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Stephen Tompkinson, who visited Bradford's Alhambra Theatre in early 2007, was the latestÌýin a long line of actors to take on the role of Lord Fancourt Babberley in West Yorkshire's theatres. This famous role was originally created for the Victorian actor and theatre manager, W.S. Penley. That first production of 'Charley's Aunt' which opened on 21 December 1892Ìýwas the talk of the town. 'House Full' notices were regularly posted outside the Royalty and Globe Theatres where Brandon Thomas's farce ran continuously over a period of four years and 1466 performances.

An original Charley's Aunt poster!

Penley's last stage appearance in 1901 was in a London revival of the play, which had made his fortuneÌýand confirmed his reputation as aÌýcomic actor. Like many actors before, and since, he was full of self-doubtÌýand nearly turned down the role, which took two years to get staged.

Brandon Thomas had first been attracted to the stage after seeingÌý a burlesque staged in his home town ofÌýLiverpool. He could not take his eyes off the actor with a majestic white beard who entered in rags dragging behind him a long, tattered piece of material which he threw over his shoulder with a magnificent air as though it had been a prince's cloak. He could not believe that this was their family lodger, the youthful Henry Irving!

It was some years before he took the decision to leave his job as a book keeper with a Hull timber merchant to try his own luck in London. With the help of the actress Mrs Kendal, he made his debut at the Court Theatre in 1879. He was thirty years old and had to content himself with scraping a living playing small parts, touring and giving recitals at society functions and working men's clubs. On a nine-month tour across America with a company headed by Rosina Vokes and which included Weedon Grossmith, he achievedÌýsuccess as an actor, writer and producer. But it was three years before he was able to achieve comparable success back in England. A role in Arthur Wing Pinero's 'Sweet Lavender' gave him his first important part in London andÌýÌý placed him in the ranks of leading West End actors.

Thomas would have liked to be rememberedÌýfor his acting, but it is as the author of 'Charley's Aunt' that his name lives on.

To write for such an actor who possessed an extraordinary sense of humour, a genuinely funny face and very particular voice which could descend from a high pitch register to a deep baritoneÌý was inspiration enough forÌýBrandon. Looking at his large oval face and melancholy eyes, he could not get out of his mind a photograph ofÌýan elderly relative wearing a black bonnet and light shawl over her shoulders. As the train drew into Waterloo, he was already working out how to incorporate such a character into a play of youth and high spirits set in an Oxford college.

HavingÌýestablished the characters and the plot, the dialogue flowed from his pen and he wasted no time in presenting the finished script. Penley bought the rights, but then started to wonder whether at forty years of age, he could get away with playing the part of an Oxford undergraduate, whether audiences would accept his impersonating a woman, whether it was wise to consider finding the whole cost of the productionÌý himself!

Securing backers delayed the opening. In the meantime, Brandon agreed to a provincial try-out, which he hoped would give Penley more confidence in the project. The premiere of 'Charley's Aunt' took place on 29 February 1892Ìý at Bury St Edmunds to escape the gaze of London's theatre critics. It was well-received, but Brandon Thomas was prevented from seeing the production because of his ownÌýWest End stage commitments. It was not until several weeks later, when the productionÌýreached Portsmouth, that he saw it for himself. He was horrified. The running time had been cut to an hour-and-a-half, Penley havingÌýintroduced his own 'business' and ensured all the laughs for himself.

Theatre Royal: The place to be!

Thomas would not allow this to happen again. With funds forthcoming to allow a run at the Royalty,Ìýhe re-castÌýand directed the play, insisted on Penley learning his lines and sticking to the script, and took the part ofÌýSir Francis ChesneyÌýhimself.ÌýAbove all, he managed the temperamental actor - ensuring his gratitude and the triumph of the opening night. 'Penley will never want to play another part', was The Echo's verdict.

Advanced bookings reached record levels. The press was full of stories about the play and those involved in the production. Souvenirs of all kindsÌýsold in their thousands. In October 1893 the firstÌýtouring company set out for Australia. In the same month productions opened in New York, Berlin, and the Cape.ÌýBy December, there were seven companies touring Germany, nine in America and four in the British Isles.

'Charley's Aunt' finally arrived in Huddersfield on 10th June 1895. Despite the tropical weather, which might have suited Donna Lucia, the aunt of the play's title, theatregoers turned out in force. They were rewarded with a fantastic production: "Brilliant," said one observer, "not so much for its depth as for its originality, cleverness ofÌýdesign andÌýexecution, as well as for its bright, sparkling, and genuine fun". The play, the writer considered, was so cleverly written and so well acted "as to cause one furore of laughter, which lasts as long as the curtain is up".

Like all the classic farces, the story is simple. At St Olde's College, Charles Wykeham uses the imminent arrival of his Brazilian aunt to invite two young ladies to his rooms for tea. When Donna Lucia's visit is postponed and they are therefore without a chaperone, rather than cancel the tea party, Charles and his fellow student Jack persuade their friend 'Babbs' to impersonate the aunt. Lord Fancourt Babberley enjoys his new role and has great fun being kissed by the girls and sharing their confidences.ÌýHe is reluctant to give up his role, but then the real Donna Lucia turns up!ÌýWhilst the basic plot is simple, there are many diversions, but much of the humour comes from the fact that the audience are in the know whilst the characters they are watching are not.

Brandon Thomas died on 19th June 1914 but the laughter continues. His widow and children kept the tradition alive with Christmas seasons in London and toursÌýout on the road making regular visits to Huddersfield. 'Charley's Aunt' has been broadcast, filmed several times, adapted as a musicalÌý and is frequently revived. The part, which Brandon Thomas thought only W.S. Penley capable of performing, has been played by a host of actors, including Syd Chaplin, Jack Benny, Arthur Askey, Jose Ferrer, Ray Bolger, John Mills, Norman Wisdom, Danny La Rue, Michael Kitchen, Griff Rhys Jones, Mel Smith and now Stephen Tompkinson.

Brian Haigh is currently working at Huddersfield University on a project to develop an archive about theatre in the town. More Huddersfield theatre tales to come!