Laurel and Hardy

When I was a kid, I would love watching Laurel and Hardy on the tv on Saturday mornings. Perhaps not too many people know that Laurel and Hardy once appeared at the Palace Theatre. The date was the 17th of May, 1954 and Stan and Ollie were touring the country appearing in a show called, 'Birds of a Feather'. The shows in Plymouth were to have been their last shows of the tour. Playing on the same bill, at the time, were Harry Worth and 'Wonder Horse Tony'. Unfortunately, Oliver Hardy had a severe bout of the flu and also had a mild heart attack and the show was cancelled. Ollie spent the rest of his stay in Plymouth recovering at the Grand Hotel on the Hoe. Laurel and Hardy had visited Britain once before in 1932 when they were mobbed wherever they went. When they returned in 1954 they were handicapped by age and illness but still managed to give an exhausting thirteen shows a week.

After they had to pull out from the show, Stan Laurel wrote a letter to the manager of the Palace Theatre, William Willis, apologising. It read:

'My Dear Mr Willis,

Please pardon delay in acknowledgement of your kind letter of the 22nd.inst. which was deeply appreciated. Many many thanks.

Mr Hardy is feeling better but, of course, is still very weak. However, we are sailing for the States on June 2nd, so I think the voyage and rest will do him a lot of good.

We too were very much disappointed, not being able to fulfil our engagement with you - unfortunate for all concerned, could have been a profitable and happy week. Anyway, we hope to have the opportunity and pleasure of meeting and playing for you again in the near future.

Mrs Laurel and Mr and Mrs Hardy join in kindest regards and every good wish always, and remember us kindly to Mr Heath, the staff and regular patrons.

Very Sincerely:

Stan Laurel.'