reminder: Slapstick 2012 (Jan 26-29) in Bristol, England
11/01/2012 04:19 GMT
Posted by lisa A reminder that Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden, and Bill Oddie each will be participating in the Slapstick 2012 Festival, to be held in Bristol, England from January 26-29. Python Terry Jones will also be on hand Saturday evening to introduce a special screening of "Life of Brian". The full event listing and booking information can be found on the festival website (http://www.slapstick.org.uk/index.htm).
Please note that a Bristol Silents Membership costing £5 for one year) will entitle you to discounted ticket prices for many of the festival events. Memberships can be obtained online from http://www.bristolsilents.org.uk/supporters.php
Following is a cut & paste of the events with a Goody taken from http://www.slapstick.org.uk/events.htm .
* BUSTER KEATON : Brownlow and Garden
THURS 26 JAN 1740hrs £7.20/£5.60, Venue: Watershed, Cinema 1
The first of two exceptional events dedicated to "The Great Stone Face", hosted by Oscar-winner Kevin Brownlow, here in conversation with fellow-enthusiast Graeme Garden (of The Goodies and Sorry I Haven't a Clue). Rare film illustrations recall Brownlow's meetings with Keaton in the 1960s, his restoration of The General, and collaboration with David Gill on the definitive Keaton documentary, A Hard Act to Follow.
Book: 0117 927 5100
Book Online: http://www.watershed.co.uk/
* GRAEME GARDEN ON CHARLEY CHASE
SAT 28 JAN 1100hrs Venue: Arnolfini £7/£5.50
To say Charley Chase is one of the comic greats of all time is no exaggeration: this brilliantly inventive and prolific comedian contributed to over 300 films as writer, director, or actor (sometimes as all three) before his untimely death at the age of 46. Chase worked with almost every major name in early film comedy including Chaplin, Arbuckle, Lloyd, Laurel & Hardy, and the Three Stooges. Chase made many comedy shorts in the twenties as a hugely popular comic/performer in his own right. Chase admirer, Goodie and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue panellist, Graeme Garden selects his favourite shorts from this period to reveal Chase at his finest and funniest.
With live piano accompaniment by John Sweeney.
Book: 0117 917 2300
Book Online: http://www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/films/details/1217
* Bill Oddie's Top Comedy Moments in conversation with Chris Serle
SAT 28 JAN 1600hrs Venue: Watershed, Cinema 1 £7.20/£5.60
Whose first records were produced by George Martin, and who had two singles banned by the BBC? Who earned rave reviews on Broadway for his dancing? Who rode on the back seat of the Goodies' tandem? Who has been called 'Britain's best-known birdwatcher?' The answer to all of the above is...... Bill Oddie.
A national treasure, Bill Oddie was one third of UK's top comedy hit of the 70s - The Goodies and the UK's favourite wildlife presenter regularly fronting Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
Witty, Candid and unconventional Bill invites you to join him as he recounts his working relationships with some of the greatest comic talents of his generation, including John Cleese, Jonathan Miller and fellow Goodies whilst delighting us with his top onscreen comedy moments from the last century. You can expect some Laurel & Hardy but otherwise Bill is not giving anything away in advance, and we don’t blame him! A fascinating insight into the comic influences of this unique comic performer.
Book: 0117 927 5100
Book Online: http://www.watershed.co.uk/
* BUSTER KEATON: YOUNG KEATON (U)
SUNDAY 29 JAN 1400hrs Venue: Arnolfini £8.00/£6.00 Concs & Bristol Silents Members
Between 1919 and 1922 Buster Keaton completed 22 comedy shorts. Many feel this was the most prolific and productive period of his life and festival patrons and Keaton admirers Bill, Tim, Barry and Ian have each selected a short to reveal Keaton at his freshest, most spontaneous and inventive. Films include THE BOAT (1921) and THE SCARECROW (1920). Featuring live musical accompaniment by silent film maestro and multi-instrumentalist Stephen Horne.
Book: 0117 917 2300
Book Online: http://www.arnolfini.org.uk/whatson/films/details/1221
There's also a chance that one or more Goodies will be part of the Friday night gala (although this is only a guess on my part). Here are the details about that event:
* GRIFF RHYS JONES: SILENT COMEDY SPECTACULAR
A star-studded evening of classic comedy featuring Buster Keaton’s masterpiece The General (1926)
Special guest host Griff Rhys Jones
FRI 27 JAN 1930hrs Venue: Colston Hall £18/£16/£8
Slapstick festival's annual silent comedy gala presents three comic masterpieces celebrating the great silent comedians of yesteryear. Hosted by the inimitable comic actor and writer Griff Rhys Jones plus ‘master of ceremonies’ Chris Serle.
Buster Keaton's The General (1926) is considered an undisputed masterpiece of cinema. Set in the American Civil War, Buster Keaton plays Jonnie Gray unable to enlist in the Confederate army because he is needed as a railroad engineer. His sweetheart, who thinks he's a coward, won't talk to him until he's in uniform. Plus Laurel & Hardy in The Finishing Touch (1928) and Charlie Chaplin in The Adventurer (1916).
The World Premiere of a new score for The General will be conducted by Guenter A Buchwald and performed by The European Silent Screen Virtuosi and Bristol Ensemble. Plus music from The Matinee Idles (featuring Paul McGann).
Book: 01179223686
Book Online: http://www.colstonhall.org/news/slapstick-festival-2012 | 
