WISDOM OF A
FOOL PLAYS TRIBUTE TO
COMEDY LEGEND
COMEDY LEGEND
Wisdom of a Fool
South Shields Customs House
Sunday 11th February 2018
A tribute to
the genius of Norman Wisdom is coming to The Customs House.
 |
Jack Lane as Norman Wisdom
in Wisdom of a Fool.
Photo: Andy Hollingworth
Archive
|
Wisdom of a
Fool charts the early life of the comedy icon and his rise to fame, with Jack
Lane playing the man behind the Gump costume. The play has received the backing
of the late Wisdom’s family, with his children, Nicholas and Jacqueline,
donating one of his suits for use in the show.
Star of stage
and screen during the 1950s, Wisdom played to packed houses across the UK, with
his trademark manic slapstick routine catapulting him to stardom. Over the
years, he perfected an act that would go on to shape his unique style – a cloth
cap, ill-fitting suit and classic underdog character. Success on the silver
screen, including the hit song ‘Don’t Laugh at Me’, sealed his fame, but, as
ever, fame came at a price.
 |
Jack Lane as Norman Wisdom in Wisdom of a Fool.
Photo: Andy Hollingworth Archive
|
Portraying 30
characters in this tour de force
performance, Jack Lane will take you on an emotional rollercoaster when Wisdom
of a Fool arrives at The Customs House on Sunday 11th February at
7pm.
Nicholas
Wisdom said: “If the harder you work the luckier you become, then Jack Lane
deserves all the luck in the world for his moving portrayal of the life of my
father. His attention to detail would
have surely impressed him and it was a delight to see Jack perform in one of
his original suits. That for me was a poignant part of the show.”
Jacqueline Wisdom
added: “Dad was once called ‘this little genius called Wisdom’ and this truly
lives on in Jack Lane. His performance
was compelling and the characters he played dovetailed together so cleverly.
Wearing dad’s Gump suit, which no one else has ever done, brought dad back to
life. It was incredibly emotional for me
and I know that dad would be very flattered and proud that Jack’s performances
rightfully earned him standing ovations every night.”
Lane began
his theatrical career in 2003, starting backstage as a resident technician
before honing his craft with leading touring companies in a variety of roles
for countless plays, musicals and pantomimes.
He founded Engine Shed Theatre Company in 2010 and went on to adapt
three episodes and two Christmas specials of the classic BBC sitcom Steptoe and
Son, taking on the role of Albert Steptoe.
Wisdom of a
Fool opened to critical acclaim in 2015 and embarked on a UK tour in 2016/17.
Ray Spencer, Executive Director of
The Customs House, said: “When this show came through to us, we knew we had to
book it. It has garnered a legion of
fans, including Wisdom’s family, national reviewers and a string of industry
professionals, including Vera star Brenda Blethyn.”
Tickets for
Wisdom of a Fool are priced from £17 and available from the box office on
(0191) 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk.
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