Q&A with Duo Jon & Jordan Conway

Jon and Jordan Conway are a father and son team who are co-owners, producers and writers for their theatre company, The World’s Biggest Productions.

Jon was born in a circus, retiring as an actor and comedy magician at 24, to co-found the Qdos entertainment empire, which he ran as creative director for 30 years. During this time he produced and created 500 pantomimes, three BBC TV shows, numerous global concert tours and two Las Vegas seasons. Jon also managed eight theatres and a talent agency boasting many household names. More recently Jon became a regional coordinator for the EU Referendum for the Leave Campaign, and has stood for parliament twice.

At 25 Jordan is an accomplished actor, comedian and filmmaker, who is responsible for the cartoon animation in ‘Elf The Musical’. Playing Charlie Chaplin in Laurel and Chaplin – The Feud will be Jordan’s West End debut, a role he received rave reviews for at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. Jordan, who has supported comedians Jason Manford, Bradley Walsh and Paul O’Grady, and has performed his own comedy show at Butlins, as part of the Crazy Comedy Company, which toured the UK in 2022. This Christmas Jordan will star as Peter Pan opposite Boy George’s Captain Hook, in a UK Arena and Theatre tour.

Entertainment Now chats with Jon and Jordan to find out more about their careers and what it’s like working together…

Jordan, did you always intend to follow your father into the theatre or did you have any other career ambitions?

As much as I love performing live, films have always been the goal. I prolifically watch and study movies; the acting, framing, directing styles and just about anything that the eye can see. I love all styles of storytelling, whether it be on the stage, on the screen or through music. My ambitions are high and I’m extremely dedicated and persistent to achieve whatever I set out to do. Strive, drive and thrive is always the inner monologue in my head.

Jordan, where did you train? Tell us about your career progression and highlights.

Whilst my training at LAMDA and The Met Film School have guided me, the honest answer is I am always training. I’m currently in Budapest training at one of the world’s best circus schools learning an aerial strap act. It’s important to always learn no matter how random the circumstance may seem at the time.

Despite being 25 I’ve achieved nearly everything I’ve done by working with and learning from comedy giants like Paul O’Grady, Bradley Walsh and Jason Manford, starring in a couple of short films, being on a BAFTA winning BBC tv show, being an official photographer for the late Queen, having my own comedy slapstick knockabout show for 2 years at Butlins, appearing in more pantomimes than I have fingers, and now about to make my West End Debut playing the lead role, the iconic Charlie Chaplin… no pressure! Whilst I have countless highlights and fond memories, I always look forwards rather than back, so starting this London venture as Chaplin is currently overwhelming in the best possible way.

Jon, what is it like working with Jordan? As father and son, both actors and sometimes co-producing, does it cause tension at times?

Not really, we work on the basis if one doesn’t like the idea, we don’t do it. We discuss the structure together, usually when we are traveling. For instance, most of Chaplin was put together when we were in Las Vegas at the start of the year. I write the first draft script and Jordan writes the second draft. We are very focused with defined tasks when we rehearse with a cast. An outsider would have no clue we were related, other then we both love to experiment and try new ideas once the basics are set.

Jon, you have two exciting new productions pending, let’s start with Laurel and Chaplin – The Feud. I understand that it is a true story of two great friends (Stan Laurel and Charlie Chaplin) who became mega-stars of comedy during the motion picture era, but fell out and didn’t speak for 25-years. The show has been described as two hours of slapstick humour that’s both hilarious and tragic. Can you let us into any secrets of their relationship that you uncovered?

We made a film three years ago called ‘Grimaldi’ about the clown who invented the modern pantomime. We read that Chaplin once said, without Grimaldi there would have been no Chaplin. The film won several awards including best director for me and best supporting actor for Jordan at the Los Angeles Independent film Festival. We both love the origin and technique of comedy, so it was natural to research Stan and Charlie next. We discovered they had been in the same show for two years, but never worked or met again. Given the whole Chris Rock and Will Smith feud had just happened, not to mention Harry and William, we wanted to find what their feud was about

Jordan, it is said that when Charlie Chaplin’s career took off in America, he abandoned his former pal Stan Laurel. Do you have sympathy for Stan Laurel? What is the hardest part of becoming Chaplin?

Whilst to some Chaplin was unlikeable, it’s undeniable that he shaped modern cinema and he is one of the greatest artiste’s that ever lived. He was terribly insecure due to his tragic childhood and was scared of anyone ‘taking his crown’. Do I have sympathy for Stan? Of course, Stan too was a genius but he was Chaplin’s understudy and room-mate for quite a while. I can’t help but think Chaplin shaped Stan, his thoughts and timing. I too have been an understudy and whilst you have to bring your own magic to the part, you still have to follow the nucleus of what the other person has moulded. Stan was never vocal about hating Chaplin, yet more vocal about not understanding him.

In my opinion I don’t think Chaplin understood himself whereas Stan did. I share more sympathy for Chaplin, he just wanted to make a difference and be loved. Even after everything he did for the world, putting smiles on their faces and distracting people from the terrible poverty, war, famine and poor economy, he was still kicked out of America (his home at the time), hated and ridiculed. Chaplin is misunderstood, an icon at worst and a genius at best. The hardest part about becoming Chaplin is executing his sadness whilst still trying to be ‘the funniest man in the world’.

When and where does the show open?

Monday 24 July at Cambridge Theatre, London for 5 weeks, then Blackpool Winter Gardens for the last week of the Summer holidays

Jon, you have enjoyed a stellar career with shows on Broadway and in Beijing, London and Las Vegas, and five original West End shows, recently you’ve seem to have turned your attention to producing large scale arena family shows such as the hit ‘Elf – The Musical’, and now Peter Pan. Perhaps you can share a few career highlights before giving us an insight into what will make this production of Peter Pan so special.

I was born on a circus, Paul Daniels taught me how to be a magician when I was a teenager, I appeared in 20 tv dramas in the 80’s, wrote Boogie Nights The 70’s Musical, then Happy Days- the arena spectacular with Henry Winkler based on the hit tv show. I was the first to create Peter Pan as a pantomime rather than a play, amongst 600 pantomimes I have created in 40 years. I simply decided to put everything I ever learned into one show and hey presto- Peter Pan- The Worlds Biggest Pantomime!

Jordan, you star as Peter Pan opposite that villain Captain Hook who I understand is being played by Boy George – lead singer of the 80’s pop band Culture Club. Have you had the chance to meet Boy George yet and what do you think he’ll bring to the role?

I’ve met George a few times now, he’s great. He invited me to one of his gigs and oh boy (pun intended) can the fella still sing. His voice is amazing; it’s going to be great sharing a stage with one of the most known artists of our generation. What fascinates me is that George famous in the 80’s is still relevant. Above all else, how many people can you say have achieved that? He’ll bring a sense of fun and professional class for sure. His look is brilliant and is just what a modernised Hook should look like. It will certainly be a career highlight.

Jon, you’ve also cast Dorit Kemsley of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills who is leaving her luxurious lifestyle in Los Angeles to reprise the roles of Mermaid and Mrs Darling. What inspired you to cast her?

In fact, it was Boy George’s idea. He is godfather to her kids, who will also be in the show, and he knew she wanted to start an acting career. Jordan and I went to Los Angeles and were astonished to find a film crew record our first meeting with her and she accepted the offer live on screen in front of the RHOBH cameras!

Jon, I understand that the show is touring some of Britain’s most famous theatrical locations. When and where will it play?

The two largest theatres in the country Blackpool Winter Gardens and Hammersmith Eventim Apollo followed by arenas in Liverpool, Cardiff, Birmingham, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Nottingham.