LATEST KARNO NEWS
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THE LEGEND BEHIND THE LAUGHTER IS RELEASED
At last my biography of Karno is complete and is now available from bookstores and online. But rather than feed the sharks in the Amazon, please email me via the ‘Contact Us’ page and I’ll send you a signed author copy!
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Dec 20 - Delighted to announce that the book is complete and is now with the publishers. Watch this space for a release date around summer 2021. Thank you to everyone who has helped on this ten year project! If you would like to reserve a copy in advance please email me via the contact page
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November 20 - It is with great sadness that I have to report that Ken Westcott, grandson of Fred Karno (see photo left in red shirt), has passed away at the grand old age of 100. Ken was a great help to me on the book, sharing his family archive and making me very welcome at his home in Palm Springs when I had just begun this journey ten years ago. He was a gentleman and the final link to Karno himself. I’m glad to say he read my book before he passed away and gave it his seal of approval - that’s good enough for me. Rest in peace Ken and thank you.
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Jan 20 - Work on the book continues, in the meantime I continue to receive enquiries from all over the world from descendants of Karno comics seeking information on their ancestors. I’m always happy to share any info I can, so please don’t hesitate to contact me.
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May 19 - As my editting continues, there’s still time to find out new stuff! A lovely day was had with The Sons of The Desert, visiting the Grand Order of Water Rats in London. A behind the scenes look at their lodge, and a tour of their museum, including some unique items from Laurel and Hardy and Charlie Chaplin. And there’s Karno in the photo of the original Rats from all those years ago.
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April 19 - A trip to Lake Garda and a chance to see the home of Naomi Jacob, friend of the Karno’s and a major source for Gallaghers 1970 biography. She was a writer and a real character. We found her house (with its blue plaque), and her grave.
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Jan 19 - Excited to have been contacted by Peter Glanville who, as a small boy, lived next door to Karno in 1940! He had some fascinating stories from his mother who was with Karno when he died, and a tape of an interview she gave in the 1980s. Thanks Peter! I never cease to be amazed at the contacts that come up via this website.
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Oct 18 - An amazing story to share. A contact in Brazil has been trying to track down Fred Karno’s 1921 Rolls Royce for me. He traced it through various owners, until ending up with a contact for a British lady in Peru who’s relative had owned the car in the 1950s. She sent out an email to her extended family for more information and her nephew responded with a box full of photographs of his late uncle who had owned the car. Amazingly, that nephew was Graham, my next door neighbour!! Its a funny old world.
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Jan 18 - Gosh, where has the last six months gone! In the autumn I was lucky enough to purchase a selection of Karno memorabillia from A.J. Marriot’s collection as he headed off to retirement in spain - best of luck A.J.! And work on the book continues apace. I have completed a trawl of 30,000 newspaper references to Karno, which has taken a LOT longer than I’d hoped, but we’re nearly there now - and managed to establish an accurate timeline, details of all his productions, and prove, or disprove lots of things from the previous biographies. Really excited to be nearing the finish line on the book now. This WILL be the year it is published. Keep in touch, and thank you for everyone who continues to send me message and information - it is much appreciated.
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Nov 17 - Delighted to have received an email from the great grand-daugher or Bob Sewell, an original member of Karno’s first ever troupe - The Three Karnos.
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April 2017 - Great progress over the winter and some more fantastic revelations to be revealed. In addition to finishing the book this year, plans are now underway for a professional production of Khaotic! The Fred Karno Story, watch this space for more news.
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March 2017 - Huge congratulations to Thorpe Players in Norwich for their production of Khaotic! Well performed and enjoyed by all - including yours truly. I love this photo of their ‘Terrible Turkey’!
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November 2016 - Another year has flown by and much progress on the book. With my new research assistant working away we’re starting to get there at last!
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September 2016 - I recently did some filming with the BBC for ‘Celebrity Antiques
Roadtrip’ where I discussed Karno and his influence on comedy with comedy legend
Jennifer Saunders. The show 
aired on 14.11.16 7pm BBC 2.
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March 2015 – Well as you can tell from the gap in the news I’ve had a break from writing to build a house! An unexpected opportunity, but now completed and I’m glad to say sitting here in my new study I’m back to the book. Thank you to all those who have kept in touch and asked for news of the book - it really is well on the way and I’m hopeful will be finished by the end of the year - watch this space!
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September 2012 – On the 30th, I was delighted to speak at the unveiling of a blue plaque to Karno on the site of his former home and offices, The Fun Factory, in Southwell Road, Camberwell. The day was a great success and many thanks to Adrian and Neil at the Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America for making it all possible. The Karno family were delighted to finally see their ancestor’s legacy remembered.
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September 2012 – Attended another Karno reunion event organised by A.J. Marriot on the 29th September where more Karno relatives and researchers came together to celebrate the centenary of the 2012 Karno tour to America. As usual A.J. Gave us a varied programme and a great venue, the Cinema Museum in London.
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May 2012 – Brewin Books in Birmingham have signed up to publish the Biography which is great news, they have recently published ‘More Than I Can Stand’ the great biography of Charlie Hall written by my friend John Ullah and have done a great job. Looking forward to working with Brewin over the next twelve months.
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March 2012 – The Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America are working with me to get a ‘Blue Plaque’ on Karno’s Fun Factory in London. With the support of the family and the owners of the building we hope to announce the unveiling soon! Yours truly will be speaking at the event which should be a fitting tribute to Karno’s legacy.
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December 2011 – We have real potential to get a professional stage version of Khaotic produced thanks to the support of three local legends of comedy and the West End who have got together to work with me on the show. I can’t say too much at this stage but we’re hopeful that we can work up a version with a smaller cast and more original music. Watch this space!
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June 2011 – Thanks to A.J. Marriot, I have recently been put in touch with Fred Kitchen’s grandson which is a great thrill. If there are any other descendants of Karno comics out there I’d be delighted to hear from you as would A.J. – his site is on the links page.
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June 2011 - It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Fred Karno Westcott, Fred Karno’s grandson. Fred died peacefully in hospital in California on Sunday 26th June 2011 aged 91. The last Fred Karno – rest in peace.
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April 2011 - Khaotic! The Fred Karno Story, has won the prestigious NODA award for best musical production 2010. This is a fantastic achievement for all at From The Top Theatre Company who took on the show with such enthusiasm and dedication - thanks to all involved. More details on ‘The Musical’ page.
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November 2010 - I took an amazing trip to America researching the new Karno biography. I spent time with Karno’s two grandsons Kenneth and Fred III, who were intrigued that some guy from England wanted to know all about their grandfather. Fred’s granddaughter Jo joined me on the trip which provided a wealth of material for the book as well as a chance to make new friends. I was also lucky enough to meet Chuck McAnn and Richard Bann in L.A. who will be well know to all ‘Sons of the Desert’ as they met to establish their new ‘Hal Roach’ tent in Los Angeles.
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October 2010 - Premier of Khaotic! The Fred Karno Story at The Old Rep Theatre Birmingham. The show played to rave reviews and is now to be published by NODA - it will be available for further productions from Summer 2011. Watch this space! See ‘The Musical’ page for full details.
September 2010 - Writer A.J. Marriot bought together a unique group of people to commemorate the centenary of the 1910 Karno Company American tour, Chaplin and Stan Laurel’s first trip to America. This group included relatives of many of the comics in that company as well as Karno family and researchers. More details on A.J.’s site. As well as some fantastic presentations by A.J. Marriot, David Robinson and Kate Guyonvarch, we were treated to a tour of Fred Karno’s house (The Fun Factory) courtesy of Conor Masterson, and Karno’s houseboat The Astoria courtesy of David Gilmore.
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June 2010 - Warren Karno Atkins, Karno’s great nephew visited England from New Zealand, to attend rehearsals of the new musical based on Karno’s life, Khaotic! The Fred Karno Story. Warren, a writer himself declared himself delighted with the progress of the show and wished he could return in October for the premier!
Ken Westcott, and the late Fred Karno Westcott - Palm Springs November 2010
Mike Nemeth, Richard Bann, Dave Crump, and the late Chuck McAnn, Culver City Hotel L.A. Nov 2010
Peter Smith (composer), Warren Karno Atkins, Dave Crump (Libretto and Lyrics)
Dave at the unveiling of the plaque, along with Karno relatives Louise Murchison and Jo Sexton
(photo courtesy Connor Masterson)
