Have Your Say

Chipstead Evening WI - January 2012 Meeting

“40 Years without a proper job”

 It is always good to start the New Year on a jolly note and if anything Christopher Hare was just that. With experience of being a theatre manager in London, including Hammersmith, Greenwich and Catford, he was able to provide us with anecdotes of many of the great entertainers of the last half of the last century.

 He alluded to faux pas and funny incidents. On one such occasion a band playing at Buckingham Palace was asked by a member of the royal family to “ease up” on the lively music; however, the band leader misinterpreted the accent and thinking he has asking for a “knees up” promptly played “Knees up Mother Brown” to the astonishment of the  crowned princes of Europe.

 He spoke with affection of the great entertainers - Tommy Cooper and Eric Morecombe whom he considered honed their art to perfection, their delivery and timing being spot on. He said that the seemingly chaotic performances of Ken Dodd which appeared to be spontaneous mayhem were in fact intricately rehearsed to appear so but in fact were quite the opposite.

 Whilst some of his jokes and asides might well have been considered rather hammy I rather liked the story he regaled about Norman Wisdom.  On a visit to a library Norman asked the librarian if he could borrow a pair of scissors. On being handed a pair he promptly bent down and cut off the bottom of one trouser leg and presented it to the librarian saying – “There’s a turn-up for the books.”

 Many of the great comedians in the early days of television may well have honed their craft in ENSA - entertaining the troops in the Second World War or in variety shows. It made me think how different humour travels today through You Tube and Joke apps on the I Pad.

 The Evening WI will start their active programme this month with book group and needlecraft meetings, a meal at a local Thai restaurant and a visit to the Natural History Museum “Wildlife Photographer of the Year” exhibition.

 Katherine  Goldsmith