The panopticon is one of Glasgow best almost secret places, it’s over a hundred years old and has the honour that Arthur Stanley Jefferson, or as we know him Stan Laurel, made his first stage appearance in 1906. So, what better venue to go to on a Wednesday night.
First of all we had some dinner in a cracking restaurant called the Russian cafe, a great wee place off Merchant Square that does, surprisingly, Russian food.
I had the deep fried Ravioli
The good lady being vegetarian and so much healthier than me went for the stuffed pepper.
If you are in the part of the world, go its excellent, and the wee Russian sweets you get with the bill were nice as well.
Dinner finished it was a quick walk along Argyle street to the Panopticon past Stan’s plaque -
there are some cool wee shops along the way and the Panopticon does have some signs outside to guide you,
We almost up the wrong alley, and sometimes in Glasgow that's not a great idea.
Then we found the right one.
It’s a popular night and it's free! You have to make sure to get down early to get in as the Panopticon isn’t huge, so while standing in the queue waiting for entry I noticed the artwork on the wall opposite.
You might, if you didn’t know where to look, pass the entrance right by and never know.
Inside it’s like you stepped back in time,
The society that is renovating it has done a great job and if you want to look at more about this grand old place click below on the link
https://www.britanniapanopticon.org/
The Show itself
The night itself is partly organised by the Glasgow chapter of the Sons of the Desert, a Laurel and Hardy fan club that has been going for years, the people do a great job and tonight’s treats were,
Brats, a short made in 1930 where Stan and Ollie are constantly interrupted by their bratty kids, it’s a joy to watch and the set design is amazing, especially for the brats themselves. Directed by James Parrott.
Below Zero, another short made in 1930 were the eponymous pair try to make a living on a freezing winters day, it’s funny but also a look into America as was around that time, it looked cold and hard, but it’s a testament to the boys that it’s also funny as well, also directed by James Parrott
Pardon Us, a feature length coming in at around 56 minutes, was made in 1931. This time Stan and Ollie try to make it big as bootleggers and end up in the Big House. The pair are reunited with an old comedy foil James Finlayson and much hilarity ensues. There is a prison break a riot and a Thompson machine gun... Again, directed by James Parrott.
It's not a review because these are timeless classics, no amount of writing from me can convey the sheer joy of two comedy legends making it all look so effortless and at the same time be so endearing.
I could watch Stan and Ollie all night long, and two hours passed so very quickly, and now I am waiting for the next time I can go back, have the lights turned down and watch Laurel and Hardy and know that where I am watching these two legends Stan started out his career on that very stage in front of me.