Beth Kennedy, director of Ulverston Community Enterprises, reveals that the new film about Laurel and Hardy is paying dividends to Ulverston

WHEN the film Stan & Ollie was released earlier in the month, director Jon S. Baird, as well as stars Steve Coogan and John C Reilly, admitted they were worried about portraying the comedy duo to a modern audience.

Suffice to say they needn’t have been. It’s been a huge hit. Five minutes scanning through Twitter and Instagram with just an #Ulverston search and you’ll notice something is abundantly clear; the world still loves Laurel and Hardy, they want to watch the film, they want to do it here in Ulverston and they want to tell the world all about it!

It’s not hard to see why. The Roxy is an original 1930s cinema that runs traditional trailers and even has intervals half way through the film. It shares its building with the Laurel & Hardy Museum and is in Ulverston, the very place where Stan Laurel was born.

A nostalgic cinematic experience that meets the sort of immersive and interactive viewing event that audiences are seeking out across the country is on offer here.

Whether rekindling love for life-long fans or fanning a sparked interest with new ones, it’s been an unmissable opportunity and it’s social media gold. People are telling their stories about how and why they’re coming here just to watch the film but then discovering a new place and wanting to share it.

Many, however, are reminiscing about having visited Ulverston and the museum in childhood and (inspired by the film) loving coming back after years. So if you were lucky enough to watch the film here in Ulverston jump online and join in the conversation. If you missed it (this week sadly sees the end of the run of the film at the Roxy) why not come along to Ulverston for a Stan Laurel (and Hardy!) inspired trip?

Here are some of the things you can see and do:

1. The Laurel & Hardy Museum, of course.

Nothing less than a shrine to the comedy duo and literal treasure trove of paraphernalia, if you’re a fan (or on your way to becoming one) this isn’t to be missed.

2. Obligatory selfie with Stan and Ollie outside the Coronation Hall.

I’m based in the Coronation Hall and I don’t believe a day has passed in which I haven’t witnessed at least one person having their photo taken with the statue just outside. It’s a mandatory moment to capture if visiting Ulverston.

3. A stroll down Argyl Street to see the house where Stan was born.

It was long believed that Stan was born in North Shields, where he lived most of his childhood before emigrating to the States. It was none other than Bill Cubin, the founder of the museum, who discovered Stan’s birth certificate, proving that he was in fact born in Ulverston in his grandmother’s house. The house has a small plaque on it so you know it’s the right one.

4. A pint in the Stan Laurel Inn

Where else would you quench your thirst on a Laurel and Hardy inspired trip?

5. The Chippy Bank.

What is now a chip shop used to be a shop belonging to Bill Cubin and it was in the rooms behind that he grew his collection of all things Laurel and Hardy and opened it to the public as the museum. While the museum has long been in its new home, visiting this historical site is a very good excuse to get some of the best chips in town!

6. Another Fine Fest

One of Ulverston’s newer festivals, this one celebrates the birth of Stan Laurel with a packed programme of music, comedy, street theatre and art and people come in their thousands to enjoy it. Landing on the closest weekend to Stan’s birthday (June 16) if you can time your visit to coincide with this, it is well worth it!