Stephen Merchant, Rob Brydon and many more head west for Slapstick 2020

As the weather turns nippier and the political temperature rises thanks to Trump triumphalism and nasty Little Englander Brexit idiocy, we could all do with a larf. Or, as Slapstick Festival director Chris Daniels puts it rather more politely: “There’s a lot of frustration and sadness in the world at present and while comedy can’t cure it, it does lift the spirits to come together with others and enjoy a good laugh. And that’s exactly what the 25 events lined up for Slapstick 2020 in January are guaranteed to provide – some much-needed light relief and oodles of laughter for all ages and interests.”

Tickets are now on sale for all the events at Slapstick’s sixteenth annual feast of mid-winter mirth, which runs from January 23-26, 2020. Given that Bristol’s world-renowned festival of silent and classic comedy is a not-for-profit venture that relies heavily on its celebrity guests’ goodwill in making fee-free appearances, the talent they’ve succeeded in luring to Bristol in this coldest and cruellest of months is nothing short of remarkable.

The Goodies turn 50 next year

Bristol-born Stephen Merchant returns to the city to share his love for Laurel and Hardy, frequent I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue Rob panellist Rob Brydon relives his favourite moments from the show in conversation with its regulars, and Harry Hill presents a special ‘kidz show’ in which he offers his top tips for pint-sized aspiring comedians. Many Slapstick regulars are back too. The Goodies turn 50 next year (factual note: the individual Goodies are a lot older than this), which is all the excuse they need for a comprehensive celebration. Bill Oddie also hosts an event at which he shares his love of the cartoon antics of Bugs Bunny, Wile E. Coyote, Road Runner and Tom and Jerry.

Shappi Khorsandi presents Slapstick Divas

Journalist Samira Ahmed and comedian Lucy Porter take a fascinating look at early depictions of suffragettes in silent comedy, while Shappi Khorsandi returns to Slapstick to celebrate the oft-overlooked female stars of silent comedy, including the great Mabel Normand.

Suffragettes in silent comedy

This Slapstick Divas event takes place at Bristol Cathedral, as does the annual Silent Comedy Gala, which is hosted this year by Paul McGann and features the fabulous new 4K restoration of Buster Keaton’s classic Our Hospitality – y’know, the one in which hapless Buster falls for a woman whose family have vowed to kill every member of his clan.

At Last the 1948 Show

Slapstick’s theatrical events take place during a day-long takeover of the Old Vic and at the Redgrave Theatre, while the Watershed plays host to multiple programmes of film screenings. You’ll need to delve into the full programme for all the details, but we’d draw your attention to At Last the 1948 Show Almost Complete, which celebrates the sketch show that was the precursor to both Monty Python and The Goodies, and the Cary Grant/Mae West screwball comedy classic She Done Him Wrong. The latter is the one in which Ms. West delivers that immortal, oft-misquoted line: “Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?” It’s screened on January 18 to mark our Archie’s 116th birthday.