Wriiten & Performed by
Tony Lidington

Following the phenomenal success of Joey – King of Clowns, comes Tony Lidington’s latest one-man show Dan Leno – The King’s Jester.

The Georgian Theatre Royal’s collaboration with Promenade Promotions continues the exploration of the lives of the great British clowns.

Dan Leno opens in Richmond in March 2009. The show, suitable for everyone age 11 upwards, then toured extensively to theatres in Greenwich, Bury St Edmunds, Newark and Exeter as well as various venues throughout Yorkshire and the North East.

Click here for tour dates

Born in 1860, Dan Leno was the most famous and highly-paid musical hall artist of the age, but ended his life in a lunatic asylum at just 43 years of age in 1904. Billed as “The Funniest Man on Earth”, he created the pantomime role of the Dame and what is now called “stand-up comedy”. Writer and performer Tony Lidington said, “Dan’s legacy is now almost forgotten – but this show aims to change that.  The production brings the Nineteenth Century showman to life and with it, an understanding of how British comedy has evolved. You can expect plenty of laughter but Dan’s life story was tough.  His contemporary Marie Lloyd remarked, ‘if we hadn’t laughed, we should have cried ourselves sick’.”

Award-winning performer and musician Malcolm Boyle accompanies Lidington on keyboard and accordion for musical interludes and even clog dancing –as well as a legendary Music Hall star, Dan was a world clog dance champion!  The production is directed by Dominic Goodwin of North Yorkshire’s Ratatat Productions and local artist Simon Pell of Barnard Castle has designed the set.  Dan Leno is funded by both Arts Council England and The Lottery.

A small touring exhibition housed in the theatre’s exhibition space accompanies the show.  Information, images and original artefacts from Tony Lidington’s personal collection on Dan Leno will be displayed and educational CD Roms will be on sale. Priced at £7, the CD Rom takes a closer look at the history of music hall and pantomime and how the genres evolved during Dan Leno’s time. A section links the topics to educational attainment targets and key skills, together with print-puts and project ideas ensuring that Dan Leno is an ideally resourced trip for secondary school, college drama students and historians of all ages.

Quotes of Tony Lidingtons last show, Joey - King of Clowns include;

“This exhilarating and awe-inspiring production will make you laugh, cry and talk about the greatest clown of all time once again.” Northern Echo

“Here is a show to be admired, respected, enjoyed and cheered. Its value is immense.“ Kevin Berry, The Stage

“Tony Lidington’s portrayal of Grimaldi is simply sensational, and the essence of Joey’s remarkable genius shines out of every scene.”
Keith Newton - Evening Gazette

“I laughed, I nearly cried and a lump formed in my throat.
It was absolutely breathtaking.”  Mark Beamont, Bury Free Press

“Beautifully performed with such passion and attention to detail. Very touching, clever and funny, with great interaction. Loved every minute.”
Audience member

“It was absolutely sublime. Unique. We were mesmerised.”
Audience member