Articles and Stories
Charlie Chaplin’s Life – The Beginnings
21 June 2021
Charlie first performed at the age of twelve, when he got a chance to act in a stage show. He left school permanently at thirteen and followed his ambition to become an actor.
Neil Innes 1944 – 2019
31 December 2019
On 30th December 2019, we learnt the sad news that Neil Innes, long-time friend and supporter of the festival, had sadly passed away.
Modern Times | Charlie Chaplin The Composer
2 February 2019
Charlie Chaplin, one of cinema’s most famous stars, was a man of many talents… actor, director, writer, and composer are among his many credits.
Three Ages Program Notes
27 January 2018
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
Keaton: The MGM Years Program Notes
27 January 2018
SO FUNNY IT HURT: BUSTER KEATON AND MGM (2004) Directed by Kevin Brownlow UK 38 mins U Buster Keaton is currently the most popular comedian of the silent era. But in the late 20s, he was giving anxiety to his producer, Joseph M. Schenck. Schenck decided that since his releases for United Artists were not as
The Vagabond Queen Program Notes
26 January 2018
THE VAGABOND QUEEN (1929) Directed by Géza von Bolváry UK 62 mins U This unparalleled essay in European absurdism was one of the most regrettable casualties of the coming of sound. Released as a silent in May 1929, it was re-issued with synchronized music and sound effects in August 1930 – but too late. Variety,
Skinner’s Dress Suit Program Notes
26 January 2018
SKINNER’S DRESS SUIT (1926) Directed by William A. Seiter USA 70 mins PG This show is intended to revive the reputation of a comedian of the silent era – not on the scale of a Lloyd or a Keaton, but extremely amusing and entertaining in his own right. I have several of his Universal comedies
Spite Marriage Program Notes
26 January 2018
SPITE MARRIAGE (1929) Directed by Edward Sedgwick and Buster Keaton USA 76 mins PG Spite Marriage is the tale of a tailor who is madly in love with an actress… so in love, that he’s gone to see her play countless times! He is given the chance to marry the woman of his dreams, but
It’s Just a Jump to the Left!
30 December 2017
It’s Just a Jump to the Left! Slapstick 2018 is just around the corner! We’ve got so many great events in January to help brighten those cold winter days and nights! Make sure you check out our full programme as we have four days chock-full of laughs, music and classic comedy with some great special
Why is Slapstick Violence Funny?
20 July 2017
Why is Slapstick Violence Funny? The subject of this post was originally going to be on an entirely different topic, which will be saved for a later time! When I was doing research for that topic, I came across this TedxEmory talk on YouTube. The title of this video is, “Technology and the New Aesthetics
Lucy and Ethel – Sitcom’s Best Friends
18 April 2017
Lucy and Ethel – Sitcom’s Best Friends Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance created one of television’s most enduring comic duos – Lucy and Ethel. Lucy and Ethel were neighbours and best friends on the beloved sitcom, I Love Lucy. The two were constantly getting into trouble with all of Lucy’s crazy schemes! I remember growing
Anita Garvin and Marion Byron – A Classic Comedy Duo
6 April 2017
Anita Garvin and Marion Byron – A Classic Comedy Duo I hope everyone has seen our exciting event coming up in June! It’s so great that we will be able to present the Aardman Slapstick Comedy Legend award to that fantastic comedic duo, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders! The event has now sold out… so
It all started with Alice…
17 March 2017
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.
Max Linder – French Silent Star
11 February 2017
Max Linder – French Silent Star One of my favourite events from the festival was the screening of Max Linder’s Seven Years Bad Luck. David Robinson’s excellent introduction gave some insight into what had been a very troubled life for the early silent film star. If you weren’t at the event, I thought I would
A Bit About The Freshman
2 February 2017
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
27 January 2017
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
Simon Callow On His Passion For Charlie Chaplin
10 January 2017
“My dear old grandma, a woman who otherwise betrayed very little sense of humour, would shake with laughter, tears rolling down her cheeks, as she re-enacted the scene in The Gold Rush where Chaplin eats his boot.”
Keaton/Beckett
5 January 2017
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
13 May 2016
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,
In Photos: When Victoria Wood Hosted The 2013 Slapstick Festival Gala
22 April 2016
In Photos: When Victoria Wood Hosted The 2013 Slapstick Festival Gala Back in 2012 we were thrilled and excited when the one and only Victoria Wood agreed to host our 2013 gala. As expected she hit the ball out of the park, taking on the roll with aplomb, insight, laughs galore and, of course, professionalim.
Ian Lavender: Why I Love Ben Turpin
6 January 2016
Ian Lavender: Why I Love Ben Turpin Sun 24th Jan | St. George’s | 12:40PMTickets: £5.00/£7.50/£12.00 Under 12s £6.00 Ben Turpin is one of our finest and most neglected on-screen performers. With his trademark crossed eyes and thick moustache he made scores of classic slapstick films alongside the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Mabel Normand and
Hooray For Harold Lloyd, Barry Cryer and Friends!
5 November 2015
Hooray For Harold Lloyd, Barry Cryer and Friends! Sun 24th Jan | St. George’s | 2:30PMTickets: £15.00/£12.00/£6.00 (plus booking fee) Join us for a classic double bill of Lloyd’s finest onscreen comedy hosted by ‘king of the one liners’ and national treasure Barry Cryer. Harold appears in two of his finest comedy shorts ‘Now or
Matt Lucas’s Banana Skin
9 October 2015
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