So Join Me While I relate!
A LIFE IN THE THEATRE
Was sent to a certain Public School, namely, DOVER COLLEGE - hated it - A disgrace to the name of Education (hope it's improved - doubt it!) A perfect example of the need to scrap private education. The only moments to treasure were, when the lights went out!!
At 16, got off train (Summer Holiday) went down to local flea-pit in Woking - THE PLAZA - got a job
as projectionist. Parents went 'ape' but I was adamant - I would not return to Dover.
If you have ever seen the classic movie Smallest Show On Earth you will be able to picture the Plaza. 6 movies a week (Sunday - Mon/Wed - Thurs/Sat) continuous from 12 midday. At one point we showed the movie Rock Around The Clock, riots occurred and the damage to the screen
was so bad after the first day, that not only was the screen replaced but the film too, by a double
After 6 months, managed to join the highly respected GUILDFORD REPERTORY THEATRE. Doesn't
Very camp friend of mine, dressed himself from top to toe in pink, borrowed a poodle, dyed it's hair pink, then minced into the Call-Up Selection Office - was thrown out immediately and avoided Conscription. As for me? After 3 weeks, was discharged (Bad feet was the excuse) Truth of the matter? The Army in its wisdom, thought that I would be "A temptation to the other men" - If only!! (Mind you at 18 - I looked 15!!) Still!! who was I to argue?
Returned to Guildford then London beckoned. Joined GOLDERS GREEN HIPPODROME on the lighting board. Great theatre, shows either played immediately prior West-End or immediately following.
I had the privilege of working with an idol of mine MARGARET LEIGHTON never quite understood
(at the time) why the 'vile & obnoxious' LAURENCE HARVEY (known to be a screaming queen) was always in tow!! Marriage followed!! Other names included JOHN GIELGUD
In the Actor's Pub of the day THE SALISBURY, overheard that a job was going, rang the management - got it! Auntie Mame at the ADELPHI THEATRE it starred the fabulous BEATRICE LILLIE what a Lady!
what a Star! Co-starring the amazing FLORENCE DESMOND (Simply the greatest mimic ever)
The first night party was held in a turkish bath! MISS LILLIE made sure that I met, amongst others, KIRK DOUGLAS, JACK PALANCE (Weird!) DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS (unbelievably good looking with impeccable manners, quite frankly - a 'dish') Can you imagine? A 20 year old, in their company, I was over-awed! My one big boob for the night? I accidentally knocked a tray of wine all over the wondrous DORA BRYAN (She left, somewhat upset!) a Lady who I worshipped at the time!!! & still do.
As an ASM on the show, I understudied the odd tiny part. For four glorious weeks, I had a tiny
scene with Miss Lillie - just her & me!!!
She was outrageous with her ad-libs, but never ever made me look a fool - SHE was very very special. It wasn't until the show finished, that I discovered why she took me under her wing, I gathered that I looked very similar to her son, who was killed in action during the war, as was her husband.
The Lady invented CAMP, she was CAMP - NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN!
After Mame went straight into The French Mistress again at the Adelphi starring SONNIE HALE. Disaster! Sonnie had been dreadfully ill during rehearsals, survived the pre-London tour, but tragically died on our opening night.
Show postponed for two nights, then opened with RICHARD BIRD (ga ga!) - never knew a line!
Part of my job became going through the lines with Dickie, it never helped, after we transferred
to the Princes (now the Shaftesbury) he managed one night, to cut an entire scene in Act I. During the interval, some poor sod had to go out front and explain the story, as Dickie had in fact cut the
play's most vital piece of plot!!
The play was produced by a certain JACK HYLTON one of the nastiest and most unpleasant men I have yet to meet. Yeah! he had a great band but Jack? Odious!
Majority Of One followed at the PHOENIX THEATRE with the fabulous ROBERT MORLEY. A very kind
man, though slightly 'touched' with an ego! He and the management would provide us all with a sumptuous meal, between the saturday shows, in his dressing room.
Then revue at the Fortune Theatre And Another Thing starred BERNARD CRIBBINS, ANTON RODGERS, JOYCE & LIONEL BLAIR. Although applied for SM, had to audition for understudying! Spent days learning the song 'I'd Do Anything' from 'Oliver' lost a close, pianist friend through it in fact (drove
her round the twist!) - can't sing or dance! Came the audition, held by Lionel (oh! he'd be over the moon to know that he is mentioned on here!!!) I was asked by the MD, the fab CHUCK MALLET what key I wanted? Hadn't a clue, he found it for me and I got through the number. Then asked to sing it again but to look as if I was enjoying it! (Could have killed him!) Got the job!! Told - "Don't worry,
the actor concerned will never be off"
Six weeks later, the phone rings 7:00am - Lionel, telling me I'm on that night!!
"Have you got a tux?" - "No" - "Get your arse round here, you can use LIONEL BART'S Spent the day rehearsing - sketches ok - BUT - Opening & Closing numbers - partnering JOYCE BLAIR?!!! I will never ever forget Joyce, what a Lady! the absolute professional, how she put up with me, I'll never know, she carried me - almost got away with it!!
Started to think I was the cat's whiskers, my pop singer affair at the time, came to see me in the show, over dinner that night, told me "Pack it in!" "You are embarrassing"
I did - went backstage.
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