Fans of Laurel and Hardy can enjoy a special celebration of their unique and hilarious talents at The Atkinson in Southport this week.
Neil Brand will present ‘100 Years Celebration of Laurel & Hardy’ from 7.30pm on Thursday (26th March 2026) in a brand new production.
It promises to be a fantastic evening showcasing the genius of Hollywood’s funniest ever double act – who famously performed on stage at The Garrick Theatre in Southport during the 1950s.
In 1926 Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy signed separate contracts with Hollywood film mogul Hal Roach. They appeared together for the first time in a film titled ’45 Minutes from Hollywood’.
The following year they would become an official comedy partnership that would set the whole world rocking with laughter.
Nobody could have predicted that this unlikely Anglo / American comedy duo – Stan was born in Ulverston in Lancashire while Ollie was born in Harlem in Georgia, USA – would become global icons in over 130 countries around the world.
Neil Brand has established himself as the foremost exponent of silent film and improvised piano accompaniment. In this new production he will uncover gems of hilarity from the duo whose comedy never ages, and bring them to jaw-dropping life with the demanding live piano improvisations for which he is so famous.
The show features new restorations of Laurel & Hardy’s silent films, some of their lesser-known comedies and extended scenes from the best of their silent comedies, particularly ‘You’re Darn Tootin’, ‘The Finishing Touch’ and ‘The Second Hundred Years’.
Neil Brand said: “I am really looking forward to bringing my show to Southport!
“I hope it will be a good night for everyone!
“There are always a lot of knowledgeable and passionate Laurel and Hardy fans in the North West.
“It is always interesting speaking with people at these shows, and hearing about some of the personal connections they have.
“I know Laurel and Hardy performed in Southport in the 1950s, and in other theatres in the UK.
“Sadly there are not many left of the generation of fans who saw them perform live on stage.
“But I often hear from people whose parents or grandparents shared their memories of seeing them perform.
“With the passage of time, some of the younger generations have never seen anything at all of Laurel and Hardy.
“With this tour, I would love to be able to reach out to people in their 20s – 40s and encourage them to come and see the show and discover these two comedy legends for themselves.”
While many people are familiar with Laurel and Hardy’s talking pictures such as Way Out West and others, Neil is using his musical talents – he plays a piano live on stage – to bring to life some of their rare silent movies.
He said: “There are so many things that make them stand out. They are such brilliant performers, individually, but especially together.
“Hal Roach put them together almost by coincidence. He thought ‘let’s put a big guy with a little guy’. Then the magic happened.
“They both know how to get laughs; and they both share that responsibility. They interact so well with each other.
“They were both really, really good friends in real life. You can see the love between them on screen.
“Stan said Ollie made him laugh more than anyone else he knew.
“Stan wanted to be a script writer and director, he didn’t want to get into films initially.
“I show them on screen in a movie in 1921 called The Lucky Dog, which they’re both in – Ollie pays a heavy. You can see the chemistry happening there already. It’s beautifully choreographed.
“They were always very relatable. They played the parts of workers; removal men; sailors.
“Their silent movies are full of brilliant gags. It’s so fast, so much physical comedy, so much energy.
“Sometimes you can see the gag coming a mile off and you can’t wait for the moment when the punchline hits; sometimes they surprise you!
“Once they start talking in movies, it gets slower a little bit to accommodate the dialogue.
“I’ll be showing some of their rare silent movies which most people will never have seen before. They’re a real treat.
“But of course I’ll also have a couple where I’ll be inviting people to join in with some of their famous musical numbers.
“I’ll be starting the show with ‘Blue Ridge Mountains’ – well, you’ve just got to!”
Are Laurel and Hardy the greatest double act of all time?
Neil said: “There have been a few great comedy partnerships over the years, though not many.
“Morecambe and Wise are the obvious ones. Rick Mayal and Ade Edmondson too – they used to sit and watch Laurel and Hardy movies together!
“Laurel and Hardy are simply the best.”
Neil Brand’s concerts have become a hit with audiences, thanks to his personal connection with the crowd and his unique insights into Laurel & Hardy and the early days of the cinema industry. His engaging, easygoing style, combined with a lively Q&A session and a post-show ‘Meet & Greet’, makes for an evening that’s as informative as it is entertaining.
Currently working on a television documentary and a new book about ‘The Boys’, Neil is once again excited to share his knowledge and passion with audiences across the country, celebrating the remarkable legacy of comedy legends Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy.
- For more details or to book tickets visit: 100 Years Celebration of Laurel & Hardy – The Atkinson
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