Recollections

1.

Patricia Rand (née Tinney)

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to Patricia Rand (née Tinney) who wrote:

Christmas Pantomimes

"Some of the best times I had when I lived in Edinburgh were Christmas Pantomimes at the King's Theatre, where my mother was an Usher after the War.

I remember seeing Margaret Lockwood fly across the stage on wire.  (We really peeled our eyes trying to catch sight of it.).

Sand Dance

"I remember seeing other variety shows with hilarious comedy acts.  There were two men who did the 'Sand Dance', each with a fez and long whit tunic.  They shuffled back and forth with their hand pointing sideways at the wrists. I know they were famous for this routine, and I wish I could remember their names - something like 'Chianti'."  (See recollections 3 below.)

Decor

"That theatre was a real treasure - red plus velvet and braid, with beautiful chandeliers.  If I was lucky, and there was an empty box, I got to watch from there.  What a treat!!"

Patricia Rand (née Tinney), Victoria, British Columbia, Canada:
Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book:  October 3, 2009

Recollections

2.

Margaret Goodchild

Thank you to Margaret Goodchild who wrote:

Sand Dance

"Hi Patricia:  I remember the guys who did the sand dance but not their names, I'm afraid, and Margaret Lockwood wired-up to fly in Peter Pan.

Margaret Godchild,  Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book:  October 3, 2009

Recollections

3.

Jim Robertson

Berlin, Germany

Thank you to Jim Robertson who replied to Patricia Rand (1 above)

Flannigan & Allan

"Hi Patricia:  I believe Flannigan & Allan did the old sand shuffle.  I remember seeing them perform in the Empire Theatre in Edinburgh.  That was about 1949. They were a fantastic act.

I hope this was what you were looking for."

Jim Robertson, Berlin, Germany:  Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book:  October 4, 2009

Recollections

4.

Patricia Rand (née Tinney)

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Thank you to Patricia Rand who wrote:

Sand Dance

Wilson, Keppel & Betty

"Jim's memory of that crazy act makes me wonder.  Didn't Flanigan and Allan sing 'Underneath the Arches'?

I think the sandmen were really slim-built, although that may have been the long tunics.

Anyhoo, they were both terrific acts.

Margaret Godchild, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, England.
 Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book:  October 3, 2009

Recollections

5.

Margaret Goodchild

Welwyn, Hertfordshire, England

Thank you to Margaret Goodchild who wrote:

Sand Dance

Wilson, Keppel & Betty

"I think I've got the names of the sand dancers. The two 'slim' men were Wilson and Keppel.

There was a young lady involved too, so the act was called Wilson, Keppel & Betty.

If you Google it, there is actually a small video clip of them in action."

Margaret Godchild, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, England.
 Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book:  October 5, 2009

Recollections

6.

Bob Henderson

Burdiehouse, Edinburgh

Thank you to Bob Henderson who wrote:

Sand Dance

Wilson, Keppel & Betty

"The sand dancers were Wilson and Keppel who were joined by a female partner of whom there were several but she was always called Betty. The act was called  Wilson Keppel and Betty.

I saw them quite a few times in Edinburgh, in the Palladium the Empire and the Kings. They appeared on early television programmes.  I'm not sure but I think this is when they added the female partner."

Bob Henderson, Burdiehouse, Edinburgh:  October 5, 2009

Recollections

7.

Alan Grieve

Minehead, Somerset, England

Thank you to Alan Grieve who wrote:

King's Theatre

   ©

"I remember going to the Kings Theatre to see a production of 'Kings Rhapsody' by the Bohemians Lyric Opera Company in April 1959

The Bohemians were an Edinburgh amateur company, and this was their Jubilee Production.  Their productions were superbly done and extremely professional. I still have the leaflet listing the cast with a full list of 'Ladies of the Ballet', 'Ladies of the Chorus' and 'Gentlemen of the Chorus'

Admission prices for this production in 1959 were:

-   8/6 (42p) for the Orchestra Stalls and grand circle

-  6/6 (32p) for the mid stalls

-  5/-(25p) for the Pit Stalls and Upper Circle

-  3/- (15p) for the Family Circle front rows

-  2/- (10p) for the Family Circle back rows.

-  45/- (£2.25) and 34/- (£1.70) for Boxes!"

National Bank of Scotland

"I worked at the National Bank of Scotland opposite Nicolson Square (South Side Branch)

©

One of the ladies who worked with me was in the production so most of the office bought tickets and were very impressed by the performance.  I see on the internet that the Bohemians are still going strong

Alan Grieve, Minehead, Somerset:  October 8, 2009

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