Rob and Darren Harper are two brothers who have built up quite a reputation in the world of show business. They virtually grew up in theatres and coming from a comedy background (Bobby Ball is their father) it was inevitable that the lads would inherit the same comedy humour.
The lads haven’t always worked together; Darren was bitten by the music bug and travelled the World with his own band – Hitchcock Railway and The Kid – whilst Rob concentrated on his solo vocal/comedy show up and down the country.
The lads got together one night in 2000 at a charity event at The Bistro French in Preston, UK. Since that day HARPER have gone from strength to strength. After appearing at the Stage Showcall Showcase, the Stage newspaper wrote that the lads were ‘one of the highlights of the evening’.
The boys were next asked to perform at the legendary North Pier Theatre in Blackpool with Joe Longthorne and then, with their reputation growing and growing they toured with Joe Longthorne and supported one of Britain’s funny men, Freddie Starr. They also appeared on tour with their friend Johnny Casson.
The Harper Brothers’ diary is now getting fuller and fuller, regularly working for Pontins, Warners, Butlins, Park Resorts and Thompson Gold. They have even presented a TV pilot show called Bands In Transit. They have worked many times for P&O on their ships, The Oreana, Oceana, Aurora and Arcadia, as well as many overseas engagements.
In 2005 they burst onto the Panto scene, playing Smee and Starkey in Hammond Productions’ version of Peter Pan at The Victoria Theatre, Halifax and one of the highlights of their career was being asked to appear with Peter Kay at the Blackpool Opera House.
In 2006 there was a three-month UK tour of a comedy production called Funny Guys featuring Cannon and Ball, and the boys recorded an interview for the BBC programme called The Story of Light Entertainment. ITV also did a feature on the boys.
After 2006’s record breaking pantomime with Darren Day and Duggie Brown in Billingham Forum’s Jack and The Beanstalk, the boys were then asked ‘where they had been hiding their shining lights’ and were described as a revelation by The Stage for their performances as Captain and Mate at the Ashcroft Theatre Croydon in Duo’s production of Dick Whittington, with Lucy Benjamin and John Lyons.
2007 proved to be one of the busiest years yet. As well as working up and down the UK, and in Majorca, Ibiza and Cyprus for Thompson Gold, the lads are also working on Thompson Cruise Ships – The Destiny, Celebration and The Emerald.
2008 saw the Harper Brothers playing the Chinese Policemen in Aladdin – starring Deborah Stephenson – at the Ipswich Regents Theatre for Duo Productions, to great acclaim.
Personality Artistes Ltd solely represent the Harper Brothers.
For further information telephone 01253 899988/899333 or email jean@personalityxtra.com.
