On the eve of this year's Royal Variety Performance. Stanley Holloway looks back at the beginning of the tradition-The Royal Command Variety Performance in 1912 at London's Palace Theatre.
He tells of the difficulties which royal recognition brought to the organisers, the various postponements, and in particular the selection of the artists. Marie Lloyd and Albert Cheva lier. two outstanding artists of the day. were omitted. ANNIE ARCHER. Marie Lloyd 's sister, tells of the slight to the ' Queen of Comedy '.
STANLEY HOLLOWAY goes On tO introduce highlights from the original bill including:
The Britannia Overture by SIR ALEXANDER MACKENZIE : CHIRGWIN -the White-Eyed Kaffir; HARRY TATE shows the pleasures of motoring; VESTA TILLEY appears as'Algy the Piccadilly Johnny'; ALFRED LESTER in ' The Village Fire Brigade '; WILKIE BARD as 'The Nightwatchman'; HARRY LAUDER sings ' Roamin' in the Gloamin'; GEORGE ROBEY presents * The Mayor of Mudcumdyke.' Producer DEREK DRESCHER gramophone records