A TALENTED, influential and flamboyant character whose contribution to theatre is often overshadowed by that of his son- the comic film legend Stan Laurel- is celebrated in a new book.

Arthur Jefferson. Man of the Theatre and Father of Stan Laurel by Danny Lawrence, thought to be the first biography of the man, tells his story.

Mr Jefferson was regarded as a fine actor in his own right as well as being a major influence on his son Stanley, who became one half of the hugely successful film duo Laurel and Hardy.

He was also a dramatist and his plays entertained packed houses across the UK and abroad.

A comedy sketch he wrote for the theatre in 1906 was later adapted by Stan, who had performed in it as a teenager, and became one of Laurel and Hardy’s first films Duck Soup in 1927.

His connection with the North East began in 1899, when he took over the lease of the Theatre Royal in Bishop Auckland and remained in charge for seven years. The town is still proud of its connections to the pair.

Arthur went on to run theatres in North Shields, Blyth, Wallsend and Hebburn until his entertainment empire fell apart and the family went to Scotland.

During his years as a theatre lessee, Arthur had to confront the huge challenges to local, live, intimate theatre from global, silent and then sound cinema.

Ironically, it was the very success of films like those of Laurel and Hardy which all but destroyed the network of provincial drama theatres which Arthur loved so much.

By the time that Arthur died, in obscurity, in 1949, show business had moved on significantly.

Despite once rubbing shoulders with the likes of Charles Dickens, Sir Henry Irving, Bram Stoker and Mrs Patrick Campbell his passing went largely unnoticed by the theatrical world of the day.

Mr Lawrence, who has also penned a book about Stan, launched the book this week in North Shields and said it tells the fascinating human story of Arthur and the whole Jefferson family.

In it he describes the many ups and sometimes tragic downs in Arthur’s life including his unusual family background, his acting career, the reception afforded his plays and sketches, his many years as a theatre lessee, his brief sortie into film-making, and his time as a theatrical agent.

It also discusses his two marriages and the lives of his four children, all of whom followed him into show business.

He said it pulls together an accumulation of rich, previously unpublished material, dispels myths and contains much that is new about the whole Jefferson family.

For enquiries email themakingofstanlaurel@virginmedia.com, call 0115-9178550 or 07968 153928 or contact publisher Brewin Books at admin@brewinbooks.com 01527-854228.