Page 20 - Colin Wheeler's Memories

Redditch Heritage
In recent years I was asked by Councillor
Joan Tyers to compere a variety show, she
said she was going to ask a star to head
the bill. She phoned Frank Carson who at
the time was living in Ireland, but when
she mention it was in aid of the charity
Rowan, he said he had retired and so was
unable to help. The following year I saw
him at the theatre in Babbacome and of
course he has appeared at the Palace since
then.
Page: 20
My Palace Theatre and other Memories
At another time Tommy Trinder came,
this time there were 60 of us in the
stalls, I again counted them, it was
pathetic to see such a great comedian
who had gone well past his best telling
the same joke twice. I joined him
afterwards in the circle bar, he
surprised everyone by ordering a pot
of tea, he was a well known teatotaller.
Later came manager Edward Willis, an
actor, a former product of RADA who
had ideas of uplifting the tastes of
Redditch audiences, with professional
productions, unfortunately it did not
result in putting bums on seats,
although he did arrange a series of
popular Sunday night shows along with
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