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Top of the Bill
Mr John Wallis
10th
Sept 2009
“What
a splendid start to our programme”; was the statement made at this time last
year. This year’s start was even better. Our unanimous decision was that
John Wallis’s Top of the Bill was superb, outstanding in both entertainment
and humour. Every one of us enjoyed the benefit of John’s retirement study
of the Music Hall, Variety Theatre and the Artistes involved. As well as
telling us about these performers he also gave us renditions of their songs
whilst playing either his banjo or ukulele and telling the jokes of his
favourite comedians.
Starting with Marie Lloyd who reigned in the Music Hall at the beginning
of the twentieth century, he also sang one of her songs before he mentioned
the performances of Gracie Fields and Florrie
Ford. Although he spent sometime singing “ She’s my lady love” and
describing the Minstrel Music performers Eugene Stratton and the Chocolate
Coloured Coon, GH Elliott, he soon moved on to his favourite subject -
comedians.
Sandy
Powell “Can you hear me mother?” from Rotherham, Albert Modley
from Ilkley and Norman Evans from
Rochdale
and their “daft humour” were discussed and some of their jokes retold. His
favourite comedian Rob Wilton, known for his Second World War humour of
confusion, had his jokes performed with true authenticity before John moved on
to tell us about Norman Wisdom, and Chick Murray.
Alternative and Domestic
Humour were illustrated by the jokes of Al Read and Les Dawson before the show
was closed with John playing the Mandola and
singing a Vera Lynn and a Paul
Robson song.
Our next meeting is at 10-00am on 24th September 2009 at
Otley Civic Centre where Mr DM Shaw will tell us about a Chinese Adventure.
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