Dying for a Laugh

Comedians Ardal O'Hanlon, Jenny Eclair, Dave Spikey, Ricky Tomlinson, Shappi Khorsandi and consultant physician-turned-comic Kevin Jones tackle the biggest taboo of them all in the short film 'Dying for a Laugh'. 

Joking, reflecting and ultimately considering their own deaths, the comedians hope their involvement will encourage others to talk more openly and more often about death and other end of life issues.

The film, commissioned for Dying Matters Awareness Week 2011, was made by PictureWise Productions and supported and funded by Bolton Dying Matters Group, part of Bolton PCT. All those involved in the creation of the film hope it encourages people to talk more openly about death and, in the process, discover that talking about death can actually enhance life. 

Watch 'Dying for a Laugh'

Buy 'Dying for a Laugh'

We've packaged together short films 'Dying for a Laugh' and 'Last Laugh', in which comedian Alexei Sayle confronts attitudes to terminal illness with four people who have a life expectancy of less than a year. The cost of both DVDs is £6.00. Buy 'Dying for a Laugh' and 'Last Laugh'.

Extras

• Jenny Eclair reveals why it's a chicken's death for her.

• Dave Spikey recalls how his brother still managed to joke through his pain.

• Ardal O’Hanlon on why he spends all day in bed with an oxygen mask and rosary beads.

• Ricky Tomlinson considers how his memories will help him at the end.

• Shappi Khorsandi tells how her grandmother's thumb turned tragedy into comedy.  

More

• Can death ever be funny? Share your views on our forum
• Bolton PCT
• PictureWise productions