Paul and Barry, the Chuckle Brothers are everyone's favourite slapstick duo who have been entertaining (and creating all sorts of mischief) for decades. Every year they tour a brand new production all over the UK from February right through until the end of the summer. Always joining them on the road are their elder brothers The Patton Brothers - Jimmy and Brian.
Jimmy, "No Slacking...!"
Jimmy, or, Mr "No Slacking" took some time out of rehearsals to explain this year's mad-cap plot.
We've got a run-down theatre which the bailiffs are trying to close down and make into a huge car park. I play the theatre manager who wants to put on a big show to attract the audiences back. It is revealed that the theatre is haunted and there is a phantom helping the council to close it down. I advertise for help in the local paper and the fun begins when Paul and Barry apply for the job.
Jimmy's stage career has seen him perform with some of the biggest stars and at some of the biggest theatres. The highlight of my career was doing a 19-week season at the London Palladium with my brother Brian. That was in Cinderella which starred Ronnie Corbett, Clodagh Rogers, Terry Scott, Malcolm Roberts, David Kossoff, Julian Orchards and us - The Patton Brothers. Another highlight was a 12-week season at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London, where Billy Elliot is now. We did Mother Goose at the Victoria Palace and that stared John Inman, Arthur Lowe, Ian Lavender, Susan Maughan and Dawson Chance.
Mother Goose 1981 - London Palladium
In 1961/2 Brian and I were doing Aladdin for Derek Salberg at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham. We were playing the Chinese Policemen in the pantomime that starred Edmund Hockridge, Mikki & Griff and Joe Church. We got a phone-call from the TV Producer Francis Essex asking if we would appear on Sunday Night at the Palladium, live on TV! What an experience that was - top of the bill was Tommy Steele!
The success of the Aladdin pantomime in Birmingham saw it transfer to the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre the year after.
Aladdin - Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
We always play the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre every year on tour, and it really is a lovely theatre to work. They are such a great audience to play to! The show is always a real family show and there are plenty of gags thrown in for the grown-ups as well as the kids - so bring the family!
You can book tickets to The Chuckle Brothers Meet The Phantom At The Theatre at the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (what a mouthful!) for Monday 8th April 2013 here.
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