2 Catherine Wheels and a Packet of Sparklers
The Festival is thrilled that on November 5th comedy writer Paul Mayhew-Archer, joined by friends Andy Hamilton (Radio 4, The News Quiz, etc., ) and neuroscientist and Professor of Laughter Sophie Scott, will be presenting "Laughing in the Face of Death". See elsewhere on this website for full details. In the meantime here's a few jokes in advance from Paul-
Some voters in America are so disappointed in the candidates for President they have resorted to extreme measures. Here is a recent Obituary Notice from the Richmond Times in Virginia:-
“Faced with the prospect of voting for either Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, Mary Anne Noland of Richmond chose, instead, to pass into the eternal love of God on Sunday,”
Good old Death has provided us with lots of laughs over the ages from the last words of General John Sedgwick “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this range”
to quotes such as “I don’t mind dying. It’s just you feel so bloody stiff the next day" (George Axelrod).
People have done funny things at funerals - like the man who hired an actor to attend his funeral and just stand in the corner of the church dressed as the Grim Reaper.
and
People have died in funny ways - like the hunter who shot a stag standing proudly on a rocky ledge above… and was unable to get out of the way when it fell on him.
So if you fancy having some laughs at death - and having a look at some of the funniest scenes from films and TV programmes involving death - and understanding why laughing at death is really important - then come along to the Friends Meeting House on November 5th at 8pm.
I will be joined by Andy Hamilton (News Quiz, Old Harry’s Game, Outnumbered) and Professor Sophie Scott, a psychologist who specialises in laughter.
Enjoy an evening of laughs for less than the cost of a couple of Catherine Wheels and a packet of sparklers.