FESTIVAL GUIDE

18-22

SERIOUSLY

Bristol’s ever-popular Slapstick Festival returns (now celebrating its thirteenth edition!) and this year funny women are leading the way at Watershed. From original Roaring Twenties flapper Colleen Moore, to ‘The It Girl’ Clara Bow and the wonderful Annette Benson, each in scintillating on screen performances.

All presented live by 21st Century champions including comedians Lucy Porter, Shazia Mirza, film historian Kevin Brownlow.

In addition, the festival pays special tribute to three stand-out comics who have recently sadly left us, but who remain very much alive via their indomitable screen presence – comedians Victoria Wood and Rik Mayall plus French clown and filmmaker Pierre Étaix – winner of 2012 Aardman Visual Comedy Award Visual Comedy. As well as Étaix’s Le Soupirant, we’ll also be revisiting the classic comic masterwork Mon Oncle by his friend and early mentor Jacques Tati.

In our Silent Comedy Europe strand, great classic directors like Mauritz Stiller and Carl Theodor Dreyer cast wry eyes on the daily misadventures of ordinary humanity, and as usual Slapstick looks back at some classic television and slapstick silent comedy with Accidentally Preserved! – an inspired unseen programme of silent shorts with Robin Ince & Goodie Bill Oddie in a comedy double act made in heaven as well as the premiere of “lost” Dada-esque Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band footage, with special guest Neil Innes. All this, plus legendary authority on the music hall era, comedian and actor Roy Hudd in

conversation with presenter Matthew Sweet, discussing his extensive contribution to the world of comedy.

At Bristol Old Vic on Slapstick Sunday we present five unique events celebrating Laurel & Hardy, Tommy Cooper, The Young Ones and, with Colin Sell, the great icons of the silver screen circa 1930-50.

For Silent Comedy devotees our Friday night gala returns with a Harold Lloyd classic, The Freshman (1925), being accompanied by the 27 piece Bristol Ensemble playing Carl Davis’s score conducted by Günter A. Buchwald. Chaplin features strongly too, in ‘Simon Callow presents Chaplin’s Greatest Comedy Shorts’, which takes place at Colston Hall on Saturday.

I trust you’ll enjoy this eclectic, passionate and joyous celebration of all things silent, comedic, slapstick, visual and classic comedy. In our thirteenth year it’s wonderful to still be here and to see there is more demand than ever for the festival. 2016 broke attendance records with nearly 7000 people attending.

With our ‘family’ of special guests and regular attendees including Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden, Ian Lavender, Neil Innes, Barry Cryer, Marcus Brigstocke and Lucy Porter all returning and brand new guests including Alexei Sayle, Simon Callow, Shazia Mirza and Roy Hudd making their debuts, what’s not to love?

Welcome to Slapstick 2017 Chris Daniels, Director, Slapstick Festival

John Sweeney Daan van den Hurk European Silent

Screen Virtuosi

HOW DO I BOOK? Tickets for Slapstick Festival 2017 events can be bought from individual venue box offices or online, with the exception of The Max Linder and When Keaton Met Beckett (both Arnolfini events), tickets for these events can be bought from the Colston Hall. Colston Hall are also selling all Slapstick Festival passes.

FESTIVAL PASSES BECOME A SLAPSTICKER, SAVE MONEY AND BEAT THE RUSH!If you’re as passionate about slapstick and silent comedy as we are then you might consider booking one of our festival passes to save money on events.

There are two options for 2017: the Silent Comedy Pass featuring all 18 events held from Wednesday to Sunday at Watershed and Arnolfini and our high octane Full Pass which includes tickets to all 26 Slapstick events over five days and has the additional bonuses of premium seating at Bristol Old Vic and Colston Hall (i.e. great seats!) and a free 2017 Festival T-Shirt as a big ‘thank you’ for supporting the festival.

SILENT COMEDY PASS

Tickets to all events from 18th - 22nd Jan at Watershed and Arnolfini. Only £120.00 including all booking fees.

SLAPSTICK FULL PASS

Tickets to all events held at Watershed and Arnolfini PLUS all remaining tickets from the Friday night gala* at Colston Hall to the final event on Sunday evening at Bristol Old Vic (all 26 events) Only £225.00 including all booking fees

* If you have already purchased your Gala ticket please call Colston Hall Box Office to pay a discounted rate for this pass.

HOTELS Please check www.slapstick.org.uk for the latest information on discounts for festival attendees.

“I don’t have moments of weakness. I’m Rik Mayall.”Rik Mayall (1958-2014)

THE MUSIC Slapstick is proud, as ever, to present world class live music accompaniments for its projected silent film screenings from solo piano improvisations to full orchestral scores and this year is no exception. At our gala, Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman (1925) is being accompanied by the 27 piece Bristol Ensemble performing with Carl Davis’ score conducted by Slapstick’s Musical Director, maestro Günter A. Buchwald. The unstoppable four-piece ensemble European Silent Screen Virtuosi (ESSV) return with special guest musicians to provide accompaniment for Chaplin’s Greatest Comedy Shorts at Colston Hall on Saturday, hosted by Simon Callow and to silent comedy shorts at Friday’s gala. In addition, the legendary Roy Hudd will be performing songs as musical star Max Miller at the gala.

We are delighted to welcome back the world’s foremost silent film harpist Elizabeth-Jane Baldry who’ll be accompanying two short comedies for us on solo harp. We’ll also be welcoming pianist and composer Daan van den Hurk who’ll be performing at Slapstick for the first time accompanying Max Linder’s Seven Years Bad Luck (1921) and Eddie Cantor’s Kid Boots (1926). Other solo performers include pianist John Sweeney and Günter A. Buchwald.

ESSV are: Günter A Buchwald, piano & violin; Romano Todesco, double bass; Frank Bockius, percussion; additional occasional guest members include triple Oscar©-winner Richard Williams on cornet and Roger Huckle (Bristol Ensemble).

WELCOME TO BRISTOL’S 13TH

SLAPSTICK FESTIVAL 2017

by Pierre Etaix

www.slapstick.org.uk See back page for booking details

DATE TIME EVENT VENUE

Friday 20 0930hrs Raymond Griffith: The Silk Hat Comedian PG Paths to Paradise

Watershed

1130hrs Master of the House/Du Skal Aere Din Hustru U

1930hrs Silent Comedy Gala hosted by Rory Bremner U

Watershed

Sunday 22

Wednesday 18 1130hrs NOTFILM (2015) PG

Watershed

1100hrs Tommy Cooper: Just Like That! PG Bristol Old Vic

1530hrs Max Linder: Seven Years Bad Luck PG Arnolfini

1500hrs Jacques Tati: Mon Oncle (1958) U Watershed

1740hrs Victoria Wood: Let’s Do It! PG

Watershed

2030hrs Annette Benson: Shooting Stars (1928) PG

Watershed

0930hrs Accidentally Preserved: Surviving Slapstick on 16mm PG

Watershed

1615hrs Once In Every Lifetime:The Young Ones Revisited 15

Bristol Old Vic

1330hrs Colin Sell: Laughter In the One and Nines PG

Bristol Old Vic

2100hrs Event to be Announced Bristol Old Vic

1845hrs Jeffrey Holland in ‘…….. And this is my friend Mr Laurel’ U

Bristol Old Vic

Saturday 21

1130hrs Roy Hudd In Conversation U Watershed

0930hrs Silent Comedy: A Century Ago PG

Watershed

1540hrs Neil Innes presents Unseen Bonzos U Watershed

1320hrs The Goodies: Robin and Not Josie's Book Shambles U

Watershed

2000hrs Event to be Announced Colston Hall

1730hrs Simon Callow Presents: Chaplin's Greatest Comedy Shorts PG

Colston Hall

1740hrs When Keaton Met Beckett with Robin Ince U Arnolfini

Colston Hall

Thursday 19

1400hrs Colleen Moore: Why Be Good? (1929) PG Watershed

1140hrs Pierre Étaix: Le Soupirant/The Suitor (1962) U Watershed

0930hrs Clara Bow & Eddie Cantor: Kid Boots (1926) PG

Watershed

1615hrs Thomas Graals Bästa Film/ Thomas Graals Best Film (1918) PG

Watershed

1930hrs The People's Poet: A Celebration of the Stickiest Bogeys of Rik Mayall 15

Watershed

FESTIVAL DIARY

OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS David Robinson, Kevin Brownlow, Matthew Sweet , Robert Ross, Andrew Kelly, Chris Serle, Louise Wingrove,

Don Fairservice, Dick Fiddy, The Big R Big Band.

OUR SPECIAL GUESTS

Simon Callow CBE Roy Hudd OBERory Bremner Marcus Brigstocke Alexei Sayle

Bill Oddie OBE Lucy Porter Graeme Garde n OBE Ian Lavender Pippa Evans

Nigel Planer Shazia MirzaNeil Innes Ronnie Golden Lise Mayer

Jeffrey Holland Robin InceColin Sell Barry Cryer OBE Michael Legge

www.slapstick.org.uk See back page for booking details

VICTORIA WOOD: LET’S DO IT! Celebrating the life and work of Victoria Wood WED 18 JAN 1740hrs Watershed £9.00/£6.50Mourning the sudden passing of comedic giant and Slapstick Festival supporter Victoria Wood, Andrew Kelly (Festival of Ideas) hosts a panel discussion looking at the extraordinary contribution she made to comedy writing, performance and stand-up. Comedians Lucy Porter and Pippa Evans, along with Comedy and Theatre Historian Louise Wingrove from Bristol University, make up the panel. This event is in partnership with Bristol University and Bristol Festival of Ideas.

Annette Benson: Shooting Stars (1928) WED 18 JAN 2030hrs Watershed £9.00/£6.50 Dir: Anthony Asquith UK 70mins

The husband and wife acting team of Mae Feather (Benson) and Julian Gordon is torn apart when he discovers she is having an affair with the screen comedian Andy Wilks. Mae hatches a plot to kill her husband by putting a real bullet in the prop gun which will be fired at him during the making of their new film, ‘Prairie Love’. This highly acclaimed British romantic thriller is a departure from our usual laugh out loud comedy programme but it’s more than worthy of inclusion due to the satirical ‘behind the scenes’ silent comedy aspects of the film. With special thanks to the BFI.

PLUS What’s the World Coming To? (1926) Dir: Richard Wallace US 23mins

A fantastic, little-known Hal Roach comedy set 100 years in the future when genders have reversed. Starring Clyde Cook and Katherine Grant.

This exquisite double bill of rarely screened film is introduced by stand-up comedian Shazia Mirza and has live music accompaniment from Daan van den Hurk and Elizabeth-Jane Baldry.

With thanks to the San Francisco Silent Film Festival.

Victoria Wood at Slapstick Festival

JAN 18 | WEDNESDAY JAN 18 | WEDNESDAY

NOTFILM

NOTFILM (2015) WED 18 JAN 1130hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00 Dir: Ross Lipman US 130mins NOTFILM is a documentary about the embattled collaboration between Nobel Prize-winning playwright Samuel Beckett and silent-era genius Buster Keaton as they filmed Beckett’s only onscreen work.

During the restoration of FILM (1965), NOTFILM director Ross Lipman discovered its long-lost prologue under the sink in Barney Rosset’s (producer of FILM) house. He then reconstructed this scene for NOTFILM in strict accordance with Beckett’s original notes; a fascinating insight into Buster’s last ‘silent’ film.

N.B. There will be a screening of FILM (1965) at Arnolfini during ‘When Keaton Met Beckett’ on Friday.

With thanks to the BFI.

Jacques Tati: Mon Oncle (1958) WED 18 JAN 1500hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00 Dir: Jacques Tati France 117 mins In keeping with the festival’s celebration of the great silent and visual clowns, Mon Oncle (1958) is Jacques Tati’s gentle and brilliantly witty satire on the modern world. Unforgettable moments in this Oscar-winning classic include the dog that won’t open the garage door, M. Hulot’s attempts to run a machine making plastic pipes and his struggles with an automated kitchen. “Deft, illusive, full of heart” – Monthly Film Bulletin. Introduced by presenter Chris Serle. Mon Oncle Shooting Stars

FRENCHSILENTCLOWNS

www.slapstick.org.uk See back page for booking details

JAN 19 | THURSDAY JAN 19 | THURSDAY

Pierre Étaix: Le Soupirant/The Suitor (1962) THURS 19 JAN 1140hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00 Dir: Pierre Étaix France 83mins One of the best films from one of the greatest French filmmakers, Pierre Étaix’s (1928-2016) The Suitor is a remarkable homage to the great American silent comics, with Étaix himself in the lead role playing an innocent young man still in the bosom of his family as they urge him to get out and find a wife.

Pierre plays a shy man whose seemingly sole focus in life is studying astrology in solitude – a pastime he often finds trying since he still lives at and studies in his parent’s house. They would rather he started dating and got married. Eager to please but not knowing how to approach women in a romantic way, he embarks on the task with not only a keen enthusiasm but a hilarious lack of skill. Hugely entertaining and remarkably inventive, The Suitor will lift your imagination and your spirit. Don’t miss this rare chance to see a Pierre Étaix classic on the big screen. Introduced by David Robinson, Director Emeritus of Giornate Cinema Muto. With thanks to Carlotta Film.

Why Be Good? (1929) THURS 19 JAN 1400hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00 D ir: William A. Seiter US 84mins This late silent film with synchronised score features the sparkling Colleen Moore as a flapper shopgirl who discovers the cute guy she dated the night before is heir to the store where she works. Now the challenge is to prove that a good-time girl can be a ‘good’ girl too. The comic gift that made Colleen one of the top stars of the end of silents still shines. Introduced by stand up comedian and writer Lucy Porter. With thanks to Lobster Films.

Why Be Good?Le Soupirant/The Suitor

FRENCHSILENTCLOWNS

Kid Boots

Clara Bow & Eddie Cantor: Kid Boots (1926) THURS 19 JAN 0930hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00 Dir: Frank Tuttle US 77mins Vaudeville star Eddie Cantor made his film debut in this silent adaptation of the successful stage musical in which he had starred for 489 performances. Fast and crazy action substitute for the music, with “Kid” Boots (Cantor) as a vital witness in a fixed divorce case, caught between the flapper charms of soon to be famous ‘It’ girl Clara Bow and Billie Dove. The finale is as wild as they come.

Introduced by Oscar-winning director and film historian Kevin Brownlow. With live piano accompaniment by Daan van den Hurk.

Clara Bow

Thomas Graal’s Best Film/ Thomas Graals Bästa Film (1918) THURS 19 JAN 1615hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00Dir: Mauritz Stiller Sweden 95 mins Thomas Graal is a screenwriter who is very fond of his secretary Bessie who, overcome by a kiss with Thomas, runs away. In his misfortune, Thomas writes a screenplay inspired by Bessie, but she has not been completely honest with him. One of Sweden’s greatest filmmakers (Stiller) directs another, Victor Sjöström, in the role of Thomas, and the incomparable Karin Molander plays the unflappable Bessie. Introduced by film historian David Robinson. With live piano accompaniment by John Sweeney. With thanks to the BFI.

The People’s Poet: A Celebration of the Stickiest Bogeys of Rik Mayall THURS 19 JAN 1930hrs Watershed (Waterside 3) £9.00/£6.50The loss of Rik Mayall in 2014 came as a frying pan blow to the world of comedy. A true one-off and comedy eccentric, the life of this fabulously anarchic comedian is celebrated in a special tribute looking back over a bombastic 35 year career. Robin Ince presents a series of clips of Rik Mayall – some so rare they are not even all over Youtube – from his early appearance with Ade Edmondson on The Oxford Road Show and Out Go The Lights, to other magnificent outrages. He will be joined by Michael Legge, to celebrate the anarchy, intensity and blazing stupidity of Rik.

JAN 19 | THURSDAY JAN 20 | FRIDAY

www.slapstick.org.uk See back page for booking details

Thomas Graal’s Best Film

Master of the House/Du Skal Aere Din Hustru FRI 20 JAN 1130hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00 Dir: Carl Dreyer Denmark 1925 111minsDon’t be intimidated by the great Danish master and creator of the legendary The Passion of Joan of Arc. Here, in contrast to that monumental masterwork, he gives us a richly human and engaging story about a frustrated businessman who becomes a tyrannical husband until he is shaken up and permanently reformed by his wily old former nanny. Introduced by BAFTA award winning film editor Don Fairservice. With live piano accompaniment by John Sweeney. With thanks to the BFI.

Raymond Griffith

Raymond Griffith: The Silk Hat Comedian Paths to Paradise FRI 20 JAN 0930hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00 Dir: Clarence Badger US 1925 78mins Oscar-winning film director, film historian and silent film champion Kevin Brownlow introduces a rare Raymond Griffith feature (Paths to Paradise) from his own film collection and champions this unsung comic, who, whilst mostly forgotten today, produced a series of hilarious, creative features in the 1920s and was considered a contemporary of the great silent clowns. With live piano accompaniment by John Sweeney. With thanks to Kevin Brownlow.

Master of the House

Rik Mayall

FILM

Max Linder

Silent Comedy Gala Hosted by Rory Bremner With very special guest Roy Hudd FRI 20 JAN 1930hrs Colston Hall £10.75-£27.00 Bristol’s stand-out annual comedy celebration returns for a lucky thirteenth edition – a unique celebration of the best projected silent comedy with live music and guest appearances by legends of British comedy.

The host for this year’s Gala Show is the incomparable impressionist and comedian, Rory Bremner who will introduce the triple bill of laugh out loud comedy classics.

The spirit of the 1920s & 30s is embodied in a special appearance from singer, actor and national treasure Roy Hudd who will be making a rare appearance to perform as that ‘cheeky chappie’ of music hall fame, Max Miller.

Harold Lloyd’s The Freshman (1925) will be shown in full, accompanied by an orchestral score composed by Carl Davis, with a 27- piece Bristol Ensemble conducted by Günter A. Buchwald. In addition, two classic short comedies: The Finishing Touch (1928) starring Laurel & Hardy and Buster Keaton’s The High Sign (1921), accompanied live by The European Silent Screen Virtuosi.Slapstick’s Comedy Gala, writes the Bristol Post, is “a Bristol Institution”.

With thanks to Park Circus. Robin Ince

See back page for booking details

JAN 20 | FRIDAYJAN 20 | FRIDAY

www.slapstick.org.uk

FRENCHSILENTCLOWNS

Roy HuddRory Bremner

Max Linder: Seven Years Bad Luck FRI 20 JAN 1530hrs Arnolfini £8.00/£6.00 Dir: Max Linder US 1921 62mins After breaking a mirror in his home, superstitious Max tries to avoid situations that could bring bad luck - but in doing so causes himself the worst luck imaginable to hilarious effect. This rare and relatively late Max Linder film features the much imitated broken mirror sketch, later mimicked by the Marx Brothers, Spike Milligan and even Aardman’s Morph.

PLUS Amour Et Fromage Dir: Max Linder US 1910 6mins This newly discovered and restored early Linder silent comedy short from Lobster Films is a delightful story of love and cheese.

This double bill is introduced by film historian and silent film champion David Robinson, with live piano accompaniment by Daan van den Hurk. With thanks to Lobster Films.

When Keaton Met Beckett with Robin Ince FRI 20 JAN 1740hrs Arnolfini £9.00/£6.50In 1964 author Samuel Beckett set out on one of the strangest ventures in cinematic history - an embattled collaboration with silent era genius Buster Keaton to produce a short titleless avant-garde film. Beckett was nearing the peak of his fame, which would culminate in him receiving a Nobel Prize five years later. Keaton, in his waning years, never lived to see Beckett’s canonisation. In essence a chase film – one of the craziest ever committed to celluloid – the film they made (titled FILM ), along with director Alan Schneider, renegade publisher Barney Rosset and Academy Award-winning cinematographer Boris Kaufman, has been the subject of praise, condemnation, and controversy for decades.

Robin Ince presents a new restored version of FILM . With special guests, he will tell the story behind it and also talks about why comedians are so fascinated with Beckett. Includes a full screening of FILM (1965) Dir: Alan Schneider US 20mins. With thanks to the BFI.

Silent Comedy: A Century Ago A Fairbanks and Chaplin Double Bill SAT 21 JAN 0930hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00 Join us for a taste of the ‘flickers’ from a century ago – Saturday morning pictures circa 1916. This is a classic silent comedy double bill featuring two of the biggest stars of the silent era.

The Matrimaniac Dir: Paul Powell US (1916) 44mins An early Fairbanks outing showcasing his flair for charm, comedy and athleticism.

The Count Dir: Charles Chaplin US (1916) 24mins The first outing at Slapstick festival for this little known Mutual film from Charlie’s happiest years of filmmaking.

Introduced by Kevin Brownlow and w ith live piano accompaniment by John Sweeney.

Roy Hudd In Conversation SAT 21 JAN 1130hrs Watershed £9.00/£6.50 Join the legendary music hall authority, comedian and actor Roy Hudd as he discusses his extensive contribution to comedy (with shows such as The Hudd Lines) and his passion for Max Miller, Jacques Tati and Charlie Chaplin. Radio 3’s Matthew Sweet (Night Waves) hosts this unique opportunity to hear Roy in conversation before a complete screening of the practically unknown and underrated ‘silent’ comedy, the excellent The Maladjusted Busker (1966).

www.slapstick.org.uk See back page for booking details

JAN 21 | SATURDAY

The Goodies: Robin and Not Josie’s Book Shambles SAT 21 JAN 1320hrs Watershed ( Waterside 3) £9.00/£6.50 The hugely popular podcast ‘Robin and Josie’s Book Shambles’ comes to interrogate Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie on the books they made as 2/3rds of TV comedy trio The Goodies (1970-1982). From The Goodies Files to the making of The Goodies Disaster Movie, as well as talking about the books and the authors that inspired them. Sadly, Josie Long is showing off in New York, but there will be a special guest co-host too.

Neil Innes presents Unseen Bonzos SAT 21 JAN 1540hrs Watershed ( Waterside 3) £9.00/£6.50 A chance to see the Bonzo Dog’s holy grail of lost performances, a newly restored episode of Colour Me Pop, a special featuring the Bonzos from 1968, in all its completely restored glory . Join Bonzo founding member, Neil Innes in conversation with BFI TV Consultant Dick Fiddy for onstage chat and reminiscing.

With thanks to the BFI and Chris Perry.

The Goodies

Unseen Bonzos

Fairbanks and Chaplin

Roy Hudd

JAN 21 | SATURDAY

www.slapstick.org.uk

JAN 21 | SATURDAY

“If you behave normally, people treat you normally.It’s only when you act as if you’re someone special that they feel obliged to stand on ceremony”Victoria Wood (1953-2016)

See back page for booking details

All Chaplin and Tramp images courtesy of CHARLES CHAPLIN™ BUBBLES INC SA 2015

Simon Callow Presents: Chaplin’s Greatest Comedy Shorts SAT 21 JAN 1730hrs Colston Hall £10.00-£18.50Simon Callow, who acknowledges the two greatest Londoners, Dickens and Chaplin, as major influences on his own glittering and wide-ranging creations in performance on stage, screen and in literature – presents his personal tribute to Charlie Chaplin and introduces a selection of Chaplin’s finest onscreen short comedies.

Three Mutual masterworks, The Vagabond (1916), Easy Street (1917) and The Pawn Shop (1917 ) will be accompanied live by the European Silent Screen Virtuosi featuring Günter A. Buchwald (piano and violin), Frank Bockius (percussion) and Romano Todesco (double bass) plus special guest players.

Chaplin remembered his eighteen months at the Lone Star Studio, creating films for release by the Mutual Film Corporation, as “the happiest time of my life”. It was certainly the most creative, resulting in twelve films of staggering variety and brilliance, still fresh and funny as we celebrate their centenary.

A chance to see a selection of Chaplin’s greatest shorts accompanied live by world class musicians and hosted by one of his most passionate advocates.

A unique event and a highlight of Bristol’s Slapstick Festival 2017.

Simon Callow

www.slapstick.org.uk See back page for booking details

JAN 22 | SUNDAY JAN 22 | SUNDAY

Accidentally Preserved: Surviving Slapstick on 16mm With Bill Oddie and Robin Ince SUN 22 JAN 0930hrs Watershed £8.00/£6.00 Slapstick comedy shorts were excellent fodder for home movie companies of the 1920s and 1930s. Kodascope and Pathéscope rented or sold safety film prints for people to watch in their homes, not realising that decades later these prints would out-survive the 35mm prints which were originally in circulation. This programme contains hilarious rare slapstick comedies starring comedy stars whose work has been largely forgotten.

Curated by Ben Model (silent film historian, accompanist and filmmaker) and hosted by Goodie Bill Oddie and Infinite Monkey Cage (Radio 4) star Robin Ince. With live accompaniment from Radio 4 ‘Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’ star Colin Sell

Tommy Cooper: Just Like That! With Barry Cryer SUN 22 JAN 1100hrs Bristol Old Vic £12.50National comedy treasure Barry Cryer discusses his working relationship and friendship with legendary magician and comic Tommy Cooper. Illustrated with classic clips and hosted by writer and comedy historian Robert Ross, this is a chance to rediscover the joyous comedy and pratfalls of Cooper’s stage show - and his erratic genius - with someone who knew him well.

Colin Sell: Laughter in the One and Nines SUN 22 JAN 1330hrs Bristol Old Vic £12.50In his one man show, Colin Sell (I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, Radio 4) takes us on a personal tour of his favourite scenes and actors from British comedy films made when going to the flicks provided cheap, home-grown entertainment for all ages. He guides us through a golden age of British cinema with Hattie Jacques, Peter Sellers, Irene Handl, Alastair Sim, Margaret Rutherford and many more, sharing his love of the old British rib-ticklers. Plus a surprise silent comedy short with Colin on the piano. Introduced by Barry Cryer.

www.slapstick.org.uk See back page for booking details

JAN 22 | SUNDAY JAN 22 | SUNDAY

Once In Every Lifetime: The Young Ones Revisited SUN 22 JAN 1615hrs Bristol Old Vic £15 Join us as we celebrate the seminal, anarchic “must-see” comedy of the eighties, The Young Ones (1982-84). Join actor Nigel Planer (Neil the hippie), writer/comedian Alexei Sayle (The Belowski Family) and Lise Mayer (co-writer of the series) as they explore the origins and social impact of one of the UK’s bravest and most innovative comedies. With other surprises in store, this promises to be a special one-off celebration of arguably the finest gross-out slapstick comedy of the 20st Century. Hosted onstage by satirist, writer and stand-up comedian Marcus Brigstocke.

The Young Ones

Cops

Slapstick London: Barbican Event Buster

Buster Keaton Double Bill SUN 22 JAN 1600hrs Barbican Cinema The ever excellent programme of silent film at Barbican Cinema (London) continues with this Slapstick Festival collaboration featuring two of Buster Keaton’s finest onscreen comedies; Cops US 1922 Dir: Buster Keaton 22 mins. Plus Seven Chances US (1925) Dir: Buster Keaton 56 mins. A taste of Slapstick in the capital!

With live accompaniment from Günter A. Buchwald & Frank Bockius.

Jeffrey Holland in ‘……..And this is my friend Mr Laurel’ SUN 22 JAN 1845hrs Bristol Old Vic £12.50Fulfilling a long held desire to pay tribute to his hero Stan Laurel, Jeffrey Holland tells this intriguing, funny and often poignant tale of friendship, love and dedication, all about one of Hollywood’s great film comedians.

In this production from the Finishing Touch Company, Jeffrey Holland ( Hi-de-Hi, You Rang M’Lord ) stars as Stan Laurel in his highly acclaimed biographical one-man show about friendship, memories and remarkable lives. Set in the bedroom of a sick Oliver Hardy, the show takes place during Laurel’s visit to the dying man. Recounting their past success as the comedy double act Laurel and Hardy, this is a humorous and touching look at one of the great enduring cinematic partnerships of the last century.

Introduced by Ian Lavender.

Alexei Sayle

COMING SO

ON

Saturday 21

and Sunda

y 22 night

Special eve

nts to be an

nounced!

www.slapstick.org.uk

Venue Partners

Partners & Supporters

The Festival TeamPatrons: Tim Brooke-Taylor OBE, Kevin Brownlow, Graeme Garden OBE, Peter Lord CBE, Matt Lucas, Paul McGann, David Robinson, Diana Serra Cary, David Sproxton CBE, Barry Cryer OBE, Michael Palin CBE, Nick Park CBE, Ian Lavender, Bill Oddie OBE, Terry Jones, Neil Innes, June Whitfield CBE Festival Steering Board: Graeme Garden, David Sproxton, David Robinson, Imogen Sutton, Robin Ince , Lucy Porter, Marcus Brigstocke, Dr Jo Daniels, Sue Lion, Steven Coombe, Chris Daniels Programming Team: Chris Daniels, Robin Ince, Kevin Brownlow, David Robinson, Ben Model, Graeme Garden. Research: Joshua Daniels, James Harrison, Rustin Allison Festival Team: Director: Chris Daniels, Development Manager: Jacqui Ham Events Manager: Catherine Gregory, Events Co-ordinator Sue Lion, Digital Media: Guy Manchester Production Assistant: Rustin Allison Guest Liaison: Martin Hammond, Chris Kidd, Jessica Jardine Crymble Stage Manager: Gemma Brooks Technical Manager: Ewan Dunford, Musical Director: Günter A. Buchwald Festival Photographer Paul Lippiatt, Social Media: Noisy Little Monkey Website: Dan Jones, Clear Design UK, Eli Lower Press & PR: Pam Beddard Marketing Support: Piers Martens, MW Coms Design: Louise Kelly (Limepark Studios), Filming Team and Editing Aardman Machine Room, Kathy Stringer, Stephen Matter and David Gillett Ident: Paule Quinlen (Aardman Animations) Advisors: Michael Daniels, Andrew Kelly, Tony White.

A BIG thank you to all our supporters! Bristol’s Slapstick Festival simply would not be possible without the support of every artist, performer and volunteer willing to give their time and share their passion for silent, visual and classic comedy.

Sponsors

/

BOX OFFICES:

Arnolfini, Narrow Quay, BS1 4QA0117 917 2300 | arnolfini.org.uk

Bristol Old Vic, King Street, BS1 4ED0117 987 7877 | bristololdvic.org.uk

Colston Hall, Colston Street, BS1 5AR0844 887 1500 | colstonhall.org

Watershed, Canons Road, Bristol, BS1 5TX0117 927 5100 | watershed.org.uk

A

Park

Row

Lower

Park

Row

Aug

ustin

e’s

Par

ade

Cols

ton

Av

Cols

ton

StBaldwin

St

Lewi

ns M

ead

Rupe

rt St

Cols

ton

Av

Mar

sh S

t

Perr

y Roa

d

Frog

mor

e St

Grea

t Geo

rge

St

Char

lotte

St

Tren

char

d St

Pipe Lane

Lodge St

St Michael’s Hill

Park St

Anch

or R

d

M32/M4Temple Meads

A4/A37

QueenSquare

PTrenchard St

Car Park

CH

W

Har

bour

A4/M5

Pri

nce

StBOV

BOV

W Watershed

A Arnolfini

CH Colston Hall

BOV Bristol Old Vic

King St

Queen Charlotte St

Follow us on

@SlapstickFestWWW.SLAPSTICK.ORG.UK