Bristol Slapstick Events, Articles

Martin Freeman to host birthday gala

Bristol Slapstick Events, Articles

We are thrilled to have Martin Freeman, star of The Office, Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy and many other critically acclaimed roles joining us for the evening.

Harry Enfield’s Comedy Favourites

Bristol Slapstick Events, Articles

The multiple award-winning comedian and actor Harry Enfield is the latest star to join the line-up for next February’s 20th birthday edition of the UK’s biggest festival of screen comedy, Slapstick.

20th Anniversary

Bristol Slapstick Events, Articles

I can hardly believe it’s been 21 years since we first set out to share the magic of silent and visual comedy with audiences in Bristol and beyond.

Slapstick 2025: for the love of silent comedy

Bristol Slapstick Events, Articles, Blog

With Slapstick 2025 fast approaching Pamela Hutchinson previews the festival

20th Slapstick Festival

Blog, Articles

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.

Gender Rebels: Post event notes

Blog, Articles

Gender Rebels On Saturday 22nd April Slapstick presented a series of screen comedies at Watershed, ... Read more

Competition Time

Blog, Articles

Slapstick Sgt. Pepper’s Competition There’s been so much interest in the Sgt Pepper-esque image created ... Read more

Slapstick 2023 Announcement

Blog, Articles

Welcome to the 19th edition of Bristol’s very own Silent, Visual and Classic Comedy Festival. Music has been a key ingredient of every Slapstick since the festival began, but for our 19th annual edition, we’re giving it extra special attention.

The Big Comedy Bash 2022 Review

Articles

Monday 7th November 2022 (7.30pm)
Slapstick Festival’s annual comedy fundraiser returned to Reading’s Hexagon theatre. Event features, Alan Davies, Ed Byrne, Stephen K. Amos, jay Lafferty and more

Review of Slapstick Festival 2022

Articles

To those who came to see us in 2022, we hope you had a fantastic time! If you want to remind yourself of the great events we put on as part of our Slapstick 2022 season HERE'S HOW!

Legacy award for the Tiswas team

Articles

The Tiswas Team receive their Legacy Awards, given in recognition of creating significant new work in the medium of silent and visual comedy

Tiswas Stars Reunite for One-Off Reunion

Articles

Tiswas Stars Reunite for One-Off Reunion Our slapstick season finished on an absolute high, with ... Read more

Slapstick Sunday

Articles

Slapstick Sunday Our last full day of festival events began with Paddington (2014), introduced by ... Read more

Our Dear Friend Barry Cryer

Bristol Slapstick Events, Articles, Blog, Slapstick Events & Festival

Hello everyone, As you will no doubt have heard, yesterday we learnt the news that we had lost singular comedy genius and very dear festival friend, Barry Cryer.

Screening Notes

Articles

We have screening notes for a number of our programmes, you will find them on the programme pages for the individual films.

THE MYSTERY OF BILLY LANCET – AN ALTERNATIVE THEORY

Articles

Since I reported the results of my researches into the brief career and subsequent total oblivion

THE MYSTERY OF BILLY LANCET (?1919-1965)

Articles

Someone recently posted on You-tube a recording from an old 8” low-cost shellac gramophone disc released in 1930.

Stop Motion Animation – A Timeless Art Form

Articles, Slapstick Events & Festival

For years animation has been one of the most impressive and entertaining disciplines in cinema.

Best of The Best – Chaplin, Keaton, Lloyd

Articles, Blog

Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin. All three began their careers more than a century ago

Review: The Real Charlie Chaplin

Articles

By Pamela Hutchinson

Welcome Back to Slapstick!

Articles

Plus our fabulous festival guide

Charlie Chaplin – Early Life

Articles

For those who have never delved into the history of silent comedy, Chaplin’s life started with great upheaval. He was born in 1889 to Hannah Chaplin and Charles Chaplin, Senior

Charlie Chaplin’s Life – The Beginnings

Articles

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

Articles

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

Articles

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

Articles

THREE AGES (1923) Directed by Buster Keaton USA 63 mins U Three Ages is the ... Read more

Keaton: The MGM Years Program Notes

Articles

SO FUNNY IT HURT: BUSTER KEATON AND MGM (2004) Directed by Kevin Brownlow UK 38 mins ... Read more

The Vagabond Queen Program Notes

Articles

THE VAGABOND QUEEN (1929) Directed by Géza von Bolváry UK 62 mins U This unparalleled ... Read more

Skinner’s Dress Suit Program Notes

Articles

SKINNER’S DRESS SUIT (1926) Directed by William A. Seiter USA 70 mins PG This show ... Read more

Spite Marriage Program Notes

Articles

SPITE MARRIAGE (1929) Directed by Edward Sedgwick and Buster Keaton USA 76 mins PG Spite ... Read more