The Story of Variety, BBC Four

Michael Grade's funny but poignant documentary about the bygone art form

by Veronica LeeMonday, 28 February 2011

Michael Grade: A good audience for the old troupers in his documentary

For those whose only knowledge of the form is the Royal Variety Performance, this programme (part of BBC Four’s variety season) gave a nice, if all too brief, overview. The first of a two-parter was presented by Michael Grade, whose family is variety royalty - generations of Grades were performers and agents, and latterly television executives.

A young Des O'Connor even pretended to faint at the Glasgow Empire rather than continue being barracked by the notoriously aggressive crowd

Explore topics

Share this article

...

Permalink Submitted by Brian OGorman (not verified) on Tue, 01/03/2011 - 13:36

''Quoth the Raven '' goes on ''Never more '' as written by Edgar Allen Poe . Its first use is attributed to George Robey. Other damning comments to land ladies were '' Thanks Mrs G you have done us proud '' and '' Multi kateeva Letti '' = '' Bloody awful digs '' often taken as a compliment as presumed being written in Latin

...

Permalink Submitted by Professor Vanes... (not verified) on Tue, 01/03/2011 - 17:59

Great programme my only comment on the review is that the artist mentoined as Karimba is actually Koringa - the only female Fakir and mesmerist who worked with Bertram Mills Circus in the 1930s and other companies until the 1950s. For anyone interested in the variety history we have much material at the National Fairground Archive at the University of Sheffield including 2000 posters from the 1880s onwards

...

Permalink Submitted by Ron Eadie (not verified) on Tue, 01/03/2011 - 18:10

Loved the show,Hope they will show Morton fraser harmonica gang in next program.I was lead harmonicaist All through the sixties Greatest time of my life.Ron Eadie

...

Permalink Submitted by Anne McMillan (not verified) on Tue, 22/03/2011 - 08:48

My grandfather was Archie Glen the comedian mentioned on this programme i would be most grateful if anyone could give me more information about him. Many Thanks Anne

Anne Archie Glen was my

Permalink Submitted by Pat (not verified) on Mon, 24/10/2011 - 15:01

Anne Archie Glen was my grandfather´s brother. I have started to do some research into the family. Do you want to get in touch? Pat

Hi Pat Put original message

Permalink Submitted by Anne McMillan (Glen) (not verified) on Sat, 03/10/2015 - 15:29

Hi Pat Put original message on in 2011 and didn't check back I now see you have posted and would be most grateful for any information you have Many thanks Anne

Hi Anne Like you, I came back

Permalink Submitted by Pat Laing (not verified) on Mon, 19/10/2015 - 17:43

Hi Anne Like you, I came back to this page after quite a while as I have just picked up doing some family history again. If you'd like to get in contact my email is pat.laing@gmx.com. I hope you get this message.

Correct email address Pat

Permalink Submitted by Anne McMillan (Glen) (not verified) on Sat, 03/10/2015 - 15:31

Correct email address Pat

Add comment

The future of Arts Journalism

You can stop theartsdesk.com closing!

We urgently need financing to survive. Our fundraising drive has thus far raised £33,000 but we need to reach £100,000 or we will be forced to close. Please contribute here: https://gofund.me/c3f6033d

And if you can forward this information to anyone who might assist, we’d be grateful.

Subscribe to theartsdesk.com

Thank you for continuing to read our work on theartsdesk.com. For unlimited access to every article in its entirety, including our archive of more than 15,000 pieces, we're asking for £5 per month or £40 per year. We feel it's a very good deal, and hope you do too.

To take a subscription now simply click here.

And if you're looking for that extra gift for a friend or family member, why not treat them to a theartsdesk.com gift subscription?

more TV

Paris Has Fallen, Prime Video review - Afghan war veteran wreaks a terrible vengeance Cynical politicians and amoral arms dealers feel the heat

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light, BBC One review - handsome finale for Hilary Mantel adaptation Mark Rylance is on top form as his Thomas Cromwell re-emerges after nine years

The Day of the Jackal, Sky Atlantic review - Frederick Forsyth's assassin gets a modern-day makeover Eddie Redmayne shoots to kill in lavish 10-part drama

Until I Kill You, ITV1 review - superb performances in a frustrating true-crime story Anna Maxwell Martin and Shaun Evans are compelling, but the script needs more ballast

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Disney+ review - the Boss grows older defiantly Thom Zimny's film reels in 50 years of New Jersey's most famous export

Industry, BBC One review - bold, addictive saga about corporate culture now Third season of the tale of investment bankers reaches a satisfying climax