THE BRITISH COMEDY SOCIETY

FORTHCOMING EVENTS

HARRY WORTH

On Tuesday 20th July the British Comedy Society will pay tribute to Yorkshire-born comedy legend Harry Worth, by unveiling a blue commemorative plaque in his home-town of Barnsley.

Born on 20th November 1917, Harry’s flair for show business became evident at a young age - when, armed with a Magic Lantern, he used to put on shows in his shed, charging other children to watch. Soon afterwards a ventriloquist gave a show at Harry’s school and he was hooked. On leaving school he went to work at the Silkstone mine where he was able to practise throwing his voice. This eventually paid off when he won an amateur concert at the Alhambra Theatre in Barnsley in 1938.

Worth would have to wait almost twenty years for his big break through, eventually bagging a spot on “Henry Hall’s Guest Night” in 1955. Soon after this he was spotted by legendary TV producer, Johnny Ammonds – and the rest, as they say, is history. Harry went on to make several immensely popular TV series including "Here's Harry", “My Name is Harry Worth” and “Thirty Minutes Worth”. These featured one of the most-loved and fondly remembered opening credit sequences in television history - Harry's playful antics with his shop window reflection. Popular throughout the 1960’s and 70’s a selection of these classic programmes are about to be released for the first time on DVD by Revalation Films.

Harry continued working until a few months before his death, in 1989 at the age of 71. A biography of his life was eventually published in 2009.

On hand to help with proceedings will be Harry’s old friend, the comedian Jimmy Cricket. Further guests and timings will be announced soon.

For more information please contact John Gatenby at britishcomedysociety@yahoo.co.uk

KENNETH WILLIAMS

On Sunday 5th September, at the New Diorama Theatre, London, a plaque will be unveiled in honour of Kenneth , to replace the one which we erected in 1994 at nearby Marlborough House, now redeveloped as part of Regents Place. There will then be a performance by DAVID BENSON of his play "THINK NO EVIL OF US" in the new theatre.

Please register your interest asap as numbers will be limited, particularly for the performance at the New Diorama Theatre.