The Big Comedy Bash, Oct 2023

Posted on August 14, 2023October 24, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

The Big Comedy Bash, Oct 2023

Hosted by Rob Brydon with Adam Kay, Alasdair Beckett-King, Jay Lafferty, Alistair McGowan, Arthur Smith, Dee Allum. + more

Date: Thursday 19th October 2023
Time: 19:30
Venue: Hexagon, Reading
Price: £32.50
Hosted by our Patron and supporter, the award-winning comedian, actor, presenter, singer and writer. ROB BRYDON. Rob will be joined by BAFTA-winning TV writer, author, comedian and former doctor ADAM KAY (This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor). Along with JAY LAFFERTY, ALASDAIR BECKETT-KING, ALISTAIR MCGOWAN, ARTHUR SMITH & DEE ALLUM this promises to be one of our finest fundraisers to date.

The Big Comedy Bash is back at The Hexagon for another evening of hilarious comedy in aid of Bristol’s Slapstick Festival.

PG Advised. 14+ Only. Live Stand-Up Comedy.

This event has now finished, but you can see photos (courtesy of David Betteridge) from the event below.

Rob Brydon with Adam Kay, Alasdair Beckett-King, Jay Lafferty, Alistair McGowan, Arthur Smith, Dee Allum

Photos of the event

The Big Comedy Bash 2023

Posted on May 9, 2023October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

The Big Comedy Bash 2023

MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE, JO BRAND, MILTON JONES, RIA LINA, ARCHIE MADDOCKS, DR PHIL HAMMOND + more

Date: Wednesday 10th May 2023
Time: 19:30
Venue: Hexagon, Reading
Price: £26 / £24 Concessions (including booking fees)
Ages 14+ Advised ~ May contain Adult Material.

Slapstick Festival’s annual comedy fundraiser is back at Reading’s Hexagon theatre for a sixth year running, with another outstanding series of top comedy performers lining up to help raise funds for Bristol’s Slapstick festival*.

You can expect an evening of brilliant stand-up comedy with sets from satirist, actor and comedian MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE, comedian, actor and Bake-Off: Extra Slice star JO BRAND, stand-up comedian MILTON JONES (Mock The Week) and comedian and scientist RIA LINA (Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You), and stand-up comedian Archie Maddocks, and comedian and doctor Dr. Phil Hammond.

This promises to be an unforgettable night of laughter and fun, For one night only.

*Slapstick Festival is a not-for-profit silent/classic comedy festival that’s been celebrating the finest in vintage comedy for almost two decades

Fab Fools: The Beatles, The Rutles & Rock ‘n’ Roll Comedy

Posted on March 13, 2023October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Fab Fools: The Beatles, The Rutles & Rock ‘n’ Roll Comedy

Date: Sunday 23 July
Time: 17:00 hrs
Venue: Redgrave Theatre
Price: £17.25

Jem Roberts, author of ‘FAB FOOLS’ – the ultimate comedic history of the Fab Four is joined onstage by a stellar line up of top comedy talent including: actor and Composer Phillip Pope (Hitchikers Guide/Blackadder), actor and voice artist Kate Harbour and Beatley legend David Catlin-Birch (Bootleg Beatles/World Party).

With drummer Keith Bailey (Red Propellors/Silenzio) and additional surprise guests they’ll bring to life a whole host of hilarious scripted Beatle rarities live onstage.

With live music paying tribute to the Beatles own talent for comedy and our eternally missed Rutle friend Ron Nasty, a.k.a Neil Innes, this is a unique ‘script in hand’ comedy event that no Beatles or Rutles fan would dream of missing.

Gender Rebels

Posted on March 13, 2023October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

GENDER REBELS

Save money with a pass for all 3 films for only £15

Date: Saturday 22 April
Venue: Waterside 3 at Watershed
Price: £15.00

Slapstick Festival, Bristol’s annual festival of silent and classic screen comedy, has teamed up with internationally respected film historian Pamela Hutchinson, award-winning performer, filmmaker and playwright Malaika Kegode and Bristol’s reigning City Poet Kat Lyons to present a day-long programme looking at some of the wittiest ways movie-makers have explored and disrupted gender roles during the 20th century.

The events include the three films:

Victor / Victoria

Beverly of Graustark (1926)

I Don’t Want to be a Man

Get the Full Day Discount!

Victor / Victoria

Posted on March 13, 2023October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Victor / Victoria

Date: Saturday 22 April
Time: 19:30 hrs
Venue: Waterside 3 at Watershed
Price: £8.50
Dir: Blake Edwards
1982, USA, 134mins. Cert: 15

With an introduction from the award-winning performer, filmmaker and playwright Malaika Kegode

Jazz Age Paris is the setting for this quadruple Oscar-winning screwball musical comedy, part derived from a 1933 script, in which Julie Andrews plays a down-on-her-luck opera singer who is persuaded by a gay drag artist friend (Robert Preston) to pretend to be a man pretending to be a woman to get high-paying work as a female impersonator in a nightclub.

There, the ‘woman’ wins the love of a macho Chicago businessman (James Garner) who shocks his associates by wanting to continue the romance even after he learns ‘she’ is a ‘man’. With an introduction from Malaika Kegode. “A work of dry wit, high slapstick, black despair, romantic warmth, and penetrating intelligence” – David Kehr, Chicago Tribune.

Beverly of Graustark (1926)

Posted on March 13, 2023October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Beverly of Graustark (1926)

Date: Saturday 22 April
Time: 15:00 hrs
Venue: Waterside 3 at Watershed
Price: £8.50
Dir: Sidney Franklin
1926, USA, 70mins. Cert: U

Piano accompaniment from Meg Morley and introduction from Bristol’s reigning City Poet Kat Lyons

Our second film is the South West premiere of a newly-restored silent comedy starring the Hollywood star Marion Davies in one of her biggest box-office hits.

She plays the New Jersey cousin of a man who learns he’s in line to become a prince of Graustark.

When his travel plans are disrupted, she adopts his identity, his title and his enemies – then faces a dilemma when she falls for a man who may also be a fake. With a surprise (colourful) finale, piano accompaniment from Meg Morley and introduction from Kat Lyons.

I Don’t Want to be a Man

Posted on March 13, 2023October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

I Don’t Want to be a Man (1918)

(ICH MÖCHTE KEIN MANN SEIN)

Date: Saturday 22 April
Time: 11.30 hrs
Venue: Waterside 3 at Watershed
Price: £8.50
Dir: Ernst Lubitsch
Germany (1918), 45 mins, cert TBA

With a live piano accompaniment from Meg Morley and an introduction from internationally respected film historian Pamela Hutchinson

A rare chance to see an early comedy short by a director widely regarded as one of cinema’s all-time greats, Ernst Lubitsch.

In this raucous, flirtatious film, a boisterous teenage girl (Ossi Oswalda) becomes so tired of being bossed about she decides to pose as a man on a night out to see if it’s more fun, only to discover that while it does have its high points it also results in complications.

With a live piano accompaniment from Meg Morley and an introduction from Pamela Hutchinson.

12.30 PANEL DISCUSSION

A unique panel discussion about gender representation in film with the internationally respected film historian Pamela Hutchinson, the award-winning performer, filmmaker and playwright Malaika Kegode, pianist Meg Morley and Bristol’s reigning City Poet Kat Lyons.

Harold Lloyd in Safety Last! (1923)

Posted on November 29, 2022April 11, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Harold Lloyd in Safety Last! (1923)

With specially recorded introductions from Suzanne Lloyd and Vic Armstrong

Date: Saturday 1 April 2023
Time: 20:00 hrs
Venue: St George’s Bristol
Price: From £10
Dir: Fred Neymeyer and Sam Taylor
USA (1923), 74 mins, cert U

The clock sequence in Safety Last! is arguably the best known of any in a silent comedy. Genuinely dangerous, too, as it was shot high up on the side of real LA skyscapers and using clever camera angles and a series of platforms still creates a sense of peril in audiences today as the witness Harold’s long climb to the top.

But the scene is only one of the reasons this film regularly appears on Funniest Film Ever lists. Lloyd sparks laugh after laugh with his over-ambitious efforts to make it in the big city so that he can marry his home-town sweetheart (Mildred Davis).

And this screening will be extra special – showing here exactly 100 years to the day of its first release and with live accompaniment by a trio of stellar musicians, The Stephen Horne Trio and with a special guest host (to be announced).

Don’t miss this special centenary screening of an undisputed comedy masterpiece.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1.20 hrs

Post Event Notice

A hugely successful sell-out event at St Georges celebrating Lloyd’s classic thrill picture 100 years to the day of it’s original release.

harold lloyd safety last tallys broadway theatre — Harold Lloyd Safety Last, With Tallys Broadway Theatre Below

MICHAEL PALIN: Beyond Python

Posted on November 26, 2022February 20, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Rob Brydon and Michael Palin BOV slapstick

Michael Palin: Beyond Python

In Conversation with Rob Brydon

Date: Sunday 19th February 2023
Time: 8.30pm
Venue: Bristol Old Vic
Price: £37.00/£30.00/£23.00

He may be best known for his work with Monty Python but Sir Michael Palin (80 in May) has a long and distinguished track record as a comedy writer and performer, from penning gags for the likes of Ken Dodd and Roy Hudd and being in TV’s Do Not Adjust Your Set ensemble in the 1960s, to roles in Armando Iannucci’s The Death of Stalin (2017) and the Michael Sheen/David Tennant lockdown project Staged (2021).

Here, Rob Brydon probes Michael for insights and anecdotes about this outstanding legacy and what comes next, promising illuminating conversation and laugh-out-loud banter.

RUNNING TIME 1 hr 20 mins

See Ticket Information

SOLD OUT

Good Listening To…Robin Ince

Posted on November 26, 2022February 20, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

the good listening slapstick

Good Listening To…Robin Ince

Hosted by Chris Grimes

Date: Sunday 19th February 2023
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Bristol Old Vic
Price: £10.00
SPECIAL OFFER 241 on all tickets for this event

In a live podcast recording of ‘The Good Listening To Show’ (also streaming on Facebook & YouTube) actor, comedian and Instant Wit improviser Chris Grimes hosts a wide-ranging chat with Slapstick Festival regular, stand-up, author and broadcaster Robin Ince.

Tune in for stories from Robin’s colourful life and career, including his adventures as a co-presenter with Professor Brian Cox of The Infinite Monkey Cage on BBC Radio 4 and on sell-out tours worldwide.

RUNNING TIME 1 hr

See Ticket Information

Monty Python’s LIFE OF BRIAN onscreen

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Michael Palin image

Monty Python’s LIFE OF BRIAN onscreen

with Sir Michael Palin and Stephen Merchant

Date: Sunday 19th February 2023
Time: 5.30pm
Venue: Bristol Old Vic
Price: £22.00/£18.00/£15.00

A big screen showing of the film that sparked international controversy – and hilarity – by telling the story of Brian of Nazareth, born on the same day as Jesus, in the stable next door, but who most definitely was not the Messiah.

Life Of Brian stars all six members of the Monty Python team portraying a total of 40 characters.

The screening will be hosted by Stephen Merchant and will begin with a brief on-stage chat with Sir Michael, sharing anecdotes from the making of the film, some home movie footage and explaining why he still considers it the most accomplished of the Python movies.

(Director: Terry Jones, UK, 1979, 94 mins, certificate 12A)

RUNNING TIME 1 hr 50 mins

SOLD OUT

Griff Rhys Jones: Why I still love Laurel & Hardy

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Laurel and Hardy with Stephen Mangan slapstick

Griff Rhys Jones: Why I still love Laurel & Hardy

Date: Sunday 19th February 2023
Time: 3pm
Venue: Bristol Old Vic
Price: £20.00/£18.00/£15.00

Join the star of Not The Nine O’Clock News, Smith & Jones and Three Men In A Boat as he returns to Slapstick with an event championing his favourite comedy duo – Laurel & Hardy.

Fresh from his recent, critically acclaimed stand-up tour, Griff will present a mix of the Stan & Ollie clips and shorts he rates most highly and will provide insights into what drives his long-standing love of their work and why he thinks they won, and keep winning, fans worldwide.

RUNNING TIME 1 hr 30 mins

Please Note: Griff is now hosting this event due to an unforeseen change in the filming schedule for Stephen Mangan’s latest project.

Monty Python’s Book Shambles

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

book shambles slapstick

Monty Python’s Book Shambles

Hosted by Robin Ince and special guests Jem Roberts and Oliver Double

Date: Sunday 19th February 2023
Time: 2pm
Venue: Bristol Old Vic
Price: £10.00

Be part of the participating audience at a recording for a Monty Python-themed future edition of the chart-topping podcast.

It will start with Robin Ince and special guests diving into books by, about inspired by or an influence on the Monty Python’s Flying Circus team but – be aware – tangents cannot be ruled out!

RUNNING TIME 1 hr

A Hard Day’s Night

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

hard days night slapstick

Onscreen: A Hard Day’s Night

With very special guests Mike McCartney in conversation with actor Paul McGann

Date: Sunday 19th February 2023
Time: 12 noon
Venue: Bristol Old Vic
Price: £16.00/£14.00/£11.00

Ranked among the BFI’s top 100 British films and nominated both for a BAFTA and two Oscars, A Hard Day’s Night, in which The Beatles play cheeky comic versions of themselves, captures the astonishing moment when the band officially became the singular, irreverent, idols of their generation and changed music forever.

Their natural comic talent is self-evident throughout, including in several nods paid by the director to his favourite filmmaker: Buster Keaton. It is packed with hit songs and features appearances by many of the 20th century’s best-known entertainers.

This newly restored version will start with a short ‘in conversation’ with Liverpoor born actor Paul Mcgann and Mike McCartney, the younger brother of Sir Paul, a guest at the 1964 Liverpool premiere and lead singer of legendary chart-topping comedy trio, The Scaffold.

(Director: Richard Lester, UK, 1964, 87mins, certificate PG)

RUNNING TIME 1 hr 50 mins

Ode to Joyce

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Ode to Joyce

A one-woman homage to Joyce Grenfell

Date: Sunday 19th February 2023
Time: 11.30am
Venue: Bristol Old Vic
Price: £12.00

Cheryl Knig ht stars in a must-see tribute to Joyce Grenfell (1910 – 1979) whose hilarious and acutely-observed monologues and songs made her a global comedy star last century and inspired many other entertainers including Miranda Hart and the late, great, Victoria Wood.

With a live piano accompaniment. “A wonderful show… leaves you marvelling at Joyce’s wit and wisdom” – Daily Telegraph.

Read more about Cheryl Knight’s Joyce Grenfell here

RUNNING TIME 1 hr 20 mins

SOLD OUT

The Rutles: All You Need is Cash

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

The Rutles: All You Need is Cash

Introduction from John “Barry Wom” Halsey

Date: Sun 19th Feb, 2023
Time: 09:30 hrs
Venue: Watershed
Price: £8.50/£5.00

This is the Eric Idle/ Neil Innes cult classic mockumentary which paved the way for all others, including This Is Spinal Tap (1984) and The Comic Strip’s Bad News(1983) and More Bad News (1988).
A brilliant comedy spoof of Beatlemania, it charts the rise, falls and fallings out of the ‘Pre-Fab Four’ with 20 Neil Innes songs not only instantly recognisable as parodies of Beatles’ hits but also pitch-perfect in their own right. Innes is a natural as
Ron Nasty (John), whilst Idle plays the band’s Paul-like frontman Dirk McQuicky as part of a world-class cast which also includes Dan Ackroyd, John Belushi, Barry Cryer, George Harrison, Bianca Jagger, Bill Murray and Michael Palin himself. We’re delighted
to have John Halsey AKA Barry Wom (Ringo) appearing in person for a pre-screening discussion with Fab Fools author Jem Roberts – celebrating this timeless mockumentary classic.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 2 hrs

The Scaffold: A Celebration

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

The Scaffold: A Celebration with Harry Hill

With John Gorman, Roger McGough, and Mike “McGear” McCartney and special guest host: Harry Hill

Date: Sat 18th Feb, 2023
Time: 20:30 hrs
Venue: St Georges, Bristol
Price: From £15.00

There’s never been a satirical performance group quite like The Scaffold. In the sixties and early seventies their unique blend of comedy, music and poetry packed out theatres at home and across the world and their frequent appearances on prime-time TV ensured that John Gorman, Roger McGough and Mike “McGear” McCartney became much-loved household names.

Equally loved by the mainstream and 1960s counter-culture, they produced hit after hit of chart-topping perennial favourites, including Thank U Very Much (for the Aintree Iron), Lily the Pink and Liverpool Lou.

With superfan and guest presenter Harry Hill onboard you can be sure of an evening of hilarious stories, sketches, poems, and rare footage including a screening of their short film Plod (1972), and possibly even a song or two, all celebrating the fascinating history of The Scaffold.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 2 hrs

Photo of The Scaffold (colour), courtesy of Mike McCartney.

Comic Strip Stories

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Comic Strip Stories

With Nigel Planer & Peter Richardson

Date: Sat 18th Feb, 2023
Time: 17:30 hrs
Venue: St Georges, Bristol
Price: All seats £12.00
Event running time 70mins

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the ground-breaking classic comedy series, Nigel and Peter share insider anecdotes, favourite clips and “best of” footage compiled by Peter of the game-changing TV series and the choices are rich, from Five Go Mad In Dorset (1982) to Red Top (2016).

After debuting on the opening night of Channel 4 in November 1982, another 8 seasons and 4 features films were aired between then and 2016, making household names of its core stars, and attracting cameo appearances by a dazzling array of music, theatre and comedy A-Listers, among them Jeff Beck, Kathy Burke, Kate Bush, Robbie Coltrane, Sir Lenny Henry, Sir Brian May, Sir Paul McCartney, Maxine Peake, Ruby Wax and Benjamin Zephaniah.

Join Peter and Nigel as they celebrate the legacy of this great comedy institution.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 70 mins

Comic Strip Stories nigel planer Peter Richardson

The Comic Strip Presents: More Bad News

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

The Comic Strip Presents: More Bad News

With Nigel ‘Den Dennis’ Planer & Peter ‘Spider Webb’ Richardson

Date: Sat 18th Feb, 2023
Time: 14:30 hrs
Venue: St Georges, Bristol
Price: From £15.00
Dir: Adrian Edmondson
1988, 51 mins. Cert 15

Slapstick’s homage to mockumentaries continues with the second film by Channel 4’s Comic Strip gang about the heavy metal band Bad News – back together four years after an acrimonious break-up and preparing for an appearance at Castle Donington’s Monsters of Rock festival. Directed by Ade Edmondson and featuring Ade along with Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer and Peter Richardson as the band and with Dawn French as their manager and Jennifer Saunders as the journalist tracking the mayhem.

Joining us for the screening will be Nigel Planer and Peter Richardson.

Hosted by Robin Ince and followed by a Q&A

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 10 mins

Harry Hill: Breaking the Silence

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Harry Hill: Breaking the Silence

Date: Sat 18th Feb, 2023
Time: 12:00 hrs
Venue: St Georges, Bristol
Price: From £15.00
Cert 12

The irrepressible Harry Hill makes a welcome return to Slapstick, this time to screen and talk about his Lonely Island short film series, including a screening of one never before seen.

Harry wrote, produced, directed and starred in all four black & white, silent, slapstick comedy shorts, with each one located on the same island in a different historical setting.

We also have the bonus of extracts from the ‘work in progress’ extension of his Cavemen episode, and an opportunity for a live Q&A .

Hosted by Robin Ince.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 10 mins

A BSL Interpreted Event

The Extraordinary World of Charley Bowers

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

The Extraordinary World of Charley Bowers

With Peter Lord

Date: Sat 18th Feb, 2023
Time: 09:30 hrs
Venue: Watershed
Price: £8.50/£5.00

Even heroes have heroes and for the internationally-admired
animator, director, producer and Aardman Animations co-founder Peter Lord, one is Charles R (Charley) Bowers (1877 – 1946) – not only an accomplished cartoonist, creator of hundreds of the Mutt & Jeff animations beloved by audiences in the 1920s and a popular
comedy actor, but also the inventor of a process enabling him to insert jaw-dropping stop-motion-based special effects into live action sequences.

Join Slapstick regular Pete as he hosts this event celebrating Bowers’ extraordinary life and work, along with some of his favourite shorts and clips – all with live musical accompaniment from Guenter A. Buchwald.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 20 mins

Harold Lloyd in Speedy (1928)

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Harold Lloyd in Speedy (1928)

Silent Comedy Classic with live music hosted by Kevin Brownlow

Date: Fri 17th Feb, 2023
Time: 20:30 hrs
Venue: The former Bristol Imax Cinema, Bristol Aquarium
Price: £18.50/£15.50/£10.00 under 16
Dir: Ted Wilde
USA (1928), 85 mins, cert U

Harold Lloyd’s last great silent masterpiece.

Journey back in time to 1920s New York via this Oscar-nominated comedy starring Harold Lloyd as he embarks on a David v Goliath battle to save the city’s last horse-drawn streetcar, operated by the father of his sweetheart (Ann Christy).

Includes a cameo by baseball legend Babe Ruth, evocative scenes shot at Coney Island and – pay attention – the first known use of the middle finger gesture, later banned under Hays Code rules.

With an introduction from the veteran filmmaker and historian Kevin Brownlow and live music from the peerless Ensemble ImproCinema.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 35 mins

The Scaffold: Live at Talk Of The Town (1969)

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

The Scaffold Live at Talk Of The Town (1969)

Date: Fri 17th Feb, 2023
Time: 18:00 hrs
Venue: The former Bristol Imax Cinema, Bristol Aquarium
Price: £10.00 / £8.00
Cert 12

An archive special event, as a curtain-raiser to our special reunion event on Saturday.

Be among the first to view one of the latest finds by TV archaeologist Philip Morris – a live BBC recording of a show combining comedy, pop music and poetry by the 1960s Liverpool band The Scaffold, filmed live just weeks after the trio scored a global hit with Lily The Pink, yet long believed wiped and unseen for 50 years.

This is a rare opportunity to watch the legendary “Scaffs” at the peak of their creative powers.

With a post-screening chat with members of The Scaffold hosted by Andrew Kelly.

In partnership with Bristol Ideas.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 20 mins

Scaffold re united — Photo, courtesy of Mike McCartney.

A Violin Over The Head

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

A Violin Over The Head

Slapstick Music in Variety Theatre With Oliver Double

Date: Fri 17th Feb, 2023
Time: 15:30 hrs
Venue: Watershed
Price: £8.50 / £5.00

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

Harry Langdon: Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (1926)

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Harry Langdon: Tramp, Tramp, Tramp (1926)

Introduction by Kevin Brownlow

Date: Fri 17th Feb, 2023
Time: 13:40 hrs
Venue: Watershed
Price: £8.50 / £5.00
Dir: Harry Edwards
USA (1926), 62 mins, cert U

Made when Harry Langdon was still developing his man-child character with a young scriptwriter called Frank Capra and featuring Joan Crawford in one of her earliest starring roles, this is the story of a poor boy who enters a gruelling cross-country hike in the hope of winning enough prize money to secure
the love of a pin-up.

A rare chance to see ‘the fourth genius’ of silent cinema with an introduction from Langdon admirer Kevin Brownlow and live piano accompaniment from John Sweeney.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 10 mins

Joan Crawford Harry Langdon Tramp Tramp Tramp 1926

Raymond Griffith: You’d be Surprised (Remastered)

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

You’d be Surprised (1926)

Date: Fri 17th Feb, 2023
Time: 11:45 hrs
Venue: Watershed
Price: £8.50 / £5.00
Dir: Arthur Rosson
USA (1926), 65 mins, PG

Newly restored and re-issued on DVD/Blu-Ray thanks to a successful crowd-funding campaign from Ben Model.

In a companion to our Live From New York event, the
Oscar-winning director, film historian and silent film champion Kevin Brownlow introduces another Raymond Griffith crime caper.

You’d be Surprised, featuring inter-titles by the humourist Robert Benchley of Algonquin Round Table fame. It provoked mixed reactions.

A contemporary critic described it as “One of the very best or very worst comedies I ever saw” but when shown recently at Cinecon, Hollywood, it was judged the undisputed hit of the weekend. With live piano accompaniment from John Sweeney.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 15 mins

A Private Function (1984)

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

A Private Function (1984)

With specially recorded introduction from Sir Michael Palin

Date: Fri 17th Feb, 2023
Time: 09:30 hrs
Venue: Watershed
Price: £8.50 / £5.00
Dir: Malcolm Mowbray
UK (1984), 92 mins, cert 15

Slapstick’s 80th birthday salute to comedy legend Sir Michael Palin continues with some of his personal favourite starring films.

This big screen showing of an Alan Bennett scripted comedy is set in Yorkshire in 1947, when post-WW2 Britain was still experiencing strict meat rationing.

Local bigwigs are planning a feast to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Betty, a secretly-raised pig, is destined to be the meal’s main course. But the plans go awry when Betty is stolen, inspiring deeds and dialogue reminiscent of an Ealing Comedy.

A deserved winner of multiple awards with an exceptional cast headed by Sir Michael, Dame Maggie Smith and Denholm Elliott.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 35 mins

Silent Comedy Gala Special

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Silent Comedy Gala: 1924 – Buster Keaton At The Double!

Silent comedy classic double bill with live music from the Ensemble ImproCinema.
Special Guest Hosts: Graeme Garden and Polly Rose

Date: Thurs 16 Feb, 2023
Time: 20:30 hrs
Venue: The former Bristol Imax Cinema, Bristol Aquarium
Price: £22.50/£18.00/£10.00 under 16

A BSL Interpreted Event

This event’s title reflects that Keaton was, quite literally, working at a breakneck pace in 1924, beginning work on THE NAVIGATOR within weeks of fracturing his neck in one of the many daring stunts featured in the ingenious SHERLOCK JR.

Seen as a double bill, they underscore Buster’s extraordinary
range as an actor, playing a cosseted high society bachelor beset by dangers on (and under) the high seas in one and both a hapless cinema projectionist and his dream self – a suave detective – in the other.

Keaton superfans, Goodie and I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue star Graeme Garden and filmmaker/ PhD researcher Polly Rose introduce two of their favourite silent star’s best-loved and most acclaimed comedies, with live musical accompaniment from the Ensemble ImproCinema, featuring Slapstick’s musical
director Günter A. Buchwald and on percussion Frank Bockius.

Book now to enjoy two titles, both deservedly included in the American Film Institute’s list of the 100 Funniest Movies of All Time.

The Navigator: Donald Crisp & Buster Keaton USA (1924), 59 mins, U

Sherlock Jr: Dir Buster Keaton, USA 45 mins, U

In partnership with Bristol Ideas.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 2 hr 30 mins including interval. Please Note: This event may be over-run!

Monty Python & The Holy Grail

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Monty Python & The Holy Grail

With specially recorded introductions from Sir Michael Palin & John Cleese

Date: Thurs 16 Feb, 2023
Time: 17:30 hrs
Venue: The former Bristol Imax Cinema, Bristol Aquarium
Price: £15.00/£10.00
Dir: Terry Gilliam / Terry Jones
UK (1975), 91 mins, cert 12A

A big screen showing of the Flying Circus squad’s first ‘proper’ feature kicks off our series of ‘Palin & Python’ events.

A silly, ingeniously funny and visually lovely skewing of the Arthurian legend. One count says it contains 527 jokes, or roughly one every 10 seconds, guaranteeing it a top 10 place in numerous all-time best comedy film lists.

Michael Palin, now a real knight, plays the most roles – 12 – and Sir Not-To-Be-Seen-In-This-Film is his then infant son, William.

A cult comedy classic.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hr 40 mins

Paths To Paradise (1925)

Posted on November 26, 2022October 9, 2023 by adrian@webdesigncity.co.uk

Paths To Paradise (1925)

Live From New York – With Steve Massa & Ben Model
Raymond Griffith in Paths To Paradise

Date: Thurs 16 Feb, 2023
Time: 15:30 hrs
Venue: Watershed
Price: £8.50 / £5.00
Dir: Clarence Badger
USA, 67 mins, cert PG

Considered to be one of Raymond Griffith’s finest onscreen comedy performances, PATHS TO PARADISE finds Griffith as a jewel thief matching wits with another, played by Betty Compson.

The film is crammed with clever plot twists that culminate in one of the wildest comedy chases of the silent era. The film will be presented in a new digital restoration by Undercrank Productions made from a 2K scan of a 35mm nitrate print preserved by the Library of Congress.

PATHS TO PARADISE is presented with an introduction by Steve Massa and piano accompaniment by Ben Model streamed live from their homes in NYC, and is not pre-recorded.

EVENT RUNNING TIME APPROX 1 hrs 25 mins.