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18th January 2012 Updated 20th January
Dave Lee MBE
Here at IBY we were very saddened to hear that panto legend
Dave Lee MBE has
passed away on January 16th.
Dave was honoured with the MBE for his charity work- in particular Dave Lee’s
Happy Holidays Charity raised over two million pounds for children in need of
laughter and joy. Dave supplied plenty of this through both his work as a
comedian, in pantomime and in his charitable and sporting causes.
Dave was to play Baron Hardup this Christmas at the Marlowe Canturbury, where he
has been appearing for the past 16 productions, including “The Jungle Book” in
2007 and Peter Pan at the Marlowe Arena. This year’s pantomime , running until
January 22nd
starred Stephen Mulhern, John Partridge, Sue Devaney and Ben Roddy- he was
billed and on the handbill when sadly due to ill health Dave was forced to
withdraw from the production. His battle with pancreatic cancel ended yesterday.
He was 64 years old.
A
firm favourite in Kent, and much loved as commentator for Lashings World XI,
Lashings Cricket Club, he was to receive the honour of being created a Freeman of
the City Of Canterbury on January 31st.
Many of Dave’s fans remember him from the Marlowe
Pantomimes, and from his tours with Jim Davidson’s adult pantomime- “Sinderella”
with Jim and Charlie Drake. Dave featured as Ugly Sister opposite Roger Kitter
in the "Sinderella" Video of Jim Davidson's stage show- this also featured Jess
Conrad, Mia Carla and Diane Lee, and later Simon Bashford played Ugly Sister
opposite Dave at Manchester and in London.
He is remembered too for his television appearances
in shows – “Live From The Palladium”, The Brian Conley Show, Jim Davidson
Presents, Big Break, A Royal Gala For Prince Charles and Des O’Connor Tonight.
As well as his own show- “The Fat Bloke Show”.
Here at IBY we would welcome tributes and memories of
Dave from those who worked alongside him, from his friends, from the members of
the panto audiences who came to see him each year at Canturbury, and from all
his colleagues. Please feel free to
mail us here and we can add them to the tributes already pouring in to
facebook, twitter and in the online newspaper pages throughout the South East.
We begin with one from Simon Bashford- his “Sister” in “Sinderella”-
Tributes
'I was really sad
to hear last night that Comedy Legend Dave Lee has passed away, I had the
pleasure of working opposite this beautiful, giving man when I joined the
company of Jim Davidson's SINDERELLA in the West End at the Cambridge Theatre,
before playing a season at the Opera House, Blackpool.
Dave took me
under his wing and we bonded instantly. Playing opposite him every night was a
master class in comedy excellence, I treasure the memories and learned so much
from a true master of his art.
Sleep well lovely
man and thank you for being my 'Big Sis!'
Simon
Bashford (The Skinny One!)
Dave Lee and I go back years. He was a "Turn" as it were, long before me..but we were bonded by Light Entertainment and the great flag of London Weekend Television. Me on Copycats and he appearing on other Light Entertainment shows during the 80's with me. Dave was of course also a great drummer earlier in his career in the 60's ....this was after his many years pitching door to door selling technique with various household appliances......but it was Comedy he excelled at. We also shared the Support Act slot nicely plus we had the same management too..ie ..Dave would support Jim Davidson one year ..I would do the next...then I would support Richard Digance on tour and he would do the year after etc etc...so our paths crossed a lot.
I used to stay with him and his late wife Linda when in Herne Kent..they became good mates.
Doing panto at the Marlowe theatre Canterbury was my highlight of Dave and seeing the genuine adoration my pal had from the audience...i just knew he was their legend coming back year after year entertaining the audiences of Kent.
When he invited you to his dressing room for a drink....it was all set up like a bar with optics the lot..but i rarely saw Dave drink himself if ever. He just wanted to entertain his mates.
He was the most pleasant honest caring fun thoughtful family minded man i have ever had the pleasure to know. A truly great comic..a wonderful Panto dame...an actor, Singer ,drummer and finally, if grandad's were Carlsberg....he'd probably be The BEST!! xxx
I shall miss my friend. We were texting each
other every couple of days from the moment he found out he was ill, to 2 days
before he died. Never will I forget that smile that lit up a TV studio...or a
stage....and the Ghost Bench gag will somehow always have a small part of it
missing....well...when I say small.....lol..xxx
RIP Dave Lee MBE
xxxxxx
I'm very sad to hear the news the wonderful Dave Lee is no longer with us, I did my very first job as pretty boy dancer in Cinderella at the Marlowe Theatre Canterbury with Dave as Baron Hardup. And there couldn't have been a more joyous introduction to the world of Panto. Dave was loved by one and all.
Like all good things we think they will be here forever and it's awful when they're suddenly not, however I know no one can say the words Dave Lee without a warm smile on their face and what a wonderful tribute to legendary man.
Martin Ramsdin
I first worked with the legendary Dave Lee in
Aladdin at the Marlowe in Canterbury when I stepped in to replace Colin
Devereaux who had had to pull out of the role of Widow Twankey because of
cancer. Dave made me feel so welcome and part of the team in what was obviously
a sad situation for the Marlowe regulars at the time! I had the huge pleasure of
working again with him in Panto the following year and also appearing in two of
his incredible charity shows. He had such a passion for and a joy of life. He
worked constantly for his charity sending ill and under privileged children on
holidays they would otherwise not have had.
I have such fond memories of him establishing the "Fat Boys Club" which was basically him, Colin Baker, me and an honorary membership given to the significantly less rotund Phil Holden who would dash from the theatre each Wednesday for a late night banquet at Dave's sons wonderful pub/restaurant just outside Canterbury.....wonderful!
I directed Dave as Daddy Warbucks in the Canterbury community production of Annie staged by our dear mutual friend, Kevin Wood. Dave's accuracy on the text was less than perfect but mattered so little when his glorious personality filled the stage earning a hugely warm round of applause on his first entrance every performance. The people of Kent had long previously taken this gentle, good hearted giant to their hearts where I know his legacy will remain.
Rest in Peace my fellow fat boy and if you get a chance, find a quiet corner up there and see if you can't finally learn the words to NYC.
I, like so many others will miss you dearly but am grateful for having known you. Thanks Dave.xxx
Eric Potts
Dave Lee
MBE was a pantomime legend. He performed in the Marlowe Theatre pantomime for
sixteen consecutive years. He appeared in over 1000 performances and, in all
that time, he never missed one single show which is a great testament to his
professionalism. Over the years, he played Baron Hardup, Herman the Henchman,
French Frank, Dandini, Ugly Sister, Dame Trot, Nurse Nellie, Widow Twankey and
(believe it or not) Tinkerbelly in Peter Pan! He will be best remembered as our
Dame and he really was one of the best in the business. He played the role as
it should be played… 'a man in a frock'! In fact, more than that, he played it
as 'Dave Lee in a frock' and that's what made it unique, hilarious and truly
memorable.
I always referred to Dave as
'Kent's Best Mate' and that's exactly what he was. Everybody who met Dave
warmed to him instantly. He had a gag for every occasion and he never had a bad
word for anyone. He really was an inspiration. In this business, we all do
work for charity but Dave went further. Much further. He raised over 2 million
pounds for his own charity 'Dave Lee's Happy Holidays' and thousands of
disadvantaged and under-privileged children benefited from his kindness and
generosity. For that, he will never be forgotten.
Dave Lee was one of the greats. He was a great comedian,, a great Dame, a great philanthropist and, more than anything, a great friend. We at Evolution and the people of Kent will miss him. The legendary ghost gag routine will never quite be the same without him.
Paul Hendy
From Hayden Parker a link:
From Kent online-
http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/news/2012/january/17/comedian_dave_lee_dies_after.aspx
24th October 2011
Caro Gurney
We were saddened by the news that Caro Gurney passed
away last week after an illness at the age of sixty three.
Caro was among the top Principal Boys of the late 1970’s
and 80’s, and brought an enormous amount of style and humour to the roles she
played in pantomime.
Following the news that veteran performer Kalman Glass
died recently, this is especially sad. I appeared in the Leicester Haymarket
“Mother Goose” with both Kalman and Caro in 1978. Caro played the swaggering
hero Colin, alongside Roy MaCready as Dame, Suzanne Kaye as Principal Girl in
this sparkling Terry Parson designed production.
Caro along with many other members of the pantomime cast
was already in repertory at Leicester and performing in their production of “My
Fair Lady”, which transferred to London’s Adelphi Theatre the same year. Caro
appeared in the musical and covered Liz Robertson as Eliza, and went on to
perform the role opposite Tony Britton. This production also starred Dame Anna
Neagle and ran for 891 performances.
Caro had appeared as Guinevere opposite Richard Harris
in “Camelot” and as Queen Elizabeth opposite Paul Jones in “Drakes Deam”. Caro
had a strong sense of comic timing and became a favourite of Roy Hudd, making
many appearances in the revue “Just A Verse And Chorus” by Weston and Lee.
Graham Hoadly appeared with Caro in this show at the Churchill Theatre Bromley
in 1986. Here is a link to youtube to
enjoy Caro and Graham in a pantomime songsheet from the revue. She also appeared
in the farce “Run For Your Wife” with Eric Sykes and Robin Nedwell, as well as
farces like “Boeing-Boeing”.
The following year in 1987 I had the great joy of
reuniting with Caro when she and June Shand teamed up at Ilford’s Kenneth More
Theatre to play Dandini and Prince respectively in “Cinderella”. Peter Robbins
and I played Sisters opposite these two truly wonderful “Boys”.
As “Boy” Caro worked opposite Frank Ifield, Dickie
Murdock, Charlie Williams, Les Dennis and his then “Sister” partner Dustin Gee
in “Cinderella”, with Dana, Michael Barrymore and opposite Les Dawson.
Caro appeared in many Music Hall productions around the
country, with Roy Hudd and with Aline Waites and the Abba Dabba Music Hall.
I only wish that aspiring performers and potential
Female Principal Boys of the future (should that tradition ever return) could
have seen Caro Gurney light up the stage as Panto Boy. She had the style and the
timing that cannot be taught. We will miss her in Pantoland.
18th October 2011
Book Review - Creating Pantomime by Joyce Branagh and Keith Orton
This hugely readable, colourful and educational book is
just what Panto has needed for a good while. It acts as a handbook to aspiring
Pantomime producers and societies on the one hand, but has enough fascinating
fact and practical advice to work on several levels, for the ‘Pro to admire and
the Amateur to aspire!
It also acts as a compact “Coffee Table”
book crammed with sumptuous colour photographs
and illustrations. It is rare to find a book on the genre published recently
that actually has a dip in and indulge quality- I enjoyed it very much, and will
continue to enjoy it as I find it a useful resource as well as an enjoyable
read. I especially enjoyed the sections about the Watford Palace Pantomimes and
The Coliseum Oldham Pantomimes- two of my favourite venues, along with
Nottingham Playhouse and Hackney Empire outside of the vast commercial stages.
The book’s introduction describes the passion that
guides it, and this passion for panto is all too apparent in its pages. The
authors claim that “The synthesis between writer/director and designer exists to
create the most successful pantomime- I would add that the addition of inspired
casting and a core of experienced pantomime artistes will create the most
magical pantomime!
Sections on scenery and costume were backed up by
excellent illustrations. Panto is all about colour, and any book that ignores
that element will not hold the attention of anyone except for the most ardent
scholar. This is a book to read from cover to cover, or use as a reference tome-
however you treat it it is well worth purchasing- and at £16.99 for all those
colour photographs I think it is a huge bargain, and a great Christmas gift for
the panto fan or the panto artiste!
Enjoy this book. I certainly did!
Nigel Ellacott 28/9/11
Creating Pantomime : by Joyce Branagh and Keith Orton.
www.crowood.com
ISBN 978 1 84797 255 2
18th October 2011
Pantomime is not just for Christmas - it's for life!
Several times during
the year I’m asked for contact details of managements and whether I have any
insider information on auditions (I don’t!). I am also asked for advice from
actors regarding auditioning for pantomime- often an actor’s first job outside
of drama school. That gave me the idea to pen a few thoughts that may, or may
not be of use....
From the audience’s
point of view, Pantomime is a perennial entertainment, unique to this country,
and it happens over the Festive Season when the nights draw in, and the Yule
logs crackle by an open fire.
The audience knows it
is a “safe” place to take the family- the kids, Gran and Granddad. They know it
will always be there. Warm and comforting, and that it will never change.
Ah! But of course it does change, and it has changed
over its peculiar development into one of
This Panto season
alone, over 360 professional pantomimes will be staged in this country, and a
great many actors, musicians and technicians will be employed for periods of up
to nine or ten weeks in many cases. Annually it provides regular work for an
army of artistes and techies, it employs musicians (although it has to be said
in ever decreasing numbers) writers, directors, choreographers and a vast army
of outworkers- Scenic artists, wardrobe and prop makers, footwear suppliers and
wig makers. Pantomime monopolises the transport industry as pantechnicons travel
the length and breadth of the land collecting wardrobe boxes, crystal coaches
and giant inflatable beanstalks!
The preparation for the
annual onslaught from Fairyland begins, on average while the current pantomime
is half-way through. The Pantomime “Giants” are not looking for Daisy the Cow to
make a Daisy-Burger; they are the “Big Boys” who control the largest number of
productions around the country. In this year of writing Qdos hold the poll
position as pantomime employers.
Qdos will produce
twenty three pantomimes in the UK this season, with three in Scotland, one in
Belfast and three in Wales, and the others ranging from The Hippodrome
Birmingham, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Plymouth and The Alhambra Bradford.
First Family Entertainment has eight prestige
pantomimes on offer this season, with venues ranging from Wimbledon to
Manchester
Opera House.
Paul Holman Associates (PHA) has thirteen pantomimes
this year, Imagine has Eleven pantomimes, while UK Productions has Ten
pantomimes around the country. Evolution, has six,
Hiss & Boo has four and
Duo
Productions, John Spillers , New Pantomime Productions and Sheer Enchantment are
just a few of the many producing managements providing pantomimes all around the
UK.
A helpful place to search out these companies would be
on the diary section of this website:
www.its-behind-you.com. Every pantomime in the UK is listed there. There are
useful links to each of the producers.
If you consider that
Qdos will employ on average ten principals, six to eight dancers, six musicians,
A director, choreographer, company manager, three stage management in each of
their twenty venues- the numbers begin to mount up. In addition the venue will
provide a stage crew, electricians, sound and wardrobe staff, as well as the
combined efforts of in house marketing, publicity, box office and FOH staff.
Pantomime is often the longest running show in the
provinces during the year.Seasons can run between four to nine weeks.At the
moment the current short Christmas school holiday has affected the pantomime
business in some areas. A three week run now fits in with the school break.
However the lengthy runs can still be found- The Alhambra Theatre Bradford runs
until February 4th,and the Stevenage pantomime is a long running
production each year.
Major star names adorn
the posters. The Managements increasingly trying to outdo their rivals with
bigger names, more lavish productions- with standards constantly rising, panto
is no longer the poorer relation of the theatre world. Admittedly there was a
lull somewhere in the 1960’s and 70’s when it seemed as if an air of complacency
had settled in pantoland, but over the past few decades the genre has taken on a
new lustre.
A few years ago the newspapers were delighted to
announce that a theatrical Knight, one Ian McKellan was to don the skirts of
Widow Twankey and perform panto at the Old Vic no less! The lure of the Golden
Egg has brought soap stars from
There’s nothing new in
this- Panto has simply done what it does best. It has constantly taken on board
the new, the novel the “Now” and the “Wow” factors to keep its position as our
premier family entertainment. Augustus Harris employed the “star” system at the
Drury Lane Pantomimes of the 1890’s. Pantomime sucked in Music Hall stars and
the odd sporting celebrity in the Edwardian era just as today it might embrace a
Big Brother “Celebrity” or a bona fide classical actor from the RSC.
Desmond Barritt, much
loved at the RSC was performing as Dame many years before Sir Ian. Sir George
Robey was doing the same sixty years before.
Pantomime has always
had its stars- from Dan Leno to Danny La Rue. It has always had its impresarios,
from Augustus Harris, Francis Laidler, and Emile Littler to Paul Elliott. It has
also been a home to many artistes starting out in the business, and still
remains so today. In this day and age it may be difficult “ to solve a problem
like” a first job, but with pantomime as a major employer of actors, singers and
dancers, it is “a very good place to start”!
I’m my 30th year of pantomime. It came as
quite a shock to receive a call from a
Peter and I had made a
conscious decision twenty-five years previously. That decision was that we would
specialise. When I started in “the business”, many of the Ugly Sisters in
pantomime were specialists. They were a double act that arrived at the theatre
“Act as known”. They brought with them all their costumes, their props and their
routines. By the early 1980’s this style seemed to be dying out. We saw a gap in
the market, and decided to market ourselves as a complete package. Hopefully
this saved management time in rehearsals, and money in costuming two actors. The
rapport between us didn’t hurt either!
Pantomime is the place
to specialise. The traditional characters of the plots are tailor made for this.
There are the comics- the younger comedians who follow the origins laid down in
commedia d’ell arte- those of Harlequin who evolved into “Buttons” or “Muddles”
or “Simple Simon”. There are the Principal Girls, who, like Columbine before
them are expected to be the epitome of femininity, but unlike Columbine are
expected nowadays to have a “belter” of a voice- sweet ballads have evolved into
“The Saturdays” latest hit!
The Dame role appeals
to both the older comic and the character actor, The “Sisters” to character
actors with a penchant for villainy and high camp. Sadly today the role of
Principal Boy is more likely to be cast as a male. Up until Norman Wisdom played
“Dick Whittington” at the London Palladium, the role seemed safely held by the
ladies. However, things change, and eventually we might see the resurgence of
the fishnets and swagger that personified the role. For now the requirements are
Hollyoaks looks and a strong singing voice.
Pantomime is not
ageist. As well as encouraging the newcomer, it welcomes the elder statesmen of
theatre. There are roles for Villains, Kings, Fairy Queens and of course Dames,
as well as Wicked Queens and Baronesses. Maturity, and the well crafted skills
learnt in a lifetime of performing and observing are more than welcome in
Pantoland.
If I had to use just
one word to describe the chief requirement a performer needs in Panto, it would
be this: Energy.
Energy is required both
in performance on stage, and if it is well controlled and paced, off stage as
well. The audience is young. The attention span of the average child is getting
shorter. Panto has evolved to meet this new challenge. The pace is faster, the
dialogue sharper, the effects more transfixing. However- woe betide the
performer who lacks energy. The children will not be fooled by a lack of energy,
and a lack of truth. Truth is the second requirement.
Pantomimes may be
lavish and spectacular. They should be comical and magical, but the entire
structure is based on one solid and immovable thing- the plot. It is the story
that will transfix the audience. It is what drives the pantomime onward through
to its inevitable conclusion. That good will always overcome evil.
That simple retelling
of what is essentially a morality play can only be held together by truth. If
the performer believes in their character- be it good or evil, then the
audience, and the child in every audience will believe in it too. In panto we
have no “Fourth Wall”. We talk directly to the audience at times (well, certain
characters can. Others shouldn’t). Barriers you find in plays are broken down.
Direct contact is encouraged. A pantomime is, after all, the original
“Interactive” game.
To create the magic
that IS pantomime, we onstage must believe in that magic. We must do it with a
truth and a great deal of energy if that magic is to work.
Pantomime is larger
than life. When we are on that stage we become almost cartoon characters.
Gestures are broad, expressions are big, and the excitement of the storyline is
expressed by our excitement in performing it. Twice a day. Every day. Six days a
week. Twelve shows a week for perhaps eight weeks. That energy must be
controlled and it must be paced. I’d lie if I said it isn’t tiring. Peter and I
changed costumes twelve times a show. We strove to make each and every
performance seem like it is the first time we had done it. So does everyone
else. It is tiring, it can be exhausting, but the feedback you receive knocks
performing a play into a cocked hat!
Sadly Peter Robbins, my
“Sister” and friend of over thirty years passed away suddenly in the Spring of
2009. We were to have played Wolverhampton that Christmas in “Cinderella”. It
was hugely touching to discover the overwhelming love and support that flooded
in after his death. This helped me come to terms with the loss of a very dear
friend, and, after consulting with Michael Harrison at Qdos, to make the
decision to head down the Dame path. I really couldn’t imagine playing “Sister”
with anyone else after nearly 29 years with Peter.
Dame Dolly was my first
foray into Dame-dom, at the Kenneth More Theatre -2009-10- among mates, and with
the time and space to see how the character was going to develop. It was a very
good launching pad and I learned a lot.
This year, 2011 began
with me appearing in “Jack and The Beanstalk” at the Orchard Theatre Dartford as
Dame Trott. Each year I’m getting to play a Dame Role that I’ve probably written
a dozen times, but never played before. It is all strangely new and yet familiar
at the same time. The transition from “Sister” to someone’s Mum has well and
truly begun. Costumes have been tweaked, or made from scratch, and the very
glamorous costumes still get a look in, but only when the money comes rolling in
to Trott’s Farm, Dame Dolly’s Coffers or Twankey’s Twin Tub and Washeteria!
After finishing panto
and seeing the pantomime at Ilford that I’d written and designed, there was a
gap of about a month before discussions were taking place about the next
Pantomime- 2011-12, which is to be “Aladdin” at The Venue Cymru in Llandudno
with Jason Gardiner in his first panto and me in my thirty-fifth I believe, but
my first Twankey.
The costumes I designed
for this season’s “Jack & The Beanstalk” at The Kenneth More Theatre were made
during the Summer- having spent April and May sourcing the fabrics, completing
sketches and finding the makers. These were completed on the second week of
September, in time for the first leg of the Pantomime Roadshow.
The roadshow which
features Andrew Ryan, Nathan Daniel and myself played to around four and a half
thousand children in East London, and in late October will visit Glasgow (on
behalf of the SECC) and Bradford (on behalf of the Alhambra Theatre) to play to
around six thousand children before it ends.
In between designing
the Ilford “Jack”, I’ve organised the fourteen costume changes I’ll need for
“Aladdin”, consulting with Jonathan Kiley at Qdos as to how best to fit in the
costumes. There are several new costumes that I’ve had made, and a few wigs, as
well as adapting a few stock costumes of mine to fit in with Peking!
After that there are
two weeks to pack and get the Twankey Costumes skipped and shipped, and
rehearsals will begin for the next pantomime- Aladdin.
Pantomime
is not just for Christmas, - it’s for life. OH YES IT IS!
28th September 2011
Sequins and Sparkles - Danny La Rue Costume Exhibition
We have had this blog forwarded to us outlining a visit to an exhibition of Danny's costumes with Annie Galbraith, who readers of IBY will know as Danny's costumier and close friend. Some fantastic photos.
http://tonbridgedaily.blogspot.com/2011/09/sequins-and-sparkles-exhibition-of.html
28th September 2011
Kalman Glass
We at IBY were saddened to hear that veteran pantomime dame Kalman Glass has passed away this morning at the age of 83. Kalman was one of Scotland's fine Dames and character actors, and specialised in the Baroness Role in "Cinderella" for several years. I had the great pleasure of working with Kalman in pantomime at the Haymarket Theatre Leicester in 1978-79 in "Mother Goose". Kalman played two roles- Squire of Littleworth and King Gander- he was an enormous man with an enormous personality.His wit, theatricality and warmth were very much to the fore! Roy Macready played Dame, Suzanne Kaye was Principal Girl and Caro Gurney played Boy. We are grateful to Kalman's Great Nephew Mike Jackson for sending us this sad news.
Nigel Ellacott 15th September 2011
23rd July 2011
Mander and Mitchenson Collection - A New Home
The Mander & Mitchenson collection – This vast archive of
theatre and pantomime related ephemera has finally found a permanent home- it is
now housed in the University Of Bristol Scholars and students of Pantomime can
request to view items by contacting Heather Romaine at the University.:
The University Of
Bristol Theatre Collection,
Dept. Of Drama,
Cantocks Close
Bristol BS4 3DQ
Heather Romaine
http://www.bris.ac.uk/theatrecollection/
Tel:
0117 331 5086
The M&M collection has been added to the theatre archive/collection of Bristol.
Not currently online .
Take a look at their website as the Friends of the Theatre Collection have a
good selection of greetings cards for sale by post.
13th June 2011
Herald Scotland - An Interview with Michael Harrison
by Brian Beacom - 1st November 2010
He is only 29 years old but impresario Michael Harrison is aiming to change the
way Scotland sees pantomime.
Meeting Michael Harrison, the hottest young theatre producer in the UK, is more
of a surprise than discovering the Ugly Sisters to be sympathetic, that Sleeping
Beauty is insomnious or Snow White in fact favours the Fake Bake-look.
First up, there’s his clothes. Theatre producers who lunch with Elaine Paige and
have the likes of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Cameron Mackintosh on speed dial
typically wear slick Savile Row suits, or perhaps a flamboyant velvet
three-piece more in keeping with the theatricality of the world of stage.
Harrison, however, a man with 21 pantomimes under his aegis – including
Glasgow’s upcoming Armadillo spectacular with John Barrowman – looks more like a
media studies lecturer, dressed in sports jacket, casual shirt and designer-free
jeans. Success, with a series of hit shows such as Art and Witches Of Eastwick,
clearly hasn’t gone to his wardrobe.
The Geordie working-class accent of the man is also incongruous, a million miles
away from the fey voices of West End theatre producer legends such as Binkie
Beaumont. Then you discover that he was born without a right arm and wears a
prosthetic.
But it’s his age that’s the real surprise. At 29, Harrison’s career has
developed faster than a casting director can say ‘Next!’, not only with his own
company Michael Harrison Productions, but as managing director of panto giants
Qdos Entertainment.
Harrison’s big break came via the King’s Theatre in Glasgow. “I decided to study
acting at Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh,” he recalls. “But I was honest
with everyone from the start that I didn’t want to act, that I wanted to become
a producer, and the tutors accepted this. The course leaders in fact suggested I
go over to the King’s, which was in panto rehearsal at the time, and just watch
and learn. So that’s what I did, watching Alex Norton direct Elaine C Smith and
Johnny Watson in Sleeping Beauty.”
The King’s manager at that time, Pauline Murphy, would let Harrison sit in the
auditorium as often as he liked. Smith was aware of this quiet young
phantom-like figure who would creep in quietly and sit at the back of the
stalls. “I was impressed with his keenness,” she says. “He was desperate to
learn.”
Six years later the phantom Geordie would be back at the King’s, but this time
as the director. During a phone call Murphy revealed that the King’s was looking
for a director for the next year’s panto, Mother Goose, as Norton had recently
signed up to Taggart.
“I said; ‘I’ll do it!’” Harrison recalls, grinning at the sheer cheek he
displayed. “Pauline laughed and asked if I’d ever directed panto before. I said
‘No.’ And while she knew I was desperate to do it, she reckoned she wouldn’t get
the idea past her bosses, Ambassador Theatre Group. So I said, ‘Look, Pauline,
go back and tell them I’ll do it for a pound’. She said ‘Are you serious?’”
He was. The bold idea at least got him to a meeting with ATG boss David
Williams, who passed the final decision on to Smith, who was starring that year.
Thankfully, Smith remembered him from the back-of-the-stalls days and was so
impressed by his plans for panto – the need to accentuate the elements of magic
and surprise, his plans to fly a fairy across the auditorium, to use film and
pyrotechnics – she backed him to the hilt.
In fairytale style, the panto run was a massive success (and he got paid the
full rate) and soon Harrison was headhunted by Britain’s biggest panto
production company, Qdos. A remit to produce four pantos expanded to eight
across the country, which eventually grew to become 21, with the proviso he
could run his own separate company, Michael Harrison Productions. The result has
been co-productions with the likes of Lloyd Webber’s Aspects Of Love with David
Essex, and Cameron Mackintosh’s Witches Of Eastwick, starring Marti Pellow.
But where did this talent emerge from?
“I’ve always loved theatre,” says Harrison, retracing his stage steps. “From the
age of six I appeared in everything I could, from the local drama club to panto
to operatic societies, and I’d sit staring wondrously at the likes of Dana in
Snow White at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle or watch Little and Large in Jack
And the Beanstalk dozens of times.”
And while you can’t imagine many people ever running off to Sheffield to see Les
Dennis in Aladdin, the young Geordie boy did just that. But his dream of
becoming an actor faded as fast as dry ice.
“I wasn’t any good,” he says. “Then I thought I may become a theatre manager.
But when I realised what a producer does, I knew that was the job for me.”
What do producers do? They find a sensational show they assume people will flock
to see, book a theatre, hire a director, a stunning cast, a lighting crew. Then
they pray to the gods for a hit. After the show’s run, they either wheelbarrow
the takings to the bank or remortgage the house, sell the kids into slavery –
and have another go.
Aged 14, the first-time producer rang up the local community centres and social
club his grandfather frequented in Wallsend, put on a deep voice to sound older,
and offered to stage a custom-made panto. Given the green light, he hired two
am-dram actors, rigged up old curtains for a front cloth and taped a series of
songs on his ghetto blaster. Old Mother Hubbard was a smash hit.
“I paid the actors £25, and the social club paid me £200. So I thought, ‘This is alright!’ But I couldn’t just do it at Christmas. What about the rest of the year? My granddad suggested the old folk would love a music hall show, the Good Old Days, so I did that as well.
Looking back, the shows were pretty terrible, the posters for example were done
in dayglo paper, but I learned how to make a few quid.”
Harrison even made a few quid producing small shows while at college (when he
wasn’t watching panto rehearsals) but he still craved the elusive break into the
big time. That came about on his return to Newcastle and a chance meeting with
the late Peter Sarah, then manager of the city’s Theatre Royal. Sarah was so
impressed that he offered him an introduction to every major producer in the
West End. And just 15 minutes into the meeting with David Pugh (Art, Equus,
Rebecca), Harrison had a short-term contract to promote Pugh’s current touring
play, the Morecambe and Wise tribute, The Play What I Wrote.
“I thought he was mad to take a chance on me,” says Harrison. “But he did.”
The colourful Pugh denies the insanity accusation. “I thought he was one of the
most enthusiastic people I’d ever met. He was just so passionate about theatre.”
Pugh adds, with a dry delivery; “I then took him on as an envelope stuffer – but
to be honest he was pretty hopeless. Stuffed about three a week.”
Pugh wasn’t really offering the young hopeful a job as an envelope stuffer. What
he was offering was an apprenticeship, a front row seat to the reality of
producer life where Harrison could learn from both the triumphs (Equus and Art)
and the disasters (The Play What I Wrote, when it moved to Broadway.)
Pugh wasn’t surprised when his ambitious assistant left to produce for Qdos and
set up his own production company, teaming up successfully with the likes of
Lloyd Webber or Elaine C Smith and producer husband Bob Morton’s RPM company,
with whom he toured comedy shows such as The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband.
Interestingly, Harrison admits he doesn’t have to love a show to produce it.
“It’s all very subjective, of course, but I’ve produced shows that I think are
terrible. What’s important is that audiences will like them. Yet, there are
others I’ve lost money with, such as the Al Jolson Show with Allan Stewart,
where we lost forty grand, but would produce again and again. I’m convinced I
just have to build it.”
The odd setback comes with the territory. But you sense not only does Harrison
have a gift for judging zeitgeist, he is also a psychology master who
understands performers.
“Everybody warned me off working with Elaine C Smith and Gerard Kelly,” he says,
grinning. “I was told that two giant egos together would be too much to handle.
But I’ve worked on two pantos with Elaine and produced three plays with her and
we’ve never had a cross word. We’ve had discussions, yes. But you can’t fall
out.”
Pellow, whom he worked with on Witches for a year, proved to be a demanding
creature.
“David Essex is, as you’d imagine, laid back, and one of life’s really nice men.
But Marti would call me nightly, complaining about the sound. Yet, he was only
calling because there was a problem. And I quite liked the fact he could ring me
and get it sorted. The good ones all have an opinion, and rightly so.” He adds;
“I’ve produced Elaine Paige’s last two concert tours and while some say she’s
difficult, I always look forward to a Sunday lunch with Elaine.”
Harrison is certainly not an actors’ yes man. “Actors get to go out on stage and
if they’re good they’ll get a 1000 people applauding them. And that’s fantastic.
But they’re not sitting in an office every day worrying how to raise the money
to put on a show or if there’s enough money to pay the wages on Thursday for the
one that’s currently running.”
Harrison’s prosthetic arm has perhaps not made him a great envelope stuffer. But
if anyone ever thought it would be a hindrance to his career, they never
bothered to tell the hot shot producer about it.
“It can be embarrassing – not for me, but for other people, when they go to
shake my right hand,” he says with a shrug. “But it’s not hindered me.
“I never think that I’ve had anything to prove because of my arm. If I’ve got
anything to prove it’s because the last show I did was crap and I want to get
the next one better. And it’s not that I’ve lost the arm. I never had one so I
don’t miss it.”
He adds, a mischievous smile slipping onto his face. “People work with me for
weeks before they realise about the arm, but sometimes when I get a bit drunk I
take it off and it gets passed around Joe Allen’s [the trendy Covent Garden
eatery]. I’ve never gone home without it, but had a real laugh watching people
find it.”
Harrison admits he fully expects to become a failure. “I haven’t been in that
position yet, but it will happen. Probably three times in a producer’s career.
But it seems the major disasters come about when you try the West End. I
deliberately haven’t produced in the West End because when I do I want to put on
a show that’s incredibly special.”
That could be his current dream, a stage version of the Whitney Houston film The
Bodyguard. If sheer enthusiasm for the theatre world is a factor, Harrison will
certainly succeed. It’s no surprise to discover he has no hobbies, that he
actually lives in London’s Theatreland, in an apartment in St Martin’s Lane. Nor
is it a shock to learn his partner is also in the business, actress Kathryn
Rooney. “We’ve been together six years and it’s lucky she understands completely
what I do. But she’s a normal actress.”
Normal actress? Surely an oxymoron?
“She has her moments,” he says. “But no, she’s got a great sense of humour and
loves the business as much as I do.”
The pair met when Rooney played Snow White to Lesley Joseph’s Wicked Queen in
one of his productions. “She was in a relationship at the time. And I went to
her dressing room one night and I said, ‘You’ve got a choice here. I’m offering
me, or you can stick with him.’ And she came down to my house in London for the
weekend and never went back.”
Harrison’s soft-spoken voice belies grit and determination. And the more you
chat to him the more you realise he represents a fascinating dichotomy; he’s
terribly serious about his work, and yet terribly funny. He’s certainly serious
about changing the face of panto in Glasgow, bringing panto to the Armadillo for
the first time.
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to be doing the panto at the
King’s,” he admits. “But they didn’t want me. They’ve got their own outfit.”
The King’s may regret their decision to pass on the talents of the uber-producer.
Now, Harrison is primed for battle, with Barrowman and The Krankies his weapons.
“Indications are the business will be fantastic,” he says, “and we expect to get
an audience of people who don’t come to the panto. And we don’t think we’ll
affect the Pavilion at all. It’s a different audience.”
If the Armadillo experiment is successful, don’t be surprised if Elaine C Smith
returns in 2011 to star at the same venue. Meantime, Harrison can’t sit still
and chat any more. He has hit shows to produce, Michael Ball to lunch with.
“My mum often reminds me that on Christmas mornings my brother would open his
presents slowly, spend ages trying it out, see if it works. But I’d open mine,
look at it, then move on to the next thing. That sort of sums me up. Always
looking ahead. But still enjoying the journey.”
He adds, smiling; “It’s theatre. How can you not enjoy it?”
26th April 2011
Hinge and Bracket Petition
We have been approached by some Hinge and Bracket fans asking for us to lend our support to an online petition regarding the Doctor and the Dame.
Sue Lavender, with the support of the Hinge and Bracket Fan Club, is trying to get the BBC to blow the dust off the H&B TV recordings and actually broadcast them again. They are also asking for a TV tribute to be made in time for the 10th anniversary of Patrick Fyffe's death, which will be in May 2012.
The Hinge and Bracket Comedy Classic TV Tribute petition is at www.petitiononline.com/HandBTVT/petition.html - if, like us, you still miss these 'Dear Ladies' on our TV screens then please add your signature to those who are missing some 'Gala Evenings' on the BBC.
You might like to check out the official website www.hingeandbracket-official.co.uk where you will find a fantastic wealth of information and also the chance to take part in an auction, if you wish, to win one of Dame Hilda's stage dresses and also a signed copy of Dame Hilda's autobiography 'One Little Maid.
18th April 2011
Trevor Bannister
14th August 1934 - 14th April 2011
Here at IBY we were very sad to hear of the death of Trevor Bannister aged 76. Alongside the role of Mr Lucas in Are You Being Served, which is probably what most people will remember him for, he was an exceptional pantomime dame. He last appeared in Newport in the 2004/5 season in Aladdin. He will be sadly missed.
In December 2003 he was interviewed by BBC South Yorkshire about playing Dame entitled DAME ACADEMY - a fascinating insight. Part One Part Two - it also contains two audio interviews.
20th November 2010
Michael Sharvell-Martin (1944 - 2010)
We are sorry to report another loss to the panto community. Michael was due to have performed this year in Windsor. He is a veteran of many pantomimes for E&B/Qdos and many other companies, and is pictured below with Freddie Lees as Sister. For a full obit, follow the link to The Stage.
30th October 2010 Updated 3rd December 2010
Some more sad news today in the death of seasoned pantomime performer Dave Peters. We are awaiting tributes from a number of Dave's friends and colleagues and will post these as we receive them.
Dave Peters
Stephen 'On The Buses' Lewis and Dave Peters performing The Echo Gag
29th October 2010
We are saddened here at IBY to hear today of the death of Gerard Kelly and also, earlier this month, of Paul Gyngell. All our best wishes are with their families at this very difficult time.
Gerard Kelly
27th May 1959 - 28th October 2010
Gerard Kelly was to have appeared at the King's Theatre in Glasgow in Snow White this season, but he died after a short illness last night at the age of 51. He celebrated his 20th year in Pantomime at the Kings last year, and he will be greatly missed. Tributes have been flooding in, and many articles have appeared already on this uncrowned King of Scottish Pantomime.
First Family Entertainment, the producers of the pantomime at the Kings, have released this short statement:-
Everyone at the King's Theatre is shocked and saddened by the news of Gerard Kelly.
Our thoughts are with his family at this moment. The King's Theatre crown has lost one of its most precious jewels.
Stars Pay Tribute to Gerard Kelly
Paul Gyngell
26th Jan 1959 - 3rd October 2010
We are also saddened to hear of the death of Paul Gyngell, a true professional and one of our Princes at the Hippodrome in Birmingham in 1995/6 (pictured above with Jodie Jackson our Cinders). His friends and family have set up an appreciation page on Facebook.
29th October 2010
Over The Footlights
Not wasting any time after his retirement from the Kenneth More Theatre, Vivyan Ellacott has launched a new website www.overthefootlights.co.uk - an Online Encyclopaedia of British Theatre History incorporating Rogues and Vagabonds, and An Encyclopaedia of London's Theatres and Music Halls. Well worth a visit.
6th October 2010
Sir Norman Wisdom (1915-2010)
4th February 1915 - 4th October 2010
Here at IBY we are very saddened to hear of the death of Sir Norman Wisdom, one of the great comedians of the 20th Century. Norman died peacefully on the Isle Of Man which had been his home for a good many years.
Norman�s contribution to pantomime was hugely important. He was responsible for the current trend of having the role of Principal Boy in pantomime played by a male actor.
His break-through sellout appearance as Aladdin at the London Palladium in 1956 led to a succession of male performers taking the roles of Robin Hood, Dick Whittington and Robinson Crusoe.In this pantomime he appeared with Valentine Dyall, Sonnie Hale and Ken Wilson.
Norman was to return to the Palladium as Dick Whittington in the pantomime �Turn Again Whittington� in 1960. His co stars were the songstress Yana, and veteran comedians Billy Whittaker and Ken Wilson.
His Buttons in Cinderella was the stuff of pantomime dreams, and his appearances in Pantomime and Ice Show Pantomimes (At Wembley) continued throughout his career.
In 1952 whilst starring in �Cinderella� at The Grand Theatre Wolverhampton he raced down to London to be reunited with his comedy heroes- Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, who he appeared with in Variety.
It was thanks to Rex Harrison the British film actor that Norman Wisdom�s career began. The star saw him perform in a charity show and suggested he take up the profession. He made his debut in 1946 having left the army, and swiftly ascended the ladder to stardom in both stage and in films.
As the star of Rank�s film like �Trouble In Store� and �One Good Turn� he became a household name and a cinema favourite. His numerous films include �The Square Peg�, �The Bulldog Breed�, �A Stitch In Time� playing his �Gump� character of Norman Pitkin, the put upon working class hero- much in the vein of George Formby before him. Charlie Chaplin cited him as one of his favourite comedians.
He broke into the American Movie market with his appearance as the Vaudeville comic in �The Night They Raided Minsky�s�.
Television viewers recall Sir Norman (He was Knighted in 2000) as far back as the Sunday Night at the London Palladium shows in the 1950�s, appearing opposite Bruce Forsythe performing the classic panto sketch �Papering The Parlour� through to his appearances on BBC TV�s long running �The Last Of The Summer Wine�. Norman made appearances in this series from 1995 to 2004.
He decided to retire at the age of 90 to spend more time playing golf.
The Grand Order Of Water Rats, The worlds of Theatre Film and Pantomime will sorely miss the small man with the huge comic skill that was Sir Norman Wisdom.
LINKS
Norman Wisdom Website (with tributes and more links)
BBC Article - How Slapstick stayed the course
11th September 2010
All Change at the KMT
On September 5th my brother Vivyan Ellacott retired as Artistic Director and General Manager of the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford.
Vivyan's retirement from the day to day running of the KMT will not end his directorial connection with the theatre- he'll be returning to the KMT to direct Sleeping Beauty his 36th pantomime in December. In the next few months he will be lecturing in Shakespeare and drama at a University in Bulgaria before returning to prepare for pantoland once again.
On Sunday 5th the Kenneth More hosted a tribute show to mark his retirement. It was attended by nearly 500 people- when the auditorium sold out the show was relayed in the foyers on a screen. Nearly ninety people appeared in his show which was written and devised by the KMT's technical Manager Rob Mitchell-Gears. There were so many people involved in this production from artistes to the volunteer Theatre Club Members who provided staff, that it would be nigh impossible to name them all.
Backstage was amazing- IBY's Nigel and Simon bumped into each other from time to time- Simon, down from Cardiff was immaculate in Dinner Jacket with an Operatic Aria up his sleeve, and Nigel was dressed in polka dots with a yellow wig on at the time!
Gilly Daniels and Nigel, Yolanda Grant-Thompson and Simon
Old friends and performers from nearly thirty seven years ago were there to see Vivyan off on his new adventures- To name but a few panto folk Freddie Lees, Steven Fischer, Gilly Daniels, Peter Dayson, and from recent times Steven Day, Zoe Ellen, Rikki and Tammi Stone in a show that followed a narrative of a Yellow Brick Road featuring Panto regulars Loraine Porter, Isobel Hurll, Anna Karen, Natalie Cleverley alongside Katie Waller , Laura Nayman, Simon Lipkin and Nic Greenshields.
Steven Day
The 'Glorious Dames Of The KMT' were represented by Keith Hopkins, Christopher Marlowe, Andrew Ryan, Marc Seymour and myself (Nigel Ellacott!). That was one crowded dressing room! Five Dames in crinolines- a clutch of Dames in fact!
Before!
After! The Dames of the KMT!
Christopher Marlowe, Marc Seymour, Keith Hopkins, Nigel Ellacott and Andrew Ryan
It was a hugely emotional and an amazing experience. The evening concluded with a speech by David Ian, a presentation by Barbara Hills and a filed tribute to Viv's work at this East London Theatre of the past thirty-seven years. All those shows.. all those Pantomimes- and it all started with a pantomime- starring Harry Secombe at The Swansea Empire Theatre.
Natalie Cleverley, Rikki Stone, Viv, Barbara Hills, Nigel, Loraine Porter
Vivyan made his professional debut as a child dancer in the 1949/1950 pantomime at the Swansea Empire, and got his first grown-up job in 1962 working as Studio Manager for BBC TV in Cardiff.
Swansea Empire - 1949
In order to pay his way through University, between 1963 and 1966, he undertook all manner of backstage and television work, from playing a policeman in a TV drama series to working as a stagehand at the Royal Opera House. He also worked in a number of Fringe theatres including the Open Space in Tottenham Court Road. After University he worked as House Manager of the Grand Theatre, Swansea, and at Wimbledon Theatre, and then returned to Wales as staff producer with the Welsh National Opera and later as Manager of the Swansea Grand.
Isobel Hurll, Viv, Marc Seymour
During his years at the Swansea Grand Theatre he worked alongside the Artistic Director John Chilvers, and as well as his involvement in the long repertory seasons at Swansea, he was involved in the pantomimes. The Swansea Panto would run from Boxing Day through until St. David's Day on the 1st March- and played to capacity audiences from all over South Wales. The stars of those pantomimes included those from the 'pop' era- Marty Wilde, Jess Conrad, Johhny DeLittle and Vince Eager, and included established stars such as Ivor Emmanuel, Stan Stennett, Reg Dixon, Ivor Owen, Ryan and Ronnie, Clive Dunn, Harry H. Corbett and many others. Further details on these pantomimes can be found in our Swansea Snapshot article or on www.swanseasgrand.co.uk
Keith Hopkins, Barbara Hills, Barrie Stacey, Nigel
In 1973 he came to Ilford to take up the post of General Manager and Artistic Director of the Kenneth More Theatre. He has been based at Ilford since then, during which time he has directed over 275 in-house productions, including 35 pantomimes, and 28 operas. These Operas were presented by Edna Graham and frequently featured our very own Simon Curtis (IBY's co-host) in roles before he joined the Welsh National Opera Company. Vivyan also presented around 130 musicals and innumerable plays, ranging from Shakespeare to farce.
Simon Curtis and Danielle Denoto - Carmen 1997
Pantomimes were instrumental in the planning schedule of the Kenneth More Theatre. They play to almost total sell out capacity, and have done since the first 'Dick Whittington' directed by in 1975.
Puss in Boots - Freddie Lees as Dame and Nigel Ellacott as Puss
The Theatre at that time had only recently opened its doors to the public, and had no stock of either costumes or scenery. For the first two pantomimes the scenery and costumes were hired, and following that the theatre invested in buying two productions of 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Mother Goose' from Producers Cyril Fletcher and his wife Betty Astell. Nearly all of these original costumes can still be found in the Kenneth More's costume store- but now they are joined by additional costumes created for the KMT over the past thirty years! Most of these were constructed by the KMT's Wardrobe Mistress, Margaret Brice.
For a small sample of these see our recent article on costumes designed by Nigel Ellacott .
Simon Lipkin, Rikki Stone
Over the years the KMT under Vivyan's direction has launched the careers of quite a few West End Stars and personalities. In the world of Pantomime the KMT has enjoyed the talents of pantomime specialists and established Dames like Freddie Lees, Desmond Barritt, Roy Alvis, Terry Gardner, Keith Hopkins, Adam Daye, Kent Baker, as well as launching the Dame careers of Peter Thorne, Christopher Marlowe, Marc Seymour, Andrew Ryan and Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins.
Desmond Barritt
Performers who played Panto here in their early careers include Michael French, Paula Jennings, Hilary O'Neil, Jenny Powell, David Ian, Jonathan Kiley and Anthony Lyn with a number of KMT regulars who have performed here over a great number of years- Loraine Porter, Isobel Hurll and Robert Quarry. Robert incidentally holds the pantomime record for the greatest number of consecutive pantomime performances in one theatre- 36 years with never a performance missed!
Outside of the KMT, Vivyan's freelance work has included directing an opera in Communist- controlled East Berlin, when he became the first Western director to work behind the Iron Curtain. His other opera work has included productions in Mannheim, Vienna and Budapest. He has directed several UK national tours including a record-breaking 'Rocky Horror Show' which toured non-stop for seven years from 1983 to 1990, playing every major theatre in the UK, and in France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Austria and Israel. In this tour alone his work was seen in 109 different theatres. This production saw several cast changes- among the Frank N Furters were Jeffrey Longmore, Jonathan Kiley, Bobby Bannerman, Bobby Crush, Mark Turnbull and Cameron Stewart. Other cast members included Peter Thorne, David Ian, Marc Seymour, Andrew Ryan, Alison Pollard, Julie Faye, Julie Fox, Paul Critchlow, and Lorinda King.
Natalie Cleverley and Katie Waller
Vivyan served 3 years on the Drama Panel of the Welsh Arts Council, 15 years as Chairman of the Commercial Theatre Producers Committee of Great Britain, 12 years on the Theatrical Management Association Executive and the Theatres Advisory Council, and recently completed thirty years as a Trustee of the Theatre Council of Great Britain.
Glen McLaughlin, Marc Seymour and Andrew Ryan
In 2001 Vivyan was honoured with the Freedom of the London Borough of Redbridge in recognition of his long service to the arts in Redbridge. He will be returning to direct his 36th pantomime 'Sleeping Beauty' at the KMT in December 2010. We'e all looking forward to another sell-out season, with very many more directed by Vivyan to follow!
Nigel Ellacott - 6th September 2010
Laura Nayman
Oh What a Night! I wouldn't have missed the show for the world. Wherever I am in the country on tour, the KMT will always be home to me - I have so many happy memories of shows there and I wouldn't be doing what I do now if I hadn't found the theatre and in particular Vivyan and the much missed Edna Graham. In my ten years, or so, in performances at the KMT I performed in Musicals, Plays and Opera as well as stage managing many productions, including the Pantomime, and being a musical director for a number of productions. I then looked after the KMT website for 10 years, only giving this up this year due to time constraints. Sunday night was like a theatrical version of Friend Reunited or Facebook - and all to celebrate Vivyan's impressive rosta of shows and to also laugh at the amazing photos from the archive! I even had hair in some of them, as the pictures above will testify!
Thank you Viv, enjoy your retirement.
Simon Curtis - 11th September 2010
11th September 2010
A Wimbledon Centennial Celebration
Sunday 26th September 2010
A Centennial Celebration is a celebration of 100 years of entertainment at New Wimbledon Theatre, which officially turns 100 on Boxing Day this year. To celebrate this event the theatre are staging a huge show on Sunday 26th September in aid of the Entertainment Artistes� Benevolent Fund and the Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust.
The show�s full line up includes Master of Ceremonies Shane Richie alongside comedy from Alistair McGowan, Barry Cryer, Bobby Davro, Catherine Tate, Joe Pasquale, and Paul Zerdin; music from Faryl Smith, Four Poofs and a Piano, Gareth Gates, Ruth Lorenzo and The Unconventionals; dance performances by Matthew Bourne�s New Adventures and Britain�s Got Talent finalists Stavros Flatley; music hall numbers from Jan Hunt and Anita Harris; appearances by June Whitfield, Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford; and celebrations of Wimbledon�s very own world premiere musicals Half A Sixpence and Oliver! in which Fagin himself, the legendary Ron Moody will be Reviewing the Situation once again. They will be supported by a twelve piece orchestra conducted by Mike Dixon and the Laine Theatre Arts Dancers. All this and there will also be some special surprise guest appearances on the night.
Ticket details and further information available from theatre website.
22nd August 2010
Happy Birthday To Us!!
It's ten years since we sat in a room in Ilford and discussed putting 'a few bits and pieces' onto the internet to celebrate the Magic of Pantomime - and it's flown by. Throughout that time we are very grateful to Qdos for sponsoring the site and allowing us to grow what was originally designed as a 20 page site into the monster (1350 pages and counting!) it is today. We are very grateful to all of our readers, especially our eyes and ears on panto casting and news, and look forward to another 10 years of celebrating Pantomime and everything that goes with it. More articles are in the pipeline and the 2010/11 Panto season looms into sight with increasing speed.
Nigel and Simon
22nd August 2010
Swansea's Grand
Swansea's Grand, the first ever definitive history of the only remaining theatre in Wales' city by the sea, is a compelling compendium of fascinating facts, photographs and stirring memories. That's what it says on the leaflet, and that's what the book delivers. The author Ian Parsons was very helpful with filling in many of the blanks in our Swansea Snapshot article and we sent our own roving reporter to the book launch last week in the Arts Wing of the Swansea Grand. A full report and photos to follow.
If you are interested in getting hold of a copy, please order through Ian's website www.swanseasgrand.co.uk - there are also some official photos taken at the launch.
8th July 2010
Name The Dame Competition
There is nothing like a dame and you can�t have a pantomime without one! Snow White has Dame Dolly Dumpling dishing up comedy from the castle kitchen. Sarah the Cook stows away on the Saucy Sal before being ship wrecked! Dame Trott is of course instrumental in the birth of a beanstalk and then there�s the grand dame of all dames, Mother Goose, who learns the hard way that virtue will always win over vanity!
This year�s pantomime Sleeping Beauty at the Palace Theatre, Newark, is no different! Putting on the face and frock of pantomime dame is Opportunity Knocks legend Bobby Crush. Britain�s top piano playing dame is at the moment nameless and the Palace Theatre and Paul Holman Associates (PHA) are asking the good readers of IBY to come to their aide!
At PHA the Sleeping Beauty dame has historically been known as Nurse Tilly Lint, and she looks after Princess Aurora - so a Dame�s name that depicts her caring side or a medical name would be ideal. Suggestions already made include Nurse Susie Syringe, Nurse Patsy Plaster and Dame Double Dose.
Ideas for new names for the dame should be emailed to enquries@paulholmanassociates.co.uk no later than 5 September. Sleeping Beauty is a traditional, family pantomime so names for the dame should keep within the style of the production. The producers of the show, along with Bobby Crush, will decide on the best name and the winner will receive two free tickets to see Sleeping Beauty and meet the newly named dame! More details about the show can be found in the diary.
13th June 2010 Updated 17th June 2010
Panto People - In Town Tonight!
For those who can�t wait for the panto season to be upon us once again, there are quite a few touring shows as well as West End shows with a few pantomime stalwarts appearing at the moment.
Having a hair raising time in �Hairspray� is Brian Conley, appearing as Edna Turnblad with Les Dennis as Wilbur coming to a theatre somewhere near you shortly! Brian of course will be in Cardiff for Panto this year, and Les returns to Liverpool.
Ray Meagher- �Home & Away�s� Alf will be appearing at the Palace Theatre London in �Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert� from September, and will not be able to appear in panto this season, while panto Principal Boy Anita Harris is on tour in �Stepping Out� with Wicked Queen Natalie Cleverley.
Veteran Panto Dame Barrie Howard is touring with a fellow Dame, Damian Williams in �Hi Di Hi� this Summer, along with Panto villainess Nicki Kelly .Damian returns to Sheffield this panto as Dame in Peter Pan with Nigel Planer. Ben Roddy and Kate Burrell are also touring in �Hi Di Hi�.
Jeffrey Holland and Judy Buxton are touring for Ian Dickens in the comedy �It�s Never Too Late�. Jeff is spending Christmas in the Hippodrome Birmingham as Sarah The Cook fending off the plague of rats accompanying Joan Collins and Nigel Havers as they battle the Spirit of the Bells- Julian Clary!
�Circus Hilarious� stars Clive Webb and Danny Adams, and tours the UK this summer as it has done for many years, selling out wherever it goes. Clive & Danny join Chris Hayward this season once again in Newcastle. Ceri Dupree is touring his collection of outrageous and glamorous ladies around the UK this summer. Hilary O�Neil is performing her cabaret on board the luxury liners until Christmas, when she docks for Northampton Panto.
Andrew Ryan who appears this year as Widow Twankey in Aladdin at Nottingham Theatre Royal is touring in �Waiting For Gateaux� with Emmerdale�s Lisa Riley- The Panto Ring Mistress from Goldilocks,and Magical Genie are among her other roles.
Marti Webb, star of the London Palladium �Babes In The Wood� is touring in �Oklahoma, while Britt Ekland, frequently Fairy Godmother is touring in her one woman show around the UK.
Paul Nicholas is donning his Pirate King costume to appear in �The Pirates Of Penzance� before adding a hook and sailing into Reading with �Peter Pan�.
Cinderella Michelle Potter and Prince Charming Sean Needham are in �Mamma Mia� at London�s Prince Of Wales Theatre, while down the road Dean Chisnall , Pantomime�s Prince appears in �Love Never Dies� at the Adelphi Theatre alongside Summer Strallen.
Fabled King Rat (and Dame!) Victor Spinetti is touring in �Murdered To Death� for Ian Dickens Productions, while Peter Byrne- The original �B� of �E&B Pantomime Productions� is appearing in �Witness For The Prosecution� alongside Panto veteran Mark Wynter.
Simon Lipkin is touring with �Spamalot� as Sir Galahad, and Sarah Whitlock, Panto Fairy and Kim Hartman, Panto Villain are both touring in �Keeping Up Appearances� on stage- produced by legendary Principal Boy, Jan Hunt. You will also find Jody Crosier and Caroline Dennis touring in the Neil Sedaka musical 'Laughter in the Rain'.
I�m pretty certain there are a great many Panto stalwarts I�ve neglected to include- you could always e-mail them to us and we�ll add the missing links as we go along!
13th June 2010
Nick Thomas and the Cooper Horse
Expanded article from the Scarborough Evening News 4th May 2010
Entertainment company Qdos,
owned by Scarborough-based Nick Thomas, has already unveiled a full programme of
pantomimes for more than 20 venues, from Aberdeen to Swindon and announced a
cast for more than half a dozen of them. John Barrowman, Joe Pasquale, Brian
Conley and Craig Revel-Horwood are just a few of the star names in a total cast
of 700 actors, dancers, musicians, stage staff and creative teams who will work
on this forthcoming panto season.
The Qdos panto portfolio is one of the most impressive in the business and
earned Nick Thomas and his business partner Jon Conway a place in the top 20 of
The Stage 100 a a list of the most powerful figures in the theatre world. Last
year more than �1 million of tickets were sold in advance of curtains going up
across the country.
Mr Thomas said: "It takes more than 1,000 people, including actors, dancers,
musicians and stage staff to bring all Qdos pantomimes to life." This year will
see Billy Pearce, who is at the Futurist Theatre, Scarborough, throughout July
and August, in Snow White in Bradford; Brian Conley in Cinderella in Cardiff;
Craig Revel-Horwood in Snow White in Crawley, John Barrowman in Aladdin in
Glasgow and Christopher Biggins as Widow Twankey in Aladdin in Wolverhampton.
There will be several productions of Sleeping Beauty including ones in Aberdeen
and Hayes; several Aladdins including in Hull and a plethera of Peter Pans
including in Crawley, Darlington and High Wycombe. Qdos Entertainment was set up
in 1982, originally called Nick Thomas Enterprises, to produce the Keith Harris
Summer Show at the then Royal Opera House in Scarborough and a panto starring
Jimmy Cricket in Preston.
The company is now based in Queen Margaret's Road, Scarborough, and also has a
base in Beverley.
Can�t stop collecting? The solution- Buy a pub!
Nick Thomas, head of Qdos has been collecting on a major scale for as long as he cares to remember. His collections of Theatrical and Pantomime memorabilia became so immense that he solved the problem by buying a pub and lining the walls (and ceiling) with a glorious collection. Looking down on you from the walls as you turn a corner will be Freddy Davies, Richard Hearne (Mr.Pasty), Reg Varney, Joan Regan with stars of Victorian panto vying with Morecambe and Wise and Jewel and Warris for space. Doddy beams down at you as do the modern stars of panto in this Theatrically themed award winning pub- The Copper Horse, in Seamer near Scarborough.
Nick also has one of the largest collections of puppets as well, and, when they outgrow his house, perhaps a puppetry themed pub might be on the cards! If you spot �The Punch & Judy� going up for sale, keep an eye on it!
Nick�s career began with puppets- For those who don�t know, here�s a brief run down-Courtesy of Wiki:
Nick J Thomas won the ITV talent show New Faces in 1975 aged 15 with his act 'Tommer Puppets'. He became a theatre producer in 1982 and on 31 December 2008 he was rated as the decade�s 5th most influential figure in the UK Entertainment Industry by The Stage, in the ten strong roll of honour lead by Lord Lloyd Webber.
The son of a garage proprietor and youngest of five children, Thomas moved to Scarborough, North Yorkshire, in 1968. It was here that in 1970 he saw Ken Dodd perform at The Futurist Theatre and he caught �the show-business bug�. Little did he know that his wife to be, Sandra, was one of Ken Dodd�s Diddymen in that show. Having won the TV show New Faces, Thomas left school before his O Levels and appeared in UK theatre shows with Dick Emery, Mike & Bernie Winters, Ronnie Dukes & Ricky Lee, The Nolans, Lena Zavoroni, Larry Grayson & Cilla Black. He built three teams of 'Tommer Puppets' to enable simultaneous performances in theatres, on cruise liners and in holiday camps.
He began producing at Scarborough�s The Royal Opera House in the summer of 1982 with The Keith Harris Show. By 1992 his company, then known as Artist Management Group (AMG), was producing 12 summer shows and 16 pantomimes annually. At the same time, AMG had established itself as a leading celebrity management business in London�s Covent Garden. He merged the production and talent management businesses to become Qdos Entertainment in January 1999.
Between 1999 to present day, Qdos has grown organically and made various acquisitions including Paul Elliott�s E & B Productions, Jim Davidson�s Midas Productions, Laurie Mansfield�s International Artistes, Janet Malone�s JLM Artistes, Nigel Hudston�s holiday park specialists The Entertainment Department (TED UK) and regional theatre operator Hetherington Seelig Theatres, to create one of the largest entertainment Groups in Europe. Qdos� business now spans theatre management, contract catering, live entertainment production and artiste management.
Nick is married to Sandra who he met whilst she was dancing in his Hi-De-Hi Sunday concerts in his first summer season of 1982. The couple have two daughters and maintain homes in North Yorkshire, Central London and Southern Spain. The couple owns the Les Routiers Restaurant of the Year 2008/09, The Copper Horse in Seamer near Scarborough, which is a theatrically themed gastro pub.
13th June 2010
Alf and his Golden Logie!
AFTER a TV career spanning 40 years, Ray Meagher (and friend of IBY) finally has a Gold Logie.
The veteran Home and Away star triumphed over Packed to the
Rafters star Rebecca Gibney to take the coveted Gold at the 2010 awards. Meagher
had been the odds-on favourite, as well as the sentimental favourite, going into
the Logies, but many still backed last year's winner Gibney for the top gong.
A beaming Meagher appeared emotional as he took to the stage.
"These things have never meant much to me over the years, really, mainly because
I've never held one,'' Meagher said. "All of a sudden they seem unbelievably
important.''
It's Meagher's first Logie win in a career that has including 22 years playing
the lovable Alf Stewart on Network Seven soapie Home and Away. Meagher thanked
his huge online fan base, even though he didn't understand the technology. "I
hear there's a thing called Facebook and a thing called Twitter - I thought it
was a bird-watching thing,'' Meagher said.
He said he hadn't won anything since a 1975 chook raffle, which he organised and
drew. "It's been a long time between drinks.''
He also beat his Home and Away co-star Esther Anderson, Talkin' 'Bout Your
Generation's Shaun Micallef, Good News Week's Paul McDermott, Rove McManus, and
the ABC's Wil Anderson and Adam Hills.
Veteran TV presenter Bert Newton couldn't hide his feelings about the winner. "I
have had the opportunity, over the years, to present many Gold Logies,'' he
said. "None have given me more joy than to present this to Ray Meagher.''
See also our new article - THE AUSSIE INVASION!
13th June 2010
Name That Dame!
8th May 2010
The Pantomime Roadshow 2010
It may be only May, but it's never to early to get out on the road! Nigel Ellacott and The Pantomime Roadshow are out and about making their annual visit to the London Borough of Redbridge. It is estimated that the show will play to over four thousand school children in the coming weeks, and will also be visiting Newham and Waltham Forest schools for the first time. Joining Nigel will be Andrew Ryan and Nathan Daniel.
For the w/c 17th May 2010 it will be in Redbridge and then w/c 24th May in Redbridge, Newham and Waltham Forest. Schools to be visited include St. Mary's Chingford, Churchfields Junior, Downshall Junior, Gilbert Colvin, Winston Way Primary, Mossford Green Primary, Mayespark, Woodford Green, Oakhill Primary, Sir John Heron, Manor Primary, Plaistow Primary , New City Primary, Cranbrook Primary and Nightingale Primary.
For further details about the Roadshow, go to our Roadshow Section
Andrew Ryan, Jody Crosier and Nigel Ellacott - Pantomime Roadshow 2009
5th May 2010
Alf and Priscilla!
Ray Meagher, veteran of over sixteen pantomimes in the United Kingdom, and friend of IBY, will not be appearing in panto this season- he'll be appearing in London's West End at the Palace theatre instead.
Home and Away stalwart Ray Meagher will be taking a six month break from the show in order to star in London's West End production of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.Gold Logie nominee Ray, who's played Alf Stewart on the show for over 22 years, will be taking on the role of Bob, having previously had a short stint in the role in 2007. "I did two weeks in that role (as Bob) in Sydney when Michael Caton wanted to have a rest, and that is when the producers said, 'Do you want to do this in London?'" Ray told the Herald Sun.
"They (Home and Away) have very generously allowed me to do Priscilla in the West End from September 20 roughly until early March (next year). I think the funniest thing for me is a bloke from the bush, who cannot sing or dance, has been asked to do a musical in the West End. That appeals to my perverse sense of humour."
We can also announce that our next article 'The Aussie Invasion' will feature Ray and all his mates from 'down under' - watch this space!!
16th April 2010
Nigel is Trotting off to Dartford!
We are delighted to announce that Nigel will be returning to the Qdos family this panto season as Dame Trott opposite Bobby Davro at the Orchard Theatre, Dartford. This HQ Theatre will be hosting a brand new production of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK which opens on the 4th December. Nigel is really pleased to be near home again this coming season and is looking forward to the photo shoot next week!!
24th March 2010
Qdos Hire Division Website Launch
The Qdos Hire Division was launched in 2005 and has gone from strength to strength, this year they have bought details online with photos and videos of their scenery, costumes and technical equipment. Why not take a look at the website - www.qdoshiresdivision.com - Some exciting items for 2010/11 will be appearing on the website soon! More details as they become available.
Many of the sets are featured in our Scenery Gallery.
27th February 2010 Updated 15th March 2010
Danny La Rue Costume Auction
Sale of Costumes and Gowns worn by the late Danny La Rue
To be held by public auction
Brick Lane Music Hall
Friday, March 12th, 2010
The sale will include iconic pantomime costumes; a suite of costumes worn in the West End stage version of �Hello Dolly�, sold with mounted and framed original design drawings; gowns worn for music hall and cabaret performances, featuring, rich sequin beading, acres of lame and yards of cascading feathers, as well as those famous head dresses; and �Danny�s ladies�, Zza Gabor, Tina Turner, Dolly Parton and Carmen Miranda, to name but a few.
Viewing and registration from 10am. Sale starts at 12 midday.
For sale catalogue send name, address and cheque for �3.50 to:
Brick Lane Music Hall, 443 North Woolwich Road, London E16 2DA
please note the picture above is purely illustrative and is not an item from the sale catalogue
UPDATED - Report and Photos from the Auction
3rd March 2010
The Art of the Pantomime Dame
In catching up with our inbox after a busy season, we have come across a link from Graham Hoadly of videos he has uploaded to YouTube in a series called The Art of the Pantomime Dame. Whilst we were putting them on our VideoMedia page we also thought that people might be really interested in seeing five great dames in interview, rehearsal and performance.
We hope you enjoy them.
3rd March 2010
Seeking Memorabilia
Qdos Entertainment are looking for a selection of posters, flyers and programmes from yesteryear to provide colourful displays in its HQ theatre portfolio.
Its theatres include: Beck Theatre - Hayes, Cliffs Pavilion - Southend-on-Sea, Colosseum - Watford, Orchard Theatre - Dartford, Palace Theatre - Southend-on-Sea, Swan Theatre - High Wycombe, White Rock - Hastings, Wyvern Theatre - Swindon.
They would be looking to purchase individual items to full collections or are more than happy to have items professionally copied.
If anyone can help, please email npotter@qdosentertainment.co.uk or you can write to him at the address below.
Nick Potter
Qdos archivist
Qdos House
Queen Margaret�s Road
Scarborough
YO11 2YH
20th February 2010
Brick Lane Music Hall's Robin Hood and The Bawdy Babes in the Wood
Brick Lane Music Hall must have the longest running panto at the moment- it runs through from December 5th until March 6th- playing every day through the Christmas Holidays, and several times a week thereafter.
This year�s Adult Panto has been written by Chris Emmett � his third at this venue- and he plays Dame Minnie, inebriated Nursemaid to the babes in huge traditional comic form.
Chris Emmett, national treasure! Veteran of BBC Radio�s �The News Huddlines�, Chris spent 26 years in that show alongside Roy Hudd and June Whitfield, as well as his television career including eight years in 3-2-1 with Ted Rogers- he certainly knows his comedy!
To watch his Dame is to step back into the world of true traditional Dame-the Dame of Arthur Askey, Reg Dixon, and Billy Dainty- definitely a �Fella In A Frock� he brings huge joy to this tiny stage, joined by Brick Lane founder, Vincent Hayes as Vinnie, son of Minnie.
Chris and Vincent have several opportunities to team up for raucous routines, taking on the Wicked Sheriff of Nottingham played with every ounce of comic villainy by the wonderful Lowri-Ann Richards as the Cross Dressing Sheriff Shaun who wants to be Sharon!
The cast is bolstered by Pip Morgan as Will Scarlett, and a clever use of ensemble with The Merry Men engaging in every part of the show and the plot. Led by Andy Young (I had the pleasure of working with Andy at the Birmingham Hippodrome �Cinderella� a few years back) who also choreographs- he plays Little John, joined by Adam Coleman as Friar Tuck, Steven McMillan as Much, and Neil Canfer as Allan-a-Dale.
The Traditional Principal Boy is to be found at Brick Lane in the guise of Hannah Nichols as Robin Hood, and The Lady Marian is played by Natalie Moore-Williams.
The Brick Lane Orchestra consists of Laurence Payne, Musical Director and Keyboards and Bobby Cook on Percussion.
Directed by Chris Emmett this is a glorious night out a stones throw from City Airport. Yes- confusingly Brick Lane Music Hall isn�t in London�s Brick Lane. For that matter Selfridges don�t sell fridges either�No, this is Brick Lane Music Hall Number Three, situated in Silvertown. For location see www.bricklanemusichall.co.uk
Delighted to be there this evening to help celebrate the Music Hall�s Eighteenth Birthday! The original venue became a talking point after Danny La Rue, a great friend of Vincent�s appeared at the venue and, along with Barbara Windsor, Roy Hudd and several Music Hall celebrity aficionados put the place on the map.
This venue is an amazing conversion- housed in what was St. Marks Church, nestling beside the Tate & Lyle Factory; it has been transformed by Vincent into a magnificent Victorian Music Hall � the only one of its kind left sadly- that produces shows throughout the year. - this year also sees Mothers Day Matinees, St. Patrick�s Irish Party Week, Appearances by The Bachelors, Roy Hudd�s �Best Of British� and �Give My Regards To Broadway�.
I�m a huge fan of the place, and there�s nothing like a jolly night out wining and dining, cabaret style as you watch the pantomime or the Music Hall.
The night I was in the audience included a group of the Lady Ratlings, King Rat Derek Martin (of East Enders Fame) and the legendary Jimmy Perry, creator of Dad�s Army and �Hi De Hi� to name but a few. What a smashing night out!
The Brick Lane Music Hall will be hosting the auction of costumes from the collection of the legendary Danny La Rue - this will take place on Friday 12th March 2010 and further details will be put on to IBY as soon as we have them.
Nigel Ellacott
25th January 2010
Surprise Surprise! SuBo in Edinburgh!
So what happens when the object of an impression turns out to be in the audience! Well Allan Stewart found out during Robinson Crusoe at the Kings in Edinburgh!
30th September 2009 UPDATED 22nd December 2009
Peter Denyer
20th August 1947 - 18th September 2009
A personal appreciation of the life of Peter Denyer by his friend Kevin Wood.
The death occurred on Friday 18th September of Peter Denyer aged 62, one of Britain�s leading actors of his generation. I never knew a better technical performer, nor a more sincere friend. After training at Bristol Old Vic, Peter achieved instant national fame as Dennis in �Please Sir�, and went on to play leading roles in the iconic TV series �The Fenn Street Gang�, �Agony� and as the much loved Ralph in �Dear John�.
On stage he made his professional debut at the old Sheffield Rep, and in a forty year career appeared at virtually every theatre in the land, playing almost every role from Shakespeare to Ayckbourn, from the West End to Summer Seasons and Rep. However, he ended his life as the country�s most performed playwright, by virtue of a canon of twelve pantomimes that found favour with amateur and professional companies alike, to the extent that since the mid-nineties more than two hundred productions of his work took place every year.
I first met Peter in 1985, when he was cast in the title role in my adaptation of �The History of Mr Polly�. We became firm friends and within a short time business partners for a range of productions that spanned the next twenty-five years. During the mid eighties he joined us to run Kevin Wood Pantomimes, helping to establish a reputation for bespoke quality Christmas productions that paved the way for the current style of high value presentations having more in common with musicals than variety shows.
The company prospered and in addition to countless pantomimes, Peter directed national tours of �An Inspector Calls� starring Alfred Marks, �Peter Pan� with Toyah Willcox and �The Wizard of Oz� with Brian Blessed and Peter Duncan. In recent years Peter came to work with me at First Family directing �Jack and the Beanstalk� at Richmond, and �Snow White� and �Cinderella� at Wimbledon.
Peter�s was a sensitive, prodigious talent that endeared him to everyone he worked with. His loss will be mourned by a whole generation of theatre folk lucky enough to have witnessed his skill and craftsmanship. He was a great friend and will never be replaced.
A website has been set up by his friends, with memories and pictures - www.petespals.com
13th November 2009 - Updated 23rd November 2009
Johnny Dallas
Here at IBY we are saddened to hear the news that Johnny Dallas, Pantomime Dame, has passed away at his home in Leicester.
Johnny was one of the country�s longest working dames. One of his early appearances in pantomime was at the Pavilion Liverpool in 1957. It was memorable for being the very last appearance in pantomime of Dorothy Ward, legendary Principal Boy, approaching her 70th birthday. Johnny�s last appearance in pantomime was in the the role of Dame Durden in the 2007-08 season of �Jack and The Beanstalk� at the Grantham Guildhall and Arts Centre. The local press wrote:
�Johnny�s pedigree as an entertainer is unchallenged. He has pantomimes by the score under his belt, and has been seen on TV playing alongside household names during his long and illustrious career�.
Johnny appeared in his role as dame more recently than in 2007. I had the great pleasure of seeing him in �Bless �Em All�, Stan Stennett�s touring revue at the Kenneth More Theatre in August of this year. Johnny was a regular performer in Stan�s troupe�, along with Johnny Tudor in theatres around the UK . It gave me the opportunity to catch up on his news when we met backstage. Johnny advised me to meet up in between shows as he would, in his words, be out of the building like a bat out of hell� to miss the traffic on his journey back to Leicester that evening. He was true to his word. In the time it took me to get around from front of house he had already left the building!
I had the privilege of working with Johnny in 1977 in a long summer season at the Gaiety Theatre in Rhyl, produced by Aubrey Phillips. Johnny performed a great number of his sketches, and did several singing spots during the different shows. Aubrey played Dame in the Summer Pantomime �Snow White�, with Johnny appearing as Huntsman. He did, however appear in Dame garb several times in sketches, as well as his celebrated �Chelsea Pensioner� role.
I learnt a great deal from appearing with Johnny- especially about timing, and about clarity- getting the right word in the punchline of a joke, and delivering it clearly. He had learnt his craft from his early years touring with Don Ross and his wife Gertie Gitana in Don�s �Thanks For The Memory� music hall and variety tours, as well as Don Ross pantomimes. He took on the Ross name as his early Stage name, appearing as John Ross, vocalist and entertainer.
Above all, Johnny was a superb entertainer. He became hugely popular in the North Wales resort that named him �Mr Rhyl�, and he appeared in many seasons at the Gaiety Theatre and across the road at the Queen�s where he enjoyed long residencies.
Johnny was a showman. Immaculately dressed on and off stage, he was the first person I had ever seen that had his very own radio mike. It was, admittedly very large, and was operated from a large suitcase in the wing, which most of us tripped over, but it was very impressive, as was his wardrobe of summer season suits and props. Sequins were to the fore in the Dallas summer season wardrobe, and his Dame was as traditional as could be- Johnny was a stickler for tradition both as performer and as director of pantomimes. He once sent a blistering letter to stage when they reported that he retired, pointing out he only now wished to appear in traditional panto, and was extremely busy with his agency, promoting talent under the banner of �Basic/JD� agency.
The mark of Johnny Dallas was that on stage in August this year he was as spry and as dapper as he had ever been, and that on the day of his death he had several artistes under contract for various pantomimes around the country.
A great Dame and a great Showman. It was a pleasure to know you Johnny.
Nigel Ellacott
12th November 2009
A few memories from Stan Stennett and Johnny Tudor.
"Stan Stennett and I have both known Johnny Dallas for more years than we care to remember. I don�t know about Stan But I first met him back in 1966 when I was appearing at the Gaiety Theatre Rhyl with Lonnie Donigan and Hilda Baker. Johnny was appearing at the Sporting club at the time and I always remember his melodramatic monologue �My Little Rosa�. Had this been done by a lesser artist it might have seemed corny but in Johnny�s case it brought tears to the audience�s eyes. I�m sure had he followed an acting career he would have made a fine character actor.
I was to work with Johnny many years later, in Dick Whittington where he played Dame of course and he was brilliant, a true Panto Dame and not a drag queen which many are today. He could be a miserable old sod at times, always complaining about the state of the The Business, but his lugubrious manner always gave us a laugh and in retrospect he was probably right - Johnny was a traditionalist and he will be sadly missed by the World of Panto.
Latterly Stan and I have been working with him in Stan�s touring Revue 'Bless �Em All' in which he played Mrs. Piddlewick and Jack Pleasance and never failed to stop the show. Stan always had trouble remembering his intro because it had to change for every town we played. It went something like this:
�Please welcome Jack Pleasance who has returned from a standing ovation at the Lisvane Haemorrhoid clinic.�
To my mind Johnny was up there with other great Panto Dames like Bartlett and Ross and Jack Tripp and will be sadly missed by his fellow artists."
Johnny Tudor.
16th November 2009
From Bobbie Kent
I amongst many other people are very sad to hear about the passing of Johnny Dallas.
Johnny and I first met in the late 50s,we were in a show called Television Doubles, a Don Ellis Production, we were playing at the Palace Theatre Reading, Johnny was comedian compare, and I part of a boy and girl dancing act, Bobbie Kent and Necia Le Vere. Johnny doing his very popular stand-up comedy routine, in his Royal Navy Sailor Uniform, one of our routines I was in an America White Tropical Uniform, our Johnny was not too pleased when he spotted me walking on stage to open the show. But being the pro that he was and he realised we were a new act, and did not have too much in the way of routines, and costumes. He gave me a few harsh words, and from that day on we became over the years close friends. It was on his recommendation I took over from him at The Queens Hotel, in Rhyl 1977. Often we would share digs in Cardiff, while we were doing the club circuit. I also engaged Johnny as chairman in my South Wales Club touring Good Old Days Show, and also again a tour around South Wales of Snow White Pantomime, Johnny played the Prince, and as he said at the time "the oldest principal boy in the business".
Johnny in his time was the greatest Buttons ever in panto, he played the part with every ounce of sincerity, what a star performer.
My tribute, A Great Guy, A Great Pro, my pleasure knowing you.
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.
6th October 2009
The Qdos / Churchill Photocall - Oh Yes It Is!
Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London
Monday October 5th
A highly enjoyable day in the West End, when you might have said that Pantomime had gone to the dogs! While you Paws for thought on that very bad pre panto chestnut, Panto folk celebrated the arrival of a new star- Churchill the Dog!
Qdos Entertainment and Churchill held a press launch today to celebrate their new pantomime partnership. Churchill had pride of place in the West End, and indeed will do so in 22 of The Qdos Pantomimes this coming season. He may not have made it into �Cats�, but he proved today he could hold his own among a plethora of panto performers.
Attending the event today were Linda Lusardi, appearing in Northampton this season, Joe Pasquale, appearing at Birmingham Hippodrome, Shane Ritchie- High Wycombe and Paul Zerdin with Sam- Nottingham Theatre Royal.
Panto Glamour was provided by a gathering of Dames, Sisters and Baronessess, namely Steve Arnott (Newcastle), Chris Hayward (Newcastle), Ceri Dupree (Birmingham), Brian Godfrey (Southend), Andrew Ryan (Nottingham), Martin Ramsdin and David Robbins (Dartford) and our very own Nigel Ellacott.
Qdos Entertainment�s Nick Thomas, Michael Harrison, Jonathan Kiley, and Ian Wilson were joined by Sharon Harding and Lesley Downie at the Lyric Theatre
For more photos, see a special Churchill area in our new Pantomime Launch Section and more details about Churchill's theatrical debut can be found on www.churchill.com/panto or you can follow his exploits on Facebook.
Churchill and the Churchill Dog character are trademarks of Churchill Insurance Company Limited.
6th October 2009
Thank You Qdos
A huge thank you from all at IBY to all at Qdos for agreeing to continue its sponsorship of the site. As we enter our 10th year in cyberspace we are continuing to expand the site, which is only possible with its continued support and patronage! Thank you.
Here's to the next ten years!!
25th July 2009
The Royal Theatrical Fund's Summer Fair
July 12th 2009 - St Paul's Churchyard, Covent Garden
A very sunny July day for the annual Garden Party, presented by both the Royal Theatrical Fund and the Grand Order Of Water Rats, at St.Paul�s Covent Garden- appropriately �The Actor�s Church� in the heart of the West End of London.
The fair raises money on behalf of both charities, and helps both to provide financial assistance to members of the entertainment profession and their dependants.
See www.trtf.com and www.gowr.net forurther info
The Royal Theatrical Fund was begun in 1839 by Charles Dickens, and The GOWR began when a group of Music Hall stars in 1880 bought a trotting pony called �Magpie�, and used the winnings to help other performers who were in need.
Today the head of the Grand Order is known as King Rat, and was present in the shape of Graham Cole, known to millions of viewers as Tony Stamp of �The Bill�. Graham was introduced by Keith Simmons, veteran of many pantomimes, who compered the event. The proceedings were opened shortly after mid-day by Sir Donald Sinden, president of The Royal Theatrical Fund, who tirelessly signed autographs and sold theatrical greetings cards all afternoon, bellowing his wares in the manner of a Shakespearean street trader!
The grounds of St.Paul�s were full to bursting with stalls. One of the hugely popular attractions for the public being the Autograph Tent. During the day the tent was home to many celebrities signing autograph books purchased for a fiver. Among the signers were John Nettles, Jess Conrad, Wyn Calvin- veteran panto dame of The British Empire, Panto villains Victor Spinetti and Rula Lenska, along with Gorden Kaye, June Whitfield, Michael Howe (who also entertained the crowds accompanied by his guitar), Jimmy Perry and Jeffrey Holland and Judy Buxton.
Jeff and Judy have just finished their tour of �Allo Allo� with Vicki Michelle, and it was great to meet up and catch up with their news. Both Jeff and Judy will be spending their panto in Beanstalk land at Reddich, with Jeff a Dame Trott and Judy as a very organic vegetable fairy!
Paul Holman , prolific panto producer was at the party, along with Barrie Stacey, Keith ��Appy� Hopkins and Chris Emmett. Chris will once again be giving his Dame (and indeed will be writing the panto) at The Brick Lane Music Hall in Silvertown this year. Since I�m giving my Dame Dolly Doughnut just up the road in Ilford, we made a date to see each other�s pantomimes in the New Year.
Chris spent a lot of time helping fellow �News Huddlines� star Roy Hudd run his theatrical ephemera stall. Each year Roy and his wife Debbie Flitcroft donate a part of Roy�s huge theatrical mementos to the Water Rats and Theatrical Fund. When joined by June Whitfield at the stall we had the full cast of Roy�s hugely successful radio show!
Roy of course has been in Coronation Street, along with John Savident who was one of the celebrity �signers� in the marquee.
I had attended with Isobel Hurll (who will be appearing with me in �Snow White� as a very Wicked Queen) along with Andrew Ryan (appearing as Dame Trott in Nottingham this season with Nigel Havers and Paul Zerdin) and my neighbour Anna Karen- known forever as �Olive� from �On The Buses� and of course Peggy Mitchell�s sister Sal in EastEnders. Anna signed autographs in the sunshine while the rest of us took a look around the many stalls, enjoying the music from The Bill Geldard Big Band. It was lovely to bump into several old friends including Joy Graham and to meet up with past Queen Rat Joanne Hall. Joanne told me of her annual trips to pantomimes each year- this season she will visit Bournemouth, Sunderland, Manchester and Newcastle. She tells me she first appeared in panto in Newcastle in 1937. What a glorious business we work in, eh?
Jimmy Perry tirelessly sold �Dad�s Army� DVD�s and books from his stall during the afternoon, the Pimms flowed, the band played on, and the crowds thronged, all raising money for an extremely important charity. Everyone worked so hard this afternoon, and for an extremely good cause. We certainly had a great afternoon. Thank you one and all!
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Barrie Stacey, Isobel Hurll, Keith 'Appy' Hopkins and Nigel |
Keith Simmons |
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Donald Sinden |
25th July 2009
LYNETTE MCMORROUGH'S BIRTHDAY
at the Pantomime Horse Races
Sunday 14th June 2009
With apologies from Simon for the late posting!!
A very jolly day spent in Whitstable celebrating Pantomime Fairy Lynette McMorrough�s birthday. By co-incidence, or perhaps with a little fairy magic it was also the day of the Whitstable Pantomime Horse Races at Tankerton Slopes- an annual event organised by the Rotary Club in aid of local and national charities.
Lynette�s party was organised by husband and panto dame Nick Wilton (at home as always in a pinny) and daughter Emily McMorrough. Among the guests cheering on both Lynette and a field of panto ponies were a collection of Dames, Villains, Princes and Heroines in a very theatrical affair beside the seaside.
The guests included:
Georgie Wood , Lee Dean, Freddie Pyne, Angela Webb, Colin Ridgewell , Su Douglas, Louise English, Bruce James and Rebecca Lee Morgan with their three month old son Logan, Andrew Ryan, Nigel Ellacott, Brian Godfrey, Sarah Whitlock, Paul Morse, Lewis Rae, Paul De Fer, Peter Benedict, Paul & Penny Trussel, Gina Webb and Joan.
A great time was had by all- thanks to Nick & Emily for organising and catering for the masses. A Very Happy Birthday Lynette!
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Andrew Ryan, Nick Wilton, Brian Godfrey |
Angela Webb, Su Douglas, Nick, Emily McMorrough, Georgie Wood |
Brian, Sarah Whitlock, Andrew |
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Brian, Sarah, Emily, Nigel |
Nigel, Nick, Brian |
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2nd July 2009 Updated 9th July 2009
MOLLIE SUGDEN
1922-2009
Here at IBY we are very saddened to hear of the death of Mollie Sugden. She passed away this afternoon at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in Guildford, after a long illness. Her twin sons Robin and Simon were at her bedside.
Mollie was married to the late actor William Moore. They met while appearing in repertory at Swansea Grand Theatre in 1956 and married shortly after that. Bill Moore died nine years ago. Bill and Molly appeared in pantomime together as Baron and Fairy Godmother- I had the joy of seeing them both in �Cinderella� at the King�s Theatre in Southsea while I was in �Cinderella� at the Mayflower in Southampton. Mollie was the epitome of flustered regalness as she bossed Cinderella about the stage to get her ready for the ball, and had a duet with husband Bill, who played a dotty and loveable Baron to Stephanie Lawrence�s Cinders.
Mollie was a rare breed of actress who could genuinely play Pantomime Dame- and she did this with huge success in the London Palladium production of �Dick Whittington� in 1979. She played Sarah The Cook to Jim Davidson�s Dick Whittington, alongside Victor Spinetti, Windsor Davies, Lionel Blair, Melvyn Hayes, Clive Dunn and Jacqueline Reddin and Derek Holt.
Mollie�s character in �Are You Being Served� was portrayed in full pantomime force- Mrs Slocombe was a panto dame in all but name! The frequent change of hair colour from cerise pink to vibrant mauve, the torrent of frills on her blouse, denoting her seniority over the junior Miss Brahms (played by the late Wendy Richard) and the novelty scenes played for full out pantomime fun , usually with John Inman, were the stuff that panto is made of. She appeared as a grotesque �Shirley Temple�, as a Greek Dancer, a yodelling Swiss Dancer and a ballroom dancer, only matched in outrageousness by John Inman. The fun of �Are You Being Served� continued briefly in 1992 when the cast reunited in �Grace and Favour�.
Nobody did Outrage like Mollie Sugden. Her face would contort with indignation and turn into seething rage when Mrs Slocombe was insulted, as she frequently was by the young Mr Lucas- played by Trevor Bannister. It is little wonder that Mollie�s character became the benchmark for many a pantomime Dame entering the business.
Mollie played someone�s Mum, or next door neighbour for most of her career. Born in Keighley. West Yorkshire, she attended Guildhall College, and went into repertory and touring theatre before making television her place of work. She was mother to Jimmy Clitheroe- not in his successful radio series, but on television in �Just Jimmy� and on stage, moving on to playing Mrs Crispin in �Hugh & I� with Hugh Lloyd and Terry Scott. She played Mother to John Alderton, Christopher Blake, Robin Nedwell, Terry Scott and, of course Nerys Hughes in the hugely successful comedy series �The Liver Birds�.
Mollie appeared from time to time in �Coronation Street� as the acid tongued rival to Annie Walker- from the Brewers association, and was to be seen dangling from a wire, or floating in space at any rate in �Come Back Mrs Noah�. She appeared in �Up Pompeii�, �Steptoe & Son�, �My Wife Next Door� and �Doctor In Charge� as well as countless stage tours in comedies such as Relatively Speaking� and �Find The Lady�, specially written for her.
Summer seasons and stage appearances, often with husband Bill, would take her all over the country, and to America where, as a result of �Are You Being Served� she had an enormous fan base. That in itself is a very Mrs Slocombe thought-� you have an enormous fan base, Betty�!�. In fact it was Mollie who pointed out that the writers of �Are You Being Served� could never remember her first name. She always believed it was Betty, but in some episodes it became Rachel- and at one point her maiden name had become Rachel Yiddle- but to the huge army of fans she was, and always will be Mrs Slocombe, forever bemoaning the loss of her pussy which would later turn up, trapped in her drawers.
For the many great years of sheer comic delight and joy, we thank you most sincerely Mollie. A generous and immensely kind lady and a superb actress, you will be very sadly missed.
Nigel Ellacott
1st July 2009
Link From BBC Website - Obituary and TV Montage
Scenes from the Palladium Pantomime 'Dick Whittington' with Jim Davidson and Lionel Blair
1st June 2009 UPDATED 24th July 2009
DANNY LA RUE OBE
1927-2009
We recently, as part of our SPOTLIGHT series, catalogued the life and career of Danny in some detail and you can read all about his extraordinary career by following the link.
2nd June 2009
Pantomime in Scotland Exhibition
A new interactive exhibition celebrating pantomime in Scotland will open at Motherwell Theatre from Monday 23 November until Wednesday 2 December. This free exhibition will be visiting three theatres in the west of Scotland this pantomime season and is suitable for audiences of all ages!
Drawing on work from a new research project, the exhibition covers all aspects of the past and present of Scottish pantomime � its stories, its stars, its humour, its magnificent sets and costumes and, above all, its special place in the hearts of audiences across Scotland.
In telling the story of Scottish pantomime, from its Victorian origins right up to the present day, the exhibition features pictures, photographs and playbills from a wide range of sources, including Glasgow University Library Scottish Theatre Archive and the collections of performers, producers and audience members themselves.
The exhibition includes rarely seen archive film footage from the National Library of Scotland: Scottish Screen Archive of pantomimes in theatres in Edinburgh and Glasgow in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. Stars featured include Scottish pantomime favourites Jack Anthony, Dave Willis, George West, Harry Gordon and Will Fyffe.
Visitors to the exhibition can also listen to sound recordings featuring the memories of audience members and performers of the past and present, not least Stanley Baxter remembering his part in the legendry pantomime, The Tintock Cup (1949).
As part of the exhibition, visitors will be invited to contribute their own memories and experiences of seeing and making professional and amateur pantomime in Scotland. This is a unique opportunity to capture memories of a golden age of Scottish pantomime and to document the many community pantomimes that take place across the whole of Scotland.
Stanley Baxter, pantomime legend and national treasure, says �
Lewis Casson was absolutely right � pantomime is the national theatre of Scotland. This exhibition celebrating Scottish pantomime is to be warmly welcomed. Pantomime was always very close to my heart and I loved it from a very early age. I saw Tommy Lorne when I was almost too young to remember it � almost, but not quite! It was a joy to be involved in pantomime for so much of my career and I wish this exhibition all possible success.
One of the team behind the exhibition, Adrienne Scullion, James Arnott Chair of Drama of the University of Glasgow, says:
This exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate Scotland�s favourite kind of theatre. From recording the memories of pantomime audiences and performers, we know that pantomime has a special place in the lives of Scottish audiences and that it has always had an important role in Scotland�s theatre industry. This exhibition is a great way for us to acknowledge the significance of pantomime in Scotland, and to recognise and value its contribution to Scotland�s cultural life.
After opening in Motherwell, the exhibition will tour to the King�s Theatre, Glasgow from Saturday 5 December to Saturday 19 December and Macrobert Arts Centre, Stirling From Monday 21 December to Thursday 14 January.
Website Details including details and extract from the Pantomimes on Film Section
3rd May 2009
Home for the Holidays - An Announcement From Nigel
After much deliberation, and having received several offers from Qdos, I have finally come to a decision about future plans.
After nearly three decades of working opposite Peter Robbins as �The Ugly Sisters� I think, for the time being, that I would not wish to form a new �double�- I have to admit that playing �Sister� with another actor would just not be the same. It never could be- that experience was a �once in a lifetime� , and now it is time to move on to the next one.
So- having had a long chat with several of my colleagues, and spoken at great length to Qdos, in particular to Michael Harrison, I have decided to fly solo. It is time to play Dame! I think I might just be old enough now, and hopefully I won�t find it too hard to learn to walk in the heels!
Everyone in the Qdos Family have been wonderfully supportive to me, as they always have been to both Peter & myself over the many years. When we first decided to launch our �Sisters� back in 1981, we did so at the Kenneth More Theatre in Ilford. Each year since then I have written the pantomimes there, and designed the costumes. Peter used to describe the theatre as �My front room�, as I spend more time there than I do at home, and it is literally �around the corner�.
My brother Vivyan has been the General Manager and Artistic Director there since it opened in 1975, and after discussion with Michael at Qdos and Vivyan at the KMT, I am delighted to launch my Dame there, as I did my �Sister�.
This Christmas I will be appearing as Dame Dolly Dumpling in �Snow White� at the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford. (Tickets on sale shortly. Watch this space!).
Being at home for Christmas, and having the facilities and the time to create my Debut Dame will make the world of difference. I look forward to my new role- and, to playing Dame for Qdos next year- venue to be announced!
MICHAEL HARRISON SAID:
After talking at length to Nigel and with the blessing of Paul Elliott who was instrumental in the life of Nigel and Peter�s legendary partnership I am delighted that Nigel can move onto an exciting new chapter in his career and there is no better place for him to discover his Dame than at the KMT.
Paul and I agree that this is the best way for Nigel to spend the 2009/20010 Christmas season and look forward to welcoming �Dame Ellacott� back next year.
This year Nigel will also act as consultant on several Qdos projects.
25th April 2009
Kathy Staff - A Memorial Service
Friday 24th April 2009
A very lovely service held today at �The Actors Church�, St.Paul�s Covent Garden in memory of Kathy Staff who died in December of last year aged Eighty.
The church was packed with family and friends celebrating the life and career of one of this country�s best loved actresses- a lady who made the battleaxe Nora Batty in her wrinkled tights a national icon. She first appeared in 1973 and was in 243 episodes.
Nora Batty was not, of course the only character that Kathy was associated with in a long and varied career. She virtually monopolised the major �soaps� having appeared in Coronation Street, as Vera Hopkins, Crossroads, as Doris Luke, Emmerdale Farm as Winnie Purvis, and then the revived Crossroads, in addition to her appearances in �Open All Hours� as Mrs. Blewitt, with Ronnie Barker and Lynda Baron, and of course the long running �Last Of The Summer Wine� series.
Kathy�s family greeted everyone arriving at the church- her husband John and daughters Katherine and Susan for a service that was intended to be joyful and a celebration of life.
The service was conducted by St. Paul�s Reverend Simon Grigg, and a magnificent choir, the Choir of St. John�s Wood Church performed several items, with �God So Loved The World� from Stainer's Crucifixion among the most beautiful pieces. The Organist was Simon Gutteridge and Musical Director Michael Cayton.
Roy Barraclough began the service with a series of happy memories of his forty year friendship with Kathy. He related their first meeting when they both auditioned for a Yorkshire Television �Soap�, and were cast as Husband and Wife. He told how they would meet at the local North Of England station to travel up to the studios, meeting in the Buffet- �Like Brief Encounter, with Tripe..�, and of becoming a regular guest at John and Kathy�s home, resulting in Katherine and Susan calling Roy �Daddy Number Two! �Roy and Kathy had also been teamed up with Les Dawson in the comedy series �Sez Les�.
From the world of �Crossroads�, when Doris Luke would keep an eye on the lives of Adam Chance and Meg Richardson/Mortimer, fellow actors Tony Adams and Paul Henry paid a fond tribute to Kathy�s memory. Tony Adams related the legend of performing a touching scene with Jill Rossington while Kathy, as Doris was to lurk in the background. He told of a terrible noise drowning them out. The Director was summoned. According to Tony the Sound Effects team had acted on a typing error. The dreadful noise was a result of reading �Doris Luke Hoovers� when it should have read �Hovers�!
Paul Henry (Known to Crossroads fans as Benny) also told of Kathy�s warmth and generosity and kindness both on and off the set.
From Kathy�s home in Cheshire the Reverend Alison Cox, Vicar of St. Mark�s Church Dukinfield gave the address. As a devout Christian, Kathy gave much of her time and energy into attending services (Susan Staff was one of the first women to be ordained in 1994) and assisting St Marks as well as Churches in general.
From �The Last Of The Summer Wine� Producer/Director Alan JW Bell recalled Kathy�s humour and professionalism when filming the highly successful series. He related a scene where Nora had to be collected by Compo (played by Bill Owen) not by car, but by motorised bedstead. The bed was �driven� from below, with Bill and Kathy riding on top. When Director and Cameraman also got on board to film reaction shots Kathy had asked to be told �Action!� by Alan. However the bed got up speed, crew started running away from the now racing bed plummeting downhill- the brakes had failed. As the bed was grabbed by several burly crew and ground to a halt, Bill gazed ahead in complete shock, and Kathy leant forward and calmly enquired �Have you said Action yet?�
�Summer Wine� writer Roy Clarke (He also wrote �Open All Hours�) described how when he first wrote the small part of Nora Batty, a neighbour into the first episode, he had no idea how she would look, and was not expecting the role to be anything other than a small part with a few lines. He told how Kathy had created Nora Batty for him, and that she had achieved the almost impossible task of making an unlikeable character- the dreaded Battleaxe � into one that the public took to their hearts. She breathed the life into his character, and Kathy�s skill turned it into a very major part of the series.
The service, which included several hearty hymns and readings concluded with The blessing given by Rev�d Simon Grigg, and the congregation of Kathy�s friends and work mates went out into the bright sunshine to continue swapping stories and tales of their association with the lovely lady that was Kathy Staff.
Peter Robbins and I had worked with Kathy in two pantomimes- along with Bill Owen from �The Last Of The Summer Wine�- since Kathy was in both �Crossroads� AND �Summer Wine� at the same time, we would have fanfares of the �Crossroads� theme for Kathy as Queen, and the theme of �Summer Wine� for Bill as Baron Compo. The wrinkled stockings of Nora Batty were there, of course, under Kathy�s Royal Robes. She was a witty lovely lady, and I treasure those chats we�d have in �Kath�s Caff�, beneath the stage at the Bournemouth Pavilion between shows. Every Saturday evening John would arrive and He and Kathy would set off for Cheshire, and the service at church the next morning. A warm and witty lady. Kathy it was a pleasure to know you.
The church was packed, so I can only recall those who I met up with afterwards and saw leaving the service. I hope those not mentioned will forgive the omission. Apart from Kathy�s family mentioned above the congregation included:
Roy Barraclough and Mark Llewellyn, Tony Adams, Jill Rossington, Lynette and Emily McMorrough, Sarah Whitlock, Paul Henry, Janet Hargreaves, Alan JW Bell, Roy Clark, Peter Sallis, Jean Fergusson, Sarah Thomas, Frank Thornton, June Whitfield, Lynda Barron, Freddie Lees, Anita Graham, Linda Reagan and Brian Murphy, Pamela Cundell, Audrey Leybourne, Mathew Kelly, Brian Cant and Cherry Britton, Lorraine Chase, Meg Johnson, Anna Karen, Andrew Ryan, Frederick Pyne, Sue Devaney and Mark Curry.
3rd April 2009
54 Not Out! The Patton Brothers
This year Jimmy and Brian Patton celebrate 54 consecutive pantomimes in a career that has encompassed Panto, Variety and Television for over Sixty Years. Jimmy has been in the business for sixty-three years, and this year Brian reaches his sixtieth year in showbusiness� an amazing achievement! In all those years they have never missed a performance- something that must surely qualify them for a world record!
This Christmas, 2009, The Pattons and their real life brothers, The �Chuckles� will be touring Britain�s major theatres together in �A Christmas Chuckle�.
For further details on the Patton Brothers and The Chuckle Brothers, see our related articles.
1st April 2009
Theatre Museum
The Victoria & Albert Museum - Theatre Galleries
The new Theatre Galleries have opened at the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington, and I�m happy to report that once again we have representation for the arts, even if it is in a much scaled down version of the original museum in Covent Garden.
The galleries contain a small collection of the vast theatrical collection that the V&A possesses. Obviously it would be impossible to display even a small percentage of this archive, and so there is a representation of items from the different areas of ballet, opera, musicals, drama and performance.
Pantomime is represented in a few examples- the costume display features Billy Dainty�s �Sarah The Cook� costumes (before and after the ship-wreck) designed by the late Paddy Dickie. Paddy, assisted by her Mother Mary created costumes for �her boys�- Terry Scott, Stanley Baxter and Billy Dainty amongst others, often working to the designs of Terry Parsons. The twin Dame costumes on display here are from the Apollo Oxford pantomime of 1984-85. Paddy died in 2006 aged 58.
The collection of set designs includes one pantomime scene from 1903. The �City Of Coral� created by Henry Emden for the Drury Lane �Humpty Dumpty� with Dan Leno and Herbert Campbell. An amazing number of cut-cloths and borders give this set great depth, and it apparently made only a brief appearance at the end of the second act! There is also the make-up case belonging to Pantomime comedian Harry Randall , used in this Drury Lane production on display, along with photographs.
Panto Dame, the late Alan Vickers is represented by one of his headdresses from �Aladdin�, and an example of a �traditional� Pantomime Cow is displayed. Not from Pantomime, but on the same lines as the Panto Cow is the huge rhinoceros that greets you at the entrance to the gallery. It was designed to lumber across the stage (slowly) by two actors, with the tail and neck animated by a bicycle chain built into the structure!
Emile Littler, Pantomime King has his 1950�s board game �Show Business� in the collection (it was presented unused by Sir Emile himself) and like the trials of the �X Factor� today, the game involves the attempt to get from your Village Choir into the West End by means of a �Snakes & Ladders� type of game! Littler approached the manufacturers Chad Valley with the idea after the Second World War, and sold it at his theatres throughout the country.
Designers are represented- although not pantomime, the designer Cynthia Tingey has some examples of her work on display- designs for the opening production of Danny La Rue�s Nightclub in the 1960�s. Cynthia Tingey created many of the Palladium Pantomime costumes. There is one example of the Victorian designer �Wilhelm�- you might recall how, here at IBY we discovered his original designs for the Drury Lane and Crystal Palace pantomimes, and arranged for their subsequent sale to the V&A. The example in the V&A informed me that the designers true name was William John Charles Pitcher- so little wonder he shortened it to �Wilhelm�!.
Interesting to see that I have a double of a mask by the artist Jocelyn Herbert at the Kenneth More Theatre- I bought it at a sale twenty years ago, and now know that it was made for Harrison Birtwistle�s opera �The Mask Of Orpheus� from 1986. Mine has served very nicely as King Neptune in several productions of �Dick Whittington� at the Ilford Panto.
Panto Dame Jeffrey Longmore is depicted at the museum as Frank n Furter in the Oldham Coliseum�s �Rocky Horror Show�- there is a design for his costume dating from 1981.
I�m not sure whether Adam Ant�s costume from his video as �Prince Charming�, Elton John�s outfit or Mick Jaggers cat-suit are strictly theatre, but they are certainly not what you�d call �Street-Wear�! There is the �Transport Caf� frock designed for Dame Edna Everage, together with �her� Sydney Harbour Bridge� hat, worn by the Dame at Royal Ascot, next to Variety strong lady Joan Rhodes�s sequinned dresses and Dame Margot�s tutu.
Sadly there are very few pantomime posters on display- the old museum had more wall space I suppose. There might be more, but I only counted three panto related posters in total- one of Rolf Harris and Lesley Joseph at Bath (a Paul Elliott production), one of Aubrey Phillip�s touring �Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs� with Charles Hawtrey and Bryan Johnson- I was in that show for a while in the 1970�s!- and one Cinderella dating from 1895. I have filing cabinets and portfolios stuffed with more, should the V&A ever need to put a few more up!
All in all a very enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half, but, in terms of a museum of the arts in Great Britain, it is extremely modest and very unassuming. Who knows, perhaps the displays will change regularly, or be extended? I do hope hope so. Call in, if you get the chance, and support the Arts!
4th February 2009
Connie Creighton BEM
Here at IBY we were very sad to hear of the death of Connie Creighton, aged 74.. Connie had been bravely battling dementia for the past six months, and sadly passed away last week at her home in Bournemouth, looked after to the end by her devoted partner John Seaton.
Connie was the brightest, bubbliest personality you could ever wish to meet or to work with. She presented �The Sooty Show� for over twenty-two years on stage, often with Mathew Corbett, or fronting the show herself, as well as making guest appearances on the television �Sooty� shows, and voicing the �Sooty� DVD�s.
In addition to her �Sooty� tours, often concluding with a season in London at the Mayfair Theatre, Connie was also the smiling face of Southport. As Southport�s Holiday Hostess she reigned supreme at the resort for a quarter of a century up until the mid 1990�s.
Connie often appeared there with Sooty, and annually hosted the �Search For A Star� competitions there, and was guest of honour each year for the �English Rose� Beauty Pageant.
If you care to look on the many website tributes to Connie you will find a great many from holiday makers and residents of Southport, as well as a huge number from those who remembered getting a Sooty Rosette from Connie when they were children, their first ever introduction to Theatre.
Connie�s work for charities was enormous and hugely time consuming, but she was a tireless fund raiser and active in a great many organisations. She was awarded the British Empire Medal for her work in this field.
It was at Southport, at the Floral Hall that Connie was first introduced to her (later to be) husband, John. The function was hosted by Connie and Les Dawson. Connie and John were together since 1976-together for thirty-two years and married for fifteen. John worked with Connie on several of the �Sooty� tours, and has become a popular published author of fiction.
In the world of pantomime Connie was always the ideal Fairy Godmother. Her amazing rapport with children, and her total belief in her magical character made her a producer�s dream for casting Fairy roles. Connie was in one of the early pantomimes produced by Paul Elliott- at the Princess Theatre Torquay in �Cinderella� with Ted Rogers and Dawson Chance, in 1973.
On a personal note, Connie regularly presented the �Sooty� show each year at the Kenneth More Theatre. It was there that I first met Connie. The children totally believed in Sooty, and Connie held that trust sacred. She WAS Sooty- and in her hands he was as real as the children wanted him to be. She never once flagged at her post- her tireless energy zapping over the footlights, often doing two and quite often three shows on a Saturday on tour, then moving into the London venue for the annual Christmas Show. Connie was larger than life, and huge fun to know, and to be with. She was immensely proud of John�s literary career, and in love with life itself. This is a woman who, midway through Sooty at the Mayfair Theatre, returned to the dressing room to disturb a thief going through the rooms, and then pursued him through the labyrinths of corridors, onto the street, and only stopped when she remembered she had a cue coming up!
Connie- had lately carved out a busy career as a much sought after speaker at events. Every time you opened the �Encore� magazine there was a picture of her presenting an award, or photographed with her showbiz pals. Connie we will all miss you and the joy you brought to us all.
Connie Creighton�s funeral took place today, Monday 26th January at St. Mark�s Church in her hometown of Bournemouth.
NE - January 2009
FROM PAUL MORSE
Thought you might like to have an up-date, went to Connie's funeral today in Bournemouth, a nice full church greeted her, so even to the last she played to a full house. The service was very nice, readings from Ed Stewart and Antony Bygraves and of course at graveside was a Sooty wreath! It was a real thanks giving for such a wonderful woman. John her husband did very well.
15th December 2008
Kathy Staff (1928 - 2008)
We are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Kathy Staff. Famous to many as Nora Batty in 29 Series of the BBC Comedy Last of the Summer Wine, she also appeared in Crossroads and Open All Hours. Kathy had been battling against illness for some time and died on the 13th December. All of us here at IBY send our condolences to Kathy's husband John during this difficult time.
Nigel and Peter appeared with Kathy in 1985 at the Pavilion Theatre Bournemouth alongside her Summer Wine co-star Bill Owen and Rolf Harris. Nigel recalls what a lovely lady she was and that Kathy was also a deeply religious lady, and when the very first Sunday performances were introduced into pantomime, she was exempted- she travelled each and every Saturday night to Chester to attend Church there. Indeed her daughter was ordained there. So- we had Queen Nora the First from Tuesday to Saturday, and then, on a Sunday Betty Benfield (Our Fairy Godmother) would take on the role in addition to her own, and the sight of Betty running like the clappers exiting as Fairy and entering as Queen was a sight to behold!
Further reading
30th October 2008
The Mayflower Open Day - Saturday 6th September 2008
with apologies for the length of time it's taken to post this story!
Southampton�s Mayflower Theatre celebrated 21 years with a fun packed open day. When Andrew Ryan and I arrived early to get ready there was already a queue at the front doors an hour before the doors opened at 10am. By the time we limped back to the dressing room (six hours of Dame Shoes takes its toll!) at 4pm, the theatre had played host to over two and a half thousand visitors!
Among the most popular attractions (apart from us Panto Dames of course!) was the opportunity to tour the building. There were long queues to look around the dressing rooms, with some of them exihibiting costumes from the English National Ballet, The Welsh National Opera, and costumes and props from the forthcoming �Cinderella� which stars Chris Biggins, Stephanie Powers, Mathew Kelly and his son Mathew Rixson and Craig McLachlan.
The visitors were able to walk about on the stage and view the vast 2,300 seater auditorium, take part onstage in workshops by the Welsh National Opera and English National Ballet companies, work the follow spots, tour the fly gallery, and operate the prompt corner, as well as enjoy face-painting, circus clowns performing, and bump into the odd celebrity as they toured the building.
Su Pollard and Claire Sweeney were there to take part in a public press call, and to take part in a Q&A session- and joined Andrew & I for a photo call on stage. It was great to catch up with their news. Su and Clare are about to open their new show �Shout!� at the Mayflower before taking it on tour. It�s a feel-good �Sixties show with hits made famous by Lulu, Dusty Springfield, Cilla Black and every pop icon you can think of!
Caught up with their panto news- Su will be in Swansea this Christmas, giving her Wicked Baroness in �Cinderella� at The Grand Theatre, while Claire will be at the Regent Theatre, Stoke starring alongside Jonathan Wilkes in �Snow White�.
We also met up with producers Michael Rose and David Morgan Young who along with Chris Moreno and The Mayflower will be presenting this year�s pantomime. Peter Robbins (not here today as he�s finishing his� Hound Of The Baskervilles� tour) and I played panto here at the Mayflower twice, and at Bournemouth twice, and each time were delighted to join in with Michael Rose�s panto companies at Poole, for joint parties and charity events. Great to see them both again!
Dennis Hall, the Mayflower boss, and Robin Hancox looked after us all superbly, and it was an exhausting but very enjoyable day, made more enjoyable by the Mayflower staff who went out of their way to show off their theatre to the public. We were amazed that every part of this huge building was packed with activities and interest- the circle bar showed a film about the long history of the building, formerly opened as The Empire seventy-five years ago, playing host to the top variety names, then becoming The Gaumont in 1950, alternating shows, pop concerts and films, before finally becoming The Mayflower Theatre in 1987.
31st July 2008
Mimi Law (9th May 1917 - 27th June 2008)
We received the sad news that Mimi Law the comedienne passed away on Friday 27th June at Brindsworth House. Mimi was 91 years old, and had been a resident at Brindsworth in recent times.
A very spry and energetic lady, I last saw Mimi at a memorial service at St. Paul�s Covent Garden in February, and not having seen her in a good few years was delighted to find her as lively and as enthusiastic as ever. She retained this to the last - not surprising for an entertainer who, along with her comedian husband, Billy Whittaker had worked all over the world as a highly successful and popular double act.
Billy was a much sought after pantomime Dame, and ranked alongside the likes of George Lacy, Clarkson Rose and Nat Jackley, and Mimi often appeared alongside him in pantoland. Mimi�s brother was Jerry Jerome. As children they began their joint theatrical careers as the �Bisto Kids�. Jerry was later to become an impresario producing pantomimes and Summer shows, while Mimi teamed up with Billy playing the major variety and panto circuits.
In turn, Billy�s father was the music hall ventriloquist Coram who, with his astonishing �Automaton�- or �Dummy� became the highest paid speciality of this kind . The dummy, named Jerry was capable of being operated whilst standing next to his creator.
Mimi�s drive and energy was an example to us all, and I enjoyed touring with her in �Pinocchio� in her later years, and appearing with her in a few variety shows .
Mimi's funeral took place on the 17th July in Twickenham
Nigel Ellacott
Mimi Law was a rare breed of stage performer- she was funny-really funny- a true born comic.
She was born into a theatrical family and as a child, together with her brother Jerry Jerome (who became a theatrical producer, with pantos and summer seasons all over the country from the �50�s to the �80�s). were the original Bisto Kids.
She worked all her performing life in the theatre. First as a solo artiste, then as a double act with her husband Billy Whittaker.
Billy and Mimi worked all over the country and abroad in reviews and summer seasons from the 1940�s to the 1980�s. Originally Mimi was the �feed� to Billy, and performed in the shows as soubrette in production items, but gradually Billy realised Mimi�s comic potential as a wonderful character performer, and by the 1970�s the roles had been reversed, and Bill was the straight foil to Mimi�s comedy characters- the most popular being �Daisy Stinks� (Some days I do, some days I don�t!)
Panto saw them going different ways as Billy played �Mum� to stars such as Norman Wisdom and Ken Dodd, and Mimi usually directed and performed for her brother Jerry Jerome.
I first met Mimi in 1974 when we (Phillip and I) had the contract to put the girls into the show that summer that Bill and Mimi were doing at Ryde, I.O.W. She loved our ideas, music and costumes, and we became lifelong friends. From 1977 they worked almost entirely for and with us in summer shows, pantos, tours, plays and one nighters. They both considered themselves as part of our �little firm� (Charles Haley Productions).
Mimi was wonderful in our 1940�s show �There�ll Always Be An England� where her �New Recruit� sketch stopped the show, and her comedy solo spot (Top of the bill, before the finale) sitting on a high stool (I�m not gonna do nothin�- she would say), was also a winner.
She was excellent in production with a fine singing voice, playing the uke or banjo, and dancing, always looking immaculate and glamorous.
Bobby Crush - Mimi Law as Puss
Her panto characters of �Cuddles� and �Puss In Boots� were also memorable, and she performed every year in panto, mostly for Charles Haley Productions up until 1994 - her last panto at the Medina Theatre, Newport I.O.W where she and Bill had lived since 1974.
Mimi Law as Cuddles
Mimi always looked wonderful, and was full of energy and attack. She had to leave the Isle Of Wight last year and was living (not quietly!) in Brindsworth House at Twickenham. She was out gadding most days, and had been on an outing to Brighton with a friend the day before she died. She was a great performer, a real �old �Pro� and a dear friend, and she will be much missed. She came to Phillip�s memorial concert in February at St. Paul�s Covent Garden, and the CAA (Concert Artistes Association) and saw many old friends there.
We were astounded to find out that she had reached the wonderful age of 91- she looked about 65! Farewell Meemow- it was lovely to know you.
Jennifer Haley - Toad Hall
Patrick Newley Obituary from The Stage
31st July 2008
Alan Haynes (1918 - 2008)
The entertainer Alan Haynes passed away on 17th March 2008.
Alan was, during the 1950�s and 1960�s along with his partner Danny La Rue, the top Ugly Sister duos in the country.
Alan had originally partnered the late Terry Gardner in variety and clubs, and while Terry played Ugly Sister with his stage partner Barri Chat, Alan teamed up with the then unknown Danny La Rue to perform in clubs and establish themselves as Ugly Sisters in major pantomimes.
All in all Alan and Danny appeared in �Cinderella� as the sisters for a decade and a half before Danny�s commitments to his club in Hanover Square and his solo career took over, and Alan set up his own west End club in London.
Among the pantomimes they appeared in together were the 1964 �Cinderella� at the New Theatre Oxford with Des O� Connor and Yana- Alan then was billed before Danny, and the 1965 �Cinderella� at the Golders Green Hippodrome with Dickie Henderson and Yana.
After Danny�s huge success with his club and West End show �Come Spy With Me�, Alan and Danny appeared at Golders Green once again in �Sleeping Beauty,� with Danny top of the bill, and Alan as the Queen Mother.
Patrick Newley Obituary from The Stage
17th May 2008 - Updated
Terry Duggan (15th April 1932 - 1st May 2008)
We were sorry to hear the news last week that Terry Duggan, the comedian and actor has died, following a hard fought battle against illness.
Terry was married to the actress Anna Karen, and like Anna appeared in many television, film and stage roles, including pantomimes.
He wrote the Shaw Theatre�s �Aladdin� in 1986 which starred Anna, along with Norman Beaton, Debbie Bishop and Martin Chamberlain, and over the years has been instrumental in providing material, gags and very sound comic advice to pantomime artistes.
Terry�s career as a stage and club comedian allowed him to hone his comic timing, and no-one could rival him when it came to his comedic speciality- �The Drunk Act�.
Terry�s routine as a drunk, returning home from a long night on the tiles was astonishing in its truthfulness and in the number of sight gags he could wring out of a battered suitcase of props. In fact, when I worked with Terry during a Music Hall at the Kenneth More Theatre, so convincing was his act that he almost didn�t get the opportunity to perform it!
He would enter from the auditorium, rolling and staggering, engaging in banter with the audience before eventually making his way up on to the stage. An over zealous usherette spotted this trouble maker as he stumbled into the auditorium, and, enlisting help, attempted to eject him from the theatre!
Terry�s film and television work included parts in some of the popular series. It gave fans of �On The Buses� a thrill to spot Terry appearing in various roles, often opposite Anna playing �Olive�, from an early appearance in 1969 and 1970 to playing �Nobby� in the 1971 series.
His film work included the Terence Stamp and Carol White film �Poor Cow� in 1967, a year in which he also appeared in the prestigious �Wednesday Play� on television- �An Officer Of The Court� and in �Profile Of A Gentleman�. In 1969 he made an appearance in �Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)., and in the film �A Nice Girl Like Me�.
In 1970 he appeared in the Hammer Film �The Horror Of Frankenstein�, followed in 1971 with the film �Family Life� . He also found time to appear in variety and clubs, as well as panto appearances.
He appeared in BBC�s �Dixon Of Dock Green� in 1972 and again in 1974, and appeared with Anna again in the 1976 film�A Place To Hide� followed by appearing with his wife in the 1977 film �What�s Up Nurse?�,� and the horror film �Schizo�.
Terry arrived at Grace Brothers� store in 1977 to play a cameo in �Are You Being Served� opposite John Inman and Trevor Bannister, and continued to appear in theatre throughout the eighties, along with appearances on television in �Poirot� and �A Class Act�, as well as �Murder By Decree�.
Terry was a member of the Grand Order Of Water Rats, and was a great support to Anna when, as a member of the Grand Order of Lady Ratlings� she was �Queen Ratling� for the year.
I am proud to have had Terry as a friend, and deeply indebted to him for all the �fine tuning� and practical advice he gave when it came to writing or performing in a routine or a �scena�- He could be relied on for the perfect joke or bit of comic business that was missing from a routine, and would go to great lengths to ensure every last piece of comic potential could be extracted from a gag or even a word.
Terry, it was a huge joy to have known you, and I know that there are a huge number of people in this business who would agree with me there.
Our sympathies to Anna.
Terry�s funeral will be held at Golders Green on Tuesday May 13th at 11am.
Nigel Ellacott
Funeral Service
The funeral service for Terry Duggan was held today- Tuesday 13th May at the Golders Green Crematorium in North London at 11am.
The service was conducted by Canon Rodney Mathews, and as Terry was a �Past Trap Guard� for the Grand Order Of Water Rats, and Anna is a previous Queen Ratling of the Grand Order Of Lady Ratlings, there was a large attendance of fellow members of the GOWR at the service in addition to family members, friends and colleagues of Terry from the world of theatre, film and pantomime.
The Valediction of the Grand Order Of Water Rats was spoken by Keith Simmons, followed by hymns and prayers, and the song �The Mountains Of Mourne� sung by Isosceles. This was followed by a tribute from Roy Hudd, OBE.
Roy recalled first meeting Terry and Anna, and working on a film in the early days when Terry was employed as a stunt man in films. He recalled how Terry often played �The Tough Guy� roles in films and on television, and that he had begun his life in Hoxton, performing from the age of eight, and becoming an acrobat, which led him to stunt work, before becoming an actor and a comedian on the variety and club circuits.
Later in the service Sam Kane sang �The Wind Beneath My Wings� followed by the committal, accompanied by a piece of music called �In Paradisum� composed by Ben Robbins. Ben being the son of Michael Robbins who played Anna Karen�s long suffering husband �Arthur� in their series �On The Buses�.
The chapel was filled with Anna & Terry�s family and friends, including Gloria Gill Terry�s daughter,and Robyn Gill his Grand-daughter, and friends, colleagues and fellow Rats and Ratlings .
The world of show business was well represented, and among the large congregation were very many of Anna and Terry�s friends, only some of whom I�ve listed below- my apologies to those I have missed out, but with such a huge �Turn out� at the chapel, and later at the Queen�s Tavern in Primrose Hill (superb catering by Michelle- Anna & Terry�s long time friend, who proposed a toast to Terry�s memory ) means I wasn�t able to get everyone�s names. Some of those attending today include:
Barbara Windsor, Sophie Lawrence and Jon Conway, Roy Hudd, Keith Simmons, Barry Cryer and his wife Terry ,Penny Ramsey, Melvyn Hayes, Linda Lusardi and Sam Kane, Kate Williams and daughter Kelly, Philip Hedley CBE, Sue Douglas, Doreen Hermitage and Ivan, Michelle McCann, Marsha-Rae Ratcliff and John Ratcliff, Frederick Pyne, Sarah Whitlock, Bryan Burdon and his wife Andrea, Rosemarie, Julie Rogers and Michael Black, Chris Emmett, Vincent Hayes, Val Fontaine and Udo, Doreen Hermitage and Ivan, Maurice Thoroughgood and Pat Hayley, Vivyan Ellacott, Nigel Ellacott, Andrew Ryan, Barbara Hills, Stephen and Barbara Eke, Tane Larkin Te-Awe Awe, Philip Gould-Jones and Scott Howard, Costa, (Terry�s carer for some years), Len Howe and Audrey Maye, Billie and Rex Roper, Bobby and Moira Roberts, Sue Craig, John Adrian (secretary to the Trustees of the Water Rats, responsible for organising the Order of Service)
It was a truly beautiful service, and a fitting tribute to a very lovely man.
1st April 2008 - Updated
John Chilvers MBE (1920-2008)
It is with deep sadness we report the death of John Chilvers at the age of 88 � obituaries and full details of the funeral celebration are now contained in a dedicated page.
27th December 2007
Pat Kirkwood (1921 - 2007)
Here at IBY we were saddened to hear of the death of one of the finest Principal
Boys of all time - Pat Kirkwood.
She became one of the top Principal Boys in pantomime during the late 1930's and
1940's. "Humpty Dumpty" at The London Coliseum in 1943 brought her to the
attention of Film magnates in the USA and began a successful film career in
Hollywood and in Great Britain.
Patricia Kirkwood died on Christmas Day at a nursing home in Yorkshire aged 86.
23rd March 2007
Frank Seton 1918 - 2007
Frank Seton died on the twenty eighth of February aged 89.
In his many years as an actor in the theatre, television, film and pantomime Frank�s most unexpected role was at the Tivoli Theatre Hull in 1954. Frank was understudy to Arthur Lucan �Old Mother Riley� in the Gaston and Andre touring pantomime �Old Mother Riley In Paris�.
In the company were Ellis Ashton, Jimmy Grant, Barry Gnome and Janet Karel. As Arthur Lucan was waiting for his entrance cue in the wings, he collapsed and died. The thirty six year old Frank Seton had the grim task of donning Mother Riley�s costume, and continuing with the show. The audience were unaware of the dramatic scenes backstage.
The revue the following day, when the news of Lucan�s death were released said �Frank Seton took over the part of Old Mother Riley and acquitted himself so well that one comment from an old theatregoer was �A miracle�.
Frank himself told the local press that �you can�t really take over a part like Old Mother Riley. It is entirely his own characterisation. You can�t just mimic him� Frank attended Arthur Lucan�s funeral representing British Actor�s Equity. The tour eventually ended, and Lucan�s estranged wife, Kitty McShane continued to tour �Old Mother Riley� with Roy Rolland.
Frank was trained at RADA, and began his career in repertory in Southampton. Shortly afterwards he joined the Old Vic Company in London in 1937. He opened in �Richard III� on 2nd November playing the role of Captain Brandon. The prestigious cast included Emlyn Williams, Angela Baddeley, Alec Clunes and Andrew Cruickshank. It was produced by Tyrone Guthrie.
The same year he appeared at the New Theatre London in �Macbeth� The play opened on Christmas Eve 1937.. The title role was played by Laurence Olivier, with Judith Anderson as Lady Macbeth. Michel Saint-Denis was the producer. At the Old Vic that same week Vivienne Leigh and Ralph Richardson opened in �A Midsummer Night�s Dream�.
Frank appeared in �Coriolanus� at the Old Vic the following year. The cast included Sybil Thorndike and Laurence Olivier .
Frank�s first pantomime was in �Robinson Crusoe� in Cambridge, 1938. He appeared regularly in pantomime, and forty two years after his pantomime debut I had the great pleasure of working alongside Frank in �Puss In Boots� at St. Albans. Frank played King Cornelius, and Hilary O�Neil was making her pantomime debut as �Colin�.
I spent many happy times in rehearsals, and backstage between shows talking to Frank about the pantomimes he had known, and his career which moved effortlessly between classical theatre and Music Hall.
That year (1980) Frank had just appeared alongside Brian Murphy in �Soldier�s Fortune� at the Lyric Theatre Hammersmith.
A year or so later we were casting for �Dick Whittington� at the Kenneth More Theatre, and knew that Frank would make a perfect Alderman Fitzwarren. Happily for us he accepted, and played the part for our 1982 season.
That summer Frank appeared at the Regent�s Park Open Air Theatre productions of �A Midsummer Night�s Dream� and �The Taming Of The Shrew�.
Over the years Frank Seton appeared in numerous television roles from� Dixon of Dock Green �, �No Hiding Place�, �A Tale Of Two Cities�, �Callan�, and several appearances in BBC�s �Dr.Who�. he played Falco in �The Chef�s Apprentice� in 1989.
A genuinely warm and witty man- a true gentleman, and an extremely talented and versatile artiste. It was a joy to have known you Frank.
Nigel Ellacott
17th March 2007
8th March 2007
John Inman 1935 - 2007
John
Inman star of pantomime and television sadly passed away today aged 71 (Thursday
8th March ) at St. Mary�s hospital, Paddington after a long illness.
John died shortly after 4am this morning. He had been ill for several years, and
was unable to perform in pantomime in recent years.
John Inman was possibly the finest Pantomime Dame of the past few decades. His appearances whether at the London Palladium (as Nurse Wanda in �Babes In The Wood�) or at the Victoria Palace (as Mother Goose) or in the provinces were guaranteed to be sell-out runs. In his skilful hands the audiences were treated to the joy of pantomime led by a master of his trade.
His agent, Phil Dale said today �He was one of the best and finest pantomime dames working to capacity audiences throughout Britain�
Paul Elliott said this to IBY this morning:
I first worked with John Inman in 1960 when I was a stage manager. Through the years as I moved into the producing side of the theatre I did many shows with him including seasons in Australia and Canada-.from "Pajama Tops " to "Why Not Stay For Breakfast"-.and of course many Pantomimes throughout the UK.
John was great fun to work with: a great pro who always knew how to deliver a funny line. I said to him once that every young actor should be made to come and see him work...it would teach them more about comedy and technique than 3 years in drama school!! He was a master of his craft
When I was writing my play "There's No Place Like A Home" I had finished the first Act and had written a leading part for John-I was quite pleased with it so sent him the first draft . He called me a few days later and said " Well love....I think you had better write Act 2 ...I think it's funny..." ...This I did and we talked about the play and it was [and always will be ] "John's part". He came to the reading at the Prince of Wales Theatre but unfortunately was never fit enough to do the play when we did it last year [with the wonderful Gorden Kaye playing 'John's part'
The play is being produced again this year and I have written in the title page "Dedicated to John Inman, a master of comedy and a lovely man"
John had been a stage
and pantomime performer long before his rise to fame in �Are You Being Served�.
For eight years he and his stage partner Barry Howard appeared as Ugly Sisters
in panto across the country, and were acknowledged as
the finest in the roles. They recreated a moment of their stage double act on an
appearance for BBC Televisions �The Good Old Days� when they both appeared as
buxom Principal Boys of the �Old School� in an hilarious spot.
Born in Blackpool (but raised in Preston) John began his stage career at the age of 13 playing the role of Tony in �Freda� on Blackpool�s South Pier. He received Five Pounds wages.
He made his West End Debut in �Ann Veronica� at the Cambridge Theatre , and toured (with Barry Howard) in �Salad Days�. Together with Barry he appeared in comedies such as �Boeing Boeing�, and continued his solo career with a seventeen month run at The Windmill Theatre, at The Adelphi Theatre as Fancourt Babberley in �Charlie�s Aunt� and tours of �My Fat Friend� , �Bedside Manners�, �Pajama Tops� and Summer Seasons and of course, over forty pantomimes.
In 1972 John was asked by Jeremy Lloyd and David Croft to join the �Are You Being Served� team at the BBC. The part created for him became an overnight success, not just in this country but in America and Australia. In fact, when Australian Television recreated the series with an Australian cast years later, John was asked to recreate his role as Mr Humphries. His Catch-phrase �I�m Free� was to remain with him forever.
In 69 episodes between 1972 and 1985 John appeared as Wilberforce Claybourne Humphries in the men�s department of Grace Brothers store, alongside Molly Sugden, Wendy Richard, frank Thornton and Trevor Bannister. Many times the plot would be convoluted to allow John to appear in a more outrageous outfit than the week before, and often allowing him the opportunity to appear in disguise as a fur clad lady customer or ever more outlandish costumic creations.
During this period John also appeared in several TV sit-coms. He played Neville Surdiffe in �Odd Man Out� in 1977, and appeared with Rula Lenska in �Take A Letter Please Mr. Jones� as Graham Jones in 1981.
The Success of �Are You Being Served� led to its follow up �Grace and Favour� in 1992, with the staff of �Grace Brothers� inheriting a farm and Hotel in the countryside.
In 1976 John was awarded the title of �Funniest Man on Television� by the readers of a TV Magazine, and the BBC Personality Of The Year, he was the subject of �This Is Your Life� in the same year. He made several appearances in �The Good Old Days� recreating the act of his hero, Frank Randle in an uncanny impersonation.
He appeared in six Royal Variety shows, and was a dedicated worker for various charitable organisations. He was King Rat of the Grand Order of Water Rats, and in 2002 became President of the Heritage Foundation.
Above all in the world of Pantomime John will be remembered for the Dame roles he made his own. As Mother Goose he was able to bring tears of laughter to his audiences one moment, and then, in the pathos scenes with his beloved Goose- Barbara Newman- he would make them weep as he pretended to reject �Priscilla� to ease her departure from his farm. He excelled as Nurse Wanda in �Babes In The Wood�, and created an unforgettable Widow Twankey in �Aladdin�.
John�s amazing costumes and wigs were more often than not created by himself. It was John and Barry who introduced Peter and me to the world of �hard� wigs- John had worked as a window dresser in his early years, and was one of the first to realise the potential in �Mannequin� type wigs. He created headdresses that got larger and taller- chandeliers, birdcages and ships, and would supply them to the �wig Factory� to be set into the wigs for finales and transformation scenes. Above all he carried with him a strong sense of tradition- a respect for �what has gone before� in pantomime, and his dame was at all times truly believable and honest.
Pantoland is truly going to miss John Inman. From Simon, Peter and myself our sincere condolences to John�s partner Ron, and to John�s family and friends.
Nigel Ellacott - 8th March 2007
Our many readers and contributors, many of them pantomime professionals with memories of John, have been adding memories to our message board. A few examples of messages left are below - feel free to add your memories of John on the message board and we will try and compile a fuller listing here at a later date.
Another star taken from us
To shine down from above
Our thoughts and Prayers
go to John with Love
Another Panto dressing room is empty
Another Great Dame has gone
Thanks for all the memories John
Thanks for all the fun
Some where in heaven in eyelashes
Tripping around with Glee
Telling Cherubims and Angels
in no uncertain terms I'M FREE
God Bless John
from Paul Brammer
So sad to see another great dame and a wonderful actor go
to the big theatre in the sky. It was your dame that inspired me to be one,
thank you for that may you rest now and always be free. from Michael
A Dear Dear friend, and a wonderful mentor to me. One of the kindest and most unselfish performers ever. God Bless. from Malcolm Lord
30th December 2005
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Last night Nigel and Peter appeared 'live' from Newcastle! Linking up with the studio in London, they answered questions about the history of pantomime and how it's survived through the ages. Peter even managed to pull his dress up to demonstrate why ladies didn't play dames. About half an hour after the boys left, Nick Higham did a short article on pantomime using loads of graphics from the site and even featuring the front page in the background. Very informative and nice once again to prove that we are 'the' source of pantomime on the internet!!
15th November 2005
Is panto cool? Oh yes it is!
A great article from www.whatsonstage.com
In Sir Ian McKellen�s wake, the traditional Christmas pantomime is now cool & credible for top-notch actors, writers, directors & producers. Roger Foss explains why.
http://www.whatsonstage.com/dl/page.php?page=greenroom&story=E8821131726372
14th April 2004
Charles Wilhelm Costume Designs - A treasure trove!
The full story - so far!! UPDATED
17th December 2003
THE Pantomime Source on the Internet!!
Whilst we don't like to blow our own trumpet, it's nice sometimes to at least prove that we have a trumpet to blow!! We are constantly providing information, interviews and pictures to Television companies, newspapers, magazines and the like - today we were being featured in the BBC programme 'Working Lunch'. If you want to read the article, check out the link below - it also has a video report from the BBC reporter Rob Pittam 'The business of panto can be as tough as any industry'.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/3327277.stm
7th December 2003
BBC Legacies
The BBC has a new website for local history, BBC Legacies. The site covers the whole of the UK, with features for each region on a different theme every two months. This month the theme is "Local Legends", and for London the article is about the truth behind the legend of Dick Whittington.
Here is a link to the pages: http://www.bbc.co.uk/legacies/myths_legends/england/london/index.shtml
14th December 2002
Collect It Magazine - January 2003 Issue - Panto Feature!
Available from all good newsagents - priced �3!!
7th December 2002
Newspaper Articles featuring Pantomime and www.its-behind-you.com
The Sun 3rd December 2002
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,5-2002560346,00.html
27th May 2002
Jack Stanley - Panto Pictures from a Scrapbook - Another Mystery!
Recently we acquired a collection of pantomime photographs, mostly dating from the mid 1930�s to the mid 1950�s.The origin of these are unknown, but they may possibly have been part of a scrapbook belonging to a Jack Stanley, pantomime artiste.
Please have a look at the article and if you know any further information - please contact us on info@its-behind-you.com
12th December 2001
Newspaper Articles featuring Pantomime and www.its-behind-you.com
The Guardian - 5th December 2001
http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/story/0,3604,612124,00.html
Oh no, it isn't. Oh yes, it is!
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,322-2001564225,00.html
Pantos bring a smile to glum theatreland
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,2-2001565400,00.html
11th January 2001
Read All About it ! More Pantomime Stories from the National Press
Reuters/Yahoo - http://uk.news.yahoo.com/010107/80/auvxd.html
The Times - http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,277-50809,00.html
The Guardian - http://www.guardianunlimited.co.uk/Archive/Article/0,4273,4109972,00.html
The Independent - http://www.independent.co.uk/enjoyment/Theatre/Theatre/2000-12/panto101200.shtml
30th December 2000
CNN Europe - Article on Pantomime
Featuring an interview with Nigel Ellacott and Peter Robbins, plus many of the pictures from ITS BEHIND YOU DOT COM.
http://europe.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/europe/12/22/british.pantomime/
Eric Potts of course!
