Laurel And Hardy The UK Tours, 1932, 1947, 1952, 1953 – 54
Comedy duo Laurel and Hardy are among the most popular comedy acts ever. Almost 100 years (their first film together billed as Laurel and Hardy was 1927) the duo are as popular as they ever were with their humour crossing the decades with ease.
The duo best remembered for their Hal Roach films are always thought of as an American production. However they visited the UK on three occasions two of them were live performances.
This post is intended to give a brief insight into their UK visits.
Summary and Video
1932
In 1932 the duo made what was supposed to be a low key visit to the UK, but turned into a whirlwind tour of public appearances between London and Glasgow.
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1947
It was 10th February 1947, as the Queen Elizabeth sailed into Southampton Docks, Laurel and Hardy looking down from one of the decks may well have been forgiven for saying, “Oh no! not again!” as once again or the scene which greeted them was almost identical to the one in 1932, huge crowds of adoring fans.
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Next morning Oliver, Stan, and Ida went along to Caxton Hall, Westminster, to collect their ration cards, as many items were still rationed. Within days they began their rehearsals for The ‘Driver’s License’ sketch at the London Casino.
Thirteen days after arriving in the UK the duo headed up to Newcastle to begin their tour that would last until September .included an appearance at The Royal Variety Performance and a stop off to open
Then it was onto Birmingham, followed by London where the tour included a publicity appearance in Kent
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And an appearance on The Royal Variety performance.
1952
The boys were back in the UK again as part of a European tour with the Stan Laurel written sketch a ‘A Spot Of Trouble’ they toured the UK from February to September 1952.
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1953
October 1953, Laurel and Hardy return to UK shores with their new sketch ‘Birds Of A Feather’ a gruelling schedule saw them up and down the country in a tour that continued until 1954. It was 17th May 1954 opening night at the Plymouth Palace Theatre that Oliver Hardy suffered health issues leading to the cancelation of both the remaining Plymouth run and a scheduled run at the Swansea Empire.
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The duo returned back to the USA from Hull aboard the MS Manchuria.
Please Note
A lot of time was spent researching this post but information and video footage differ on exact dates, never the less we hope you enjoy.