Top stars to take part in Slapstick Festival 2020

A number of top comedians have been confirmed as attending Slapstick Festival, which will run in Bristol from 23rd to 26th January 2020.

Rob Brydon, Barry Cryer, The Goodies, Harry Hill and Stephen Merchant are among the stars who will be taking part in the next celebration of silent and classic screen comedy.

The festival's full programme is still being finalised but tickets are now on sale for the nine live events being staged at the Redgrave Theatre in Clifton and at Bristol Old Vic in the city centre on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January. They include:

A 50th anniversary tribute to the award-winning TV series The Goodies during which all three members of the madcap trio - Tim Brooke-Taylor, Graeme Garden and Bill Oddie - will share clips and memories from the 76 episodes they made between 1970 and 1982.

Bristol-born actor, comedian, director and writer Stephen Merchant explaining why he ranks Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy as cinema's all-time greatest double act and discussing the secrets of the duo's timeless appeal, with stand-up, broadcaster and fellow fan, Robin Ince, with the aid of their favourite clips.

Harry Hill passing on top tips for young would-be comedians in a live show & tell packed with gags, giggles slapstick foolery and custard pies, created especially for under 16s and their families and inspired by his best-selling Matt Millz books.

Rob Brydon quizzing I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue regulars Tim Brooke-Taylor, Barry Cryer and Graeme Garden about their stand-out memories from 47 years of being given silly things to do on BBC Radio 4's world beloved antidote to panel games and with Colin Sell at the piano, setting some of it to music.

Robin Ince hosting a live edition of his hugely popular Book Shambles podcast and inviting festival guests and others to explore the comic novels and characters of PG Wodehouse.

Other Slapstick events at Bristol Old Vic include a look back at one of radio's most influential comedy shows I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again with members of the original cast; mirth and music from entertainment industry legends Barry Cryer and Colin Sell; a one-man show recreating some of Tommy Cooper's funniest turns and an improvised spoof inspired by PG Wodehouse's Jeeves & Wooster stories.

Bookings for all shows in Slapstick's Bristol Old Vic and Redgrave Theatre programmes are now on sale. For more details and to book tickets visit slapstick.org.uk

The rest of the festival's programme, including its traditional screenings of rare, re-found and restored silent and vintage comedy films is due to be unveiled in late October.

Before then, Slapstick is hosting a fundraiser at St George's Bristol on Thursday 17 October starring Rory Bremner. He will be sharing clips and backstage stories from his long career on TV, radio and stage with broadcaster and author Matthew Sweet.