Film / News
Michael Palin takes centre stage on Slapstick Sunday
Next February, Sir Michael Palin becomes the second ex-Python to take part in Bristol’s renowned Slapstick Festival of silent and classic comedy. The late Terry Jones came along to introduce a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail back in 2010. Palin has been on Slapstick’s hitlist for many years and has now agreed to take part in two events in the festival’s 19th edition. He previously came to Slapstick in 2010 to receive the coveted Aardman/Slapstick Visual Comedy Award.
Both are in the packed Slapstick Sunday programme at Bristol Old Vic on Feb 19. In Michael Palin: Beyond Python, he’ll be in conversation with Rob Brydon about his distinguished career as a comedy writer and performer, from penning gags for the likes of Ken Dodd and Roy Hudd and being in the pre-Python Do Not Adjust Your Set ensemble on kids’ TV in the 1960s to roles in Armando Iannucci’s The Death of Stalin (2017) and the Michael Sheen/David Tennant lockdown project Staged (2021). Let’s hope they find time to discuss his TV debut as co-presenter of TWW (Television Wales and the West)’s short-lived 1960s pop show Now!, which was made in the TV Centre on Bath Road. Alas, all the tapes were wiped.
Earlier the same day, Palin will be joining local hero Stephen Merchant to introduce the greatest Python flick: Monty Python’s Life of Brian.
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Other events on Slapstick Sunday include Stephen Mangan sharing his love of Laurel & Hardy; a screening of Richard Lester’s brilliant first Beatles film, A Hard Day’s Night (partly shot in Somerset), introduced by Paul McCartney’s younger brother Mike, who, as Mike McGear, is best known as a member of The Scaffold, who scored a number one hit in 1968 with Lily the Pink; and a one-woman show paying tribute to the wit and wisdom of Joyce Grenfell.
Slapstick Sunday ticket prices range from £10 to £38 and go on sale to the general public on October 27. To book, visit the Bristol Old Vic‘s website; email tickets@bristololdvic.org.uk or telephone 0117 987 7877. Booking links can also be found on the official Slapstick website.
Main image of Michael Palin, courtesy Slapstick Festival
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