West Country audiences will be the first to see Told by an Idiot’s exhilarating new production of Charlie and Stan when it opens at the Theatre Royal Bath appearing from Saturday 17th to Saturday 24th July prior to a UK tour. Inspired by real life events, this acclaimed silent comedy tells the remarkable story of the greatest comedy double act that nearly was.
In 1910, the then unknown Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel set sail on board a tramp steamer from Liverpool to New York as part of Fred Karno’s famous music hall troupe. On the voyage, they shared a cabin, they shared comedy routines, they shared laughter, but, by the end of the journey, they had drifted apart... yet they would both go on to become two of the biggest stars of the age.
With an original piano score played live at every performance, Charlie and Stan is a hilarious and deeply moving homage to two men who changed the world of comedy forever. Created by Told by an Idiot, who have garnered rave reviews and devoted audiences worldwide for their wonderfully theatrical shows, Charlie and Stan uncovers a hidden and poignant chapter of comedy history, shining an unusual light on a pair of show business legends.
Years later, reflecting on his formative time spent with slapstick pioneer Karno, Stan Laurel stated in his biography, “Fred Karno didn’t teach Charlie (Chaplin) and me all we know about comedy. He just taught us most of it.”
Charlie Chaplin is played by Danielle Bird and Stan Laurel is played by Jerone Marsh-Reid with Nick Haverson as Fred Karno and Sara Alexander playing all the other parts, including Chaplin’s mother, and the piano! Charlie and Stan is produced by David Pugh, the Olivier and Tony Award-winning producer of a host of blockbuster shows including Art, Calendar Girls and The Play What I Wrote, alongside Told by an Idiot and Theatre Royal Bath Productions.
West End and Broadway producer David Pugh said, “Charlie and Stan is one of the most exciting shows I have ever worked on. I’m looking forward to taking it to audiences all over the world but Bath gets to see it first."
Charlie and Stan is written and directed Paul Hunter, who is also co-founder of renowned theatre company Told by an Idiot, for whom he has worked on every show to date as either director, devisor and/or performer. Paul has also directed productions for theatres including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Salisbury Playhouse, Young Vic and internationally. As an actor, Paul has appeared in many stage shows for theatre companies including Wise Children, Kneehigh, Shakespeare’s Globe, the RSC and in the West End. He has previously performed at Bath’s Theatre Royal appearing in Oliver Twist in 2004. His numerous screen credits include Quiz, Midsomer Murders, Bridgerton, Still Open All Hours, Marvellous, Black Books, Trinity, Pan and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Paul Hunter, Artistic Director of Told by an Idiot, said, “I am thrilled that the Idiots are collaborating with David Pugh and Theatre Royal Bath to bring back our show Charlie and Stan. It is a piece that is very close to our hearts and, following successful UK and European dates pre-pandemic, we are delighted that audiences will once again get the chance to see our unique theatrical homage to two comedy giants."
Charlie and Stan is designed by Ioana Curelea, with lighting design by Aideen Malone, video design by Dom Baker, original piano score by Mercury Award nominee Zoe Rahman and song arrangement by Sophie Cotton. Famous Belgian clown, Jos Houben, who was one of the founding members of the renowned theatre company Complicité, is the physical comedy consultant. Dance choreography is by Nuna Sandy for ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company. Charlie and Stan grew from an idea by Irene Cotton, with additional material from the company.
The Theatre Royal Bath enjoys a special link to Britain’s most famous film comedian, Sir Charles Chaplin, whose initials “C.C.” feature on the velvet curtains that hang in front of the stage in the Main House auditorium. When the theatre underwent a major refurbishment in 1982, Lady Oona Chaplin endowed £8,000 for the house curtains in memory of her late husband, Charlie, saying “We absolutely loved the city of Bath and often attended performances in its beautiful Theatre Royal.” Charlie Chaplin’s daughter, Jane flew from Paris to attend the Gala Opening of Bath’s spectacularly renovated Theatre Royal in November 1982. Just before the curtain was raised on the world premiere of Noel Coward’s play Star Quality, Jane read out a telegram from her mother (who had to stay in New York due to illness). In the telegram Lady Oona Chaplin said: “I wish the Theatre Royal Bath every success it deserves. It has given me great pleasure to give the curtains in memory of my Charlie. Love to you all.”
Charlie and Stan appears at the Theatre Royal Bath from Saturday 17th July to Saturday 24th July. Tickets are on sale at the Theatre Royal Bath Box Office on 01225 448844 and online at www.theatreroyal.org.uk
Follow this link to watch the trailer (with the volume turned up!): https://youtu.be/4Ka9KE4_iRI
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