It is now well over 55 years since I first trod the boards at the world-famous Leeds City Varieties Music Hall. Even though time plods on relentlessly, the memories of those days appear more vivid with each passing decade.
Uncovering these old photos brings the period and its strange cast of unlikely characters back to brimming life. I was a mere boy at the time. In the words of Julie Andrews, I was 16 going on 17.
I'd turned up at the stage door in search of life after circus and school days. Greeted by a man dressed as the Wicked Wolf who was rehearsing for the upcoming pantomime of Red Riding Hood, I felt instantly at home when he asked me to do him a favour by nipping up to the green room to see if I could find his missing tail. Hired by Wally, the stage manager with boot-black polished thinning hair and a never-ending cigarette drooping from the left side of his mouth, I was guided up to the limes box at the very top of the gods.
This box was exactly that. Nine feet by nine feet with a clogged airconditioning fan and two mighty Edwardian lime spotlights. These monstrosities were worked by firing up two carbon rods with enough voltage to bring Frankenstein to life. I was to operate No 2 lime while No 1 was in the hands of Pop, a man who looked as if he was the same age as the limes themselves. It was hot in the box. Red hot, especially after two or three shows a day. Pop would often fall asleep on the job, causing his lime to black out the stage at crucial moments in the comedy or tragedy taking place below.
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Denne historien er fra November 2024-utgaven av Best of British.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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It's a Lottery
Claire Saul celebrates 30 years of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which supports heritage projects across the United Kingdom
In Memoriam
Michael Foley pays his respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice
Leader of the Pack
Paul Williams examines the history of War Horse
French Fancies
Alain Carraze explains how cult British shows are perceived as the best on television in France
Redheads & Rollers
Simon Stabler talks to Crossroads' Tony Adams
Bringing Memories Back to Life
Richard Haines on the importance of making the most of your vintage photographs
POSTCARD FROM KENT
Bob Barton investigates a network of caves, takes a ride on a thriving heritage railway, and marvels at the beauty of the garden of England
Laughter in the Air
Chris Hallam remembers writer, television presenter and comedian Barry Took
My Good Old Days
Tim Quinn takes us behind the scenes of Leeds City Varieties
The Battersea Bardot
David Barnes remembers the star of Cathy Come Home