Photo: Johnny Vegas, one of the newer practioners of a long tradition. Courtesy Museum of Lancashire.
Why did the chicken cross the road? To get to Grin up North! This new exhibition at the Museum of Lancashire until April 24, 2004 is a celebration of the spirit of Northern comedy.
Think George Formby's ukulele, the Blankety Blank cheque book and pen, Les Dawson's last panto costume and Ken Dodd's tickling stick and you start to get the idea.
Photo: from saucy postcards to tickling sticks and a ukulele, this is chance to find out what really makes us. Courtesy Museum of Lancashire.
What is a yokle? The middle of an Eggle.
From old favourites such as Hylda Baker to new stars such as Peter Kay, this exhibition is a celebration of northern comedy's great history.
Referring to the remarkable success of the region's comedians, museum curator John McGoldrick said: "It's down to the northern way of looking at life. It was a hard life and people needed to laugh about it."
Photo: with a smile and a quick tickle, comedian Ken Dodd was on hand to open the exhibition. Courtesy Museum of Lancashire.
Why did the elephant cross the road? Because he was in the wrong joke.
Stepping through a huge fibreglass reproduction of Ken Dodd's teeth, you can explore the Home of Comedy and see what makes the northern sense of humour so distinctive or visit the Hall of Fun to find out where today's comedians get their inspiration.
Where do fish go for facelifts? The plastic sturgeon.
In the Laughter Lab, families and children can find out the answers to such questions as Why do we laugh? Is laughter good for you? and, most importantly, Can you tickle a monkey? (apparently even great apes laugh when they are tickled)
Photo: try this one for size - Les Dawson's last panto costume, donated by his widow. Courtesy Museum of Lancashire.
Why do elephants have four feet? Because they would look silly with four inches.
With hands on exhibitions looking at the science of laughter, saucy seaside postcards and rare footage from famous Lancashire comedians, you can find out what tickles you. Just don't mention the mother-in-law…
How many real men does it take to change a lightbulb? Real men aren't scared of the dark.
