Comedy icons Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel’s dramatic fallout to be brought to life in a new stage show
THE dramatic fallout between two comedy icons Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel has been turned into a stage show.
The original showbiz rift came to light in the past decade, when an unearthed letter sent by Stan written 60 years ago described his comedy rival, and one time close friend, as ‘mean and cheap’ with ‘signs of insanity’.
The funnyman, one half of legendary double act Laurel and Hardy, believed Chaplin abandoned him after his career went global and they didn’t speak for 25 years.
Veteran theatre and TV producer and writer Jon Conway will now tell the story of the destruction of this deep friendship in a brand new stage show called Laurel and Chaplin – The Feud which is coming to London’s West End before heading to a winter residency at Blackpool Winter Gardens.
Keeping it in the family, his son Jordan Conway plays Chaplin – whom he spent months observing in order to capture him authentically – alongside Matt Knight as Laurel.
Feud: THE dramatic fallout between two comedy icons Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel has been turned into a stage show
Conway Snr says: ‘Stan and Charlie were massive stars of the silver screen a hundred years ago and two of the most famous stars from Tinseltown’s early days.
‘They were movie pioneers who were the first to cross over from stage to screen, setting the standard for what Hollywood would become.
‘They started their quest for fame and fortune together, but somehow along the way they lost their friendship.
‘This is the story of their tragic and hilarious early days that seeks to uncover what caused their 25-year feud.’
As teenage best friends, the pair shared a boat cabin from their native Great Britain to New York to seek fame and fortune in 1910.
They toured the US as part of the same theatrical troupe and were roommates for three years.
Chaplin’s comedic talents were noticed first and when he became a force in the silent-movie era courtesy of his role in The Little Tramp, the star vowed to help his understudy while they performed as entertainers for the Fred Karno Company and elevate his pal into the big time with him.
But as his new found fame, wealth and celebrity status kicked in, Chaplin abandoned his old friend – sparking a bitter feud lasting over a quarter of a century.
Rift: The original showbiz rift came to light in the past decade, when an unearthed letter sent by Stan written 60 years ago described his comedy rival, and one time close friend, as ‘mean and cheap’ with ‘signs of insanity’
The 1957 letter written by Laurel to his friend Ed Patterson in Hove, East Sussex, which exposed their rift, was auctioned by Bonhams in London in 2017.
He wrote: ‘I have to agree with you re Chaplin being mean and cheap, he never to my knowledge ever had any consideration [for] anybody – financially or otherwise, he never had any time for any of his close friends who worked with him in the early days.
‘I was closely associated with Charlie for two or three years. I was his understudy and shared rooms with him on many occasions, so am fully aware of his idiosyncrasies.’
Speaking about Chaplin’s mood swings, he continued: ‘He was a very eccentric character, composed of many moods, at times signs of insanity, which I think developed further when he gained fame and fortune.’
However, despite his clear disdain for the iconic star, he also acknowledged his genius, adding: ‘To my mind, he is still the greatest artists in his field.’
Although Laurel achieved huge success in Hollywood in the 1920 with Oliver Hardy, he was never pictured again with Chaplin, despite the pair both being two of the few British stars in Hollywood.
Chaplin failed to mention Laurel in his 500-page biography, as their silent feud raged on.
Laurel and Chaplin – The Feud will play at London’s Cambridge Theatre on Mondays from July 24 until August 28, before transferring to the Blackpool Winter Gardens for a week’s residency from August 29 until September 2.
Tickets are now available from the LW theatre’s website.
Former friends: The funnyman, one half of legendary double act Laurel and Hardy, believed Chaplin abandoned him after his career went global and they didn’t speak for 25 years
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