Thursday 19th October 2023 (7.30pm)
Slapstick Festival’s annual comedy fundraiser is back at Reading’s Hexagon theatre. Hosted by Rob Brydon with Adam Kay, Alasdair Beckett-King, Jay Lafferty, Alistair McGowan, Arthur Smith, Dee Allum. + more
2023 Event
Wednesday 10th May 2023 (7.30pm)
Slapstick Festival’s annual comedy fundraiser is back at Reading’s Hexagon theatre. Event features, Marcus Brigstocke, Jo Brand, Milton Jones, Ria Lina, Archie Maddocks and Dr Phil Hammond
Sunday 23 July (17:00)
Take a hysterical mystery tour through The Beatles Story as you’ve never heard it told before
Saturday 22 April
Save money with a pass for all 3 films for only £15: ‘I Don’t Want to be a Man’, ‘Beverly of Graustark (1926)’, ‘Victor / Victoria’
Saturday 22 April (19.30)
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. With an introduction from the award-winning performer, filmmaker and playwright Malaika Kegode
Saturday 22 April (15:00)
The Brilliant Marion Davies poses as a man who is to become the prince of Graustark. Unfortunately, along with his title she also adopts his enemies! Piano accompaniment from Meg Morley and introduction from Bristol’s reigning City Poet Kat Lyons
Saturday 22 April (11:30)
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. With a live piano accompaniment from Meg Morley and an introduction from internationally respected film historian Pamela Hutchinson
Saturday 1 April 2023 (20:00)
Exactly 100 years to the day of its first release, Bristol Slapstick proudly presents one of the greatest films ever made! The event will have live music and a special guest!
Sunday 19th February 2023 (8.30pm)
Sir Michael Palin in conversation with Rob Brydon: 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
Sunday 19th February 2023 (7.30pm)
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.
Sunday 19th February 2023 (5.30pm)
With Sir Michael Palin and Stephen Merchant – A big screen showing of the film that sparked international controversy – and hilarity – by telling the story of Brian of Nazareth
Sunday 19th February 2023 (3pm)
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
Sunday 19th February 2023 (2pm)
Hosted by Robin Ince and special guests: Be part of the participating audience at a recording for a Monty Python-themed future edition of the chart-topping podcast.
Sunday 19th February 2023 (12 Noon)
Onscreen with special guest Mike McCartney: Ranked among the BFI’s top 100 British films and nominated both for a BAFTA and two Oscars..
Sunday 19th February 2023 (11.30am)
Cheryl Knight 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.
Sun 19th Feb, 2023 (09:30)
Introduction from John “Barry Wom” Halsey
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)
Sat 18th Feb, 2023 (20:30)
There’s never been a satirical performance group quite like The Scaffold. With superfan and guest presenter Harry Hill onboard you, can be sure of an evening of hilarious stories, sketches, poems and more
Sat 18th Feb, 2023 (17:30)
With Nigel Planer & Peter Richardson, who celebrate the 40th anniversary of the ground-breaking classic comedy series, by sharing anecdotes & favourite clips
Sat 18th Feb, 2023 (14:30)
Comic Strip gang’s mockumentary about the heavy metal band Bad News – back together four years after an acrimonious break-up. Joining us for the screening will be Nigel Planer and Peter Richardson.
Sat 18th Feb, 2023 (12:00)
Harry Hill talks about his Lonely Island short film series, including a screening of one never before seen. We also have extracts from the ‘work in progress’ and a brief ‘Caveman’ live performance!
Sat 18th Feb, 2023 (09:30)
Animator, director, producer and Aardman Animations co-founder Peter Lord introduces us to the work of actor, inventor and animator Charley Bowers (1877 – 1946)
Fri 17th Feb, 2023 (20:30)
Harold Lloyd’s last great silent masterpiece. Journey back in time to 1920s New York via this Oscar-nominated comedy.
Fri 17th Feb, 2023 (18:00)
With a post-screening chat with members of The Scaffold hosted by Andrew Kelly: Be among the first to view one of the latest finds by TV archaeologist Philip Morris – a live BBC recording of a show of the 1960s Liverpool band The Scaffold
Fri 17th Feb, 2023 (15:30)
Oliver Double introduces a dazzling array of historic footage featuring routines by comedians, singers, dancers and spesh acts who mixed melody and pratfalls. Include Stanelli and his Hornchestra, Little Tich, the Bill Hall Trio, Lily Morris, and Wilson, Keppel & Betty.
Fri 17th Feb, 2023 (13:40)
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
Fri 17th Feb, 2023 (11:45)
In a companion to our Live From New York event, the
Oscar-winning director, film historian and silent film champion Kevin Brownlow introduces the newly restored Raymond Griffith crime caper.
Fri 17th Feb, 2023 (09:30)
With specially recorded introduction from Sir Michael Palin, we continue our 80th birthday salute to comedy legend Sir Michael Palin with one of his personal favourite starring films.
Thurs 16 Feb, 2023 (20:30)
1924 Buster Keaton At The Double!
Double Bill of The Navigator & Sherlock Jr, with Graeme Garden, Polly Rose & Ensemble ImproCinema, Günter A. Buchwald and percussionist Frank Bockius.
Thurs 16 Feb, 2023 (17:30)
With specially recorded introductions from Sir Michael Palin & John Cleese
Thurs 16 Feb (15:30)
Joining us Live From New York. Steve Massa & Ben Model host one of Raymond Griffith’s finest onscreen comedy performances.