Stephen Fry film donated to DMU archive

A filmed interview with Stephen Fry has been donated to the archive at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU), offering a unique insight into the life and career of one of Britain’s most celebrated performers.

The 90-minute recording captures an exclusive on-stage conversation held at De Montfort Hall as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival in February 2026. The sold-out event took place in memory of Fry’s friend, Tony Slattery, a founding patron of the festival when it was established in 1994.

During the interview, festival founder and DMU alumnus Geoff Rowe speaks to Fry about his early life, creative influences, and experiences of mental illness, as well as the enduring role of comedy in society. The film is now available to view via DMU’s Special Collections and viewings can be booked here.

Fry reflects on his childhood in Norfolk, recalling visits to Norwich market where he searched for vinyl recordings of music hall and variety performers. He discusses his admiration for acts such as the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band and Peter Sellers, which helped shape his comedic voice.

The conversation also explores his time at University of Cambridge, where he met longtime collaborator Hugh Laurie and fellow performer Emma Thompson. It was there, too, that he first encountered Slattery, with whom he later performed as part of the renowned Cambridge Footlights.

Fry also reflects on his work adapting the musical Me & My Girl in the 1980s. The production, which originated at Leicester’s Haymarket Theatre, went on to achieve major success in London’s West End and on Broadway. He notes the show’s distinctive roots in British music hall and variety traditions, rather than American musical theatre.

Geoff Rowe said: “It was an absolute honour to have had the opportunity to chat with Stephen on stage, and especially special to host the event in memory of Stephen’s friend Tony Slattery.

“Stephen was so generous with his time and spoke freely about his early career, his influences and also his experiences and attitude towards mental illness.”

DMU’s Special Collections hold a wide range of material documenting cultural history, including the Leicester Comedy Festival archive alongside collections relating to Norman Wisdom and the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society.

Katharine Short, Special Collections Manager at DMU, said: “We are delighted to add this fascinating interview recording to the Leicester Comedy Festival collection. It will be available to watch in our reading room in DMU’s Kimberlin Library – please don’t worry, we won’t shush you for laughing!”