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THE story goes that as their liner pulled away from Cobh, Ireland, after their final show on their last European tour, the churches rang out their theme song, a unique homage that brought tears to the eyes of the essentially modest stars.

Their contrasting personality, general clumsiness and disaster packed predicaments meant they were universally popular.

By way of introduction, studio boss Hal Roch announced that he presented Laurel and Hardy for your entertainment and approval'.

Much could be said of this show which sought to reveal the persona that lay underneath their trademark bowlers with the performers looking at their film and stage achievements and personal lives in a beyond-the-grave reprise.

Their comedy was simple, though simple is not easy to do. The gag may be obvious, the timing makes it funny or embarrassing.

Ben Fox as Laurel and Christian Patterson as Hardy caught their mannerisms perfectly, but this show worked best when they did not indulge in slapstick humour but simply told the story of the pair's 20 years of comic genius, together and individually.

Every production had Hardy lamenting: That's another fine mess you got me into.' This two hour tribute wasn't.

Laurel and Hardy runs at the Haymarket, Basingstoke, until Saturday.

11:25am Thursday 8th May 2008

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