Bernie Clifton and Bobby Crush top the bill as The Good Old Days returns to City Varieties Music Hall from 17 September. The New Variety Dancers and a variety of acts will join the. Mr Paul Smith will direct the Varieties Orchestra.
Bernie Clifton is a household name – a versatile entertainer on tv and on stage through the season. For 50 years, Bobby Crush has been widely recognised as a talented pianist but also as a songwriter, actor, broadcaster and television presenter.
The autumn season is as follows:
On Friday 17 and Saturday 18 September, Bernie Clifton headlines the opening weekend alongside guest Chairman Richard Gauntlett. Joining them will be vocalist Judith Hibbert, magician Scott Penrose, vocalist Jan Hunt, and Andy Eastwood on the ukulele.
On Friday 24 and Saturday 25 September, Bobby Crush tops the bill with chairman David Graham. Appearing alongside them will be ventriloquist Emily Brown, vocalist Linda Watts, magician and comedian Mel Harvey and vocalist Mickie Driver.
Many will remember that The Good Old Days was a BBC television light entertainment programme produced by Barney Colehan. It ran for 30 years, from 1953 to 1983, and was filmed at The Varieties. The show recreated an authentic atmosphere of the Victorian–Edwardian music hall with songs and sketches of the era, performed by present-day artists in the style of the original performers. Compered by Leonard Sachs, the show featured more than 2,000 performers over the course of its run, including Les Dawson, Barbara Windsor, Bruce Forsyth, Eartha Kitt, John Inman, Ken Dodd and Barry Cryer. The original series has recently enjoyed a re-run on BBC4.
Book online at leedsheritagetheatres.com or call the box office on 0113 243 0808
Feature photograph: Emily Brown.
