Pompidou and Britain's grand tradition of silent comedy

Despite the title, there's something very British about Pompidou, Matt Lucas's new silent comedy series. Because, while we tend to associate silent comedy with either early American cinema or French mime artists of any era, the UK has a noble tradition of non-verbal comedy. Which is hardly surprising, given that two of its greatest innovators - Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel - were both English (the French are welcome to claim all the credit for mime).

Holy Fool: Stan Laurel

The key to Laurel's success, then, was his embrace of the truth of failure.

Tyneside tribute to Stan Laurel

A hotel on Tyneside is to mark the 50th anniversary of Stan Laurel's death with a special event.

Tribute to Stan and Ollie's genius and friendship

It's been half a century since Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy died, but their comedy lives on. Lucky Dog Theatre Productions is celebrating their legacy with Hats Off To Laurel & Hardy, a brand new show.

Jeffrey Holland talks about his new one-man play

Jeffrey Holland is currently gearing up for the worldwide premier of ...and this is my friend Mr Laurel, a 'labour of love' and a personal and heartfelt tribute to Stan Laurel, one of his comedy idols.

Hebburn is a fairly warm-hearted new sitcom written by stand-up comic Jason Cook. Set in the unremarkable town of Hebburn, South Tyneside, where Cook grew up, it revolves around a close-knit working-class family headed by Vic Reeves (billed under real name Jim Moir) and Gina McKee. He's affable and blokey, she's overbearingly well-meaning in the way sitcom mums almost always are.

Rounding out the brood are comedian Chris Ramsey - who looks like Stan Laurel moonlighting as a member of One Direction - as the prodigal son awkwardly introducing his "girlfriend" (Fresh Meat's Kimberley Nixon) to the family. But unbeknownst to them, the pair secretly wed in Vegas. Oh no! Apparently.

There's also a daffy gran prone to inappropriate outbursts, and a tart-with-a-heart sister. So no, it won't win any awards for originality (if indeed such awards existed). And that's Hebburn's problem: although it's packed with gags, they're mostly rather obvious and unremarkable. Cook - who also appears in a supporting role - can't resist all the usual cheap tracksuits and fake-tan jibes, and even throws a cheesy pub singer in for good measure. Tinged with pathos and black comedy, it's amiable enough, and nicely performed - especially by McKee, reminding us that she's capable of delivering much more than the frosty types she's usually cast as. But it isn't remotely distinctive or original.

Comedy of errors over Stan Laurel birthplace

An error over Stan Laurel's birthplace has led to red faces at a tourism organisation.

In pictures: Stan Laurel's letters to my grandmother

Picture gallery of rear Stan Laurel photographs.

A fine mess of photos attract Stan Laurel fans

Laurel and Hardy fans from across the world bid yesterday for photographs from a unique family archive of Stan Laurel.

Fifty-four items went under the hammer at Anderson and Garland in Newcastle and, although not every item sold, the sale raised almost £8,000, somewhat short of the preauction estimate of £10,000 to £15,000.

Rare photographs of comedian Stan Laurel are auctioned

A collection of family photographs of Cumbrian-born slapstick comedian Stan Laurel is going under the hammer in Newcastle.