Slapstick Festival reaches new audience
From Charlie Chaplin to Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy to Harold Lloyd; silent comedies have always connected with audiences. Where one can marvel at the spectacle of slapstick pratfalls, acrobatics and the wonderments of the original films to be seen on a big theatre screen, with an accompaniment of live music.
Bristol Silents do just this, formed by Chris Daniels and Norman Taylor in 2000 it is the most established group in the country to celebrate the classics of silent cinema.
Bristol based Slapstick Festival has been running for seven years where the extent of the festival has been as far reaching as southern Europe: “We've had screening at festivals in Italy,” Chris said.
In 2007, Paul Merton’s Silent Clowns established his long time devotion for silent comedies and its inimitable stars. Chris Daniels director of the Slapstick Festival explains how Paul Merton became involved with the Bristol Silents.
“I wrote the treatment for Paul Merton’s Silent Clowns and got Paul Merton involved in it. Paul was with us from 2005 and was our main host and attendee at the festival for the first few years,” he said.
Five day tour of the South West
The Slapstick Festival paid a welcome visit on 2 March 2011 to Falmouth’s Phoenix cinema as part of a five-day tour around the South West.
From Glastonbury’s Strode Theatre, the Phoenix in Falmouth, to the Dartington’s Barn Cinema, the Electric Palace in Bridport, Dorset to Clevedon’s Curzon in North Somerset; the Bristol Silents showcased four classics from four enchanting stars of silent comedy to an enthralled audience.
The audiences range from teenagers of 15 years to older generations aged 50 and above; the true influence that silent comedy has had on non-fans and enthusiasts is a true testament to the rise of Bristol Silents popularity over the past decade.
Immersing audiences in this unique world, where silent film had previously been void for decades; Chris remarked on the rise in numbers over the past years: “It has been a huge success over the past eight years it's been running and now we have 4,500 attending each year,” he said.
Four comedy shorts were accompanied by live music from Stephen Horne, brought to life through the use of a piano and accordion, two instruments used to recreate the sound accompaniment from the original theatre screen performances.
As a timeless piece of cinematic history, the four shorts included classics like; The Goat, Never Weaken, Big Business and The Immigrant, showcasing each performer’s characteristics perfectly for first time audience members unfamiliar with their work.
The incomparable Buster Keaton’s The Goat, epitomizes his constant straight-faced deadpan humour, distinctive trademarks, setting him apart from the likes of Chaplin and Lloyd’s overt and expressionist performances.
Another influential star of the silent film era Harold Lloyd’s performance in Never Weaken, showcases an acrobatic talent that is astonishing to the eye for 1921.
Famous for hanging off the hands of a clock on a high street in Safety Last, 1923. Never Weaken’s narrative sees him hovering 12 storeys high on a construction site, blindfolded, sat unattached on a chair, his failed attempt to commit suicide by gunshot turns into an action packed and anxious struggle; as he, unawares, believes he is descending to heaven, though manages to make a safe landing.
As the most popular comedy duo in cinematic history, Laurel and Hardy’s Big Business (1929) features the usual antics with disastrous consequences. Taking place in a quiet suburban neighbourhood, as their attempt to sell Christmas trees fails to be successful, the duo, in usual style, begin a plan of revenge on one particular neighbour and the havoc ensues; just have a marvel at the extent of the slapstick.
However the indisputable icon of silent comedy is undoubtedly Charlie Chaplin. With his iconic creation, the ‘The Tramp' or 'Little Tramp' as it's sometimes known. The timeless classic The Immigrant, 1921 is a masterpiece focused on the emotional struggles of poor immigrants travelling on a boat to the U.S. Illustrating his talent for representing emotional qualities to his character in his slapstick comedy styling’s, it is hard to keep a straight face.
Future for the Bristol Silents
As the success of the show rises, more and more people from the South West have enjoyed the spectacles on the big screen. “We are touring the show in the South West each year but it’s limited by resources,” Chris said.
The so far success is ultimately down to the atmosphere of a live accompaniment, decent print quality and the spirit created by the Bristol Silents shows, that truly mark it into contemporary culture, again, for future generations new and old, to continue admiring the exquisite performances and revel in the slapstick comedy.
For more info visit: www.slapstick.org.uk
Which slapstick comedies are your favourite? Which iconic silent star is your favourite? Feel free to comment below.
Bristol based Slapstick Festival has been running for seven years where the extent of the festival has been as far reaching as southern Europe: “We've had screening at festivals in Italy,” Chris said.
 |
| My personal favourite Charlie Chaplin |
Paul Merton’s Silent Clowns
“I wrote the treatment for Paul Merton’s Silent Clowns and got Paul Merton involved in it. Paul was with us from 2005 and was our main host and attendee at the festival for the first few years,” he said.
Five day tour of the South West
The Slapstick Festival paid a welcome visit on 2 March 2011 to Falmouth’s Phoenix cinema as part of a five-day tour around the South West.
From Glastonbury’s Strode Theatre, the Phoenix in Falmouth, to the Dartington’s Barn Cinema, the Electric Palace in Bridport, Dorset to Clevedon’s Curzon in North Somerset; the Bristol Silents showcased four classics from four enchanting stars of silent comedy to an enthralled audience.
 |
| The inimitable Buster Keaton |
Immersing audiences in this unique world, where silent film had previously been void for decades; Chris remarked on the rise in numbers over the past years: “It has been a huge success over the past eight years it's been running and now we have 4,500 attending each year,” he said.
Four comedy shorts were accompanied by live music from Stephen Horne, brought to life through the use of a piano and accordion, two instruments used to recreate the sound accompaniment from the original theatre screen performances.
 |
| Harold Lloyd |
The incomparable Buster Keaton’s The Goat, epitomizes his constant straight-faced deadpan humour, distinctive trademarks, setting him apart from the likes of Chaplin and Lloyd’s overt and expressionist performances.
Another influential star of the silent film era Harold Lloyd’s performance in Never Weaken, showcases an acrobatic talent that is astonishing to the eye for 1921.
Famous for hanging off the hands of a clock on a high street in Safety Last, 1923. Never Weaken’s narrative sees him hovering 12 storeys high on a construction site, blindfolded, sat unattached on a chair, his failed attempt to commit suicide by gunshot turns into an action packed and anxious struggle; as he, unawares, believes he is descending to heaven, though manages to make a safe landing.
 |
| Harold Lloyd's real life acrobatics in Never Weaken, 1921 |
As the most popular comedy duo in cinematic history, Laurel and Hardy’s Big Business (1929) features the usual antics with disastrous consequences. Taking place in a quiet suburban neighbourhood, as their attempt to sell Christmas trees fails to be successful, the duo, in usual style, begin a plan of revenge on one particular neighbour and the havoc ensues; just have a marvel at the extent of the slapstick.
 |
| Laurel and Hardy's Big Business, 1929 |
However the indisputable icon of silent comedy is undoubtedly Charlie Chaplin. With his iconic creation, the ‘The Tramp' or 'Little Tramp' as it's sometimes known. The timeless classic The Immigrant, 1921 is a masterpiece focused on the emotional struggles of poor immigrants travelling on a boat to the U.S. Illustrating his talent for representing emotional qualities to his character in his slapstick comedy styling’s, it is hard to keep a straight face.
Future for the Bristol Silents
As the success of the show rises, more and more people from the South West have enjoyed the spectacles on the big screen. “We are touring the show in the South West each year but it’s limited by resources,” Chris said.
The so far success is ultimately down to the atmosphere of a live accompaniment, decent print quality and the spirit created by the Bristol Silents shows, that truly mark it into contemporary culture, again, for future generations new and old, to continue admiring the exquisite performances and revel in the slapstick comedy.
For more info visit: www.slapstick.org.uk
Which slapstick comedies are your favourite? Which iconic silent star is your favourite? Feel free to comment below.
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