Jack Lane

Star of 1950s British stage and screen, the legendary Norman Wisdom packed houses across the UK, won the hearts of millions and remains one of the UK’s comedy icons.

The world of post-war Music Hall and Variety embraced his trademark manic slapstick routine and catapulted him to stardom. Over the years he perfected an act that would go on to shape his unique style; his cloth cap, ill-fitting suit and classic underdog character leading Charlie Chaplin to describe him as his ‘favourite clown’. Success on the silver screen including the hit song ‘Don’t Laugh at Me’ sealed his fame.

But, as ever, fame came at a price…

Portraying thirty characters in this tour de force performance, Jack Lane takes you through a journey of the hardships of Norman Wisdom, who endured living in the streets of London as a young boy, before transforming himself into an absolute comedic sensation with his iconic Gump character, Norman Pitkin. Wisdom Of A Fool leaves audiences on the edge of their seats, as Jack Lane brings to life the man who truly did it all, from becoming the British Army’s Flyweight Boxing Champion in the 1930’s and then dominating the British Film Industry in the 1950s with his first motion picture Trouble in Store and hit song ‘Don’t Laugh At Me’.

Jack Lane takes you on an emotional roller coaster, revealing the man –and the extraordinary talent - behind the Gump costume.