peterw Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Coing back to my teenage youth when every music-hall had its resident comedian alongside the top-liners, I reckon I’ve seen most of them during my life. Turning now to television I’ve seen a lot more, and to my mind very few would have made it on to the stages of the first-class music-halls and even fewer on to the stages of third-class music-halls like The Palace, Attercliffe; which is still mentioned by a few of the old-timers still gracing out tv screens. So who do you rate? My rating for the all-time number one stand-up, joking comedian is Ken Dodd. I also rate alongside him the late Dave Allen for his sophisticated and sometimes raw humour. Had they been active during the great music-hall era I also think that Billy Connolly, Charlie Brown and Peter Kay might have made it to the stages of third-class theatres — but only to sweep the floor. All three are nothing more than club comedians and never will be. Greatest club comedian in my opinion is Bernard Manning, who might have graced second-class theatres, and alongside him the late and sadly missed Charlie Williams who I reckon would have gone from the third-class theatres to the first-class in a couple of seasons and would easily have overtaken Bernard. What do you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I have never seen either of them live, but people often say that the late Bob Monkhouse did, and also Ken Dodd, does, do a good act. Though sitting in theatres watching comedians seems a bit contrived somehow. I think they are better in a club type atmosphere. They can interact with the audience more. I have heard that when Bernard Manning was on the stage no one dared move. If he picked you out were a dead man walking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovabulrogue Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Seen Al Murray (pub landlord) three times, top drawer !!! if you get chance go an see him. He could cut it anywhere in the last 40 years, his act suits any occasion. Theatre, Club, Music Hall, even an 'audience with' on ITV. A very clever comedian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ_VENOM Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 bob monkhouse was a total comedian smart funny witty and risque all without any bad language i had the pleasure to see him at the then vardon bingo on wadsley bridge when it first opened Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoeshine Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 I would, like peterw echo the talents of Ken Dodd, a magnificent performer, and for me the best comedian in Britain. I think this man is a national treasure. Comedy, and his wide range of gags seem to ooze easily from his mind during his performances. The "Diddymen" characters brought his act to the notice of the children too. His singing voice and choice of recordings also made him well-loved with the older people in our society. I was brought up listening to radio of course. I used to love it when Al Read came on. Also I will never forget "Ron and Eth" in the radio shows with Jimmy Edwards......perhaps outside the scope of this thread remit though. As time has passed, I still think the media of Radio still suits a comedy act much better that TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Billy Connolley, Hes insane, crass and foul mouthed. Awesome. Im going to regret this but...Also Chubby Brown. Older ones? HAS to be Monkhouse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterw Posted September 9, 2006 Author Share Posted September 9, 2006 Billy Connolley, Hes insane, crass and foul mouthed. Awesome. Im going to regret this but...Also Chubby Brown. Oops! Meant to put Chubby, not Charlie! I blame it on the whisky. Saw Chubby at his first mindnight show in Blackpool and wasn’t impressed. He would have done his act earlier but Blackpool Corporation wasn’t having any of it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 Oops! Meant to put Chubby, not Charlie! I blame it on the whisky. Saw Chubby at his first mindnight show in Blackpool and wasn’t impressed. He would have done his act earlier but Blackpool Corporation wasn’t having any of it! Didnt he deliberately start a riot at The Limes Club once? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterw Posted September 9, 2006 Author Share Posted September 9, 2006 I have never seen either of them live, but people often say that the late Bob Monkhouse did, and also Ken Dodd, does, do a good act. Though sitting in theatres watching comedians seems a bit contrived somehow. I think they are better in a club type atmosphere. They can interact with the audience more. I have heard that when Bernard Manning was on the stage no one dared move. If he picked you out were a dead man walking. Saw Bob Monkhouse when he died the death. No laughter, complete silence and a slow hand-clap off the stage. Bernard is a good friend of mine. I knew his mother quite well, and you’re correct. Walk in late and he’s have you! Go to the toilet and he’d have you again. Remember once when he was on radio, joining forces with the residents on a Manchester housing estate against Manchester City councillors. He kept shouting “What about the roof.” Eventually a councillor was daft enough to ask him what about it? His reply: “We want one!” Brilliant! But his best ever was: He was booked to play at a Catholic Club in Blackpool which had been broken into a week earlier, TV and other items stolen. All the local priests etc were in the audience, and at the back of him was a very large Jesus on the Cross. He turned around to admire it, looked back to the audience and said: I see you got the b*****d who nicked your telly.” Priests just about fell off their seats laughing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
artisan Posted September 9, 2006 Share Posted September 9, 2006 peterw, i have an old record of 'The Comedians' with bernard Manning on it, before his 'blue' period. He is taking the mickey out of the councils on that. All the old comics are on it, Charlie Williams, Joss White, and a few others who's names dont spring to mind. I will try and look it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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