A County Durham theatre will celebrate one of the most influential comedy duos of all time next month – 100 years after they rose to fame.
Bishop Auckland Town Hall will host An Evening with Laurel & Hardy: Centenary Tour, presented by TV personality, musician and world authority on silent films, Neil Brand, on Saturday 7 February.
The show will take audiences back in time to the era of the silent film, where the music was played live and often improvised alongside the moving picture.
Cllr Karen Alison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “We can’t wait to welcome The Laurel & Hardy Centenary Tour to Bishop Auckland. Audiences can look forward to watching newly restored films and clips of the pair, with a level of clarity never-seen-before.
“It’s going to be the perfect evening of fun, music and insight into silent films and it could not be held at a more fitting venue. Stan Laurel had a strong connection to Bishop Auckland, where he spent part of his childhood living on Princes Street and attending school here. His father also worked at the town’s former Eden Theatre so audiences can enjoy a little history and nostalgia as they look back at the pair’s fantastic work.”
Two newly restored films, The Finishing Touch and You’re Darn Tootin’ will be screened as part of the show, with the latter featuring Neil Brand performing his own acclaimed soundtrack to the film, alongside audience participation in the sound effects.
Freshly restored clips from a further 11 classic Laurel & Hardy films will be shown before the evening finishes with an audience question and answer session.
The show’s presenter, Neil Brand, has featured on a number of TV shows and is currently the host of the fastest growing music podcast, All About the Music Podcast, where celebrities discuss their favourite songs, artists and how music impacts on their life.
Speaking of the tour, Neil said: “Every show on this tour will be different because – just as one hundred years ago – the music will be improvised. I am going to take audiences back in time: we’ll run the films and I will improvise dramatic music at the piano.
“The Laurel & Hardy Centenary Tour is designed to give people a great night of entertainment, a little history and a chance to witness, in remarkable new clarity, the starting point of a partnership that revolutionised global entertainment.”
To find out more about the show and to book tickets, visit www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk or call 03000 269 524.
