little tich

I am at home. Came home last night and all is well. If you want details you might have to ask me in person.

Anyway, the last of my music hall performances (for now). This is Little Tich. He features heavily in my phd. He is a favourite of mine.

my profile

I had a go at this today - thanks to Dream Blog for the link. Anyway, I was shocked to find out what my celebrity profile was...imagine looking 96% like Angelina Jolie? Well, I do...so there!

http://www.myheritage.com

by the way, if you haven't guessed already, I am not doing very much work today. Bit nervous about tomorrow and have a friend visiting.

lily morris # 2

I realised that I won't be able to post stuff for a few days because I am off into hospital tomorrow. So here is some background information on Lily Morris. Don't forget to watch the video as well. It is a cracker...


Lily Morris was born in London in 1884, her career began at the age of 10 when she appeared in Pantomime at Drury Lane, and she then went on to tour with Moss Empires as a ‘juvenile’. She is described in the British Music Hall: An Illustrated Who’s Who, 1850 – Present Day as ‘a chorus singer with a big voice and a personality to match’ . She had a number of hits with including In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree, Don’t Have any More Mrs Moore, and the one recorded here Why am I Always the Bridesmaid ‘which took her to the top of the bill and to the Royal Variety Performance in 1927’ . Lily Morris died in 1952.

Lily Morris

This is another one of the acts I am working on at the moment. I will give you some background information tomorrow...for now just sit back and enjoy the show.

the one that got away

John H commented on this playbill then I swapped it for the other one. So, here it is re-posted all on it's own.


IF YOU CLICK ON THE IMAGE (AND THE PREVIOUS ONE) THEY GET MAGICALLY BIGGER!!!!

a night at the Pavilion

I am starting to work on another phd chapter - one that I have already had a go a and needs some TLC to get it into order. One of the exciting bits of the phd is when I introduce the acts that performed on the Pavilion stage the week beginning 20th April 1908. It is at this point that the phd shifts from an investigation of music hall as a popular performance to how it was manifest in a specific place. My research then looks at music hall performance in the context of local everyday life.

I remember the day I found this music hall bill - I had spent four days trawling through acres of irrelevant primary source material in the Central Library in Liverpool, patiently hoping for a gem...and there it was, in fact this was one of 6 bills I found that day. These became the basis for my phd and have kept my interest for nearly 6years.

I will let the acts speak for themselves.

This is the programme for the week commencing Monday afternoon (Monday being the day that the weekly programme changed), April 20th, 1908. Doors opened at 2.30pm and twice nightly 6.50pm and 9pm during the week. On the bill that week were:

1. Overture: ‘Francis the Radical’
2. Ida Katherina: ‘The Dolly Girl’
3. Austins: Comedy Juggling and Dancing
4. Blanche & Powel: In their High Class Drawing Room Entertainment
5. John G. Brandon & Co. In the Famous American Dramatic Sketch – The Girl & the Tough
6. Steel & Laing (Dora & Dulcie): The Meddling Tramp and the Dancing Maid
7. Kenneth & Kane (Sid & Maud) Comedy Duo: ‘Just a Few Words’
8. Capt. Devereaux: Canine Streets of London. A Drama Illustrated by Dogs Only
9. Luis Hardt ‘The Mighty Atom’ and Original Boy Samson in Flights of Imagination – A New and Original Way of Introducing Feats of Strength
10. Neilson Troupe: of Boys and Girls in a Comedy and Dancing Scena entitled ‘An Improvised Rehearsal’
11. Will Walton: Comedian
12. Sarnthaler Troupe: Lady singers and Dancers, in their Mountain Scena ‘ Ten Minutes in the Tyrol
13. ‘Crazy Quilt’ on the Bioscope
14. Tarro Miyake. The Champion Ju Jitsu Wrestler of Japan

Here we see juggling, dancing, sketches, feats of strength, comedy, even a dog act, to top it all you have the interactive challenge of Tarro Miyake who was prepared to take on any member of the audience.

gus elen

I have managed to upload some music hall footage - this is the first one I will share with you here.

It is Gus Elen and this is a performance of It’s a Great Big Shame, words by Edgar Bateman, Music by George LeBrun. It was recorded in a small studio on Water St, London 1932 when he was 70. Elen had been performing this song for over 25years and by this point and was nearing retirement. He would reprise this and other songs for the Royal Variety Performance in 1935. Elen Died on 17 February 1940.

Enjoy.



If you'd like to sing along then here are the words:


It’s a Great Big Shame
Words by Edgar Bateman, Music by George LeBrun

I've lost my pal, 'e's the best in all the tahn,
But don't you fink 'im dead, beco's 'e ain't.
But since 'e's wed 'e 'as 'ad ter 'nuckle dahn.
It's e-nuf-ter wax the temper of a saint!
'e's a brewers dray-man, wiv a leg o' mutton fist,
An' as strong as a bullick or an 'orse -
Yet in 'er 'ands 'e's like a little kid -
Oh! I wish as I could get 'im a divorce.

CHORUS:
It's a great big shame, an' if she belong'd ter me
I'd let 'er know who's who.
Naggin at a feller wot is six foot free,
And her not four foot two!
Oh! they 'adn't been married not a month nor more,
When underneath her fumb goes Jim -
Isn't it a pity as the likes ov 'er
Should put upon the likes ov 'im?

Now Jim was class - 'e could sing a decent song,
And at scrappin' 'e 'ad won some great renown;
It took two coppers for to make 'im move along,
And annuver six to 'old the feller dahn.
But today when I axes would 'e come an' 'ave some beer,
To the door-step on tip toe 'e arrives;
"I dare-n't," says 'e - "Don't shout, 'cos sh'll 'ear -
I've got ter clean the winders an' the knives."

CHORUS:

On a Sunday morn, wiv a dozen pals or more,
'e'd play at pitch an' toss along the Lea;
But now she bullies 'im a scrubbin 'o the floor -
Such a change, - well I never did see.
Wiv apron on 'im, I twigged 'im on 'is knees -
A rubbin' up the old 'arf stone;
Wot wiv emptyin' the ashes and a shellin' of the peas,
I'm blowed if 'e can call 'is self 'is own!

CHORUS:

the pivvy

This is the music hall I am researching as part of my PhD. In fact it is the reason I am doing my PhD. So, here is a bit of background.


The Pavilion (know locally as the ‘Pivvy’) on Lodge Lane was opened in 1908. Established in Liverpool 8 as a music hall with twice-nightly shows and a 2.30pm matinee, the Pavilion was a popular venue, able to seat over 2,500 people. The Pavilion was built in an area that had seen vast and swift economic, social and structural change. As the opening quotation illustrates Lodge Lane had, over a 40 year period gone from farm land with a ropery, waterworks, a few houses accommodating a small population and a small number of shops to what amounted to an extension of the city. By 1883 the area was a mass of terraced houses with all the amenities that a growing population demanded . The Lodge Lane Baths had been opened in August 1878, followed by the washhouse later that year . The establishment of the library around the same time was an additional benefit to the area. By 1885 the tramway was extended to the intersection of Upper Parliament Street and Smithdown Road allowing fast, regular transport to and from town (previously it had been possible to get the last bus back to Smithdown Road from town leaving from Pier Head at 10pm – but the trams ran late) .

The Pavilion was evidently a capital investment. When William Henry Broadhead applied for a theatrical licence on 11 April 1907, the Pavilion had not been built. As 14 JP’s votes for the granting of the licence and 13 voted against Broadhead was encourage to go ahead with building and the JP’s would keep an open mind as to whether the licence would be granted or not. Percy Baynham Broadhead was granted a Theatrical licence for the Pavillion Theatre, Lodge Lane on 11 Feb 1908. The Broadhead’s would not have gone ahead with such risky and elaborate plans if there had not been a business rationale for building a theatre on Lodge Lane. Broadhead was not new to the music hall business; he owned a chain of music halls in the North West. He considered himself as a ‘paternal’ manager, an image that is illustrated by the reported purchasing of homes in the area to provide accommodation for his staff. The Pavilion is 1½ miles from the city centre, a suburban development not unusual for Liverpool . However, this is a late development in a city with a lot of existing thriving music halls.

The Pavilion was intended to appeal to a varied audience (different classes, male and female, young and old ), a fact implied by the implementation of two nightly performances. Each of which would have appealed to quite different audiences.Thomas Skelmerdine, a Liverpool surveyor and theatre architect gave evidence to the 1892 parliamentary committee on music halls; he pointed out that the 'twice nightly' system appealed to different clientele, the later show appealing to a ‘rather different grade from the 7pm – 9pm; they were men who have not to be up at four or five in the morning’ .

The Pavilion boasted eight private boxes, stalls, pit, circle and balcony; the competitive prices ranged from stalls 1/-, circle 6d, pit 4d and balcony 3d. In other words the Pavilion clearly catered for a broad range of social class, at least broad enough to charge four times the cheapest price for some seats and sell them. The Gores directory for 1908 lists an extensive range of business and residents on Lodge Lane. Which suggests that the Lodge Lane area was not simply a ‘working-class’ area.

The Pavilion exists today as a bingo hall, despite a devastating fire in 1986 that destroyed much of the Edwardian interior and all of the backstage area.
It had remained a live performance venue until the summer of 1961; in latter years it had become known for its variety performances, glamour girls and elaborate costumes. The venue had remained in the hands of the Broadhead family for 25 years and then in 1933 ownership transferred to the British Theatres Corporation (a Merseyside company who also controlled the Royal Court Theatre). In 1951 a Manchester based company, Brennan’s Cinemas ltd took it on as a going concern. It wasn’t until 1960 that the venue shifted emphasis from variety to ‘glamour’ when a London Company, Success Plays Ltd leased the property. Mecca Ltd bought the Pavilion in Oct 1961 and the venue has served up bingo ever since. In 1992 Gary Armstrong who owns similar bingo halls on Merseyside, bought the site and the venue is now as the Pavilion Bingo club.

yoda vs britney

Whilst sifting through various youtube things (I am preparing to place some music hall footage on youtube and needed to set it up)I discovered this great act. If anyone else find any 'good acts' on youtube please do let me know.



Going out to dinner at Lizzie May's house now. A break from music hall and to see real people in colour.

oh mr porter

This is one of my favourite music hall songs. Unfortunately I am not using this in my PhD but it is still an excellent song. It was originally sung by Marie Lloyd














Oh! Mr Porter
Marie Lloyd

Lately I just spent a week with my old Aunt Brown,
Came up to see wond'rous sights of famous London Town.
Just a week I had of it, all round the place we'd roam
Wasn't I sorry on the day I had to go back home?
Worried about with packing, I arrived late at the station,
Dropped my hatbox in the mud, the things all fell about,
Got my ticket, said 'good - bye' "Right away." the guard did cry,
But I found the train was wrong and shouted out:

CHORUS

The porter would not stop the train, But I laughed and said "You must
Keep your hair on, Mary Ann, and mind that you don't bust'."
Some old gentleman inside declared that it was hard,
Said "Look out of the window, Miss, and try and call the guard."
Didn't I, too, with all my might I nearly balanced over,
But my old friend grasp'd my leg, and pulled me back again,
Nearly fainting with the fright, I sank into his arms a sight,
Went into hysterics but I cried in vain:

CHORUS

On his clean old shirt-front then I laid my trembling head,
"Do take it easy, rest awhile" the dear old chappie said.
If you make a fuss of me and on me do not frown,
You shall have my mansion, dear, away in London Town.
Wouldn't you think me silly if I said I could not like him?
Really he seemed a nice old boy, so I replied this way;
I will be your own for life, Your imay doodle um little wife,
If you'll never tease me any more I say.

CHORUS
Oh! Mr. Porter, what shall I do?
I want to go to Birmingham
And they're taking me on to Crewe,
Send me back to London as quickly as you can,
Oh! Mr. Porter, what a silly girl I am!


Not much has been happening except writing. I am finding the isolation a bit tricky. Got cabin fever I think. Hey ho.

if it wasn't for the 'ouses in between

I am finally getting into a groove with my PhD writing. I have no idea about the quality of what I am writing. I am just so relieved that I am stringing sentences together that the quality issues will have to be dealt with at a future date. I know that the reality is that there is not a lot of future left. But the stress and fear of writing badly was halting all efforts and no writing was happening.

I found myself dreaming about music hall again instead of theology. God was still there - in the music hall - but there were jokes and funny songs and a dog act and some dancers. To be honest I quite like God in the music hall. So, in a series of music hall posts I will start with the lyrics of a song I am working with at the moment.










IF IT WASN'T FOR THE 'OUSES IN BETWEEN
(Edgar Bateman / George LeBrunn)

Sung by Gus Elen - 1899


If you saw my little backyard
"Wot a pretty spot", you'd cry
It's a picture on a sunny summer day
Wiv the turnip tops and cabbages
Wot people doesn't buy
I makes it on a Sunday look all gay

The neighbours finks I grow 'em,
And you'd fancy you're in Kent
Or at Epsom if you gaze into the mews
It's a wonder as the landlord
Doesn't want to raise the rent
Because we have such nobby distant views

Oh! it really is a wery pretty garden
And Chingford to the Eastward could be seen
Wiv a ladder and some glasses
You could see to 'Ackney Marshes
If it wasn't for the 'ouses in between

We're as countrified as can be
Wiv a clothes prop for a tree
The tub-stool makes a rustic little stile
Ev'ry time the blooming clock strikes
There's a cuckoo sings to me
And I've painted up "To Leather Lane A Mile"

Wiv tomatoes and wiv radishes
Wot 'adn't any sale
The backyard looks a purfick mass o' bloom
And I've made a little beehive
Wiv some beetles in a pail
And a pitchfork wiv the 'andle of a broom

Oh! it really is a wery pretty garden
And Rye 'Ouse from the cock-loft could be seen
Where the chickweed man undresses
To bathe 'mong the water cresses
If it wasn't for the 'ouses in between

There's the bunny shares his egg box
Wiv the cross-eyed cock and hen
Though they 'as got the pip and him the 'morf
In a dog's 'ouse on the line-post
There was pigeons, nine or ten
Till someone took a brick and knocked it off

The dust cart though it seldom comes
Is just like 'Arvest 'Ome
And we made to rig a dairy up some'ow
Put the donkey in the wash'ouse
Wiv some imitation 'orns,
For we're teaching im to moo just like a kah

Oh! it really is a wery pretty garden
And 'Endon to the westward could be seen
And by clinging to the chimbley
You could see across to Wembley
If it wasn't for the 'ouses in between

Though the gasworks is at Woolwich
They improve the rural scene
For mountains they would very nicely pass
There's the mushrooms in the dust-hole
With the cowumbers so green
It only wants a bit 'o 'ot 'ouse glass

I wears this milkman's nightshirt
And I sits outside all day
Like the ploughboy cove what's mizzled o'er the Lea
And when I goes indoors at night
They dunno what I say
'Cause my language gets as yokel as can be

Oh! it really is a wery pretty garden
And soapworks from the 'ousetops could be seen
If I got a rope and pulley
I'd enjoy the breeze more fully
If it wasn't for the 'ouses in between

paul potts

...is the winner! Had to be really didn't it? Although I loved his performance yesterday I a still fascinated by this first audition footage. The surprise on the judges faces, the reaction of the audience, his unassuming reaction - classic variety TV.



We had a great afternoon yesterday a our BBQ. A good mix of people: some Foundation people - some with some without children; Some Trinity people; some others (more tricky to classify). The only problem was my hayfever. Blimey, I haven't sneezed so much in years. Living in the country is a nightmare - and Coombe Dingle really isn't the country though it isn't the inner city like Smithdown Road. The problem is that everyone cuts their lawn, trims their hedge and messes around in their garden on Sunday here. So, I have to make sure I take my antihistamines early. yesterday I forgot to do that and by 9am I was sneezing for England. It really was very bad.

That apart I had a great day. Topped off by Paul Potts victory - all is very well.

weekend

Elise is here. It is great having a young person around. I think she may well be here for a while. Which means re-arranging our lives a bit. 20year old Step-daughters need a bit of space - a bit of their own space. So, we are going to have a bit of think about what to do with ourselves. My main problem is tat I need to be shut away to be able to concentrate. Any excuse not to do any work - so not being able to shut the door and be away from stuff is out of the question.

I hope you are watching Britian's got Talent? Last night was great. Really great. Elise and I felt the best boys got through. Not sure about the small girl though. Can't wait until tonight for the last 2 acts then of course there is the final on Sunday.

I have to say this act was pretty good. But it didn't get through.



neither did Craig and his baton



The Combat Beakers did



Make you own mind up about Bessie



Apart form watching TV we are planning a BBQ for tomorrow and I am hoping to do a bit of work today whilst Eva and Elise go to the pictures - Shrek 3.

bold street

You may remember my posting a while back about my broken bra - You will also remember that I usually buy my bras from Madam Foner's lingerie shop on Bold Street, Liverpool. As we are poor and I can't be bothered to forge a new relationship with another bra shop I am trying not buying new bras until I return to Liverpool.

Anyway, Bold street has so much more to offer than just a bra shop. It is one of my favourite streets in the world. I tend to park at the top and walk down into town, on my way back I pop into Coffee Union. If I were in Liverpool today I would buy some hair dye from Voodoo Hair, a religious book from the Pauline bookshop, a nice bottle of white wine from Odbins, some special food (I need noodles and halva) from Mattas, veg from 'veggie heaven' (not its official name) and I am sure I would while away a bit more time browsing in all the other shops. I would probably call Andrea, or Kate or Andy and arrange to meet them in Coffee Union. I would probably meet Frank Miles walking up Bold Street and say hello to lots of other people too.

I might have to go home for a weekend soon.

Those of you who care in such things might be interested in a new website and blog - the Bold Street Project . The photo here is from the boldstreet's photos on flickr.

mind map

I spent today thinking about what to do next with the information I have, the stuff I have collected and the ideas I have wondering around my brain. I have been working on this mind map for a new chapter - which as you can see is a bit complicated (if you are interested in this sort of thing then click on the picture and it will get bigger so you can read it). I find that once I have got the plan out the chapters 'write themselves'. If only that were true. If only the PhD mice came along in the night and wrote PhD's. If I leave the laptop on and the mind map out perhaps the elves will sneak in and write it while I am asleep?

Thanks for your thoughts, comments and prayers.

concentration

Probably because I wasn't well, most likely because I was exhausted at the end of the first Trinity College year, and definitely because I am distracted by the tennis at Queens I am have found it difficult to concentrate this week. I am preparing my head for the writing of the PhD by doing essential filing, sorting out books, preparing the enormous bibliography and doing plans for chapters. Although I have approx 45,000 words they are not all in the right order so I am trying to find the most efficient way to re-arrange as well as plan re-writes. I also want to complete the first draft of the 2nd case study this week. No pressure then.

I have a weird relationship with pressure. I need it to get stuff done but I resent it and get very cross when I have to live long term with it. It makes me feel like I need to rebel and kick back. To be honest I have got to the point with this project where I need the satisfaction of completion so the pressure to move it on is both internal and external. I need it to get done for personal satisfaction and the University of Liverpool need me to get it done because if don't I ruin their research statistics. So, bring on the pressure. Fighting talk.

If you fancy a prayer project please could you put in a few words about my words - I am really struggling with my dyslexia at the moment and am lacking confidence with useful (long and complicated) words. Thanks. xxx

joe strummer

last night I went to see the Julien Temple film Joe Strummer: The Future is Unwritten. At the Watershed. Thanks to Tim who suggested that Mark and I get tickets and to Joe for babysitting.

If you like interesting people, the Clash or campfires you'll love this film.

Here's the trailer for the film



For other Clash posts - England's Dreaming and Compare and Contrast

who said variety was dead?

You may well know that I am writing my PhD on music hall. Well, this week my faith in future of variety has been rekindled by Britain's Got Talent. I am enjoying it so much. The picture on the right is of Jack Reeve who is a tap-dancer. The other act is Crazeehorse - a balancing strongperson act. Suddenly my research comes right up to date.

This is Scot the breakdancer. Genuis.



this is a performing pig - called Rupert.



This is Paul - he sings opera (and makes ladies cry with his voice).



This is the Kit Kat Girls (who are boys)

manic street preachers

Mark took these pictures at the Manic's gig last week. You will see on the band pic that Nicky Wire is skipping, wearing a nice silver skirt. The other picture is of the lovely Ian Evans - looking cool and sexy (as ever).

not much to say

My first year at Trinity has come to an end. We said goodbye to the leavers on Saturday - a fantastic service at St Mary's Stoke Bishop, followed by lunch at Trinity. I have done all my work and early signs are that I am doing well. I am pleased with how the year has gone. It is hard to quantify these things. It is hard to imagine that this time next year I will be moving back to Liverpool and be preparing for ordination. Very had to imagine.

Anyway, the end of term has been slightly marred by the fact that I am feeling exhausted and my 'women's problems' have returned with a vengeance. I am shattered - just about enough energy to get through what needs to get done and in quite a lot of pain. I can't wait for this operation at the end of the month. At least then I will know what is going on.

Anyway, as I am feeling pretty grotty I am going to stop this post now. Hope to have more news soon.

big brother lament

I haven't been watching big brother this year. Just following news reports and seeing clips. Mainly because I have been busy but I have also I was a bit worried about being sucked into watching the BB world of shouting, bitching and manipulation.

Last night racism reared it's ugly head again and to be honest just reading about it makes me feel sad and demoralised. I am tired of hearing Endemol's excuses that broadcasting racist comments is ok because it means "people will be able to see with their own eyes that this is a problem that affects real people". If it is - then try to change it, don't emulate it!.

Lizzie Everard blogged about her Big Brother feelings the other day and I hadn't gathered an opinion at that point. Now, it is leaving a nasty taste in my mouth and making me feel like I want to be part of a vision for a better world not accept the nasty one we have reflected on BB.

This is an interesting article on the ethics of reality TV. Not that Endemol really have much interest in ethics...

the Pope and Michelangelo

In a recent Foundation liturgy discussion it was suggested that I should play Michelangelo to Paul Robert's Pope. I was a bit confused so made it my business to seek out the Monty Python sketch. I am a bit concerned that I might be considered, in liturgical circles, an artistic heretic...Surely not! Anyway, here it is.

how I'd be defined in the dictionary

Thanks to Harry for this link. A bit concerned that a machine knows so much about me from just my name (and half of it isn't mine anyway - it's my husband's, but then in marriage we do become one and share identities in some way. Though I am now quite worried that I have become too much associated with his identity that I am being worn out. Eroded. Have I made my point?)

This definition of me is freekin me out

Ellen Loudon -- [adjective]: Banshee-like 'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

three is the magic number

Blind Melon - three is the magic number






Last night I led the Foundation little service. It was Trinity sunday so I worked with the power of three. I made some cakes and we prayed with our threes - lighting the candles as a reminder of our understanding of God in the trinity.




Take a look at the Foundation site for more information about the service

trinity sunday

We have had a busy weekend and today we are exhausted. Mark and Eva have got got colds. Eva is very grumpy and Mark is asleep. Attempts to get to church this morning failed. It is Trinity Sunday and I have been preparing a service for Foundation tonight. It has taken me ages to try to devise a service that is meditative, liturgically correct (I wanted a Eucharist service and the 'official' prayers have to be fitted in) and allows for the doctrine of the Trinity to be explored without limiting possible images of God. I have found myself being distracted by the doctrine - losing sight of the point of the trinity. God was getting lost in the doctrine and I was getting muddled. The resolution has been to not even try to explain but to offer a time for reflection and meditation. Anyway, we will see what happens.

We have had visitors from Liverpool (Matt and Kate and their three children - Maddie, Gracie and Sonny). Friday evening was fantastic time for chilling out, catching up and sorting the world out. All this was done over a fair few bottles of wine. So, I had a headache on Saturday. Nevertheless we hung out here and there and played with the children and drank tea and ate nice food. It was hard to let them go home. Liverpool does seem so far away, especially when there is so much to do here.

Saturday night Mark and I went to see the Manic Street Preachers (thanks to Phil for babysitting). Ian Evans is working with the manics so we got some sticky passes. Hobnobbing with the stars was out of the question - I had a headache and it was late - we really are getting old. In the past the chance of impressing famous people with my wit and charm would have cured a headache and overcome all apathy. hey ho.

It was great to see Ian - busy though he was. We had a good dose of Liverpool people this weekend. Made us think about the future - my ministry in Liverpool, our friends, the city, what Mark is going to do when we go back, where Eva is going to go to school. All in the future. But it made us think.

After the manics I decided to read my church times in bed. I was surprised to see that Tim was on the front over of the Greenbelt CD that came free inside it. This really made us laugh. Mark posted it on his blog too. Oh Joy. Wonder what they were watching?
If you look very carefully you will see the profile of Paul Roberts just entering the bottom right of the picture.