Prof Patel’s Bollywood Punch & Judy
When: 25th – 28th January 2018
Where: Arnolfini, Bristol Old Vic, Colston Hall and Watershed in Bristol
£: Ticket prices vary, depending on the event. Festival passes are available. Some events are free
What is it?
The UK’s biggest festival of silent and classic screen comedy, Slapstick, will be returning to Bristol this month, with appearances from Christopher Biggins, Jo Brand, Ade Edmondson and Lee Mack.
Slapstick 2018 will see 25 unique events taking place at Arnolfini, Bristol Old Vic, Colston Hall and Watershed. Highlights will include a Keaton 100 strand, marking the centenary of the screen debut of silent comedy genius Buster Keaton, with films, documentary, talks and a live stage show.
Other highlights will include a gala triple bill of silent comedy classics starring Keaton, Charlie Chaplin and Laurel & Hardy, hosted by Tim Vine and with live music from the Bristol Ensemble.
One of the more quirky events of the festival will be Christopher Biggins giving an ‘I was in it’ introduction to a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and judging an audience competition for the best Transylvania costume. And there’ll be plenty of quirky activities for the younger festival-goers, with a choice of Slapstick Junior events including a pratfalls workshop and a free Punch and Judy show presented in a Bollywood style.
I was in it! Christopher Biggins and the Rocky Horror Picture Show
Lucy Porter will be paying tribute to two of the silent era’s best-loved women comedians, as part of a Rare, Rediscovered and Restored strand, which will also take in ‘lost clowns’ from Europe.
Jo Brand will also be sharing clips and memories of her favourite comedy moments, whilst Ade Edmondson and Nigel Planer will be re-uniting to look back at their work together on such 1980s TV hits as Comic Strip Presents and in the spoof heavy metal band Bad News.
Bill Oddie will be re-opening The Goodies’ songbook and looking back to when songs like Funky Gibbon and Black Pudding Bertha earned the comedy trio pop chart success; and Barry Cryer will be remembering The Two Ronnies.
Lee Mack will be saluting the comedy of Laurel & Hardy in a show featuring anecdotes, clips, and a full screening of the long-thought-lost, newly restored, Battle of the Century, accompanied live by the European Silent Screen Virtuosi.
More info: www.slapstick.org.uk