|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Redcar Pierrot 1926-1939
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In the summer of 1926, Billy gave his first pierrot show at Redcar, where the new pavillion now stands. His party worked under the title of Cosy Corner Entertainers of 1926. In the above photo, taken in 1927, Billy is on the back row, second from the right. As a variety actor he travelled hundreds of thousands of miles, yet summer after summer he always returned to his home-town. In 1927, he again presented a concert party in Redcar, appearing at the old Coatham pier Head three times daily. In 1928 he played a season with the Song Demonstrators on the site he was to subsequently occupy with his group the Optimists. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In winter he joined Leonard Williams and his Song Film Entertainers and toured 20,000 miles with them. Then he re-opened his own concert party at Redcar in the summer of 1931 and has staged a show each summer on the beach at Redcar until the outbreak of World War II. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Among the more celebrated of the stars appearing in Billy's show, was comedian Billy Burden (pictured far left in above picture), who went on to star in the Harry Worth TV show and also made appearances in Hi-de-Hi. Larry Grayson also starred in Billy's shows in the early part of his career. Kathleen Robertson: "The famous British comedian Larry Grayson's two famous catchphrases came from his early appearances in Billy's shows. "Shut that door" originated from when the wind blew onto the stage if the dressing room doors had been left open. The character 'Slack Alice' was reputedly Jennie, Billy's wife. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Eveline Weighell: "We often used to sit outside Billie & Jennie's house listening to rehearsals. Billy Burden comedian, Pat Fox male singer, and Eddie Jones pianist, practised routines there. Eileen Scarrow: "Because open air shows were dependent on good weather, if it rained the performers couldn't perform and therefore usually didn't get paid. However, Billy Scarrow paid them a weekly wage, whether they worked or not, as he said they all had their commitments to meet whether it was rain or shine. He had really good acts, one I remember them telling me about was an escapologist who they used to tie up, put in a box, and throw into the sea! Fortunately he lived! |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
