More events to celebrate The Comic Strip

Peter Richardson on cinema tour of the UK

Comic Strip founder Peter Richardson is to go on a cinema tour celebrating the films that helped launch the careers of Robbie Coltrane, Rik Mayall, Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Nigel Planer, Ade Edmondson and more.

Chortle last month reported that Richardson would be joined by Saunders and Stephen Mangan, as well as host Richard Herring, at an event in London.

Now a string of similar nights have been announced across the UK following a similar format.

Each evening comprises two events: The Best of Comic Strip, with clips, live conversations and guests, followed by a double-bill of two films from their archive, with Richardson and guests fielding more questions in between.

Comic Strip Presents has run for 47 instalments of the franchise, beginning on the opening night of Channel 4 in 1982 with the Enid Blyton parody Five Go Mad in Dorset.

The events take place at Picturehouse Cinemas across the UK, with most hosted by comedian and Comic Strip fan Robin Ince. Guests across the run include Harry Enfield, Alexei Sayle, Keith Allen and Planer.

The schedule is as follows:

March 23, Picturehouse Central, London: Hosted by Richard Herring with guests Stephen Mangan and Jennifer Saunders.
April 6, Southampton: Guest Nigel Planer.
April 7, Fulham Road, London: Guest Nigel Planer.
April 20, Clapham, London: Guest Nigel Planer.
April 21, Oxford: Guest Nigel Planer.
May 4, Exeter: Hosted by Justin Johnson (BFI) with guest Harry Enfield.
May 11, Ealing London: Guest Alexei Sayle.
May 12, Hackney, London: Guest Alexei Sayle.
May 18, Henley: Guest Keith Allen.
May 19, Ritzy, Hackney, London: Guest Keith Allen.
June 8, Cambridge: Hosted by Justin Johnson with guests Stephen Mangan and Nigel Planer.
June 9, The Gate, Notting Hill, London: Guests Stephen Mangan and Nigel Planer.
June 15, Brighton: Guest Nigel Planer.
June 16, Crouch End, London: Guest Nigel Planer

All feature Richardson and are hosted by Ince unless otherwise stated.

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Published: 21 Mar 2024