Laurel-Hardy stunt to come alive in flash mob event

London (ANI): Oscar winner Tilda Swinton is set to organise a "flash mob" event inspired by Laurel and Hardy's routine from Way Out West during the upcoming Edinburgh International Film Festival. Swinton is collaborating with former festival director Mark Cousins for the stunt to promote a new trust the duo are setting up in a bid to get youngsters interested in films.

They want hundreds of volunteers to learn Stan and Ollie's routine and perform in Festival Square later this month shortly before they go public with plans for their 81/2 Foundation at the Filmhouse cinema. The move would witness thousands of young people across Scotland given access to free films when they turn eight and a half years old, and encouraged to host screenings at special parties.

Swinton and Cousins hope hundreds of youngsters will turn out for the flash mob event, which is being held on the morning of June 26. "In tribute to Stan and Ollie, and to dancing in public and in unabashed celebration of doing something as a group and looking like dafties... when the music starts, we will put down our newspapers and do the Laurel and Hardy dance," The Scotsman quoted the pair, as saying.