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with children and young people
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and Open Air Performance | Writing
development | FAQ
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SUMMER PLANS Laurel and Hardy reach
London Following the fantastic reception given to our 2008 Spring tour - Tom McGrath's play Laurel and Hardy - a new production is now running at Jermyn Street Theatre, which is just off Piccadilly Circus in central London. If you would like to book tickets for the production, please call the Jermyn Street Theatre Box Office on 020 7287 2875. The production plays nightly from Tuesday - Saturday (at 7.30pm) and there are matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 4.00pm. Tickets £17 full and £14 concession. See below for some of the comments we received following our 2008 tour: The Stage We meet them both on and off set from Hardy’s upbringing in Atlanta, Georgia, to Laurel’s Glasgow origins and from the zenith of their careers together and the birth of sound in film to a sad spell in France in the fifties. Bromley’s handling of Laurel’s familiar versatile pathos and quick fire, dead-pan gags is finely balanced against Lloyd’s evocation of Hardy’s corpulent bombast. It’s a fine example of high quality theatrical teamwork under Philip Dart’s usual sensitive direction. The two also play a whole string of other parts as they remember the past. Of these Bromley playing Hardy’s wife Myrtle is one of the best. And the set piece film sequence in which they balletically rip off each other’s clothes to a frantic piano accompaniment is just as funny as it was when Laurel and Hardy first did it on one of their many two reelers. The play gives an insight into the private lives of the two men and inevitably there is poignancy along with the comedy. So, all in all, Laurel and Hardy is yet another example of the excellent work Chalkfoot has been touring to 70 rural venues in Kent and Sussex in recent years. What audiences said: The audience were full of praise - I could feel the
vibes were good and there was a real buzz after the show
from the audience. Excellent! Once again Chalkfoot provided a most entertaining
evening for over 130 people from Upchurch and its environs.
Many people were heard to comment after the performance,
"This has been the best one yet". The two actors were
superb, the set was very clever and attractive and the whole
production was so extremely well executed. What a great pity
if this is going to be the last Chalkfoot event that we
shall see! Laurel and Hardy were never my favourite comics so I
was not expecting to enjoy the evening. However as soon as
the lights went down I was drawn into the story. The acting
was superb complemented by the very effective lighting, set
and sound. Mind you Catsfield never expects anything less
from Chalkfoot. The end was made even more poignant by the
knowledge that this could be the last time we see Chalkfoot
in Catsfield. A pity a representative from the Arts Council
was not there to see the pleasure and enjoyment given by the
talented team. The players of Chalkfoot excelled themselves once
again with a superb performance on their fifth visit to
Biddenden. This was an excellent performance and certainly up to
the very high standard we have come to expect from
Chalkfoot. It is very sad to think that this could be the
last production for us to enjoy. We were delighted to host the Chalkfoot production of
"Laurel and Hardy". It was very much appreciated by our near
capacity audience - a wonderful script, beautifully acted
and lighting and effects perfect. An outstandingly professional performance, bringing
new members of the audience from the local community. You
deserve all the support and sponsorship you can get.. Each
year I say that this was the best Chalkkfoot have ever put
on, but Laurel and Hardy, with those two fine look-alike
actors, was little short of amazing. They got everything:
humour, pathos, action, reflection. Nothing was wasted. In
fact, by the end of the evening, I think we had all
completely suspended our disbelief and we really were seeing
Stan and Ollie in their wonderful routine. Another brilliantly entertaining evening. Sad that it
may be the last. Please keep us informed of future
productions - we’d travel a long way to see Chalkfoot.
A first class performance, showing for the first time
perhaps, the story of the duo, as well as bringing to life
and recapturing some of the actions which give fond memories
of their performances. Superbly acted, first class direction
and a most enjoyable evening’s performance, enjoyed by
all. Brilliant from the moment Oliver Hardy stepped on
stage and started the business there was laughter; and the
first sketch drew applause. These actors were Laurel and
Hardy, totally in character, producing audience reaction all
the way through. The glory years. The constant film making.
The clash with the hardline studio system of the time: and
the nostalgia as the difficulties of private lives impacted
on the unique career of these giants of comedy. The acting
was superb: the stagecraft magnificent. It was laughter
nearly all the way, and a lump in the throat near the end
when the career was fading: and then we were treated to the
marvellous finale of the old routine. at the finish we
cheered. In twenty years of coming to Southfleet with
wonderful plays this was probably the best ever. Footnote:
The audience was senior citizens; middle aged;
twenty-somethings; and a few students; quite and age range;
and they ALL enjoyed it. We went to see Laurel and Hardy at the Theatre Royal,
Margate last Saturday. We felt we had actually spent the
evening with Laurel and Hardy themselves. Neil Bromley and
Simon Lloyd were absolutely superb. Thank you for a
wonderful evening. We have seen a lot of your productions in
the past - all excellent - and hope that you will be able to
continue in the future. We attended your production of Laurel and Hardy at
Southfleet on Friday and have to compliment you on the
evening. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves - as did the rest
of the audience and feel most aggrieved that you have not
been given your grant for the coming year. Don't these
people realise the great job you do in entertaining so many
people who would otherwise be unable to attend such events.
This also feeds back into our community and cements other
institutions. |
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