Two men-about-town with an eye for the ladies; a pretty girl; a put-upon surbanite; a battle-axe housekeeper; proliferating runs through bedrooms and doors. These were some of the typical ingredients of Britain’s Aldwych Farces, the stage comedies from the 1920s and ’30s: launched in April 1922 withTons of Money, they were comedies that broke theatre box-office records and made the transition to celluloid before films started to talk.

To mark their centenary, we will be screening the rarely-seen 1932 film of the 1927 ‘haunted house’ farce “Thark”, which enjoyed a long stage run and produced some of the series’ loudest laughs. The film reveals the core Aldwych team in their prime with Tom Walls directing and leading the pack and with happy assistance from Ralph Lynn, Robertson Hare and from Ben Travers’ witty script. This will be a 16mm film presentation.

Before the screening, film historian Geoff Brown will be in conversation with Mark Newell, author of the new book,“Oh, Calamity!” – The Lost, Damaged and Surviving Films of the Aldwych Farces and Farceurs, talking about the Aldwych films and their theatre origins, aided by film extracts and publicity stills.

Doors open at 13.30, for a 14.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.

TICKETS & PRICING

Tickets £7.

Advance tickets may be purchased from Ticketlab, or direct from the Museum by calling 020 7840 2200 in office hours.