Name: Hilltop Cinema: John Cleese Packs It In (12A)
Start: 2025-11-15T19:30:00+00:00
End: 2025-11-15T21:00:00+00:00
Location: Shaftesbury Arts Centre

Hilltop Cinema: John Cleese Packs It In (12A)

One 85-year-old man, five countries, sixteen cities, twenty-three shows, six weeks. Will he make it home… or is this the end of the road?
One of the most recognisable figures in British comedy, John Cleese’s career spans six decades – from his early days with the Cambridge Footlights to co-founding Monty Python, co-creating Fawlty Towers, and writing and starring in the Oscar-nominated A Fish Called Wanda. His unique brand of black humour has made him a global icon and intergalactic treasure.
At the age of 85, John Cleese sets off on what might be his final European tour – five countries, sixteen cities, twenty-three shows, and retaining just two original body parts. John Cleese Packs It In is a wry, behind-the-scenes portrait of a comedy legend on the road, battling various ailments, chaotic travel, and his own stubborn refusal to stop.
Spanning six weeks on the road, the film captures Cleese unfiltered and on the move – riffing on life, fame, and the absurdity of getting old in front of thousands of fans. As he reflects on a stage career that began in 1963, the question lingers: is this the end of the road? With unique and intimate access and showing unexpected tenderness, this is a documentary about legacy, laughter, and the dignity of bowing out… however reluctantly.
Tickets: Adult £7.50. Members & Friends £6.50. Under 18s £5.50.