Review: Paul Merton's Silent Clowns
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Laurel and Hardy
Paul Merton
presented a selection of hilarious silent movie gems from the silver
screen.
and Hardy were among the legendary household names featured in the black and
white films, from 80 or more years ago.
none of their original magic in the passage of time.
They gave us a glimpse of
the side-splitting humour that our grandparents and great grandparents would
have guffawed at.
I found myself doing just
that with the rest of the audience at De Montfort Hall.
Pianist Neil Brand,
masterfully improvised, keeping perfect timing with the racy
action.
movies, introduced each film, with a fascinating potted history about its making.
Chaplin's classic
slap-stick buffoonery with a ladder won roars of laughter.
Comedy duo Laurel and
Hardy's movie Liberty had me on the edge of my seat with bated breath at
their
dare-devilantics, on top of a high rise building under construction.
Buster Keaton's gripping
quest, in Seven Chances, was to find a bride by 7pm that day to secure a seven
million pound inheritance - and included a spectacular pursuit by a street full
of would-be brides.
There was a communal sigh
of relief when Keaton ended up marrying his true love, within a minute to
spare.
It was a refreshingly
different form of entertainment, with a touch of nostalgia from a bygone
era.
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