 |  | | | Nellie Wallace: best-loved music hall performer | 10 Apr 2006 | | |
Nellie Wallace was one of the most famous and best loved music hall performers and is one of the stars commemorated in the new Theatre of Variety at the Grand Theatre Blackpool. She was a 'grotesque', one of a genre that also included Lily Morris, who famously sang 'Why Am I Always the Bridesmaid?' These women made themselves look bizarre and illustrated their comic songs and patter with outlandishly grotesque dances that actually required great dancing skills. They were as loveable and appealing as they were extraordinary to look at and since the characters they portrayed were usually down on their luck, audiences took them to their hearts.
Judi Herman has been looking back over a career that started in the Victorian era and latest until after the second world war. She spoke to Dr Ann Featherstone, Researcher in Victorian popular entertainment at Royal Holloway College , London , and Tony Barker, who has issued twelve of her songs on CD. But we hear first from Marjorie Bose, who had plenty of opportunities to watch Nellie perform - from the orchestra pit at the London Coliseum.
| |
| | Retired? Downsizing? Moving home to be nearer the kids?We'd like to hear your stories about moving house |
|
