We are delighted to be bringing the 15th edition of Slapstick Festival to Bristol. The festival has very much evolved since its inaugural edition back in 2005 when silent comedy was the sole focus of all 12 events. 

The year’s festival is divided between a strong archive programme of silent comedy at Watershed (16-20 Jan) and a classic comedy strand at Bristol Old Vic (18-20 Jan), with our guest curator Richard Herring programming a number of special events at the latter. 

From classic Laurel & Hardy shorts accompanied by a live piano, to behind the scenes chats with Dad’s Army vicar,  Frank Williams and the creators of the Inbetweeners, it promises to be eclectic and sublime, with something to appeal to everyone. And with 33 events over six days, this is our biggest Slapstick ever! The main festival (16-20 Jan) will be followed by two additional festival events just three weeks later at Bristol’s Hippodrome (10 Feb) including our gala, but fear not if you can’t be in Bristol in February as we have ‘Slapstick at the Cathedral’ on Weds 16 January which should more than satisfy any withdrawal symptoms experienced due to the gala having to be moved outside of the Festival weekend. 

For this edition, many of our ‘family’ of special guests are returning including Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer, Kevin Brownlow, David Robinson and Lucy Porter. We’re also excited to introduce brand new guests including Little & Large, Sally Phillips, Joe Thomas, Dad’s Army’s Frank Williams and veteran comedian Jimmy Cricket. 

And when it’s all over there is still the Silent Comedy Gala to look forward to on 10th February at Bristol Hippodrome, with a 40 piece orchestra and a rare live screening of Chaplin’s masterpiece MODERN TIMES. With CBeebies star Andy Day bringing his favourite clips to younger audiences for a matinée on the same day, 2019 is a breakthrough year for Slapstick Festival.

Finally, people may have known our Guest Liaison team leader: Martin Hammond. Sadly, Martin passed away suddenly just after the last festival. A familiar sight at Slapstick, Martin is an irreplaceable figure. He will be sorely missed and we would like to dedicate this edition of the festival to him. We’ll miss you, Martin!

18-20 January 2019

An incredible series of 14 unique events in just three days including an exciting series curated by comedian, writer and diarist Richard Herring: Richard Herring’s Slapstick! Other rib-tickling delights feature an onstage reunion of much-loved comedy duo, Little & Large, the Comedy Legend that is Barry Cryer, improv-king, Tony Slattery and all-round comedian, actor and writer, Sally Phillips. It’s a packed Slapstick launchpad to comedy heaven.

“I am so thrilled to be curating this weekend for the Slapstick Festival. 
Not only do I get to spend more time in one of my favourite cities in the world, I will be chatting to some of my all-time comedy heroes like The Goodies and The Inbetweeners team. As a life-long comedy nerd this is absolute Heaven for me. Hopefully for you too. 
But I’m the important one here.”


Richard Herring

Featuring Gertie the Dinosaur and friends onscreen
Bristol Hippodrome
Sunday 10th February 2019, 2 pm
Tickets £13.15* plus 
booking fees

Join popular children’s TV presenter Andy for a laugh-out-loud extravaganza film show created especially for your little ones.

Perfect for children, Andy will share some of his favourite funny film clips. He’s chosen a selection of hysterical silent comedies and animations to delight and entertain your children.

• Watch and giggle at the best of Laurel & Hardy, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and MORE!
• Marvel at the world’s first animated Dinosaur in Gertie the Dinosaur (1914). 
• Delight at Andy’s madcap antics and tongue-twisting raps.

In a bright and safe film world from the past, Slapstick Sunday with Andy Day captures young children’s imaginations and introduces them to the wonderful world of classic comedy.

Come and join the fun!

Anticipated running time: 60 mins

For all ages. 18 months and under go free!

*Limited Premium Tickets Available (£18.15 + booking fees)

Cube Microplex, Bristol
Sunday, 18 Nov (various times)

As part of the BFI Comedy Genius Season and to celebrate 30 years since the first Naked Gun Movie was released, Slapstick Festival will be showing all 3 films in one day.

This Naked Gun Marathon will be hosted by stand up comedian, celebrity mastermind winner and Nielsen super-fan Lloyd Langford and will culminate in a final pre-screening discussion with Chris Serle, TV presenter and reporter, looking at the career of Leslie Nielsen and the writing/directing team of Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker and David Zucker.

• 2 pm The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) Introduced by Lloyd Langford.
• 5 pm The Naked Gun 2 1/2: The Smell of Fear (1991) Introduced by Lloyd Langford.
• 8 pm Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994) (including pre-screening discussion with Chris Serle and Lloyd Langford + Q&A).

Either come to all three films or just your favourite – the choice is yours!

Comedy Genius is a celebration of comedy on screen, led by BFI, the Independent Cinema Office and BFI Film Audience network, supported by funds from the National Lottery.