#coventry hippodrome

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70th anniversary of Jack and the Beanstalk Coventry Hippodrome, 164 performances   (23 December 1952 - 28 March 1953)

This week marks the 70th anniversary of a milestone event in the juvenile career of Julie Andrews: the opening of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Coventry Hippodrome on 23 December 1952. It would be Julie’s fourth annual pantomime, following Humpty Dumpty (1948), Red Riding Hood (1950) and Aladdin (1951). 

That Jack and the Beanstalk was a provincial production -- rather than a West End show -- could be misconstrued as a career comedown for the young star. After all, twelve months earlier she was principal girl in Aladdin at the London Casino and the following year she would headline the 1953 production of Cinderella at the London Palladium. But an appearance at the Coventry Hippodrome was no small affair.  

The Showplace of the Midlands

Dubbed “The Showplace of the Midlands”, the Hippodrome was an ultra-modern Art Deco entertainment palace lovingly built and managed by automobile industry baron cum entertainment impresario, Sam Newsome. With a massive 2000-seat auditorium, multi-levelled foyers and bars, twelve dressing rooms and its own broadcasting studio, the Hippodrome occupied over one and a quarter acres in the heart of Coventry. It was the biggest and most up-to-date theatre in the country -- and it quickly established itself as the foremost Midlands venue for touring dates, attracting a stream of headline acts and hosting regular seasons from major companies including The D'Oyly Carte Opera and Sadler’s Wells Opera (Newman 1995). 

The Coventry Hippodrome was especially celebrated for its spectacular Christmas pantomimes. Newsome took “personal pride and delight in his pantomimes” and ensured they “possessed a thoroughly exclusive quality” that distinguished them from run-of-the-mill seasonal fare (Stephens 1965, 6). Planning for each year’s panto would start months in advance with generous budgets, top-notch creative talent, high production values, and big star names. 

It was a calculated business strategy on Newsome’s part. Not only would each Christmas panto be an assured money-earner for his theatre, but, once it had debuted in Coventry, it would subsequently be re-mounted -- using the same scripts, sets, costumes and, sometimes, cast members -- in other theatres. It was not uncommon for a different Newsome pantomime to be playing simultaneously in five or six theatres around the country (Auty, 20; Newman, 77). In the case of Jack and the Beanstalk, for example, Newsome would re-stage the show repeatedly over ensuing years including runs at the Dudley Hippodrome in 1953/54; the Derby Hippodrome in 55/56; the Swansea Empire in 56/57; the Brighton Hippodrome in 57/58 and the Bradford Alhambra in 59/60 (The Stage).

Launching Jack and the Beanstalk

In early 1952, Newsome announced that his next Christmas pantomime at the Coventry Hippodrome would be an “entirely new and magnificent production” of Jack and the Beanstalk, a popular source for pantos since the early-19th century and a sure-fire crowd pleaser. A “firm believer in maintaining the well-loved traditional features of Pantomime”, Newsome’s production of Jack adhered faithfully to the plot of the well-known fairy tale about the adventurous village lad turned Giantslayer, but with lashings of pantomime essentials of music, spectacle, comedy and dance. (Newsome: 1). 

Overseeing the production and taking on directorial duties was Laurence Green, something of a right-hand man for Newsome throughout this era. The book was developed by the celebrated lyricist team, Barbara Gordon and Basil Thomas, who were also Newsome panto regulars. Other key members of the production team included costume designer, Michael Bronze, and set designers, Josef Carl and Tod Kingman, who created a series of impressive backdrops and props including a giant hand that in one scene whisked Julie aloft into the theatre fly tower (Foxon: 6; Whetsone: 3).  In terms of music and dance, there were seventeen full musical numbers with a mix of classics, pop standards, and bespoke compositions, all arranged and orchestrated by the Hippodrome’s longtime music director, W.E. Pethers. Celebrated choreographer, Pauline Grant was commissioned to develop several dance routines including an Act 1 closing ballet sequence and a grand finale parade.* 

As always, one of the most important elements in the show was its roster of  on-stage talent. And for Jack and the Beanstalk, Newsome assembled a star-studded line-up from the fields of theatre, variety, film, and dance. To optimise marketing potential, the principal cast was announced in June, a full six months before the show was set to open. Julie was cast in the principal girl role of Princess Bettina, alongside Joan Mann as Jack; Eddie Henderson as Dame Durden; and, the undoubted comic star of the show, Norman Wisdom as Simple Simon (‘Norman Wisdom to star’: 6).

Stories and profiles about the stars were fed in regular instalments to the local and regional press, ensuring continued exposure and boosting public anticipation (’Pantomime Star’: 4; ‘Julie is so determined’: 6). Julie even made a ‘surprise’ PR visit to Coventry in the first week of November to join the theatre’s special Birthday Show (‘Behind the footlights’: 9). The star-driven marketing paid off handsomely with brisk ticket sales. By early-December, a quarter of a millions seats had been booked -- a theatre record -- and the run was extended from 12 to 14 weeks (’Quarter of a million...”: 4).

The Singing Princess

Though she would be second fiddle to the show’s top billed player, Norman Wisdom, Julie was an important drawcard for Jack and the Beanstalk. Much was made of her youth and the fact that, at just seventeen, she was the youngest principal girl ever to appear in a Newsome pantomime (’Pantomime Star’: 4; ‘Julie is so determined’: 6).

And, as John Cottrell (1968) notes, “[f]or the first time in her life she was treated like a star” (62). She was given one of the theatre’s best dressing rooms with its own private bathroom -- and Newsome made sure that it was decked out with fresh flowers each week, even during rehearsals (Andrews: 146; Cottrell: 61). 

Julie also commanded a star-like fee, securing a contract for a whopping £250 per week, reported to be an era record for a pantomime principal girl (Cottrell: 61). It was a burst of newfound wealth that allowed the young star to buy her first car -- which she dubbed ‘Bettina” in honour of the character she played in the show -- and assume control from her parents of the mortgage on ‘The Old Meuse’, the family home in Walton (Andrews: 147). 

As Princess Bettina, the object of Jack’s affection who is rescued by the young hero and united with him in the mandatory happily-ever-after finale, Julie had one of her biggest stage roles to date. Combining moments of royal pageantry, abduction and imprisonment, thrilling rescue, and budding romance, the script afforded an opportunity for the young actress to flex her growing dramatic talents. 

Needless to say, Jack and the Beanstalk also showcased Julie’s most famous asset: her voice. She was given six full musical numbers in the show -- four solos and two duets -- comprised of:

‘If You Feel Like Singing’: This popular Warren-Gordon song had only recently been introduced in the 1950 MGM film, Summer Stock, where it was performed by Judy Garland (Larkin 1992). In the show, Julie sings the number in Scene 1 as her character is wandering alone in the forest and is spied by Jack who instantly falls in love wth her. With its lyrical ode to expressive singing and repetitive tra-la-las, the song would have provided a perfect showcase for Julie’s brand of light coloratura trilling.

‘Am I in Love’: Another newly-minted Hollywood number, this Oscar-nominated song by Jack Brooks was first performed by Bob Hope and Jane Russell in the 1952 Paramount release, Son of Paleface (Benjamin and Rosenblatt 1993). In the show, Julie sings it in Act 1 as a duet with Jack (Joan Mann) and reprises it again a few scenes later as a solo.

‘You Made Me Love You’: This well-known pop standard by Monaco and McCarthy was first performed by Al Jolson in 1913. It quickly became an international hit and part of the Great American Songbook, covered by a wide variety of famous vocalists including Jeanette MacDonald, Bing Crosby, Doris Day and, in a slightly revised version, Judy Garland in The Broadway Melody of 1938 (Whitburn 1986). In the show, Julie sings it in Act 1 as a duet with Norman Wisdom in the comic star role of Jack’s bumbling younger brother.

‘Yesterdays’: This classic ode to lost loves from the 1933 Kern and Harbach musical Roberta has been performed by many singers over the years including Irene Dunne, Mario Lanza, Barbra Streisand and Kiri Te Kanawa (Larkin 1992). One can only imagine how lovely Julie’s version would have been, sung as the imprisoned Princess pines for her home at the start of Act 2.

‘The Belle of the Ball’: Written in traditional Viennese style, this bouncy LeRoy Anderson waltz was introduced in 1951 and quickly became a light classical standard that has been played over the years by countless pop orchestras and school bands. It also has a lesser known sung version with lyrics by Mitchell Parish (Whorf 2012). It is that version that Julie performed in the show as her final solo. Hippodrome music director W.E. Pethers clearly liked LeRoy Anderson because Jack and the Beanstalk featured another of the composer’s orchestral works, ‘The Syncopated Clock’, used for the opening dance in Act 2. 

‘You Belong to Me’: This romantic ballad was another newly-minted hit in 1952. First recorded by Joni James, it was made famous by Jo Stafford in a chart-topping single that became an international sensation. With its lilting melody and evocative opening lyric -- “See the pyramids along the Nile...” -- it became one the era’s most popular love songs and was recorded by many of the biggest vocalists of the 1950s such as Ella Fitzgerald, Patti Page, Dean Martin and, in the UK, Alma Cogan (Larkin 1992). The song was used in Jack and the Beanstalk as the final love duet between Jack and Princess Bettina.

A Who’s Who of Jack and the Beanstalk

Alongside our Julie, other key talents involved in the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk included:

Norman Wisdom as Simple Simon: The beloved 'sentimental clown’ of British theatre, film and television, Wisdom shot to meteoric fame in the late-40s and early-50s with an appealing brand of character-based physical comedy. Sporting a trademark crumpled suit and upturned tweed flatcap, he crafted an endearing persona nicknamed "The Gump," a well-meaning, bumbling Everyman who failed at everything but won hearts in the process. A talented musician and vocalist, Wisdom included songs as a central part of his act which he would use to great effect in accentuating the warm-hearted pathos of his comedy (Bullar and Evans: 186).        As with many stage performers of the era, Wisdom made frequent forays into pantomime, starting with a well-received debut in Robinson Crusoe at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham in in 1948/49. By the time of Jack and the Beanstalk, Wisdom was a major star and the show gave him free rein in several set pieces including five songs, three of which he wrote himself. In his memoirs, Wisdom (2002) fondly recalled his time in the show, making special mention of Julie who, he writes, “had a freshness about her that was totally captivating” (181).        Following Jack, Wisdom went on to an even bigger career in film with a string of hit comedies for Rank that saw him become one of the most popular stars of British cinema of the 50s and early-60s. Though his style of sentimental slapstick would fall out of fashion, Wisdom remained a much-loved national icon. In recognition of his contributions to British cultural life, he was knighted by the Queen in 2000. He passed away in 2010 at the grand age of 95 (’Sir Norman Wisdom’: 29).

Eddie Henderson as Dame Durden: Though he is little remembered today, Scots-born Henderson was a popular figure of mid-century British theatre and variety. A self-taught dancer and comic actor, Henderson had a diverse career that stretched across music hall, cabaret and ‘legitimate theatre’. In the inter-war years, he toured widely in revues and productions around the UK and abroad. He played opposite a young Ronald Colman and even co-wrote a play with Reginald Furdell (Ashley: 2). Henderson was especially renowned as an accomplished panto Dame. He played a long line of comic Dames from the 1930s into the early-60s, earning him the soubriquet “Queen of Dames” (Durbridge: 5).  Jack and the Beanstalk would be the first of several pantomimes that Henderson would do for Newsome during the 1950s, before retiring in the early-60s.

Joan Mann as Jack: Welsh-born Mann trained as a dancer and started touring the variety circuit in her teens where she appeared on bills with stars including Max Miller and Tommy Trinder. A tall attractive brunette with a pleasant voice and shapely dancer’s legs, Mann was a perfect pantomime boy. She played in top pantos in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Liverpool, before making her Coventry debut in Jack and the Beanstalk. Julie relates in her memoirs that she and Mann roomed together during the run of Jack and, despite a 15-year age difference, they became firm friends. Mann would re-team with Julie in 1953 as part of the musical revue, ‘Cap and Belles’ (Andrews: 146).       Mann’s greatest fame came as part of the celebrated Fols-de-Rols variety troupe with whom she performed for almost two decades. She also starred opposite Dame Anna Neagle in the hit West End musical, Charlie Girl in the late-1960s. Mann died in 2007 aged 87 (P.N.: 53).

Finlay Brothers as Rack and Ruin (The Broker’s Men): One of the many novelty acts popular in mid-century variety, the Finlay Brothers started as a comic musical trio in the late-30s. Billed as “the English replies to the American Marx Brothers”, they blended song, dance, slapstick, sketch comedy and vocal impressions into a fast-paced routine (’What’s On’: 10). When one of the brothers called it quits following the war, Jack and Herbie Finlay continued as a duo, using a classic straight man/clown pairing. One brother would try to sing and act dramatically but the other would forever interrupt with ludicrous gestures and facial expressions, setting the scene for a manic spectacle of physical comedy. It played well in the era and, come Christmastime, the Finlay Brothers would be in demand as comic supports for panto. In Jack and the Beanstalk, they played the comic duo part of the Chancellor’s bumbling officials with much opportunity for audience-pleasing slapstick. The Finlay Brothers continued variety touring and Christmas pantos into the late-50s before retiring (’Pantos last’: 4).

The Four Fredianis as the Giant’s Acrobats: Part of a multigenerational lineage of Italian circus performers dating back to the 17th century, the Four Fredianis was a family group of acrobats comprised of father, Giovanni, and his three sons, Rolando, Guglielmo, and Bruno (Cochran: 38). Giovanni had grown up performing in his own father’s circus troupe in Europe before branching out on his own. He settled in the UK where the Four Fredianis moved from circus work into the more stable and lucrative field of variety and theatre. In fact, the Fredianis shared an earlier variety bill with Julie as part of the Look In revue which toured through the spring of 1952 (‘At the Theatre: 4). In Jack and the Beanstalk, they were cast as ‘The Giant’s Acrobats’ encountered by Jack on his way to the Giant’s castle, but their role was essentially to bring increased spectacle and physical excitement to the show’s proceedings. 

Gerald Cuff as King Hal: Playing the part of Princess Bettina’s ‘merry monarch’ father, Gerald Cuff started his career in repertory where he performed for many years as part of the celebrated Derek Salberg Company in Wolverhampton (’Personality’: 13). During out-of-season spells he would appear frequently in pantos, many of them for Sam Newsome. In fact, he would reprise his role as King Hal in the Dudley Hippodrome season of Jack and the Beanstalk the following year (B.M.: 6).  Cuff’s lasting claim to fame came in 1958 when he was cast as ‘The Bosun’ in the popular British TV series of Popeye (Ashley, R.: 20). In his spare time, Cuff was a publican in his hometown of Wolverhampton. He died in 1963 at the sadly young age of 58 (’Obituary’: 7).

Carole Greer as Fairy Goodheart: Trained as a ballet dancer from childhood, Scottish-born Greer started her theatrical career at age 16 when she first appeared in pantomime during school holidays. She then toured the variety circuit for a few years as part of a dance duo with Barrie Manning. Greer was subsequently championed by choreographer, Pauline Grant, who cast her as principal dancer is several shows, including Jack and the Beanstalk (Thespis: 9). She appeared for two seasons with the Gyndebourne Opera Company, including a tour of Germany (’Flying opera’: 5). She also performed in a few London shows, notably Fun and the Fair at the Palladium in 1953. Like others in the cast, Greer would reprise her role as Fairy Goodheart in the Dudley Hippodrome season of Jack and the Beanstalk the following year (B.M.: 6). Thereafter, the public trail for Greer grows cold. Like many women of that era, she may have married and changed her name and/or possibly retired from the stage.

Humphrey Kent as Giant Blunderbore: Born in Hertfordshire, Kent was a regular in regional theatre throughout the 40s and 50s. He had an early success as part of the cast of the touring production of Lesley Storm’s Great Day in the mid-40s. Thereafter he seemed to settle in to a steady stream of local productions with the occasional brief appearance in film and TV. He did some film voicework including working with Julie on the British dubbed version of the Italian animated feature, The Rose of Barghdad (1952) where he voiced the part of Tonko (’Rose’:43). A tall, well-built man with a booming voice, Humphrey was ideal for the part of the Giant, a role he would reprise several times over the years (’Panto Giant’: 9).

John C. Wright as Demon Discord: Born in Northampton, Wright studied at the Repertory Theatre where he appeared opposite Sonia Dresdel and Freda Jackson. A classically trained tenor, he performed widely in opera and musicals in the interwar years, including several seasons with the Carl Rosa and Sadler's Wells Opera Companies. After the war, Wright went on to become manager of the Sadler’s Wells Opera but continued to perform periodically in various theatre productions. He did some early TV work including an appearance in the the landmark serial, Quartermass Experiment (Foxon: 6). In Jack and the Beanstalk, he played the Giant’s malevolent henchman, the Demon Discord, a role he would recreate the following year at the Dudley Hippodrome (B.M.: 6). Wright died in 1963 at the age of 64 (’John Wright’: 21).

The Astaires as Ethel the Cow: No pantomime would be complete without a ‘skin’ role and in the case of Jack and the Beanstalk that is Dame Durden’s long-suffering cow. Variously named Daisy, Buttercup, Daffodil, Mabel or, as here, Ethel, the cow is an important part of the story and a source of competing comedy and pathos for the audience. Pulling it off while cloaked in a heavy costume and operating multiple parts is no mean feat. In the case of this production, the job fell to Jimmy and Ernie Astaire, two brothers from a family of entertainment troupers. Their father, George Astaire founded a stilt-walking puppet troupe, the Seven Gullivers, that toured the country and was especially popular as a novelty act in pantomime. After their father died, the sons continued the troupe while also branching out with their own novelty duo act whose showpiece would see them tap dance on stilts up and down a staircase. They even performed the act as part of the 1947 Royal Command Variety Show. The Astaires did double duties in Jack and The Beanstalk, playing both Ethel the Cow and also leading the Seven Gullivers troupe who played the part of the Giant’s Henchmen  (’It’s Hard Work’: 5).

The Betty Fox Babes: One of many companies of dancing juveniles popular in the era, the Betty Fox Babes were products of the Betty Fox Stage School in Birmingham which was started in 1938 by -- you guessed -- Betty Fox (Norris: 29). The School grew to be one of the biggest in the Midlands and it would provide troupes of well-trained juvenile dancers for most of the area’s big theatres, especially for pantos (’The Babes’:  3). In 1988, on the occasion of the School’s 50th anniversary, it was claimed that the Betty Fox Babes had appeared in over 150 pantomimes (Norris: 29). In Jack and the Beanstalk, Fox provided a group of 12 ‘babes’ who performed in several of the show’s lavish dance sequences, both independently in the ‘Pantry Playtime’ sequence and alongside the show’s adult Corps de Ballet in the two big act-closing ballets choreographed by Pauline Grant.

Critical and Popular Reception

Jack and the Beanstalk was well received by audiences and critics alike. The following excerpts give a sense of the uniformly glowing notices earned by the show, with particular mention of Julie:

Coventry Evening Telegraph: “[T]he S.H. Newsome presentation, Jack and the Beanstalk, which began its run at Coventry Hippodrome last night, is...a huge parcel of enjoyment....There are jolly songs, lively dancing, and first-rate speciality acts. All this and Norman Wisdom, too...Then there is Julie Andrews, pretty, fine-voiced, 17 years old and already an experienced artist. A charming princess, she... never indulges in the tiresome tricks of some panto principals. She sings instead of cooing, smiles and looks straight instead of simpering. This is a pleasantly fresh interpretation of a role easily sugared into inanity" (Whetsone: 3).

Coventry Standard: "Jack and the Beanstalk...is the finest, most opulent and attractive spectacle in the series of “Newsome shows”...Norman Wisdom is a comedian of undoubted gifts and great personal charm [and] Julie Andrews sings most pleasingly and looks lovely”  (J.T.: 7)

Birmingham Gazette: “It takes a true hero, too, to be worthy of Julie Andrews’s princess. Were she a classical ballerina, this pretty heroine could not set herself on such a pinnacle of remote and exquisite purity as she does in song. Her voice soars and sails, sweet or gay, into quite winning melody. She acts, too, with a clear-eyed simplicity” (Harvey: 5).

Evening Despatch: "Jack and the Beanstalk...is put on by Mr. S.H. Newsome with the customary lavishness. There are...a dashing Principal Boy in Joan Mann and a Principal Girl in Julie Andrews who has poise and assurance far beyond what might be expected in a 17-year-old” (Holbrook: 3).

The Stage: “Here is a pantomime to ‘bite’ on, and the traditional story line, without pantomime licence, is sufficient vehicle for a three-hour entertainment...Joan Mann’s principal boy is a tonic of gaiety and verve, and one is impressed by the sweet simplicity which Julie Andrews introduces into the part of Princess Bettina. Norman Wisdom...gain[s] the immediate sympathy and clamour of the audience” (’Christmas Shows’: 11).

Jack and the Beanstalk was equally popular with audiences. When the 14-week season ended on 28 March 1953 after 164 performances, Jack and the Beanstalk had broken every previous pantomime record at the Coventry Hippodrome. It had sold close to 300,000 tickets and attracted theatregoers from across the Midlands and as far afield as London. Taking to the stage on closing night, Sam Newsome thanked “this brilliant company who have given us a great deal of talent, enthusiasm, team-work and zest” (’Pantomime sets’: 3). 

Notes:

* As an aside, Jack and the Beanstalk would be the start of two important relationships for Pauline Grant: with Julie -- who would become a frequent professional collaborator throughout the 50s and a lifelong friend -- and with Sam Newsome who Grant would end up marrying a few years later (Andrews: 146).

References:

Andrews, Julie (2008). Home: A memoir of my early years. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.

Ashley, Lewis (1939). ‘Lewis Ashley’s pageant.’ Sunday Sun. 24 December: 2.

Ashley, Robbie (1961). ‘Full steam ahead for The Bosun.’ Sunday Mercury. 11 June: 20.

‘At the theatre: Song and story’ (1952). Evening Despatch. 1 April: 4

Auty, Donald. (2003). ‘Pantomimę profiles of times past.’ The Stage. 4 December: 20.

‘The babes are ready.’ (1953). Birmingham Gazette. 15 December: 3.

‘Behind the footlights: The party was a big success.’ (1952). Coventry Standard. 7 November: 9.

Benjamin, Ruth and Rosenblatt, Arthur (1993). Movie Song Catalog: Performers and Supporting Crew for the Songs Sung in 1460 Musical and Nonmusical Films, 1928-1988. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland Press.

B.M. ‘This week’s shows: Dudley Hippodrome.’ (1954). Birmingham Weekly Post. 1 January: 6.

Bullar, Guy R. and Evans, Len (1950). Who’s Who in Variety. London: The Performer Ltd.

‘Christmas shows.’ (1953). The Stage. 1 January: 10-11.

Cochran, Charles B. (1945). Showman Looks On. London: J.M. Dent & Sons.

Cottrell, John (1968). Julie Andrews: The Story of a Star. London: Arthur Barker.

Derby and Joan (1958). ‘She faces Derby Panto challenge.’ Derby Evening Telegraph, 12 December: 3.

Durbridge, Frances (1958). ‘Derby’s pantomime is spectacular “Queen of Hearts”’. Derby Evening Telegraph. 20 November: 5.

‘Flying opera.’ (1954). The Yorkshire Observer. 23 September: 5.

Foxon, Ellen (1954). ‘Theatres and cinemas’. Birmingham Weekly Post. 29 January: 6.

Harvey, Brian. (1952). ‘Star comedians lead the “big three”.’ Birmingham Gazette. 27 December: 5.

Holbrook, Norman (1952). ‘Mr. Wisdom has punch and verve.’ Evening Despatch. 27 December: 3.

‘It’s hard work being Ethel the Cow.’ (1953). Coventry Evening Telegraph. 12 March: 5,

‘John Wright: obituary’. (1963). The Stage. 31 January: 21.

J.T. (1953). ‘A different basis in this year’s pantomime.’ Coventry Standard. 2 January: 7.

‘Julie is so determined.’ (1952). Daily Herald. 28 November: 6.

Larkin, Colin (ed.) (1992). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. London: Omnibus Press.

Newman, Michael J. (1995). The Golden Years: the Hippodrome Theatre Coventry. Whittlebury: Baron Birch.

Newsome, S.J. (1952). Pantomime Parade. Birmingham: Parkes & Mainwarings Ltd.

‘Norman Wisdom to star in next pantomime: Jack and the Beanstalk.’ (1952). Coventry Evening Telegraph. 27 June: 6.

Norris, Fred. (1988). ‘Birthday bash for Betty’s Babes.’ Birmingham Evening Mail. 18 March: 29.

‘Obituary: Mr. Gerald Cuff’ (1963). The Birmingham Post. 26 April: 7.

‘Panto giant will be a nice one.’ (1952). Coventry Standard. 12 December: 9.

‘Pantomime sets new record.’ (1953). Coventry Evening Telegraph. 30 March: 3.

‘Pantomime stars’ (1952) Coventry Evening Telegraph. 8 July: 4.

‘Pantos last week.’ (1957). Daily Mail. 1 February: 4.

‘Personality: Derek Cuff.’ (1954). Walsall Observer. 5 February: 13.

P.N. (2007). ‘Obituary: Joan Mann’. The Stage. 6 December: 53.

’Quarter of a million seats sold for pantomime’.  Coventry Evening Telegraph. 19 December: 4.

‘Rose of Baghdad.’ (1953). Photoplay. January: 43.

‘Sir Norman Wisdom: Master of slapstick who became Britain’s most successful screen comic after Charlie Chaplin.’ (2010). Daily Telegraph. 6 October: 29.

Stephens, Frances (1965). ‘Panto in the provinces’, Theatre World. 65(491): 4-6.

Thespis (1956). ‘Behind the footlights: Not the stars but full of ambitious talent.’ Coventry Standard. 24 February: 9.

‘What’s on next week.’ (1947). The Somerset Guardian. 2 May: 10.

Whetstone, K. (1952). ‘”Jack and the Beanstalk” has the modern touch.’ Coventry Evening Telegraph. 24 December: 3.

Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Madison, WI:  Record Research Inc.

Whorf, Michael (2012). American Popular Song Lyricists: Oral Histories, 1920s-1960s. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland Press.

Wisdom, Norman (2002). My Turn: An Autobiography. London: Century Books.

Copyright © Brett Farmer 2022

[lushscreamqueen]

Host Name: Nigel Honeybone. Alter Ego: Graham Garfield Barnard (producer). Show Title: The Schlocky Horror Picture Show. Type: Community Television (Public Access). Station: TVS Television Sydney Channel 44 (free-to-air broadcast plus live streaming). Melbourne Channel 31 Schedule: 10.30pm every Friday night since March 2007 -2017). Catchphrases: "Hello, good evening and welcome to The Schlocky Horror Picture Show." - "The hardest working skeleton in show business." - "Toodles!" Occupation 1: Actor - Selected Filmography FRANKENSTEIN (1910) as Charles Ogle's body double. HAMLET (1948) as Yorick. HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL (1958) as Vincent Price's body double. THE FOUR SKULLS OF JONATHAN DRAKE (1959) as Skull Number Three. PSYCHO (1960) as the late Norma Bates. HAMLET (1969) as Yorick. THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974) as Armchair Number Two. DERANGED (1974) as the late Mrs. Cobb. THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW (1975) as the Grandfather Clock. STAR WARS (1977) as the late Aunt Beru. CAPTAIN AMERICA (1979) as the Red Skull. PSYCHO II (1983) as the late Norma Bates. PSYCHO III (1986) as the late Norma Bates. TOTAL RECALL (1990) as Arnold Schwarzenegger's body double. HAMLET (1990) as Yorick. CAPTAIN AMERICA (1990) as the Red Skull. TOYS (1992) as Michael Gambon's body double. THE LAST ACTION HERO (1993) as Yorick. PSYCHO (1998) as the late Norma Bates. Occupation 2: Author - Selected Writings BONES ARE BEAUTIFUL: A dietary guide to becoming a super-model, by Nigel Honeybone. THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN VAMPIRE: A history of Italian horror cinema, by Nigel Honeybone. DIURETICS: The modern science of Purification by the Founder of the Church of Urology, Nigel Honeybone. ED WOOD: My part in his downfall, by Nigel Honeybone. A JOKE, A DANCE AND A FRACTURE: Memoirs of an early Vaudeville stage career, by Nigel Honeybone. THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING DEADLY ERNEST: A history of Australian television's horror movie hosts, by Nigel Honeybone. PET SEMINARY: Night of the Holy Terriers, by Nigel Honeybone. PUJO: The car that chases dogs, by Nigel Honeybone. R.I.P.V.I.P: An autobiography of Nigel Honeybone. Place/Date Of Birth: Sydney, Australia - 1st April 1900. Last Known Location: Barnard's Star Productions in Sydney, Australia. Known relatives: Deadly Ernest Honeybone (1856 to 1900) Playwright whose works include 'The Importance Of Being Me' and 'Look Back In Deadly Ernest'. Sir Charles Honeybone (1812 to 1870) Author of 'Bleak House Of Horror', 'David Boneyard' and 'A Tale Of Two Tombs'. Lord Pullover 'Boney' Honeybone (1800 to 1900) Transferred to the Heavy Brigade during a well-known cavalry charge at Balaclava. Sir Jack 'I'm All Right' Honeybone (1750 to 1830) Fought for Napoleon and Wellington at Waterloo, in that order. Edward 'Gibbon' Honeybone (1737 to 1794) Wrote a twenty-six part fictional saga of the Roman Empire entitled 'I, Honeybone' selling absolutely no copies. Sir Christopher Honeybone (1600 to 1700) Started the Great Fire of London, then earned fame and fortune rebuilding the city. William 'Bacon-Bits' Honeybone (1564 to 1616) Copywriter who copied the writings of his contemporaries under his own name and lived uninvited with the Royal Family for many months before discovery. Sir Walter Honeybone (1560 to 1650) Courtier and seadog who used Queen Elizabeth's cloak to keep his feet from sinking into the mud. Sir Jasper 'Bones' Honeybone (1300 to 1390) Minister of Health during the Black Death, and lived a very long time. Lady Godawful Honeybone (1040 to 1080) Lady playwright who rode naked to the Coventry Hippodrome for her play 'Death A Pale Horse Rides'. Bishop Odour Honeybone (999 to 1077) Known as 'The Warrior Priest' and 'The Pope's Friend', he failed to turn up at the Battle of Hastings due to sinking while taking a swim. He coined the phrase "That's one in the eye for Harold." Egbert Honeybone (750 to 806) Author of the well-known Anglo-Saxon musical comedy 'Meat Offa The Bone'. Brief Biography: "Nigel Honeybone's stage debut was as Hamlet's dead father,

portraying him as a tall posh skeleton. This triumph was followed in Richard III, as the remains of a young prince which he interpreted as a tall posh skeleton. He began attracting starring roles. Henry VIII was scaled down to suit Honeybone's very personalised view of this famous king. Honeybone suggested that perhaps he really was quite skeletal, quite tall, and quite posh. MacBeth, Shylock and Othello followed, all played as tall, skeletal and posh, respectively. Considering his reputation for playing tall English skeletons, many believed that the real Honeybone inside to be something very different, like a squat hunchback perhaps. Interestingly enough, Honeybone did once play a squat hunchback, but it was as a tall posh skeleton. But he was propelled into the film world when, in Psycho (1960), he wore women's clothing for the very first time. The seed of an idea was planted, and after working with director Ed Wood for five years he realised the unlimited possibilities of tall posh skeletons who dressed in women's clothing. He went on to wear women's clothing in thirteen major motion pictures, including the Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) and Star Wars (1977), heartbreaking as the remains of Aunt Beru. With the onslaught of special effects came the demise of real actors in these sorts of roles. After modelling for CGI skeletons in Total Recall (1990) and Toys (1992), the only possible step forward for a tall posh skeleton was television, imparting his knowledge and expertise of the arts. Nigel Honeybone is currently signed to star in a new series for community television, presenting the finest examples of B-grade horror. 'The Schlocky Horror Picture Show' will be seen on Friday nights at 10.30pm and repeated at 2am Sunday mornings." Fantales candy wrapper (circa 2007).

[thepinklibrarian]

RT @Jetlighting: THEATRE REDUNDANCIES Ambassador Theatre Group – 1200 Belgrade Theatre Coventry – 21 Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall – 35 Birmingham Hippodrome – 62 Birmingham Rep – 47 Bristol Old Vic – 20 Canterbury Marlowe Theatre – 30 Edinburgh Traverse Theatre – 11 https://t.co/MTUzWEe4DK

THEATRE REDUNDANCIES Ambassador Theatre Group – 1200 Belgrade Theatre Coventry – 21 Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall – 35 Birmingham Hippodrome – 62 Birmingham Rep – 47 Bristol Old Vic – 20 Canterbury Marlowe Theatre – 30 Edinburgh Traverse Theatre – 11 https://t.co/MTUzWEe4DK

— Johanna Town (@Jetlighting) August 10, 2020

via Twitter https://twitter.com/queenoftartan August 10, 2020 at 10:32AM

[centrestagereviews]

Rock of Ages Star Cast Announcement

It’s been announced that Kevin Clifton and Antony Costa will join the new UK touring production of Rock of Ages as Stacee Jaxx.Kevin will play the role from 22nd January till 6th April and then again from 11th June till 27th July. Antony will play the role for eight weeks from 8th April till 1st June.

Sam Ferriday will play the role from the start of the tour till 9th December.They will be joined by the previously announced Kevin Kennedy as Dennis, Zoe Birkett as Justice, Luke Walsh as Drew, Lucas Rush as Lonny, Jodie Sam Steele and Danielle Hope as Sherrie, Andrew Carthy as Franz, Vas Constanti as Hertz and Rhiannon Chesterman as Regina.The cast will be completed by: Erin Bell, Alexander Day, Joshua Dever, Paris Green, Sinead Kenny, Ryan Lee-Seager, Adam Strong, Saran Webb and Bobby Windebank.The tour is set to open in Bromley on the 20th of September and will feature popular numbers such as We Built This City and Don’t Stop Believing.

Rock of Ages will now visit Glasgow’s King’s Theatre, His Majesty’s Aberdeen, Regent Theatre Stoke on Trent, The Hawth Crawley, New Wimbledone Theatre, Ipswich Regent Theatre, Coventry Belgrade, New Theatre Oxford, Theatre Royal Nottingham, Bristol Hippodrome, Grand Opera House York, Edinburgh Playhouse, Northampton Royal and Derngate, Swansea Grand, New Victoria Woking, Marlowe Theatre Canerbury, Blackpool Wintergardens and Sunderland Empire.

Rock of Ages first opened on Broadway in 2009 before transferring to London in 2011 and then heading out on it’s first UK tour in 2014. This new tour will be directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, designed by Morgan Large and will feature lighting design from Ben Cracknell. Casting will be announced at a later date.

For more information or to book tickets head to the official Rock of Ages website.

Images courtesy of Google Images.

[megadarkbouquettidalwavethings]

Birmingham tourism industry welcomes Commonwealth Games 2022 decision | News

Tourism bodies across Birmingham have welcomed the news that the city will host the Commonwealth Games in 2022.

The announcement was officially made by the Commonwealth Games Federation at a special event at the Arena Academy school near the Alexander Stadium, the centrepiece for the Games in five years’ time.

It is anticipated that the 2022 Commonwealth Games will generate a £526 million boost to the West Midlands region, according to research from a PwC economic impact analysis.

Between 500,000 and one million additional visitors are expected to descend on Birmingham over the 11-day sporting event.

The games would support an average of 4,526 workers per year from 2018 to 2022, the report adds.

Neil Rami, chief executive of the West Midlands Growth Company and member of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Bid Committee, said: “This is the West Midlands’ moment to make its mark.

“Hot on the heels of Coventry’s City of Culture success, Birmingham winning the 2022 Commonwealth Games is another tremendous endorsement for the region, providing an unprecedented opportunity to showcase its recent resurgence and regeneration on an international stage.

“Birmingham has enjoyed a 17 per cent increase in domestic tourists and a 52 per cent rise in overseas guests since 2011.

“We anticipate the games to create an enduring impact on the growth of domestic and international tourism in the region like never before, and look forward to providing an outstanding welcome to the many sports fans who will visit us in five years’ time.”

As well as sporting activity, Birmingham will host the games’ first cultural programme, highlighting the city’s diverse and youthful population, together with its rich industrial history and heritage.

Co-ordinated by Culture Central, in cooperation with institutions including Birmingham Museums, Birmingham Hippodrome, Sampad South Asian Arts Organisation and DanceXchange; and working with arts and communities organisations from across the city, the Birmingham 2022 cultural programme will be embedded at the very heart of the Games.

Anita Bhalla, board member of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and member of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Bid Committee, added: “The decision to award the 2022 Commonwealth Games to Birmingham is a tremendous boost for the region’s reputation on an international stage.

“Hosting the Games will not only showcase our expertise in delivering major events, but will also highlight the richness of our cultural heritage and the immense talent of our young, digital and diverse population.

“With more than 5,000 creative organisations employing 31,000 people in Greater Birmingham, the games will provide us with a platform to display our traditional and contemporary arts scene, further enhancing regional tourism and supporting our growing economy.”

Birmingham welcomed the highest number of visitors on record in 2016, with tourist numbers reaching 39.1 million, international visitors hitting 1.11 million and tourism revenue at an all-time high of £6.5 billion.

The number of full-time jobs supported by the sector now stands at 70,635.

Figures from the West Midlands Growth Company Regional Observatory also show that 2016 was the most successful year in history for Birmingham’s hotels, with occupancy rates for 2016 peaking at 99 per cent capacity and averaging at 75 per cent.

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Mexico adds millions of seats in airlift capacity in 2017

Breaking Travel News

The post Birmingham tourism industry welcomes Commonwealth Games 2022 decision | News appeared first on Breaking News Top News & Latest News Headlines | Reuters.

[londontheatre]

Dirty Dancing tour – Katie Harland & Lewis Griffiths – credit Alastair Muir

After a third sensational West End season, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage looks ahead to international dates and a 9-month UK Tour with £10m already taken.

Producers Karl Sydow and Paul Elliott are delighted to announce that the new UK production of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, will mambo back onto the road after a sensational Christmas season in the West End followed by international dates in Bremen and Cannes. The show opens in Southend on 11 January and tours the UK and Ireland until the autumn of 2017.

Producers Karl Sydow and Paul Elliott are delighted to announce that the new UK production of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, will mambo back onto the road after a sensational Christmas season in the West End followed by international dates in Bremen and Cannes. The show opened in Southend on 11th January and tours the UK and Ireland until the autumn of 2017.

Starring Lewis Griffiths as ‘Johnny Castle’, Katie Hartland as ‘Baby Houseman’ and Carlie Milner as ‘Penny Johnson’, the UK tour has taken over £10million pounds since it hit the road last August and, due to overwhelming demand for tickets around the country, even more dates have been added, including return visits to Manchester, Blackpool, Liverpool, Woking and Sunderland.

The classic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, returns to the UK, following two blockbuster West End runs, two hit UK tours, and various international productions.

Full of passion and romance, heart-pounding music and sensationally sexy dancing, this record-breaking all new concept of the show is directed by Federico Bellone, choreographed by Gillian Bruce with set design re-imagined by top Italian designer Roberto Comotti. It premiered in Milan in July 2015, subsequently packing out the 15,000 seat Roman Arena in Verona, and then played a season in Rome.

Lewis Griffiths has had a prolific career in musical theatre, most recently starring as ‘Nick Massi’ on the UK tour of Jersey Boys. Other roles in UK tours include Ghost and Legally Blonde, and West End credits include Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rent and Whistle Down the Wind.

[See image gallery at http://ift.tt/1FpwFUw] Katie Hartland made her professional musical theatre debut carrying the watermelons as ‘Baby Houseman’, having graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2015.

Carlie Milner is part of the Dirty Dancing family; starting as a member of the ensemble in 2014, she covered and subsequently took over the role of ‘Penny’ in 2015.

The rest of the company are: Julian Harries as ‘Jake Houseman’, Simone Craddock as ‘Marjorie Houseman’, Tony Stansfield ‘as Max Kellerman’, Jo Servi as ‘Tito Suarez’, Lizzie Ottley as ‘Lisa Houseman’, Michael Kent as ‘Billy Kostecki’, Greg Fossard as ‘Neil Kellerman’, Nigel Nevinson as ‘Mr Schumacher’, Daniela Pobega as ‘Elizabeth’, and Camilla Rowland as ‘Vivian’. Also joining the company are Gabby Antrobus, Imogen Brooke, Simon Campbell, Robert Colvin, Katie Eccles, Beth Highsted, Samuel John Humphreys, Megan Louch, Ashley Rumble, Callum Sterling, Austin Wilks and Karl James Wilson, who is the Alternate ‘Johnny Castle’.

It’s the summer of 1963, and 17-year-old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman is about to learn some major lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing. On holiday in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents, she shows little interest in the resort activities, and instead discovers her own entertainment when she stumbles across an all-night dance party at the staff quarters. Mesmerised by the raunchy dance moves and the pounding rhythms, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle the resort dance instructor. Her life is about to change forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny’s leading lady both on-stage and off, and two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

Dirty Dancing –The Classic Story On Stage originally opened at London’s Aldwych Theatre in 2006 with a record-breaking advance of £15 million, making it the fastest ever selling show in West End theatre history. The production became the longest running show in the history of the Aldwych Theatre and played to over 2 million people during its triumphant 5 year run. Since its Australian debut in 2004, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, has become a worldwide phenomenon, with productions staged in the USA, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore and throughout Europe, consistently breaking box office records. Recent sell out tours include France, Germany and Australia. The first ever UK tour of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, launched in 2011 and then returned to the West End in 2013 playing at the Piccadilly Theatre in London, prior to launching a second UK and Ireland tour.

Produced by Karl Sydow, Joye Entertainment and Paul Elliott, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions, and written by Eleanor Bergstein, script writer of the phenomenally successful 1987 film, the production features the much-loved characters and original dialogue from the iconic film, as well as exciting extra scenes added in.

2017 TOUR DATES 11 – 21 January Southend Cliffs Pavilion 23 – 28 January Theatre Royal Newcastle 30 January – 4 February Belgrade Theatre Coventry 6 – 11 February Dublin Bord Gais Theatre 13 – 18 February Millennium Forum, Derry 20 – 25 February Grand Opera House Belfast 27 February – 4 March INEC Killarney 7 – 11 March Churchill Bromley 20 – 25 March Ipswich Regent 27 March-1 April Cardiff New Theatre 3 – 8 April Wycombe Swan 10 – 15 April Leicester De Montfort Hall 17 – 22 April Hall for Cornwall Truro 24 – 29 April Milton Keynes Theatre 1 – 6 May Bradford Alhambra 8 – 13 May Inverness Eden Court 23 – 27 May Grimsby Auditorium 29 May – 3 June Birmingham Alexandra 5 – 10 June Sheffield Lyceum 12 – 17 June Edinburgh Playhouse 19 – 24 June Glasgow Kings Theatre 26 June – 1 July Sunderland Empire 3 – 8 July Bristol Hippodrome 18 – 22 July Manchester Palace 24 – 29 July Grand Theatre Leeds 31 July – 5 August Princess Theatre Torquay 14 – 19 August The Hawth, Crawley 21 – 26 August Bournemouth Pavilion 29 August – 2 September Blackpool Opera House 4 – 9 September New Victoria Woking 11 – 16 September Venue Cymru Llandudno 18 – 23 September Liverpool Empire

ATG Venue Tickets

http://ift.tt/2jylINz LondonTheatre1.com

[paralleljulieverse]

From the Archives: Simple Simon Greets His Fair Lady

Beloved British comedian Norman Wisdom visits Julie Andrews backstage in her dressing room during her celebrated run in My Fair Lady at the Mark Hellinger Theatre in April 1956, barely a month after the show had opened to great acclaim.

The visit was particularly poignant, as the two stars had shared the stage just three years earlier in the 1953 Christmas pantomime Aladdin at the Coventry Hippodrome. Julie delighted audiences in the principal girl role of Princess Bettina, while Norman brought his signature humour to the comic part of Simple Simon.

Wisdom was in the United States to discuss plans for a proposed motion picture, An Englishman in Las Vegas, which ultimately never came to fruition. Accompanied by Harry Secombe (sadly not pictured) and Secombe’s wife, Wisdom made time to reconnect with his former co-star. "She gave us the best cup of tea on the whole of Broadway," he said (Irving 1956, p. 6). Sources

'America signs up Wisdom.' (1956). The Birmingham Mail. 5 April: p. 1.

Irving, G. (1956). 'Gordon Irving's showtime: Norman's wisdom.' Daily Record. 25 April: p. 6.

© 2024 Brett Farmer All Rights Reserved

[centrestagereviews]

Danielle Hope Joins the Rock of Ages Tour

It has been announced that Danielle Hope will join the UK Touring production of Rock of Ages for a strictly limited period.

Danielle will join the cast as Sherrie and will perform on 20th September till 24th of November.

Jodie Sam Steele will then continue the with the tour in the role of Sherrie.

The tour is set to open in Bromley on the 20th of September and will feature popular numbers such as We Built This City and Don’t Stop Believing.

Rock of Ages will now visit Glasgow’s King’s Theatre, His Majesty’s Aberdeen, Regent Theatre Stoke on Trent, The Hawth Crawley, New Wimbledone Theatre, Ipswich Regent Theatre, Coventry Belgrade, New Theatre Oxford, Theatre Royal Nottingham, Bristol Hippodrome, Grand Opera House York, Edinburgh Playhouse, Northampton Royal and Derngate, Swansea Grand, New Victoria Woking, Marlowe Theatre Canerbury, Blackpool Wintergardens and Sunderland Empire.

Rock of Ages first opened on Broadway in 2009 before transferring to London in 2011 and then heading out on it’s first UK tour in 2014. This new tour will be directed and choreographed by Nick Winston, designed by Morgan Large and will feature lighting design from Ben Cracknell. Casting will be announced at a later date.

For more information or to book tickets head to the official Rock of Ages website. Image courtesy of Google Images.