'I'm going to spoil it by talking'
"HI it's Rory Bremner here, I hope it's OK for me to call now", was how the phone call started.
Of course it could have been someone impersonating Rory Bremner but if it was they were very good at it.
In the midst of moving house and having a chaotic day the comedian had called to add his support for Stand Up for Slapstick.
"I've worked with Graeme Garden in the past," he said. "He's one of the greats when it comes to British comedy. Most people know him from The Goodies, but he's also a writer, a broadcaster and he asked if I would like to get involved in the Slapstick Festival.
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"He's now the patron of the festival and he's organised this concert because the council have had to withdraw their funding."
The Slapstick Festival, which takes place in January each year, sees comedians and experts introduce screenings of their favourite silent comics.
For the second time in its history organisers are putting together a fundraiser so the festival can continue for another year. This time Graeme has rounded up his comedy contacts and put together a special evening of stand-up.
"It's quite an amazing line-up and very unusual to see them all on the bill together," says Rory. "I grew up with Barry Cryer and the great thing is he's always supported younger comedians. Arthur Smith is also an inspiration. He's the king of comperes and a bit of a father figure. What with Marcus and Lucy too it's going to be quite a unique night."
Although he hasn't been part of The Slapstick Festival itself, Rory said securing its future was important: "It's one of those things that I think you would not know you needed it until it was gone. I'm not sure if there is anything similar to it anywhere else. But it's important to preserve that comedy heritage. It would be a great shame if it couldn't continue.
"I suppose my job on the night, which is Sunday week, is to show that you don't need to speak to be funny. That's what the festival is all about and I'm going to spoil it by talking."
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