Silent Comedy Gala

Slapstick Presents: Silent Comedy Gala:

Featuring Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921) – with live orchestral score
Step into the golden age of cinema for an evening of timeless comedy, live music, and vintage charm at Bristol’s beloved Silent Comedy Gala — the sparkling centrepiece of Slapstick Festival (04–08 Feb).
This year’s headline feature is Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921), a landmark in film history and Chaplin’s first full-length masterpiece. Hilarious, heartfelt, and unforgettable, The Kid captures Chaplin at the peak of his creative powers, blending visual comedy with deep emotional resonance.

The film’s original score, composed by Chaplin himself, will be performed live by the Bristol Ensemble in a specially arranged 16-player version, conducted by maestro Guenter A. Buchwald.

Also screening:

The Boat (1921) — Buster Keaton’s nautically chaotic classic gem, with a unique, live semi-improvised score by legendary keyboardist and Keaton admirer Rick Wakeman performed as a duo with Guenter A. Buchwald.
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Laurel & Hardy in Leave ’Em Laughing (1928) — presented in a brand new 4K restoration, this riotous classic short sees the beloved duo at their most uproarious. Accompanied by the European Silent Screen Trio.

Arrive early and soak up the atmosphere with live music in the foyer from 18:00.