Rushden Research Group: 1966 Old Tyme Music Hall

Evening Telegraph, 18th February 1966, transcribed by Kay Collins

1966 Old Tyme Music Hall

Mrs. D. E. Shrive, Chairman of Rushden Urban
Council, and Mr. Shrive entered into the spirit
of the evening and arrived at the show decked
in authentic-looking costumes.

The whiskers may not look so genuine but that didn't stop Brian Brooke, one of the gaily-dressed waiters, from having a good time

Whiskers And Plumes For The Old Time Music Hall At Rushden

SEVEN hundred and forty people took all the available seating at Rushden Windmill Hall last night, filling it to capacity for what proved to be one of Rushden's greatest stage successes ... an old time music hall.

Performers, and the audience—many of whom had dressed for the occasion in period costume—were in fine voice, from the first choruses of the song "Fall in and Follow Me" to the last rousing and sincere strains of "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow," a just tribute to the work of Mrs. Doris Shrive, Chairman of Rushden Urban Council, who suggested the idea of the town music hall for charity.

After the show Mr. A. E. Goulsbra said that he hoped about £200 profit would be made during the evening. The proceeds, are to be divided equally between the local TB After Care Committee, the Blind and Crippled Fund, the Mentally Handicapped, the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the Senior Citizens' Committee, and the old people's chiropody service.

Master of ceremonies, Mr. Bert Catlin, a teacher, may have swallowed one of his pupil's dictionaries, but in any case was in fine voice and aired his ample vocabulary to the full, whipping up enthusiasm for the individual turns.

A stirring opening to the show was provided by a group who called themselves "The Barber's Shop Quartette"—who may have looked, though never sounded, like demons. Their choruses of "I'll take you home again Kathleen" and "Down at the old Bull and Bush" put the audience in the right frame of mind for the rest of the show.

Members of Rushden Round Table also added to the atmosphere by quickly providing drinks for all— with profits for charity.

Sentimental

"And now at enormous expense". . . Emily Cox, one of the artistes who appeared in the show, sings to a captivated audience.

Emily Cox followed with a series of old sentimental songs, and afterwards Charlie Jones presumably secured at enormous expense to either shoe leather or bicycle tyre tread from "the southern most corner of the urban district" emerged from the wings adorned in a velvet wrap and Jewelled crown.

In a monologue he gave the audience an unforgettable account of the Battle of Hastings.

Songs from Owen Slater separated Mr. Jones's performance from that of another well known local humorist—Rene Welsford, who gave a polished performance of humorous songs and stories.

Old time sentimentality was again restored with the rich voice of Chris Green, and the grace of movement of a group of young dancers from Rushden Amateur Operatic Society. The lovely floating dresses of white, edged with blue of the girl dancers all added to the charm of the performance.

Rushden Amateur Dramatic Society presented a melodrama, and one could almost imagine the flickering light of the old silent movies as the hero (suitably cheered by the audience) triumphed over the wicked scoundrel (suitably hissed).

Remarkable

The remarkable technique of Ron Benning with his trombone was followed by a boisterous—though perfectly performed—exhibition of the can-can by two attractive members of the operatic society. This almost proved a show stopper when a certain red blooded element at the rear of the hall demanded a repeat performance.

Favourites among all operatic audiences in the area — Geoff and Cecily Sanders—charmed their way through songs like "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes" with their professional performance, and members of Rushden Amateur Theatrical Society encouraged everyone to keep "joining in and singing" with a selection they entitled "Melodious Choruses."

The real show stealers were, however, husband and wife Bill and Phyllis Clarke, who had the audience in the palms of their hands during their performances of such favourites as "After the Ball", "Lily of Laguna" and "My Dear Old Dutch."

Members of the theatrical society, led by Lionel Murton. performed an "abridged version" of "The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God."

Downtrodden

An amusing picture of a downtrodden and unwilling bridegroom was presented by the Operatic Society in their musical sketch "Wedding Bells".

Warren Eagle, who was immediately referred to as "Goldie" by the MC, again restored the old time flavour of the show with tunes on his accordion, and Ron Coles, who would have been accompanied by Cecily Langley but for her illness through flu sang more music hall songs.

Ably supporting the artists was an orchestra comprising Pauline Longland (piano), Cliff Percival (bass). David Earl (drums) and Warren Eagle (accordion).

After the show Mrs. Shrive thanked the committee of Rushden Windmill Club for allowing her the free use of the hall, all the artists, the MC, and members of all the town organisations who had helped in arranging the event. A vote of thanks to Mrs. Shrive was voiced by Mr. Clarke.

Special guests were the Mayor and Mayoress of Kettering, the Mayor of Higham Ferrers, the Chairman of Wellingborough and Irthlingborough Urban Councils and Rushden Carnival Queen and her attendants.


A "chocolate girl" offers her wares to Ald. Cyril Faulkner, who was in the audience.	Certainly not a Dior creation this costume, but it would have been considered "with it" in its day and that, after all, was the idea last night.