Duck Soup in Dundee: A Screening of Laurel & Hardy’s Classic 1927 Film

A special event co-hosted by the Abertay Historical Society and Lifelong Learning Dundee, supported by the British Music Hall Society

To celebrate Music Hall and Variety Day 2025, join us for a special screening of Laurel and Hardy’s 1927 film ‘Duck Soup’. Once thought to be lost, the film is one of the earliest pairings of Laurel and Hardy, before they were officially billed as a comic duo.

The plot was based on a sketch, 'Home From The Honeymoon', originally written in 1908 by Stan’s father, Arthur J Jefferson, with help from a teenage Stan. It was performed in music halls across the UK, including here in Dundee where Stan also appeared on stage.

The screening will be introduced by two short talks:

Matthew Jarron (University of Dundee museum curator and film history tutor for Lifelong Learning Dundee) on Music Hall performers in silent comedy.

Dr Billy Rough (School of Art History, University of St Andrews) on Stan Laurel in Dundee and his early Music Hall years.

The event will take place in Lecture Theatre 2, Dalhousie Building, University of Dundee