CHARLIE AND STAN

What if Laurel and Hardy had instead been Laurel and Chaplin? The greats of the early silver screen, Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin did in fact meet and work together. Both exiles from England, members of the then famous Fred Karno comedy troupe, they shared a cabin on a ship from Liverpool to New Yor. This was in 1910,  in the days before either was famous or Hollywood had yet been invented. The intriguing notion that the bowler-hatted little clown would pair up with the lugubrious accident-prone but lovable loser is the basis for the play opening at the Arts Theatre on Monday. It’s a very intriguing ‘what if?’

Catching up with producer David Pugh, it is clear that he can’t wait to bring the show to Cambridge. ‘I have always been a Laurel and Hardy fan. Paul Hunter who has a wonderful company with the great name ‘Told By An Idiot’ is also a devotee and came up with the idea of the show. Pugh went to see an early version at the Wilton’s Music Hall in London and was immediately determined to work with Paul and his play. The two have been working on the script and developing the concept.

According to Pugh, ‘It’s a story that nobody knows. Stan was actually Chaplin’s understudy and were big hits in Britain. On the ship to America they developed a lot of the routines that later would make each man world famous on film. Even though the two hated each other, they found comedy gold.’

Pugh is restoring the show at a great time. ‘We need laughs more than ever. There is no dialogue but plenty of physical comedy and music. It’s a play for the whole family and not just the devotees of those old comedians.’ He hopes and firmly believes that a whole new generation of Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy fans will be created. He is proud of the casting that will bring these two comedy giants back to life. Says Pugh, ‘I couldn’t have cast two better leads anywhere in the world. Both come from physical theatre and are superb clowns’.

There are actually six on stage including a pianist providing a continuous underscore. There will be some tears – both men came from poor and difficult backgrounds – but mostly laughter. As David Pugh notes, ‘In these times it is so wonderful to see and hear an audience in fits of laughter’. Amen to that.

Cambridge Arts Theatre

Thursday 16 – Saturday 18 September Monday – Saturday, 7.30pm and Thursday & Saturday, 2.30pm

 Tickets - £20/ £25 / £30/ £35

 All ticket prices include a £3 per-ticket booking fee Box Office: 01223 503333 / www.cambridgeartstheatre.com