Slapstick celebrates Viv Stanshall

Always perfectly timed to shake off that mid-winter gloom, January’s annual Slapstick festival features a welcome two-part tribute to the comic genius of former Bristol resident Viv Stanshall. Long-in-the tooth locals will recall that Viv once lived aboard the Old Profanity Showboat (now known as the Thekla) with his wife Pamela ‘Ki’ Longfellow in its first incarnation as a venue for left-field arts events. It was here that his great comic opera Stinkfoot was premiered. Viv’s children and grandchildren still live in the city.

At the Old Vic on January 24, Stanshall Onscreen includes a full screening of the cult film adaptation of Viv’s masterpiece, Sir Henry at Rawlinson End, along with a rare showing of his ‘invisible strip tease’ act and other early shorts shot by collaborator and fellow Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band member Neil Innes. The following night at the same venue, Ginger Geezer: Celebrating the Life and Art of Viv Stanshall features Mike Livesley‘s acclaimed stage adaptation of Sir Henry, complete with the six-piece Brainwashing House orchestra. A whole bunch of special guest performers yet to be confirmed will also be paying tribute to the great British eccentric.

So what else can we expect at Slapstick? Well, the full programme won’t be available for a while yet, but it has been confirmed that the Opening Night Gala at the Colston Hall on January 23 will feature the unlikely double act of The Thick of It star/Mock the Week regular Chris Addison and prog rock titan Rick Wakeman. Addison hosts the event, while Rick plays his own new piano score to the Laurel and Hardy classic Big Business, in which Stan and Ollie get into the Christmas tree selling game – with calamitous results.

Other events celebrating comedy duos under the Seeing Double banner at the Old Vic over the weekend of Jan 24/25 are as follows:

Victoria Wood Celebrates Gloria Swanson

Swanson admirer Victoria Wood introduces two of silent star’s best comedies: Teddy at the Throttle and Stage Struck.

Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones

Well, not Mel in person, obviously, but Griff pays tribute to his comedy partner and presents a rare screening of their unbroadcast sitcom pilot, Three Flights Up.

Laurel and Hardy’s Silent Goodies

Slapstick regulars Bill Oddie, Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor introduce three classic comedy shorts.

Bring Me Sunshine! The Unfettered Genius of Morecambe and Wise

Barry Cryer discuss his working relationship with Eric and Ernie, illustrated with a selection of classic clips.

Top Comedy Moments

With mysterious special guest TBC.

Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer

Vic and Bob pitch up to receive this year’s Aardman Slapstick Visual Comedy Award.

For more on the festival, see the Slapstick web site. To book tickets for the Seeking Double events, see Slapstick at the Old Vic. For Opening Night Gala tickets, see the Colston Hall site.