Silent Comedy Gala with Stephen Mangan

Step into the golden age of cinema for an evening of timeless screen comedy, live music, and vintage charm at Bristol’s beloved Silent Comedy Gala – the sparkling centrepiece event of Slapstick Festival. 

Guiding audiences through the evening is acclaimed actor and comedian Stephen Mangan, whose celebrated screen credits include Green Wing, Episodes, The Split, and Postman Pat: The Movie. A lifelong comedy enthusiast and accomplished host, Mangan brings warmth, wit, and charm to the gala stage – making him the perfect guide for this celebration of laughter and cinema. 

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. The evening also features two riotous short comedies: Buster Keaton’s The Boat (1921), with an original score performed live by Rick Wakeman, whose virtuosic musicianship adds both grandeur and mischief to Keaton’s nautical masterpiece. Laurel & Hardy’s Leave ’Em Laughing (1928), performed with live accompaniment by the acclaimed European Silent Screen Virtuosi, bringing infectious energy and finesse to this side-splitting gem. With additional surprises in store and the vibrant Sing Out Bristol choir joining the lineup, audiences are in for a treat.

Adding to the festive spirit, guests are invited to arrive early and enjoy live 1920s-style entertainment in the Beacon’s foyer from the Jack Calloway Jazz & Dance Band, performing toe-tapping tunes to transport you straight back to the roaring twenties.

A night of song, laughter, and cinematic magic – all on the big screen, just as it was meant to be.