Articles
Announcing Slapstick Festival’s Newest Patrons!
Articles
It's a real pleasure to welcome Rick Wakeman and Sanjeev Bhaskar as patrons of Slapstick Festival!
W.C. FIELDS – Global Stage to Silent and Talking Films and Radio
Articles
We cannot separate W.C. Fields silent films from the totality of his career. Achieving great success on the stage in nearly every continent
Martin Freeman to host birthday gala
Bristol Slapstick Events, 2025 Event, 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, 2025 Event, 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, 2025 Event, 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
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
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