free at short notice. Despite her amazing talent, Chris reported that “she was a comedy legend, but really nice, down-to-earth and humble. She would be incredibly nervous before she had to get on stage, but, as soon as she started, […]

Matt Lucas

Matt Lucas’s Banana Skin

Slapstick Pre-Festival Launch Event Fri 4th December, 8pm £7-£19.50 We’re thrilled to announce that one of  the UK’s best loved entertainers, Matt Lucas, is coming to Bristol for a special Slapstick Festival launch event this December to be held in the beautiful St Georges. Matt is famous for his own brand of slapstick comedy, and has starred in […]