Guests

Tim Brooke-Taylor
Tim Brooke-Taylor is perhaps best known as a member of "The Goodies" and as one of the panel members of the radio shows I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue and I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again. A member of the footlights and ex-Lord Rector of the University of St. Andrews, Brooke-Taylor has worked with such luminaries as John Cleese and Gene Wilder. Along with writer Tony Staveacre, Tim will host Saturday’s 'The Real Fred Karno' event along with appearing at Jesters for ‘Desert Island Slapstick’ on Sunday.

Graeme Garden
Besides being a qualified doctor of medicine, Graeme Garden is better known as a purveyor of quality silliness. His voice has graced such radio shows as I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again & I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, but it was his partnership with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Bill Oddie as television’s The Goodies that best represents Garden’s writing and acting genius.

This is Graeme’s fourth appearance at Slapstick and he’ll be joining Michael Palin onstage for our gala opening event on Thursday night, discussing his passion for Laurel & Hardy with David Wyatt on Saturday and choosing his favourite silent comedy short on the panel for ‘Desert Island Slapstick’ at Jesters on Sunday.

Neil Innes
Following his appearances at Slapstick in 2007 and ‘08, we are delighted that Neil Innes joins us again for Slapstick 2010 to present three special shows profiling the length and breadth of his contributions to the world of visual comedy and music.  Founding member of the Dada inspired Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Innes went on to write music for Monty Python’s Flying Circus, The GRIMMS and genius parody band The Rutles.
Saturday’s headline event features Innes shedding light on two incantations of his humour – his role as the mysterious Seventh Python in the eponymous documentary, followed by a celebration of all things Innes from the Bonzo Dog Band to his never-before-seen student film.  Neil then goes on to introduce ‘The Rutles: All you Need is Cash’ at Jester’s as a grand finale on Sunday night.

Paul McGann
It’s a real pleasure to welcome back festival Patron Paul McGann to Slapstick this January.  A renowned actor from his days in the Monacled Mutineer through Doctor Who and Hornblower, Paul will probably still always be remembered for his  unforgettable black comedic performance as ‘I’ in Withnail and I.  An avid silent film fan, Paul is also a regular contributor to Bristol Silents and Slapstick events.

This year Paul will be in discussion with film historian Kevin Brownlow on Friday night disclosing his passion for Harold Lloyd with the screening of GIRL SHY (1924), Lloyd’s first departure towards ‘character stories’ in what heralds the beginning of the romantic comedy.

David Wyatt
An author, researcher and programmer, David is a champion of silent comedy having programmed comedy seasons for the National Film Theatre and various festivals around the world. David joins us again this year to present two special events, 'Laurel and Hardy: Classics and Rarities' with Graeme Garden on Saturday and a celebration of the onscreen work of Will Hay with Graham Rinaldi on Sunday. 

David Robinson
David is Pordenone Film Festival’s Creative Director, a film critic, an author and a film historian. David has been one of Bristol Silents’ greatest supporters and will be introducing events throughout the weekend.  Of special mention is the Slapstick International of Saturday where he will introduce the Soviet comic masterpiece House on Trubnoi Street, a fine example from the vault of his Pordenone Festival.
For more information on the Festival please visit the website at Pordenone Silent Film Festival website >>

Guenter Buchwald
Conductor, violinist, pianist, composer and an indispensable regular guest at international film festivals, Guenter, as previous festivals will confirm, is able to accompany films simultaneously with both piano and the Violin!  Gunter is also Slapstick's Musical Director and will lead THE EUROPEAN SILENT SCREEN VIRTUOSI on Thursday night at Colston Hall whilst they accompany THE NAVIGATOR. Guenter will also accompany events both on piano and violin throughout the festival.
For further information Guenter’s musical talents Go to Gunter's website >>

Kevin Brownlow
Celebrated silent film historian, author and filmmaker, Kevin Brownlow has consistently pushed the envelope of the silent film medium by both documenting and restoring obscure works and interviews with actors from this bygone era.  Starting with his alternative history film It Happened Here (1964) Brownlow went on to publish several books about the making of his films and produce television shows on films from the silent era.  A more knowledgeable historian would be hard pressed to find! We are delighted to welcome Kevin to Slapstick for the first time where he will be in discussion with Paul McGann revealing his first meeting with Harold Lloyd and the friendship that then ensued between them, on Friday at the screening of Harold Lloyd’s GIRL SHY (1924) at Arnolfini.

Richard Williams
Three time Academy Award winning Richard Williams is best known for his role as Animation Director on Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988) and his Direction on A Christmas Carol (1971).  Now a resident at the eminent Aardman Animations, Canadian born Richard has recently published The Animator’s Survival Kit (2000) and continues to create new and wonderful characters.
Richard will join THE EUROPEAN SILENT SCREEN VIRTUOSI on Thursday night performing on cornet at Colston Hall’s gala opening night.

Michael Palin
Michael Palin needs no introduction.  As a collaborating writer with Terry Jones, Palin worked on everything from Do Not Adjust your Set to The Frost Report before the formation of Monty Python’s Flying Circus in 1969.  From then on it’s the stuff of legends, with classic sketches including The Cheese Shop, Dead Parrot, Spam and The Spanish Inquisition Michael was an instant success and Monty Python became a national institution. Following Python, Ripping Yarns and a number of highly acclaimed acting roles including Brazil (1985) and Alan Bleasdale’s GBH (1991)  another career began, with an unparalleled catalogue of travel documentaries and accompanying books from Around the World in 80 Days to Himalaya.  Now the President of the Geographical Society of London and with a CBE, Michael continues to charm and delight the world over again and again.
Having just celebrated 40 years of Monty Python, Slapstick warmly welcomes Michael as our very special guest onstage at the gala opening event on Thursday night.

Barry Cryer
Joining fellow I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue stars Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry comes to Slapstick for the first time this year to impart his witty and satiric mind to the field of visual comedy.  Hailed as one of the finest comic writers, Barry has worked with everyone from John Cleese and Morecome and Wise to Richard Pryor and Bruce Forsythe.  After receiving an OBE in 2001, Barry has continued to tour the UK most recently in 2008 with his show Barry Cryer: Still Alive.
It is a real pleasure having Barry at Slapstick this year to impart his wisdom at Sunday’s THE LOST GENIUS OF KENNY EVERETT a man who Barry has previously written for and collaborated with.  In addition, Barry will take us through his silent comedy favourite on Sunday at Jester’s Desert Island Slapstick.

Graham Rinaldi
Author of the recent novel Will Hay Graham joins Slapstick to discuss the life of this heralded star of British screen comedy.  Graham’s book covers previously unpublished photographs, interviews and archives and offers a unique analysis of Hay’s personal life, films and impact.  Rinaldi worked closely with Hay’s family, and has developed a deep understanding of the mind of this comedian.
Sharing his insight on Sunday, Graham joins David Wyatt for a deeper look at the world of Will Hay, both his known work and obscure rarities.

Chris Serle
A long time supporter of Slapstick and Bristol Silents, TV Presenter, actor and reporter for the BBC, Chris Serle has worked on That’s Life, Dave Allen at Large, In at the Deep End and Windmill.  Currently serving as the Honorary President of the charity, Bristol Hospital Broadcasting Service, Chris is currently filming a new flagship show for ITV Digital. Chris will be introducing Slapstick’s screening of W.C. Fields’ SO’S YOUR OLD MAN (1926) on Sunday at Watershed.

Matthew Sweet
Matthew Sweet joins Slapstick for our Evening with Neil Innes at Arnolfini on Friday night. Matthew presents Night Waves and Freethinking on BBC Radio 3, and is the summer presenter of The Film Programme on Radio Four. He is a regular contributor on Radio 4's Front Row and BBC TV's Culture Show. His TV programmes include Silent Britain, A Brief History of Fun, The Age of Excess, Truly, Madly, Cheaply: The British B-Movie and The Rules of Film Noir.