Thanks for a fun informative article. I recently read Music Hall Memories by Jack House (that some how ended up in Northern Virginia!)and I feel I am now current on what’s been going on after that book came out!
What a brilliant piece Kenny! Little did I imagine a tour de force through Panto, Jonnie Beattie and John McGrath!
As you might know the Panto circuit has a revolving tour. This year it’s Peter Pan at the Kings in Edinburgh (Festival Theatre) we had Snow White last year - with similar gasps when the real people of diminutive stature appeared!
I was racking my brains: did I ever actually see The Cheviot etc? I know it was on the circuit when I was able to see it. Or did I ever even read it? Anyhoo, for the most of the years when I lived abroad, when we came back to the UK for Christmas, I insisted that we took our girls to the panto, wherever it was, an essential British cultural injection they were never going to see in Belgium. I taught pantomime as a theatrical form for a couple of years when I was an Asst Prof at Ghent, in charge of The History and Culture of the Anglo-Saxon Countries (first year compulsory module). It was received with bemusement and probable disbelief.
Pleasure, really love your stuff..so fresh, learn stuff eg bit on tourist guide for black people...quite a revelation. Obvious, yet no one else mentions it!
This is fabulous Kenny. I was once driving there on a Sunday morning and thought I'd just
'stop off' at Graceland. You can't 'stop off' there...it's a marathon, and I regret missing Rev Al to this day. However I was once in a mini bus in Liverpool with him, but that's another story. Brilliant blog bro. Ricky x
Thanks for a fun informative article. I recently read Music Hall Memories by Jack House (that some how ended up in Northern Virginia!)and I feel I am now current on what’s been going on after that book came out!
Such a wonderful era with such great characters.
What a brilliant piece Kenny! Little did I imagine a tour de force through Panto, Jonnie Beattie and John McGrath!
As you might know the Panto circuit has a revolving tour. This year it’s Peter Pan at the Kings in Edinburgh (Festival Theatre) we had Snow White last year - with similar gasps when the real people of diminutive stature appeared!
Cheers Dom! I was only able to scratch the surface. Fascinating subject.
In fact a thousand children scream: “KILL HER!”
😂😂😂
Gotta love kids
I was racking my brains: did I ever actually see The Cheviot etc? I know it was on the circuit when I was able to see it. Or did I ever even read it? Anyhoo, for the most of the years when I lived abroad, when we came back to the UK for Christmas, I insisted that we took our girls to the panto, wherever it was, an essential British cultural injection they were never going to see in Belgium. I taught pantomime as a theatrical form for a couple of years when I was an Asst Prof at Ghent, in charge of The History and Culture of the Anglo-Saxon Countries (first year compulsory module). It was received with bemusement and probable disbelief.
I don’t think I saw it live until one of the revivals? I can imagine your students raising an eyebrow at Widow Twankey and Wishy Washy!
Lovely, lovely piece! So enjoyed. HNY!
Thank you so much!
Pleasure, really love your stuff..so fresh, learn stuff eg bit on tourist guide for black people...quite a revelation. Obvious, yet no one else mentions it!
Most kind!
I a m a author myself, so know how b hard it is to do well.
The Tempest in space is Forbidden Planet. GPS does not make a good film. Defoe is superb as ever, looks amazing, great score. Lighten up!
"GPS does not make a good film." Love that.
Wrong thread though..!
Pleasure Kenny, Saw at same time the film Scala!!!! My fav cinema of all time, a brill documentary. Never, ever had any trouble there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jovQuVxS2hk
This looks tremendous.
Just realised.! Cannot get the staff....
Do go..I loved the place
BFI player have it around the 22 Jan?
Nice. Ta!
Love this post Kenny! Al Green is one of my musical heroes so I’m jealous you’ve seen him in the flesh in his church! Amazing!
I can barely believe it myself!
This is fabulous Kenny. I was once driving there on a Sunday morning and thought I'd just
'stop off' at Graceland. You can't 'stop off' there...it's a marathon, and I regret missing Rev Al to this day. However I was once in a mini bus in Liverpool with him, but that's another story. Brilliant blog bro. Ricky x
In a minibus with Al Green! I must hear that story sometime. Thanks Ricky, most kind.
Kenny, I’m jealous! Paul J
You'd have got up and sang with him!
An excellent piece seamlessly weaving Scottish National Treasures- Elaine C Smith, Alan Cummings, Johnny ( Mr Topicality) Beattie, 7:84 & Gerard Kelly
I might even go back to a panto!!
Thanks Roger! The Beattie gag is my favourite bit.