THE FUN FACTORY, written and directed by Kate Jackson

Synopsis

The first half of the play takes place on Tagg’s Island on the outskirts of London on an Island by Hampton Court, where Vaudeville Impresario Fred Karno has bought and developed a huge project, having invested huge personal wealth. He calls it The Karsino. It’s a luxury hotel and Casino and he is launching an opening Vaudeville night with some of his most popular performers from his famous Fun Factory.

These performers include Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel .

He is hoping for a huge success having risen to fame at his Fun Factoryin Camberwell, but the move out of town is a disaster and they are left with no one in the audience. His hopes are dashed as they rehearse for the big night and no one turns up.

The First World War is brewing and Chaplin plans to jump ship for America, as does Stan Laurel. Relationships are torn apart in the wake of the looming war. Karno, after years of fame and hard work is left bankrupt.

The setting then moves to the early 1930s where Karno has reformed himself and now has some more, soon to be mega famous, performers such as Max Miller and Flanagan and Allen. He is touring his troupe and the play takes place in at The Brighton Hippodrome, where Karno’s performers are appearing alongside some other famous performers of the time such as Suzette Tarri and Arthur Lucan. Karno has reinvented himself, but WW2 is coming and theatre impresario George Blackand theatrical agent Julius Darewskipoach his performers as their ambition overrides their loyalty to Karno.

There are some simple numbers suitable for singalongs, but a perfect voice is not necessary. These performers in their day were no great voices either. The spirit of entertainment was more important than technically perfect voices! The piece is a celebration of these figures with some great excuses for fun singalongs in a comedic context.