Barking mad Reggie ends up in doghouse and out of show
A performer in the new silent comedy theatre show Charlie and Stan is in the doghouse after inappropriate behaviour.
Reggie Wyndham, due to play Charlie Chaplin’s pet Scraps, has been sacked from the show after repeated bouts of barking and becoming over-friendly with his puppet understudy Shep.
The production said it took the “regretful decision” to replace Reggie just before the show opened on Saturday at the Theatre Royal Bath.
Producer David Pugh, who has won two Tony awards, said: “Reggie Wyndham’s behaviour became unacceptable as every time Stan Laurel is hit over the head with a frying pan, which is a lot, he barked.
“Reggie has become very protective of Jerone Marsh-reid, the actor playing Stan Laurel.”
Reggie had been in rehearsals for three weeks before opening night but repeated incidents left producers with no choice other than to replace him with Shep the puppet, whose tail had to be repaired.
Mr Pugh added: “It is with great regret we have taken this decision, but Reggie as a showbusiness veteran should know better.
“Reggie has sat peacefully on the laps of Nigel Havers and Sheridan Smith, although he did once wee on Gary Barlow’s leg, but the continual barking at the frying pan and the incident with the understudy puppet couldn’t be tolerated.”
The silent comedy, written and directed by Paul Hunter, follows the friendship of comedians Charlie Chaplin (played by Danielle Bird) and Stan Laurel who shared a ship’s cabin on their voyage to New York in 1910 before they found fame.
Nick Haverson plays comedian Fred Karno and Sara Alexander is playing all the other parts, including Chaplin’s mother, in the show which runs until Saturday (July 24).