Bob Godfrey: A Collaborative Act

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The artefacts on display unravel the underlying collaborative aspect of Godfrey’s work. While studio animation is a collaborative process, Godfrey’s work and interests extended beyond the field of animation. The comradery and strength of will runs throughout his life from his Second World War service in No. 47 (Royal Marine) Commando to the relentless battle to see his animated films brought to life. The success of his Oscar winning animated short Great (1975) lead to the development of other films that were never completed. His animated musicals about Jumbo the elephant (P.T. Barnum’s circus) and Shakespeare offer delightful insights to the magical potential of these films.  
 
The exhibition invites us to dig deeper into the work of Bob Godfrey and to consider the broader context and dynamics of his studio and personal work that extend beyond the iconic children’s series Roobarb and Henry’s Cat. Godfrey’s studio produced content for many of post-war Britain’s comedians and entertainers, drawing on their war experiences. Satire and subversion was often a way of seeing and responding to the world differently. This interweaves through the different aspects of Godfrey's work and life. From his collaborations with Bruce Lacy, to cameos in Richard Lester’s Beatles films, animation for Michael Bentine, Spike Milligan and others. The sense of comradery, fun and subversion is evidenced in the sketches produced by studio staff and the photographic material held in the Bob Godfrey Collection at UCA. Seeing the funny side of life underpinned Godfrey’s life and work.