Fred Karno (1866-1941), credited with inventing the 'custard pie in the face' gag, headed a speechless theatrical touring company which included a young Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel. Probably their most successful sketch was the Mumming Birds, a show within a show that featured chaotic acts being abused by a stage audience, including an angry drunk, often played by Chaplin or Laurel. Laurel later described the company as one of the most fantastically funny acts ever known - probably the greatest ensemble of the century.