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They used many of the techniques familiar from later double-acts - the 'interrupted act', where the straight man is trying to recite something and the comic gets in his way; and the argument where the straight man would be trapped into agreeing with the comic and then correct himself - can both be heard on the recordings.
They
were also knockabout comedians using a good deal of physical comedy.
Sam was tall and well-dressed, while Will was short and eccentric. He
would ask Sam questions and then hop around the stage shouting 'He
can't do it!'; he had a routine where he wrestled spectacularly with
himself (an idea reworked fifty years later by Graham Chapman of the
Monty Python team), and they also used a pantomime camel to
great effect.
In these two recordings it is possible to hear foreshadowings of Flanagan and Allen, and Morecambe and Wise. The humour is very basic by today's standards, but is put over with tremendous energy and presence.
Misunderstood (Columbia 1804).
The Village Blacksmith (Columbia 1823).
both recorded October/November 1911.
If you would like to download these recordings you can do so from this page.
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