8,162 posts
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Post by alece10 on Sept 16, 2017 11:10:57 GMT
My earliest theatre memory was Tommy Trinder in panto as a child. I went up on stage and won a goldfish which I called silver and we had it for about 20 years. In the summer we used to go to Paignton on Sundays to see the summertime show and I can remember seeing the likes of Larry Grayson before he was famous and Tommy Cooper. I was 18 when I moved to London in the late 70s and really started my love of musical theatre. Used to go and see something every week. Always in the balcony or standing as it was all I could afford.
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 16, 2017 11:17:29 GMT
I too remember that (1980?) Pal Joey with great affection. A classy performance of a classy musical but, hey, it's yet another example of the brilliance of Rodgers, this time with the superb Hart rather than Hammerstein. Much as I love Gershwin, Porter, Berlin and (especially) Kern I think Rodgers is the one I admire the most for the sheer number of really great songs he (apparently effortlessly) composed. Right from 'Manhattan' onwards there's an embarrassment of riches. Ah now tmesis, I can see where you are coming from but my advice is not to try to pick a favourite from among that galaxy of amazing composers of American musicals. You should rather think along the lines of the Burton Lane song from 'Finian's Rainbow': 'When I'm not near the girl I love, I love the girl I'm near' and just enjoy them all, especially the one you happen to be listening to at any particular time. And don't forget Loesser, De Silva, Brown and Henderson, Kander, Youmans, Loewe, Weill, Arlen, Willson and various others who all bequeathed us some wonderful songs. Can I just add I agree with tonyloco and tmesis. What a time it was, so many talented composers and Dubin didn't make that list. But then there's Rogers. With Hart he wrote the music and the words followed. With Hammerstein he set the Lyrics to music. And what music. No one Quite like him. |
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Post by tmesis on Sept 16, 2017 11:32:20 GMT
I've just started a Great American Songbook thread. (In the Musicals section)
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Post by tonyloco on Sept 16, 2017 11:49:29 GMT
Can I just add I agree with tonyloco and tmesis. What a time it was, so many talented composers and Dubin didn't make that list. But then there's Rogers. With Hart he wrote the music and the words followed. With Hammerstein he set the Lyrics to music. And what music. No one Quite like him. Yes, Mr.Snow. I think you meant Harry Warren (Dubin was a lyricist) but he write mainly for films and I was thinking of composers whose main work was for Broadway shows. But I agree with you that Rodgers's talent for writing the music first when he was working with Larry Hart was quite extraordinary. I haven't researched it at present, but I think he would start with a dummy lyric, presumably suggested by Hart and then Hart would write the actual final lyrics when he got the finished tune from Rodgers. I just checked Wikipedia and confirmed that for Rodgers's original melody for 'Blue Moon' Hart wrote no less than four totally different sets of lyrics, the last one being the one we all know: 'Blue moon, you saw me standing alone, without a dream in my heart, without a love of my own.' What a pair of musical geniuses! |
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 14:55:42 GMT
Oh gosh I'm enjoying this thread! I think a future "theatreboard" get together should feature tonyloco's memoir's. Great stuff! Mention earlier of Jack Tripp, who was for me the best pantomime dame ever. Sometimes raucous and sometimes subtle. One of my earliest theatre memories was a production of "Aladdin" at the Royalty Theatre, Chester. It started Mikki and Griff and started my life long panto love of led in lines for songs. Theirs was " Aladdin, you look so sad you are usually such a clown", which lead to their then hit "Little bitty tear"! (another favourite was from "Babes in the wood" - Little John - "I will carry Robin Hood out of the forest, because He ain't heavy, he's my brother"!) Those lead in lines are so funny, especially given that they're perfectly acceptable in panto ! Not a lead in line as such, but I remember seeing Les Dawson playing Dame Ada in Babes in the Wood at the Bradford Alhambra on the 70s. The late Roy Barraclough was the Bad Robber , until he came on as the Bad Robber's sister , Cissie. Cue a wonderfully funny Cissie and Ada routine ! Yes I mentioned Jack Tripp earlier , a delightful Dame, and a brilliant comic performer. I remember his "Busy Bee" routine at Sadlers wells , which was hilarious, with much water being spat out all over, and becoming progressively more and more manic . I had been to see the newly opened and much anticipated Sunset Boulevard with Patti LuPone the evening before , and Jack got a huge laugh during his water spitting routine when he exhaustedly declared "it was never like this in sunset boulevard! " |
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Post by hulmeman on Sept 16, 2017 15:58:37 GMT
I saw Les Dawson twice in panto, but alas never with Roy Barraclough. He was with John Nettles and to this day, I'm not sure how much of the ad-lib and anarchy was "rehearsed" because John Nettles always looked as if he didn't know what day of the week it was, but something tells me he was always in control!
Love the Jack Tripp/Sunset Boulevard line. When I was a naïve youngster I did comment to my panto going pal,Isn't it funny how Allen Christie is always in the same panto as Jack Tripp......
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Post by oxfordsimon on Sept 16, 2017 16:18:31 GMT
My earliest theatrical memory dates from when I was about 3 or 4. My first ever trip to the Royal Theatre in Northampton to see The Wizard of Oz. As soon as the lights went down for the overture, I started to panic and we had to leave! At least I was still allowed to eat the Meltis Fruit Jellies when we got home.
Amazing that I managed to overcome that panic to come to love theatre!
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 16:23:43 GMT
I saw Les Dawson twice in panto, but alas never with Roy Barraclough. He was with John Nettles and to this day, I'm not sure how much of the ad-lib and anarchy was "rehearsed" because John Nettles always looked as if he didn't know what day of the week it was, but something tells me he was always in control! Love the Jack Tripp/Sunset Boulevard line. When I was a naïve youngster I did comment to my panto going pal,Isn't it funny how Allen Christie is always in the same panto as Jack Tripp...... I never saw John Nettles with Les Dawson in panto, but my late brother did, and he told me they were brilliant. They often did panto together , John nettles was apparently a wonderful "baddie". Ah! The innocence of youth ! Allen Christie was the perfect stooge for Jack Tripp , and I'm told they were devoted to each other . My late brother was a very keen theatre fan and loved pantomime . He corresponded with Jack Tripp for several years while he (my brother) was compiling details of all Jack's pantomime appearances. My brother died suddenly , and I informed Jack . He sent me a lovely letter saying how much he appreciated corresponding and reminiscing with my brother , although they never met, and Jack later sent a last Christmas card for my brother , asking me to place it in his room so he would know Jack was thinking of him. So unexpectedly thoughtful, a delightful man and one of the finest performers this country has produced . |
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 16:29:40 GMT
My earliest theatrical memory dates from when I was about 3 or 4. My first ever trip to the Royal Theatre in Northampton to see The Wizard of Oz. As soon as the lights went down for the overture, I started to panic and we had to leave! At least I was still allowed to eat the Meltis Fruit Jellies when we got home. Amazing that I managed to overcome that panic to come to love theatre! My little nephew, 4 years old, had a major panic attack/strop type episode at Stig of The Dump, and had to be removed. Pity because I was so looking forward to it , having always enjoyed the stories on Jackanory as a child. I'm hoping he hasn't been traumatised for life , oxfordsimon your anecdote gives me hope . |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2017 16:37:23 GMT
Ah! The innocence of youth ! Allen Christie was the perfect stooge for Jack Tripp , and I'm told they were devoted to each other . My late brother was a very keen theatre fan and loved pantomime . He corresponded with Jack Tripp for several years while he (my brother) was compiling details of all Jack's pantomime appearances. My brother died suddenly , and I informed Jack . He sent me a lovely letter saying how much he appreciated corresponding and reminiscing with my brother , although they never met, and Jack later sent a last Christmas card for my brother , asking me to place it in his room so he would know Jack was thinking of him. So unexpectedly thoughtful, a delightful man and one of the finest performers this country has produced . Must be the most touching post we've had on Theatreboard. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing. |
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 16:46:37 GMT
...........Must be the most touching post we've had on Theatreboard. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much, from seeing Jack Tripp, in my youth (with my late brother) with Jimmy Clitheroe and the amazing Anita Harris as principal boy, in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Manchester Palace, to the anecdote I posted , I have wonderful memories of Jack .
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2017 17:02:15 GMT
I remember watching TV as a child and into my teenage years, seeing people like Bruce Forsyth, Anita Harris, Brian Rix, David Nixon and the like, and at the end of the programme, while the credits were still rolling, and usually while the applause was still going on, the volume would be taken down while an announcer told us that Bruce Forsyth (or whoever) was now appearing at the Strand/Whitehall/Adelphi Theatre, London in Whatever the show was. The Victoria Palace also seemed to feature quite a lot, as did the Prince of Wales, I think. I used to be really impressed, thinking that being in something in a theatre up in the West End was really posh. Then those announcements got phased out for some reason.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2017 17:15:56 GMT
David Nixon that's a blast from the past before my time, must be nearly 40 years since he passed away.
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Post by hulmeman on Sept 16, 2017 17:29:45 GMT
Ah! The innocence of youth ! Allen Christie was the perfect stooge for Jack Tripp , and I'm told they were devoted to each other . My late brother was a very keen theatre fan and loved pantomime . He corresponded with Jack Tripp for several years while he (my brother) was compiling details of all Jack's pantomime appearances. My brother died suddenly , and I informed Jack . He sent me a lovely letter saying how much he appreciated corresponding and reminiscing with my brother , although they never met, and Jack later sent a last Christmas card for my brother , asking me to place it in his room so he would know Jack was thinking of him. So unexpectedly thoughtful, a delightful man and one of the finest performers this country has produced . Must be the most touching post we've had on Theatreboard. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing. I am all ready to go out for dinner and read this post and I too, have tears in my eyes. I'll have to rise me face!! What a lovely memory to have of both your brother and Jack Tripp. |
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Post by bimse on Sept 16, 2017 17:36:16 GMT
I remember watching TV as a child and into my teenage years, seeing people like Bruce Forsyth, Anita Harris, Brian Rix, David Nixon and the like, and at the end of the programme, while the credits were still rolling, and usually while the applause was still going on, the volume would be taken down while an announcer told us that Bruce Forsyth (or whoever) was now appearing at the Strand/Whitehall/Adelphi Theatre, London in Whatever the show was. The Victoria Palace also seemed to feature quite a lot, as did the Prince of Wales, I think. I used to be really impressed, thinking that being in something in a theatre up in the West End was really posh. Then those announcements got phased out for some reason. Well remembered! Yes .... up here in the far north on Saturday evenings after watching The Clitheroe Kid , the announcer would say Jimmy Clitheroe is now appearing in Tom Thumb at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool . I think they used to have a written announcement later on , with the credits? |
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Post by tmesis on Sept 16, 2017 17:36:41 GMT
I remember watching TV as a child and into my teenage years, seeing people like Bruce Forsyth, Anita Harris, Brian Rix, David Nixon and the like, and at the end of the programme, while the credits were still rolling, and usually while the applause was still going on, the volume would be taken down while an announcer told us that Bruce Forsyth (or whoever) was now appearing at the Strand/Whitehall/Adelphi Theatre, London in Whatever the show was. The Victoria Palace also seemed to feature quite a lot, as did the Prince of Wales, I think. I used to be really impressed, thinking that being in something in a theatre up in the West End was really posh. Then those announcements got phased out for some reason. I used to love those announcements, very nostalgic and 'of their time' and to me, living in Derbyshire at the time, they sounded impossibly glamorous. |
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Post by Tibidabo on Sept 16, 2017 19:32:41 GMT
while the credits were still rolling, and usually while the applause was still going on, the volume would be taken down while an announcer told us that Bruce Forsyth (or whoever) was now appearing at the Strand/Whitehall/Adelphi Theatre, London in Whatever the show was. the announcer would say Jimmy Clitheroe is now appearing in Tom Thumb at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool . Oh I remember at the end of The Good Life for ages the announcer saying "Penelope Keith is currently starring in Donkey's Ears at the Somethingorother Theatre," and spent a long time trying (and failing) to imagine her dressed in a Bottom costume.... It was many, many years later that I realised my immature ears had misheard somewhat! Presumably they had to stop as it constituted advertising? |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 16, 2017 19:54:33 GMT
while the credits were still rolling, and usually while the applause was still going on, the volume would be taken down while an announcer told us that Bruce Forsyth (or whoever) was now appearing at the Strand/Whitehall/Adelphi Theatre, London in Whatever the show was. the announcer would say Jimmy Clitheroe is now appearing in Tom Thumb at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool . Oh I remember at the end of The Good Life for ages the announcer saying "Penelope Keith is currently starring in Donkey's Ears at the Somethingorother Theatre," and spent a long time trying (and failing) to imagine her dressed in a Bottom costume.... It was many, many years later that I realised my immature ears had misheard somewhat! Presumably they had to stop as it constituted advertising? Haha! I've just Googled and seen that it would have been the Globe (now Gielgud) Theatre mid 70s... Yes, I remember that too. You've prompted another memory- that of staying up late (after mum and dad had gone up to bed!) to watch some awards ceremony or other featuring excerpts of West End shows. I'm sure Donkeys' Years was one such excerpt. If I'm being really honest, the excerpts were always really, really boring, and I thought you must have to be really really clever to understand why they'd got nominated. I always liked the musical excerpts best, like 'Bubbling Brown Sugar'. Oh, and then there were the really quick 'flash' ads between ads for stuff like 'Ipi Tombi', delivered in an X Factor-type voice! |
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Post by hulmeman on Sept 16, 2017 21:47:13 GMT
Does anyone remember being allowed to stay up late for the top of the bill on "Sunday night at the London Palladium". I was when Shirley Bassey was on. I was only 35!!!!!! (joke)
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Post by lynette on Sept 16, 2017 23:16:19 GMT
Talking of Brian Rix, did anyone watch the Whitehall farces on the telly, black and white and filmed very basically from back of the stalls I reckon?
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Post by hulmeman on Sept 16, 2017 23:24:58 GMT
Talking of Brian Rix, did anyone watch the Whitehall farces on the telly, black and white and filmed very basically from back of the stalls I reckon? Oh do I!!! Always with Elspeth Grey and Robertson Hare!!! One of the few times we all sat round as a family to watch. |
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Post by Mr Snow on Sept 17, 2017 6:48:50 GMT
I remember watching TV as a child and into my teenage years, seeing people like Bruce Forsyth, Anita Harris, Brian Rix, David Nixon and the like, and at the end of the programme, while the credits were still rolling, and usually while the applause was still going on, the volume would be taken down while an announcer told us that Bruce Forsyth (or whoever) was now appearing at the Strand/Whitehall/Adelphi Theatre, London in Whatever the show was. The Victoria Palace also seemed to feature quite a lot, as did the Prince of Wales, I think. I used to be really impressed, thinking that being in something in a theatre up in the West End was really posh. Then those announcements got phased out for some reason. Yes it seemed by announcing it that TV was giving itself Kudos for using actors/stars from and older and more respected medium of Theatre. For years those days Hollywood wanted Broadway performers, not the other way round. It made me want to see plays in "London's West End". These days the TV companies know they have the power. |
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Post by tmesis on Sept 17, 2017 18:20:52 GMT
I seem to recall this West End advertising malarkey after radio shows too. So after Round the Horne you would get:
Kenneth Williams is now appearing in 'One over the eight' at the Duke of York's Theatre.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2017 18:27:48 GMT
I read somewhere (possibly on the old whatsonstage board during a similar discussion?) that the reason for these announcements was the actors worried that the viewing public might not understand that the actors could be appearing simultaneously on a TV show and live on stage.
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Post by Jan on Sept 17, 2017 19:12:56 GMT
I read somewhere (possibly on the old whatsonstage board during a similar discussion?) that the reason for these announcements was the actors worried that the viewing public might not understand that the actors could be appearing simultaneously on a TV show and live on stage. At the end of early episodes of "Are You Being Served" they used to announce "Frank Thornton is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company". Don't know when the RSC stopped requiring them to do that. Probably right then. |
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