AN iconic comedy duo will delight audiences nearly a century after first appearing on our screens.
Laurel and Hardy, a British-American comedy team performing from the late 1920s to the mid-1950s, will return to the big screen in a triplicate of movies on June 22 at 4.30pm.
The Forum Cinema, in Hexham, will host the event, which will be the second time the screening has taken place.
Two Laurel and Hardy short films - Twice Two and Brats - and a feature - Our Relations - will be shown.
Mike Jones is the Grand Sheik of the Beau Chumps Tent, the local Chapter of the Sons of the Desert which is an international organisation devoted to keeping the lives and works of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy before the public.
Mike has written a book titled 'Twas Ever Thus, which will be available to buy at The Forum with all money going to the Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen. There will also be some Laurel and Hardy-themed prizes available at a raffle.
"The attendance last year was higher than the Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny film that was released that day, so we were pleased with that. The whole idea is to get Laurel and Hardy out there, there are still an awful lot of fans but they don't see them often.
"There is no way better to see Laurel and Hardy than on the big screen in an audience. Laughter is infectious - you don't just laugh at the screen, you laugh at people laughing at what they see," he said.
"They have a type of comedy which is timeless. What they did then is still funny today. The beauty of the comedy is that it's both visual and audible."
He added the Sons of the Desert will be available to answer questions and they are always looking for new members.
Clare Mwande, general manager, said: "We are pleased to be bringing original Laurel and Hardy movies to the big screen for a second year.
"There are very few cinemas that do this and the Beau Chumps Tent of the Laurel and Hardy Appreciation Society, who are unsurprisingly a very jolly bunch of people, make this a really fun event with an introduction from Grand Sheik Mike Jones, a raffle and merchandise. This is a must-see for all Laurel and Hardy fans or just for people who want a really fun afternoon out."
To book tickets, go to https://forumhexham.com/ForumHexham.dll/WhatsOn?f=22225826.
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