Kids: https://bristolbeacon.org/whats-on/slapstick-festival-2026-gala-the-kid/

With Rick Wakeman and special guest host TBC

Step into the golden age of cinema for an evening of timeless comedy, live music, and vintage charm at Bristol’s beloved Silent Comedy Gala – the sparkling centrepiece of Slapstick Festival.

This year’s headline feature is Charlie Chaplin’s The Kid (1921), a landmark in film history and Chaplin’s first full-length masterpiece. Hilarious, heartfelt, and unforgettable, The Kid captures Chaplin at the peak of his creative powers, blending visual comedy with deep emotional resonance.

The film’s original score, composed by Chaplin himself, will be performed live by the Bristol Ensemble in a specially arranged 16-player version, conducted by maestro Guenter A. Buchwald.

Arrive early and soak up the atmosphere with live musical performances in the Foyer. A night of song, laughter and cinematic magic – all on the big screen, just as it was meant to be.

Copyright: CHARLIE CHAPLIN, the LITTLE TRAMP are trademarks of Roy Export and Bubbles Inc. S.A. All Rights Reserved. © Roy Export SAS.

Film programme

The Kid (1921)
Blending heartfelt emotion with Chaplin’s signature visual comedy, The Kid marked a turning point in cinema—his first full-length triumph and a timeless milestone in film history.

The Boat (1921)
Buster Keaton’s nautically chaotic gem, with a unique, live improvised score by legendary keyboardist and Keaton admirer Rick Wakeman.

Leave ’Em Laughing (1928)
Laurel & Hardy star in a brand new 4K restoration of this riotous short. The beloved duo at their most uproarious.

Presented by Slapstick Festival
Guenter A. Buchwald. Conductor
Format: Reserved seating
Age: 12+ advisory
BSL interpreted

Performance times
Foyer performance: 18.00
Beacon Hall doors: 19.00
Start: 19.30

All timings are approximate and subject to change

Entry requirements: no age restrictions — Read more — Read less