The Billet Article - Presidential

This article is taken from The Billet Issue - 402 - Jun 2005, Authored by Melvyn Shalks

Presidential

After a couple of years with the Paraders I was asked to do a one off show with the Albion Follies. Al Bonaire was the producer / director and their resident magician were unable to fill one show.

This was part of a contract for the Leeds Parks entertainment. When their magician left I was asked to join the troup permanently. Apart from my act, I took part in lots of comedy sketches and received tuition from the resident comic, Jimmy Edwards... not the Jimmy Edwards I hasten to add.

My liking for comedy was intensifying and the act was also changing in that direction, I was only about fifteen at this time and did the cake baking routine with the Dove Pan. Hey! Who didn't? The front cover this month shows the Dove Pan I used for many years. Again it was a Boys Magic Service prop, which cost 12/6d about 62.5p. I sold it at a BMC auction a little while ago. I got coppers for it and it was probably a collector's item.

We did a semi-pro pantomime each year. My first was Robinson Crusoe. I played three parts, King rat, a cannibal and a deadpan stooge. I had to change from 'blackface' to all whites in about ten minutes. My act was also performed front tabs in whites, Next month see how King Rat became a 'head banger'.

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