The Chuckle Brothers
Barry and Paul- 'The Chuckle Brothers' combined successful careers in variety, pantomime and television to become the top 'double Act' to appear each year in pantoland.
They come from a 'Showbiz Dynasty'- their Brothers, the 'Patton Brothers' and their Father, Gene Patton was a popular variety star. See also our Patton Brothers article.
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The Chuckle Brothers on The Good Old Days This is a clip of both Paul and Barry, and Jimmy and Brian Patton performing as The Chuckle Brothers |
Gene Patton began as James Patton Elliott- Jimmy Elliott, a whistling comedian and dancer. His wife Amy was a dancer with the Rodney Hudson Troupe. Their family consisted of Jimmy and Brian, Sheila, and Paul and Barry, The family lived in Rotherham, and were constantly on tour.
Whilst principal comic in the Number 10 RAF Gang Show in 1943, Jimmy (Gene Patton) discovered the 19 year old Peter Sellers was in his company- with a great desire to be a drummer in the five piece band. The Gang Show toured India and Burma, covering over 30,000 miles, and during this time Jimmy encouraged the young Sellers to take part in sketches and routines. By the end of the tour Peter Sellers was Gene Patton's feed, as well as performing his own solo impersonation spot!
The eldest brothers formed the 'Patton Brothers' while Paul and Barry later adopted the working names of 'Harman & Elliott' before becoming 'The Harman Brothers' and appearing in Summer Season, Circus and in Pantomime
Barry (24th December 1944 - 5th August 2018) and Paul (born 18th October 1947) began entertaining from a very early age. In the 1980's they underwent another name change, and became 'The Chuckle Brothers' they had already appeared in over a decade of pantomimes as the 'Harmans' before they appeared on bills with their new name.
In 1967 they won 'Opportunity Knocks' on television, and later went on to become 'New Faces' winners in 1974.
In 1983 they appeared on television screens with a canine companion- not the Chucklehounds- that was to come a couple of years later- but with Roger The Dog and Ward Allan, in Ward's BBC 1 series 'The Roger The Dog Show'. Paul & Barry had previously been the 'warm Up' act to Ward Allan's ventriloquism in his stage tour. It was during this tour that a management saw them perform, and the road to 'Chucklevision' via the 'Chucklehounds' began.
In 1985, after appearing at Cardiff in pantomime, they got their break into the world of television appearing as 'The Chucklehounds' on children's TV, and released from the confines of the lovable dog costumes, they followed in their success in 1987 with 'Chucklevision', as popular now as ever with children and- it has to be admitted- adults throughout the country! They have a large student following for their TV and stage tours in the UK. The series is shown throughout the world- The Chuckles brought the skills and routines of pantomime into the living rooms, attracting new audiences with every series.
Following Barry's sad death in 2018, Paul continues to appear in Pantomime. Cinderella (Woking) 2018/19, Snow White (Bradford) 2019/20, Aladdin (Cardiff) 2021/22, Snow White (Milton Keynes) 2022/23 and Peter Pan (Woking) 2023/24.
1968/9 Swansea Grand Theatre - Jack and the Beanstalk
Centre -Wayne Fontana as Jack, with Sian Hopkins as Princess Sylvia. Dame Durden is Trevor Moreton and Roy Lance (right of Sian Hopkins) as Simple Simon.
The cast included Jonathan Prince (King Hearty), Jean & Peter Barbour as Spite & Blunderbore, Sandra Wrennall as Fairy and the Harmon Brothers as Village Policemen AND Daisy the Cow! Paul & Barry can be seen 4th from left and 4th from the right.
The Pantomimes
As 'The Harman Brothers', AKA Paul & Barry Harman AKA Harman & Elliott.
| 1967-68 | Babes In The Wood |
Malvern |
Don Ellis's production starring Sandy Powell as Dame, Don Ellis, Paul & Barry Harman as the Robbers with Eddie Read. |
| 1968-69 |
 Jack & The Beanstalk |
Swansea Grand |
as Village Policemen and Jessie The Cow! With Wayne Fontana, Trevor Moreton and Roy Lance. On the poster Paul & Barry were billed as 'The HarmOn Brothers' and 'HarmAn Brothers' in the programme. Directed by John Chilvers. |
| 1970-71 | Red Riding Hood | City Varieties, Leeds |
Paul & Barry as Bob & Pinch. Starring Kenny Cantor and Ken Barnes |
| 1971-72 | Aladdin | Civic, Barnsley |
This panto for Duggie Chapman, starring Bobby Bennet, The Harmans, Duggie Chapman and Suzanne Kaye |
| 1972-3 | Aladdin | Alhambra, Bradford |
or Hedley Claxton. With Bobby Bennett, Jack Tripp, Jasmine Dee, June Shand, |
| 1973-4 | Unknown |
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| 1974 |
During the summer Paul and Barry were the clowns at the Tower Circus, Blackpool |
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| 1974-75 | Cinderella | Bournemouth Pavilion |
Derek Salberg's pantomime starring Dickie Henderson, Arthur Askey, Paul & Barry Harman, Barry Howard and Danny O' Dea. |
| 1975-76 | Aladdin | Norwich |
Paul & Barry Harman, David Davenport, John Inman, Yvonne Marsh and George Barnes. |
| 1976-77 |
Click on image to enlarge Goldilocks |
Wolverhampton Grand |
Paul & Barry Harman also starring Su Pollard, Don Maclean and Anne Aston. |
| 1977-78 | Aladdin | Bournemouth Pavilion |
Robert Luff's production starring Don Maclean, Peter Butterworth, Lenny Henry, Pauline Whitaker and Paul & Barry Harman. |
| 1978-79 | Dick Whittington | Coventry Theatre |
as Harman & Elliott, Starring Tom O'Connor and Peter Butterworth. Presented by Bernard Delfont. |
| 1979-80 |
 Click on image to enlarge Cinderella |
Davenport Theatre, Southport |
as Harman & Elliott, Starring Charlie Drake and Anne Aston
Thank you to Paul Kavanagh for providing us with this handbill |
| 1980-81 | Puss In Boots | Kirkcaldy |
as Harman & Elliott with Joe Brady, Leon Sinden and Graham Bickley |
1972/3 - Alhambra, Bradford
Pantomimes as 'The Chuckle Brothers'
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1981-82 |
Dick Whittington |
Grand Swansea |
With Harry H. Corbett, Mike Holoway, Desmond Barrit and the Chuckle Brothers as Captain & Mate. |
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1982 - 83 |
Unknown |
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1983-84 |
Robin Hood |
Kirkcaldy |
as the Harman brothers (Returning to a venue they had played many times with their 'old' names) with Syd Francis as Dame and John Buick. Paul & Barry played the Robbers Will & Wont!' |
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1984-85 |
Robin Hood |
New Theatre Cardiff |
As The Chuckle Brothers with Ruth Madoc, Stu Francis, Kim Braden, Anna Karen, Douglas Fielding, Maurice Thorogood, Douglas Anderson |
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1985-86 |
Aladdin |
Civic Halifax. |
With Vince Hill, Linda Nolan and Geoff Capes. For Stanley Sher Productions. |
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1986-87 |
Jack & The Beanstalk |
Darlington |
For Nick Thomas with Bernie Clifton, Kathy Staff and Suzanne Dando. This panto included appearances by 'The Chucklehounds' |
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1987-88 |
Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood |
Civic Darlington |
for Nick Thomas with Stu Francis, Linda Nolan and Geoff Capes. This panto included appearances by 'The Chucklehounds' |
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1988-89 |
Dick Whittington |
St. Alban's Civic Hall |
for Nick Thomas. With Dave Lee Travis, Wincey Willis and the Chucklehounds. |
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1989-90 |
Cinderella |
Civic Darlington |
with Jimmy Cricket, Anna Karen, Chris Hayward and Simon Bashford. |
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1990-91 |
Cinderella |
The Hawth, Crawley |
With Dave Lee Travis, Maddie Cryer. |
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1991-92 |
Dick Whittington |
Hexagon, Reading |
Nick Thomas & Jon Conway
production with Anita Dobson, Christopher Biggins and Denise Douglas. |
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| Television Pantomime |
27th December 1991 |
Jack & The Beanstalk |
BBC One |
written by Jim Eldridge Fairy Queen: Lesley Joseph, Fairy Flap: Tricia George, First Jack: Barry Chuckle, Second Jack: Paul Chuckle, Squire Hire: John Altman, Dame Turtle: Lila Kaye, Madge the neighbour: Anne Charleston, Harp: Caroline O'Connor, Giant: Howard Lew Lewis, Barry Bitter: Matthew Devitt, Travellers: Andi Peters, Travellers: Simon Parkin, Presenters: Yvette Fielding, Presenters: Diane-Louise Jordan |
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1992-93 |
Dick Whittington |
Theatre Royal, Newcastle |
with Su Pollard, Peter Byrne, Roger Kitter and Jenny Coulston |
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1993-94 |
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs |
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton |
with Linda Lusardi, Stu Francis, Tommy Mundon, Nikki Kelly and Kenny Baker |
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1994-95 |
Cinderella |
Cambridge Corn Exchange |
with Dora Bryan, Ross Newton, Simone Robertson and Philip Day Archive ITV Report on production |
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1995-96 |
Jack & The Beanstalk |
Grand Swansea |
with Dan Falzon, Vicki Michelle, Patrick Mower, Zoe Nicholls and Owen Money |
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1996-97 |
Mother Goose |
Hippodrome Birmingham |
with Matthew Kelly, Vicki Michelle, Andy Crane, Bruce Roberts, Robert Duncan and Suzanne Dando
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1997-98 |
Dick Whittington |
Lyceum Sheffield |
with Robin Askwith, Bella Emberg, Tony Peers, Peter Byrne and James Horne. |
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1998-99 |
Dick Whittington |
Civic Darlington |
with Robin Askwith and Peter Byrne |
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1999-2000 |
Dick Whittington |
Alhambra Bradford |
with Lisa Riley, Tony Peers, Peter Byrne, Maurice Thorogood |
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2000-01 |
Jack & The Beanstalk |
Nottingham Theatre Royal |
with Don Maclean, Bonnie Langford, Tony Adams and Robin Askwith |
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2001-02 |
Aladdin |
Civic Darlington |
as Wishee & Washee. With their brothers, Jimmy & Brian- The Patton Brothers, Alan Meadows, Katie Costello and Nathan Zorchak. |
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2002-03 |
Aladdin |
Regent Stoke |
(Wishee & Washee) With The Patton Brothers once again, and Andrew Golding with Louise Stone. |
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2003-04 |
Cinderella |
Cliffs Pavilion Southend |
as Buttons & Zip with Dr.Evadne Hinge (George Logan) and Penny Taylor. |
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2004-05 |
Dick Whittington |
Opera House Manchester |
Captain & Mate with Helen Noble and Jeffrey Holland. |
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2005-06 |
Jack & The Beanstalk |
Plymouth Theatre Royal |
with Tudor Davies, Helen Noble, Jason Pethers and Roni Elizabeth Hart |
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2006-07 |
Cinderella |
New Theatre Hull |
as Buttons & Zip with Spencer K Gibbins and Roni Hart, |
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2007-08 |
Aladdin |
UK Tour |
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2008-09 | Aladdin | Cliffs Pavilion Southend | This pantomime marks Forty years of panto since they appeared at the Swansea Grand as Jessie The Cow! |
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2009-10 | A Christmas Chuckle | National Tour |
with The Patton Brothers, Safire (Jayne and Stuart Loughland) |
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2010-11 | The 12 Days of Christmas | National Tour | with Safire (Jayne and Stuart Loughland) |
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2011-12 | Cinderella |
New Theatre Hull |
 executive producer - Jon Conway directed and choreographed by Alan Harding musical direction by Iain Vince Gatt
The Chuckle Brothers Duncan Leighton Nathan Kiley Andrew Dyer Dom Hodson Nicky Adams Emma Dearden |
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2012-13 | Sleeping Beauty |
New Theatre Hull |
 Executive Producer - Jon Conway directed and choreographed by Alan Harding musical supervision by Olly Ashmore
The Chuckle Brothers Des King Wendy Sommerville Barry Bloxham Lea Marinelli Nick Millward |
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2013-14 | Aladdin |
Darlington Civic Theatre |
 directed by David Burrows musical direction by Andy Pickering choreographed by Craig Turbyfield
The Chuckle Brothers Philip Meeks Phil Corbitt Danny Potts Beth Stobbart Lois Brookes Danny Potts Emily Sunman Ricky Lee Loftus Kofi Aidoo Appiah Grace Reynolds Chelsea Inez |
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2014-15 | The Chuckles of Oz |
Darlington Civic Theatre |
The Chuckles of Oz directed by David Burrows musical direction by Joe Morley choreographed by Steven Harris
The Chuckle Brothers Emma Francis Adam C Booth Phil Corbitt Lauren Varnham Danny Potts Beth Stobbart Daniel Walker Alex Taylor-Robertson Bethany Whittle Sophie O'Connor Angela Sheppard Chris Kayson |
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2015-16 | Peter Pan |
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton |
adapted by Alan McHugh
directed by David Burrows
musical direction by David Lane
John Altman Ross Carpenter Lucy Evans Hannah Nicholas Kimmy Edwards Philip Town Sara Morley Angela Sheppard Penny Smart Austin Wilks Alex Sturman Cameron MacDonald Sophie O'Connor
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2016-17 | Jack and the Beanstalk |
Theatre Royal, Nottingham |
written by Jonathan Kiley and Alan McHugh directed by Ken Alexander musical supervision by Olly Ashmore musical direction by Allan Rogers choreographed by Paul Robinson
The Chuckle Brothers Tony Maudsley Chico Daniel Boys Sarah Earnshaw Paul Gabriel Gemma Buckingham Laura Ava Scott Helen Penn Dean McCullough Anthony Starr Hannah Faith Marram India Thornton Josh Edgington Ryan James |
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2017-18 | Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs |
The Mayflower, Southampton |
 written by Alan McHugh directed and choreographed by Andrew Wright musical direction by Simon Pickering The Chuckle Brothers Oliver Savile Charlotte Haines Richard Morgan Finlay McFarlane Jacob Morris Mark Laverty Michael Joseph Joe Douglass Scott Hayward Paul Toulson Holly Prentice Charlotte Alloway Ashleigh Graham Jordan Anderton Cameron MacDonald Mollie McGugan Liam Morris William Atkinson Hannah Kenna-Thomas |
This page was last updated 23rd August 2023
