Cheltenham International Film Trust LTD has joined forces with Cheltenham Playhouse to launch a mini comedy season to be held at the playhouse, starting on 22nd October with a screening of the Mel Brooks comedy, ‘Young Frankenstein’. This will be followed the day after with a twin bill of Simon Pegg comedies – ‘Shaun of The Dead’ and ‘Hot Fuzz’.

Leslie Sheldon, Cheltenham International Film Trust Director, says the comedy season will provide film lovers with a great opportunity to view comedy classics of years gone by.

He said: “Cheltenham Playhouse allowed us to introduce the comedy season into their own film programme, which takes place in the week leading up to Halloween; hence our choice of comedy classics, especially ‘Young Frankenstein’. The intention is to create a mood at the theatre by way of colour, lighting and special effects to make the viewing experience a bit spooky.

“The comedy season is part of the Comedy Genius initiative created by the British Film Institute – the greatest ever celebration of film and television comedy to run across the country, throughout this winter. The objective is to get people to enjoy comedy classics with friends as part of a collective viewing experience rather than sitting alone with a DVD.”

The Cheltenham season continues at the All Saints Academy on 1st November and 8th November, with screenings of the Eddie Murphy comedy classic, ‘Trading Places’, and ‘Mrs Doubtfire’, paying homage to the great comedy actor, Robin Williams. Further screenings may be announced shortly.

Leslie has spent 2018 planning ahead for the inaugural Cheltenham Film Festival, which will take place early next year. He hopes the festival will become as well-known as Cheltenham’s other prestigious annual festivals.

He added: “We will look to discover and promote young, independent film makers and pay homage to film directors who have already achieved critical acclaim and commercial success by screening their early films.

“We want to hit the ground running, we’ll be working very hard to ensure next year’s festival is a real success, one that inspires audiences and creates a lasting legacy. We’ll be bringing in high-profile names with the aim of making the town a film centre, not just locally but internationally.”