Charlie and Stan, York Theatre Royal, February 2023

Told by an Idiot bring their touring production of Charlie and Stan to York Theatre Royal, telling the remarkable story of the greatest comedy double act that nearly was…

Silence is Golden

The entire 90-minute production is non-verbal, in-keeping with the silent comedies of yesteryear. The action is underscored though by music throughout, with some real toe-tappers along with percussive thuds and clangs to punctuate the slapstick.

There are two songs which aren’t captioned but, helpfully, the lyrics are available to download on Told by an Idiot’s website, which could be a big help for deaf audience members.

A Motley Crew

Danielle Bird’s Chaplin hits all the right notes with every look, nuance and silly walk. A routine with an audience member from the front row is a thing of beauty. Bird captures the innocence and naivety of Chaplin’s clownish charms, and is a joy to watch throughout.

Jerome Marsh-Reid as Stan gets strong reactions with more slapstick and silliness. Chaplin puppeteering his limp, dead body during a nightmare sequence is an unexpected highlight…and how they keep a straight face is anyone’s guess! He makes difficult physical manoeuvres look effortless, and the chemistry alongside Charlie is believable. It had me wishing the two greats were actually paired up together in real life, what a double act that would have been.

Sara Alexander portrays several roles too – including Chaplin’s mother – and also tinkles the ivories throughout. She’s adept at playing the piano; sometimes even one-handed whilst simultaneously ringing a reception bell on each comic beat. Like the others, she can tell a story with a knowing glance or even a pause between a plonk of the keys.

Nick Haverson plays multiple roles, from a theatre impresario to Chaplin’s alcoholic dad and an astonishing accurate Hardy – complete with gaffa tape moustache! His characterisation in every role is tight, and his slapstick slick. He’s also a whizz on the drums, and this adds another musical dimension to the show.

The whole cast work together like a well-oiled machine, and the show is a love letter to two legends of vintage comedy. Kudos must also go to writer and director Paul Hunter, and Jos Houben as Physical Comedy Consultant, as much of the knockabout fun is honed to perfection.

Ship-Shape

Ioana Curelea’s set design is relatively simple but works wonderfully, allowing the audience to really focus on the action as it unfolds. The main setting is a ship with billowing foghorn, sleeping quarters, a moving gangplank…and even seagulls. Actors tumble and prat-fall around the deck, drop things overboard and engage in all sorts of nautical nonsense. A few select words are projected onto a curtain reminiscent of the storyboards of the silent films of old.

Moving Pictures

I expected comedy, but what I wasn’t prepared for was just how genuinely moving the story is. In particular, the relationship between Chaplin’s ill mother and drunk father tugs on the heartstrings, and there is a real pathos at points.

Overall I would say that young children would find the pace too slow, and the story too difficult to follow. Along with a lack of interval, the running time may be too long for young attention spans too. However, there were a few older children and teenagers in last night that seemed to enjoy the production.

It’s not aimed at children specifically though, and adult fans of classic comedy will find plenty to entertain and amuse. It’s certainly spurred me on to find out more about silent films from a bygone era. And who knows, maybe more silent comedy will find it’s way into my own shows too (unlikely, I even dress loud!)

Charlie and Stan has four and five-star reviews by the suitcase full, and it’s easy to see why.

MAGIC RATING

VALUE FOR MONEY

OVERALL

Charlie and Stan runs at York Theatre Royal until Saturday 18th February at York Theatre Royal, tickets at www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/charlie-stan/

Find out more about the UK tour at www.toldbyanidiot.org/charlieandstan2023