Stan Laurel was one half of the greatest double acts of all time, Laurel and Hardy, and now a drama about Stan will be at Chelmsford’s Cramphorn Studio on Thursday 6 December at 7.30pm.
‘…And This Is My Friend Mr. Laurel’ was co-written by, and stars Hi-De-Hi’s Jeffrey Holland. Jeffrey played Spike in the BBC TV series, and in it he was himself part of a Laurel and Hardy style double act with Paul Shane’s Ted Bovis character. However, Jeffrey had always been a massive Laurel and Hardy fan and his show is his homage to Stan and Ollie.
The one-man play is set in the 1956 Californian hospital bedroom of the dying Ollie, when Laurel visits his old friend and comedy partner. Laurel reminisces about their incredible career together, the highs and the lows, how they took on the studios and became one of the greatest cinematic partnerships of all time. The play also examines their private lives which has Laurel reflecting on his own failed marriages – all seven of them – and Stan’s weakness for gambling on horse races.
The play has been a labour of love for Jeffrey Holland and he has created a humorous, touching and captivating play which sheds new light on the comedy genius that was Laurel and Hardy.
For full details and to book tickets visit www.chelmsford.gov.uk/theatres or call the Box Office – Tel No: 01245 606505.
