FROM RAGS TO RAGS
by
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Well, it took along time to write, I hope you think it’s worth it. What’s it about? A good question, I wish I knew. You could read it to find out. Basically it’s about my career in show business as a thespian. Well, they can’t touch you for it. I come from a working class family who had no roots in show business. My interest began at an early age. My father often took me to our local theatre where we would sit in the Gallery to see the shows. I just loved it and wanted to be part of it. But how to do it, that was the question. When at first you don’t succeed, pack it in. Not me, I ignored that completely. I was given a book one Christmas on “HOW TO BECOME A COMEDIAN”. I’ve been trying ever since. After that, I went into a local Concert Party and at last I had my feet on the ladder of success but I had a long way to go before I turned professional. I was In the RA.F. 1951/53 doing my National Service where I did shows with professional entertainer Johnny Leeson and Guest Artist, Dennis Spicer, (a ventriloquist) and Terry Seabrooke (A Comedy Magician) who became a lifelong friend. Can you believe it, I was defending my Country. God knows what would have happened if we had been at war. We would have thrown jokes at the enemy, not bombs. After leaving the R.A.F. in July 1953, I joined another Concert Party called, The Barnstormers. I was also doing The Working Men’s Clubs, for the enormous fee, when I say enormous, I was on £5 per night and for that, I did 4 spots. Well, you have to start somewhere. In August 1960 I married my wife Jan. We’ve now been married for over 50 years. Not a bad run for show business. Is it? In 1963 I turned professional when I was offered my first summer season on the Isle of Wight. In 1965 I did my first Pantomime “Aladdin” at my Local Rep. This was the start of many years doing weekly Repertory Theatre up and down the country, and in 1971, I was offered a National Tour appearing in Agatha Christies “FIDDLERS FIVE”. I was busy in the 1970’s doing summer season’s and pantomimes in England, Scotland, and Wales In the 1980’s and 90’s I moved into television and Commercials. I wrote a musical in the 1990’s called, “The FLANAGAN & ALLEN Story” in which I played my Idol ‘BUD FLANAGAN’, on and off for the next 12 years, Finally, it was time for me to hang up my fur coat and straw boater. I did achieve my ambition and became professional. I also met and worked with many stars.
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About the Book
Well, it took along time to write, I hope you think it’s worth it. What’s it about? A good question, I wish I knew. You could read it to find out. Basically it’s about my career in show business as a thespian. Well, they can’t touch you for it. I come from a working class family who had no roots in show business. My interest began at an early age. My father often took me to our local theatre where we would sit in the Gallery to see the shows. I just loved it and wanted to be part of it. But how to do it, that was the question. When at first you don’t succeed, pack it in. Not me, I ignored that completely. I was given a book one Christmas on “HOW TO BECOME A COMEDIAN”. I’ve been trying ever since. After that, I went into a local Concert Party and at last I had my feet on the ladder of success but I had a long way to go before I turned professional. I was In the RA.F. 1951/53 doing my National Service where I did shows with professional entertainer Johnny Leeson and Guest Artist, Dennis Spicer, (a ventriloquist) and Terry Seabrooke (A Comedy Magician) who became a lifelong friend. Can you believe it, I was defending my Country. God knows what would have happened if we had been at war. We would have thrown jokes at the enemy, not bombs. After leaving the R.A.F. in July 1953, I joined another Concert Party called, The Barnstormers. I was also doing The Working Men’s Clubs, for the enormous fee, when I say enormous, I was on £5 per night and for that, I did 4 spots. Well, you have to start somewhere. In August 1960 I married my wife Jan. We’ve now been married for over 50 years. Not a bad run for show business. Is it? In 1963 I turned professional when I was offered my first summer season on the Isle of Wight. In 1965 I did my first Pantomime “Aladdin” at my Local Rep. This was the start of many years doing weekly Repertory Theatre up and down the country, and in 1971, I was offered a National Tour appearing in Agatha Christies “FIDDLERS FIVE”. I was busy in the 1970’s doing summer season’s and pantomimes in England, Scotland, and Wales In the 1980’s and 90’s I moved into television and Commercials. I wrote a musical in the 1990’s called, “The FLANAGAN & ALLEN Story” in which I played my Idol ‘BUD FLANAGAN’, on and off for the next 12 years, Finally, it was time for me to hang up my fur coat and straw boater. I did achieve my ambition and became professional. I also met and worked with many stars.
About the Author
From a very early age I was always interested in the theatre. It all began when my father, took me regularly, to our local theatre in Northampton. In my early teens I joined various Concert Parties which was the first step of my career. I started at the bottom and some say that’s where I finished.. Hence my book “FROM RAGS TO RAGS” I progressed to appearing in Working Men’s Clubs for the handsome fee of £5 a night for 4 spots. Sometimes they didn’t applaud, but if they liked you, they let you live. I began my professional career in 1963, as a comedian, at Warner’s Holiday Camp on the Isle of Wight.. This was good training for the years ahead. In 1965 I landed my first Pantomime, in ‘Aladdin’, at Northampton Repertory Theatre . For the next few years I was acting in Repertory at various theatres throughout the country. These were happy years, but hard work. as we had to learn a new play every week, but I loved it. This was followed by appearing in Agatha Christie’s last play “FIDLERS FIVE” touring the Moss Empire Theatres.. Later I went to London to play a jester, in Medieval Feasts, at Lyons Corner House. This was 6 nights a week. for a run of 9 months. Throughout the 80’s and 90’,s I did many Television appearances both in shows and commercials. During this time I was writing a Musical called “The FLANAGAN & ALLEN Story”, which I later toured around the theatre’s for 12 years, playing my Idol, BUD FLANAGAN.. Over the years I met and worked with many stars. So you see, my childhood dreams did come true and I wouldn’t have changed a minute of it. I hope you enjoy the book..