Sir Michael Palin will be joined on the Bristol Old Vic stage by Rob Brydon and Stephen Merchant when he takes part in the final two events of the seven happening at the King Street venue on the last of 2023’s six-day Slapstick festival of silent and classic screen comedy.
The festival is moving from its traditional late January spot to February 14 to 19 for its 19th edition and while its full line-up is still being finalised, tickets will go on general sale on Thursday 27 November for its Bristol Old Vic take-over on Sunday 19 February.
At the top of the bill is MICHAEL PALIN: BEYOND PYTHON during which Sir Michael (80 in May 2023) will look back with Rob Brydon on his long and distinguished track record as a comedy writer and performer - from penning gags for the likes of Ken Dodd and Roy Hudd and being in TV’s DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SET ensemble in the 1960s to roles in Armando Iannucci’s THE DEATH OF STALIN (2017) and the Michael Sheen/David Tennant lockdown project STAGED (2021).
Before then, he will team up with Bristol’s own Stephen Merchant to give a brief introduction to a screening of the Monty Python film they both rank as the best: LIFE OF BRIAN.
Other highlights of Slapstick Sunday at the Bristol Old Vic include:
- Actor, author and broadcaster Stephen Mangan sharing his love of Laurel & Hardy
- A screening of the Beatles’ film A HARD DAY’S NIGHT with an intro from Mike McCartney, younger brother of Sir Paul and a former member of another chart-topping Liverpool band: The Scaffold
- A one-woman show paying tribute to the wit and wisdom of Joyce Grenfell
- The chance to participate in two live podcast recordings hosted by Robin Ince and Chris Grimes
Ticket prices range from £10 to £38. To book visit the ‘what’s on’ section at www.bristololdvic.org.uk; email [email protected] or telephone 0117 987 7877. Booking links can also be found at www.slapstick.org.uk.
Slapstick’s director Chris Daniels says: “It’s testament to Slapstick’s reputation that we can assemble such a talented and beloved cast of celebrity guests on a single day. And more impressive still that this is just the start. From mid-November we’ll be sharing more news of what and who will be helping us to raise spirits and smiles with our Slapstick 2023 programme in February.”
Slapstick is a not-for-profit organisation. The festival’s principal funders are Aardman Animations (www.aardman.com) and BFI (www.bfi.org.uk) awarding funds from the National Lottery.
Sir Michael Palin picture © John Swannell
For full listings of Slapstick Sunday click here
