大象传媒

This story was submitted to the People's War site by Brian Minor of the 大象传媒 GMR Action Desk on his own behalf The author fully understands the site's terms and conditions.

In the early 40's there was little live theatre and the main source of entertainment was the wireless.
An enterprising guy in Altrincham persuaded the authorities that a live show would be good for morale and so he got permission to run a series of Sunday evening concerts at the Regal Cinema in Broadheath. This is now the site of Roberts House - the Tax Office.
My Dad was running a taxi business and was given the contract for driving the 'stars' to the shows and take them to their hotels or the railway station afterwards. After the first concert he realised that some sort of catering was needed as nowhere was open and some of the show people had nothing to eat all day. So after each show all the cast would come back to our house in Hale and my mother would rustle up some sort of a supper for everyone. Due to rationing this was usually a bit basic, but no one minded and many of the 'stars' ate in our dining room.
One night there was the whole of the original Squadronaires (the RAF Dance Orchestra) eating in the kitchen and playing a few tunes and top of the bill Donald Peers in the dining room giving a master class on playing the Ukelele to a young lad who did George Formby impersonations!

As an eight year old I used to look openmouthed at some of the names who came for meals, many of the acts I was familiar with from the wireless were actually in our house! I must have been a right pain at school the following mornings with my "Guess who we had for supper last night!"

漏 Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.