ARCHIVE NEWS 

2008 MIDLANDS HANCOCK CONVENTION

Our annual convention will take place on Saturday 11th October at The Old Joint Stock Theatre, Birmingham. It will form part of The Birmingham Comedy Festival which runs from Friday October 3rd to Sunday October 12th. For more infomation on the festival, take a look at their website.

This year, our special guests include actress Damaris Hayman, scriptwriter Brad Ashton, producer and Author John Fisher whose Biography on Hancock is published on October 1st, and Simon Heath who worked as Executive Producer on the BBC television drama 'Hancock and Joan". All guests subject to commitments.

The convention will be open from 11am to 6pm and will include the screening of Hancock video material, a new Hancock exhibition, archive material, merchandise, raffle, and the opportunity to meet other Hancock fans.

Tickets are priced at £7.50 (£5.00 for concessions) and can be purchased from Keith Mason:

11 Davonport Road
Tettenhall
Wolverhampton
WV6 8AN.

Please enclose a S.A.E and make cheques or postal orders payable to 'THAS'

The Old Joint Stock Theatre (over the Old Joint Stock Pub)
4 Temple Row West
Birmingham
B2 5NY


AN EVENING DEVOTED TO HANCOCK

The BFI's National Film Theatre in London will be presenting an event in which the author John Fisher will talk about Tony and his upcoming biography on Hancock. The evening is set to take place on Friday 10th October, to coincide with the publication of the book on October 1st.

Times for this event are yet to be confirmed but it is expected to begin early evening. For further updates and additional information keep an eye on the NFT website, or give them a call on 020 7928 3232.

National Film Theatre
South Bank
London, SE1 8XT


'WE DID IT OUR WAY'

To mark the 40th anniversary of Tony's death on the 24th of June, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson will be introducing 5 of their favourite HHH episodes on BBC radio 7. These programmes can be heard from Monday June 23rd to Friday June 27th.

A Galton and Simpson special called 'We Did It Our Way' can be heard on Saturday 5th July from 9am to noon. This 3 hour show sees Ray and Alan introduce some of their favourite and most influencialradio programmes and will feature 2 programmes new to BBC 7, including a re-recording in audio of one of their most famous HHH television scripts.

  • Hancock's Half Hour - The Threatening Letters (27/05/1958);
  • The Galton & SimpsonPlayhouse Clicquot et Fils (29/12/2008);
  • Frankie Howerd and June Whitfield Up JeT'aime (1971);
  • Steptoe and Son at Buckingham Palace (1963);
  • Steptoe and Son - PornYesterday (14/03/1976)
  • the Pye re-recording of Hancock's The Radio Ham (1961).


TONY HANCOCK AT THE BFI

June sees the start of a month long Hancock season at London's British Film Institute to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Tony's death. Billed as 'Umpteen half hours of humour from the greatest comic of his generation', the season kicks off on the 1st of June with 'The Rebel' and then goes on to include:

  • Hancock's Half Hour
  • The Tony Hancock Show
  • The Blackpool Show and Hancock At The Roayl Festival Hall
  • The Government Inspector and Face To Face
  • Hancock
  • The Punch And Judy Man

For further information and to book tickets, visit the BFI website.


GALTON AND SIMPSON ON BBC RADIO WALES

You can hear Ray and Alan being interviewed by ALED JONES on BBC Radio Wales on Sunday 25th May from 10am to 11am. The show also features Jack McManUs' new album "Either Side Of Midnight".

The programme will be availible to listen to on the BBC IPlayer.


HELP GALTON AND SIMPSON UN-EARTH LOST TREASURES

Can anybody out there in cyber space help Ray and Alan locate some of their lost radio shows? In particular they are looking for any off-air recordings of:

  • The Frankie Howerd Show - 1954-55
  • Back With Braden - 1959

If you can help, let us know at thasweb@tonyhancock.org.uk


KENNETH WILLIAMS 20TH ANNIVERSARY "Kenneth Williams

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of Kenneth Williams, BBC Radio 7 will be running a tribute on the 15th of April.

Programmes will include an episode of 'Just a Minute' featuring Kenneth from 1983, and his moving solo performance of 'Diary of a MadMan. .

Also listen out for a fascinating two-part documentary on BBC Radio 4 called 'The Pain of Laughter - The last Days of Kenneth Williams', presented by Rob Brydon.


THE CURSE OF COMEDY Kenn Stott and Maxine Peake as the title characters in 'Hancock and Joan'

Next week sees the beginning of the new BBC 4 season 'The Curse of Comedy'. The series of hour long dramas focuses on the lives of some of Britain's best loved entertainers, including Frankie Howerd, Hughie Green, and of course 'The Lad Himself'.

The series kicks off on Wednesday 19th March with 'The Curse of Steptoe'- The complex relationship between Harry H Corbett and Wilfrid Brambell.

'Hancock and Joan' will follow the week after on Wednesday 26th March. This play charts the final year of Tony's (Ken Stott)life, focusing on his relationship with Joan LeMesurier (Maxine Peake ).

For further information and to view stills from the productions, you can visit the BBC website.


THAS ANNUAL REUNION DINNER

This year's annual reunion of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society will be held on Sunday 4th May at its usual venue, The Quality Hotel (formerly Durlston Court Hotel), Bournemouth.

Joining us this year will be John Fisher; author of the latest Hancock book 'What Kind Of Fool', and Andy Merriman; author of 'Hattie Jacques: An Authorised Biography' and son of legendary script-writer Eric Merriman.Both guests are subject to commitments.

Full details of the dinner and how to book, appear in the latest issue of "The Missing Page"


HANCOCK AND JOAN

BBC 4 have commissioned a new television drama focussing on Tony's relationship with Joan LeMesurier. The programme will air in the spring and will include Ken Stott and Maxine Peake in the title roles.

For further information you can visit the BBC website.


MOIRA LISTER 1923-2007 Moira Lister

It is with great sadness that we bring you the news that Moira Lister has passed away at the age of 84in her home town of Cape Town, South Africa.

She first worked with Tony in 'Star Bill', before becoming a regular in the first series of Hancock's Half Hour where she played Tony's girlfriend.

She will be greatly missed.


HATTIE JACQUES: THE AUTHORISED BIOGRAPHY

It’s been a long time coming, but it’s finally here!

The Authorised biography of Hattie Jacques written by Andrew Merriman will hit the shelves on the 27th of September and yours truly will be first in line for a copy!

Hattie Jacques “For over thirty years Hattie Jacques was a familiar presence on radio (Hancock's "Half Hour"), television (60 episodes of "Sykes" alone) and film (she was a stalwart of the "Carry On" series). But her stage persona of a buxom, masterful female dragon who, both literally and figuratively, carried all before her (the formidable matron of "Carry On, Nurse" was a typical role) could hardly have been more at odds with her off-stage personality. Warm, impetuous and generous to a fault, she was almost pathetically grateful for any show of affection and painfully self-conscious about her figure which, she believed, had caused her to be type-cast in comic roles and never given the opportunity to tackle more serious parts. In 1947, after a tempestuous wartime affair with an American officer, she married the actor John Le Mesurier who was persuaded to divorce her in 1965 - though only after she had moved her chauffeur-lover into the marital home. It was, however typical of her that she actively encouraged Le Mesurier to remarry and the two remained firm friends until her death. Her lover's subsequent desertion was a bitter blow from which she never fully recovered, though she compensated my involving herself deeply in charity work and becoming a confidante to many of the young actors and actresses with whom she worked. This biography has been written with the help and encouragement of Hattie's surviving son and her many friends, including Barbara Windsor, Clive Dunn, Bill Pertwee and John Le Mesurier. This is the first full biography of one of Britain's best-loved actresses. It reveals the secrets of the sometimes strange and often sad private life that was concealed behind the matronly facade. It is written with the full cooperation and support of Hattie's family and friends.”

Published by Aurum Press Ltd.


PETER COREY IS BACK

Peter Corey who played Tony in his 1981 BBC 2 play ‘The Lad Himself’ is at it again! He can currently be seen at the Bradstow Mill pub theatre in Broadstairs.performing ‘The Radio Ham’ and ‘The Blood Donor’.

If you hurry you may be able to catch his last three performances; at 8.00 pm on Monday 20th, Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd of August.

Tickets cost £10 and can be purchased on the door.

THAS MIDLANDS CONVENTION 2007

This year’s convention will take place on Saturday 15th September at the usual venue of the Midland’s Art Centre in Birmingham.

The day’s events run from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm and will include:

  • Guest speaker - the script writer Ronald Wolfe, who wrote 'On The Buses','The Rag Trade',and many more.
  • Interview with Damaris Hayman who worked with and was a close friend of Hancock
  • A talk on Richard Wattis given by Ian Payne, who has written a biography of the Wednesbury-born actor
  • A special Hancock video will be presented by Nigel Parkinson; artist of the Beano"s Dennis The Menace
  • Dhanil Ali will be coming along to introduce us to A NEW Hancock Man Richard Helm, who does a mean impersonation of Tony - so we have been told!
  • Ed Doolan of radio WM will also be with us on the day
  • Plus the usualHancock videos, raffle, and merchandise.

    Tickets are priced at £8.50 (£5.00 concessions) and may be purchased directly from the venue:

    Hexagon Theatre - Midlands Arts Centre
    Cannon Hill Park
    Edgbaston, Birmingham

    Booking office. Tel: 0121 440 3838

    HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR DVD BOX SET

    Hancock's Half Hour: 50th Anniversary Complete Collection. Due for release on the 27th August.

    Further information on this set to be confirmed.


    RARE SCREENINGS AT THE NFT

    As part of their ‘Out Of The Shadows’ season the BFI will be Screening Tony’s debut film ‘Orders Are Orders’ at the NFT on London’s south bank on the 10th and 20th of April.

    ‘Orders Are Orders’ will be showing along side ‘Penny Points To Paradise’; another rare comedy with Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe made at the very beginning of their careers as The Goons.

    For further information on these screenings and to book tickets, visit the BFI website.


    COMEDY MAP OF BRITAIN

    Alan Whicker narrates an animated journey around the UK, pinpointing the special places that have inspired and affected our major comic talents. This programme travels around Wales and on to Birmingham in the company of Paul Merton, Max Boyce and Julie Walters, finding out about Little Britain, Carry On Up the Khyber and Hi de Hi, to name but a few.

    Airs Saturdays at 10.10pm on BBC 2.

    Episode number 3; to be shown Saturday 10th February, is to feature our Tony.



    THE LAD HIMSELF PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS:

    'An Evening with Tony Hancock' tour!

    “‘Big Feet Hancock’ makes a welcome return to the stage in this one-man show featuring a wonderful portrayal by Mike Howl as the lad himself from 23 Railway Cuttings. Written by Dhanil Ali, creator of ‘Hancock – The Lost Half Hours’, “An Evening With Tony Hancock” includes anecdotes, badly acted Shakespeare, crooning and one-sided table tennis. Stone me! All this for the price of a ticket! Tour dates are as follows –

    • May 3rd : Leeds Carriage Works 0113 224 3801
    • May 5th : Knutsford Little Theatre 01565 633000
    • May 9th &10th : The Casa – Liverpool 0151 709 2184
    • May 12th (Tony’s birthday) Midlands Arts Centre – Birmingham 0121 440 3838
    • May 17th : Civic Theatre Arts Centre – Rotherham 01709 823621
    • May 24th : Alexander’s – Chester 01244 340005

    There will also be a special performance at the Quality Hotel on Sunday May 27th for members of THAS and guests.

    For further information please call Dhanil Ali on 0151 222 2953 or email theladhimself@hotmail.com.



    AN EVENING WITH DHANIL ALI

    An informal evening with playwright Dhanil Ali has been arranged for Thursday the 7th of December at Liverpool's Baltic Fleet Pub. The cast of his production 'Hancock And James: The Lost Half Hours' which opened in Liverpool earlier in August will also try to be present.

    For anybody wishing to attend, the evening kicks off at 7.30 to 8.00pm.

    The pub is situated at 33 Wapping, Liverpool 1, along from the Pier Head on the water front.



    UNIQUE LIMITED EDITION LITHOGRAPH PRINT OF 'THE BLOOD DONOR' Ray and Alan with print.

    The Original Memorabilia Company, www.tomcl.co.uk, which specialises in creating exclusive limited edition lithograph prints and memorabilia, has launched a new limited edition, signed lithographic print, ‘Hancock’s Half Hour’, 'The Blood Donor'.

    This worldwide limited edition is restricted to 950 prints. They have all been individually signed by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, and are sold with a document of ownership which includes photographic evidence of the official signing. Each print is individually numbered to optimise its appreciation in value.

    The print includes a wonderful BBC image from the show, along with 46 magical lines of script. Measuring unframed 594mm x 420mm (24"x 17") the prints are lithographically printed on specialist high quality art card usually reserved for fine art pieces

    The lithograph is available at a special discount of £44.99 (unframed) + £3.45 registered delivery; or £99.99 (framed) + £4.95 registered delivery, a discount of £25 and £30 respectively on the standard price. These prices are available until 12 December 2006 and are subject to availability remaining. To order, call 0870 8555 705 and quote ‘Hancock Appreciation Society’. More information is available online at www.tomcl.co.uk, however, to take advantage of these exclusive prices, you need to call the order line to place your order. This really is a truly stunning piece of art, and would be a valuable addition to anyone’s collection of Hancock memorabilia.

    Also recently launched and currently available are ‘Steptoe and Son’, 'The Bath' (‘you dirty old man’) and Dame Vera Lynn, 'We’ll Meet Again'. For further details of these - plus information about a competition being run to win lunch with Galton and Simpson – see www.tomcl.co.uk



    TONY HANCOCK DOUBLE BILL Tony Hancock Collection

    Optimum have just released a double feature DVD containing ‘The Rebel’ and ‘The Punch and Judy Man’. As most of you know these films have been DVD partners in a previous release, however with added commentary on ‘The Rebel’ by Ray Galton, Alan Simpson and Paul Merton, this set is a must have addition to any Hancock collection!



    HANCOCK AND JAMES - THE LOST HALF HOURS

    The Lad Himself Productions will be presenting the very first showing of Hancock and James-The Lost Half Hours on 30th August at The Casa, Hope Street, Liverpool, (100 yards from The Everyman Theatre)

    Three new stories written by Dhanil Ali and performed in the read through style of the 50’s; three mics, three half hour scripts and hopefully lots of laughs.

    Playing Tony will be none other than Mike Howl who toured successfully in Hancock’s Last Half Hour in 2005. Filling Sid’s boots will be Carl Chase who has appeared in The Hank Williams Show, Coronation Street and the blockbuster movie, The Mummy. The delectable Hattie Jacques will be played by the equally delectable Penny Craige, a stalwart of North West theatre who has just finished a movie playing the part of M.P. Bessie Braddock.

    Ticket prices are a nominal £2.50. All proceeds will be donated to The Marie Curie Cancer Care charity.

    For More information e-mail The Lad Himself Productions or telephone 0151 222 2953.

    The Casa 0151 709 2148

    VOTE HANCOCK

    You can now vote for Tony in the poll for TV's 50 Greatest Stars, the results of which will be released on ITV1 later in the year.

    For more information and to vote for Tony, visit the ITV website

    THAS MIDLANDS CONVENTION 2006

    This year’s convention celebrates 50 years of HHH on BBC television (1956-2006) and will take place on Saturday 9th September at the Midland’s Art Centre in Birmingham.

    The day’s events run from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm and will include a THAS archive exhibition, a big screen video presentation, a THAS tribute to the late Alec Bregonzi, plus lots more.

    Special Guest HUGH LLOYD will be joined on the day by comedy nutcases ADRIAN JUSTE (who quite recently interviewed Ray and Alan for BBC 7), and scriptwriter and presenter BOB SINFIELD.

    Tickets are priced at £8.50 (£5.00 concessions) and are available from THAS Membership Secretary Elaine Schollar. Please make payment to THAS, remembering to enclose a S.A.E.

    Tickets may also be purchased directly from the venue:

    Hexagon Theatre - Midlands Arts Centre
    Cannon Hill Park
    Edgbaston, Birmingham

    Booking office. Tel: 0121 440 3838

    ALEC BREGONZI 1930-2006 Alec Bregonzi

    We are extremely saddened to receive the news that our good friend Alec Bregonzi passed away on Sunday 4th June.

    Alec had for many years been a close friend to the THAS and he will be greatly missed.

    Our thoughts and best wishes go out to Alec’s family and friends at this time.



    BBC Experience 2006 Flyer. Click to enlarge image.

    THE BBC EXPERIENCE

    Following on from the success of previous years' events, BBC Radio Gloucester are hosting another special day to celebrate the BBC, both past and present.

    For more information on the day's attractions, visit the event's webpage.



    GUNNERSBURY EXHIBITION

    We are delighted to announce that in this, the 50th anniversary year since the first television episode of 'Hancock's Half Hour' was broadcast, the THAS is staging an exhibition on the life and work of Tony Hancock. The exhibition, to be hosted by Gunnersbury Park Museum, will include a vast range of items from the Society's archive, and will give information on Tony's life and career.

    The exhibition will be officially opened by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson (subject to commitments) at a private launch on Sunday 14th May. Members wishing to attend should send a cheque for £3 (made payable to THAS) to Elaine Schollar.

    The exhibition will open to the public on Monday 15th May.


    THAS ANNUAL REUNION DINNER

    This year's annual reunion of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society will be held on Sunday 28th May at its usual venue, The Quality Hotel (formerly Durlston Court Hotel), Bournemouth.

    This year's guests of honour are none other than Ray Galton, Alan Simpson and Brad Ashton (subject to commitments of course!).

    Full details of the dinner and how to book, appear in the latest issue of "The Missing Page"


    STEPTOE AND SON HITS THE WEST END!

    Ray Galton’s new play ‘Murder at Oil Drum Lane’ reaches the West End, after making its world debut at the Theatre Royal in York back in October.

    The play is to open at the ‘Comedy Theatre’ on the 15th of February.

    For further information on the play and for details on performances and bookings, visit the Comedy Theatre Website


    CHRISTMAS TREATS FROM THE BBC

    A brand new documentary on Tony is to be shown over Christmas on BBC 2

    Featuring archive footage and recollections, the programme was made with the cooperation of family and promises to be an ‘intimate documentary that reveals a rounded and sympathetic portrait of this extraordinarily complex man and challenges some of the best-known myths about the comic genius’ BBC Press Office

    Tony Hancock, Boxing Day, 9pm, BBC 2

    A further Christmas treat comes in the form of an Arena documentary on the writers Galton and Simpson, also to be shown on BBC 2.

    In this, the first ever full-length, in-depth profile of the two writers, they talk about life, laughter and work with author and broadcaster Nigel Williams.

    MURDER AT OIL DRUM LANE

    Ray Galton’s new play ‘Murder at Oil Drum Lane’ is to make its World premier at York’s Theatre Royal on the 24th October.

    A spin-off from the popular television series ‘Steptoe & Son’, the play makes a return to the former Steptoe residence to uncover a murder that took place there years before.

    For further information on the play and for details on performances and bookings, visit the York Theatre Royal website.

    HANCOCK TAKES HIS PLACE AMUNG THE STARS

    Tony is to be among the first 100 showbiz legends to be honoured in Britain’s answer to Hollywood Boulevard. His star will be present in ‘The Avenue of Stars’ which is being unveiled on the 17th September as part of ITV’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The walk way is situated outside St. Paul’s (the Actors’ Church) in Covent Garden’s Piazza, London.

    THE MIDLANDS HANCOCK CONVENTION

    This year’s convention will take place on Saturday 12th November at the Midland’s Art Centre in Birmingham. The day’s events begin at 11.00 am and will include a THAS archive exhibition, screenings of rare video material and a raffle, as well as appearances from two very special guests; Mike Howl and Scriptwriter Ronnie Woolf (subject to commitments of course!).

    Tickets are priced at £7.50 (£4.50 concessions) and are available from THAS Membership Secretary Elaine Schollar. Please make payment to THAS, remembering to enclose a S.A.E.

    Tickets may also be purchased directly from the venue:

    Hexagon Theatre - Midlands Arts Centre
    Cannon Hill Park
    Edgbaston, Birmingham

    Booking office. Tel: 0121 440 3838

    HANCOCK IN EXHIBITION

    Ben Myers has recently completed a series of paintings based on the last night of Tony Hancock. These will be exhibited as part of his degree show at the AIR Gallery, Dover St. W1, from the 11th to the 16th of July.

     There is also a website - www.kiadillustration.com - which has examples of students work and further details concerning the show.

    THAS LAUNCH CD LIBRARY

    All of the audio tapes that are available in our library for hire are now available. Our thanks go to Jeff Hammonds for the many hours of work he has spent in getting this service to members.

    HANCOCK ON DVD

    Monday 13th September sees the release of a new Hancock DVD by the BBC.
    Hancock's Half Hour Volume 1 contains the following shows:-
    The Alpine Holiday, Air Steward Hancock, The Last Of The Many, The Lawyer: The Crown vs Sidney James, How To Win Money & Influence People, There's An Airfield At The Bottom Of My Garden, The East Cheam Repertory Company, Hancock's 43 Minutes.

    NEW WEBSITE ABOUT KENNETH WILLIAMS 

    A new Kenneth Williams website has been launched. This is the result of a good deal of research and archive study and aims to be a one-stop information portal for all things Kenneth Williams. The website is created to celebrate the life and times of a British comedy institution and remember a gifted actor and performer who brought laughter and enjoyment to millions. 

    The website address is www.stopmessinabout.co.uk

     Among the features and regular sections are: 

    News pages updated regularly, with reviews and features on new releases
    In depth biography of Kenneth Williams, star of stage, screen and radio
    Details of Kenneth's career in film, radio stage and television - with episode guides, theatrical reviews and film stills
    Archive interviews and articles 
    Downloads, messageboard, competitions and more

    THAS Reunion Dinner : Sunday 29th May 2005

    A date for your 2005 diary. This year's annual reunion of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society will be on Sunday 29th May - the  Bank Holiday weekend - at its usual venue, The Quality Hotel (formerly Durlston Court Hotel), Bournemouth. 
    This year's guests of honour are:-
    ANNABELLE LEE  
    RICHARD CARPENTER
    PETER GOODWRIGHT and 
    MIKE HOWL

    Full details of the dinner and how to book, appear in the latest issue of "The Missing Page"  [Updated: 13/4/2005]

     

    HANCOCK'S LAST HALF HOUR RETURNS TO THE STAGE

    A new production of Hancock's Last Half Hour will be touring selected theatres in the UK in March and April of this year. Hancock will be played this time round by Mike Howl. All net profits from the show will go towards Marie Curie Cancer Care, so hopefully everyone will be able to come along and see a good show and support a wonderful cause. For more details of the venues and ticket prices please click here

     

     

     

    HANCOCK BACK ON TV!

    UKTV Gold will be screening more episodes from Hancock's Half Hour as part of their UKTV Firsts season. Details are as follows:-

    Monday 14 March (6:30am and 7:00pm) - Twelve Angry Men
    Tuesday 15 March (6:30am and 7:00pm) - The Train Journey
    Wednesday 16 March (6:30am and 7:00pm) - The Cruise
    Thursday 17 March (6:30am and 7:00pm) - The Big Night
    Friday 18 March (6:30am and 7:00pm) - The Tycoon
    Monday 21 March (6:30am and 7:00pm) - The Cold
    Tuesday 22 March (6:30am and 7:00pm) - The Missing Page
    Wednesday 23 March (6:30am and 7:00pm) - The Reunion Party
    Thursday 24 March (6:30am and 7:00pm) - The Babysitters
    They are also shown 1 hour later on UKTV Gold +1

    Technical details: UKTV Gold - Sky Channel 109    NTL  300/31    Telewest 124    Top Up 17
    UKTV Gold+1 - Sky Channel 110     NTL 904     Telewest 126

    Further details will be available soon....

    House For Sale

    The house where Tony Hancock died in Australia is up for sale. The address is 98 Birriga Road, Bellevue Hill, Sydney. Details can be found at :- http://www.ljhooker.com.au/property_listing.php?id=1327417&type=residential&

    Thanks to Sandra Shaw of Sydney, Australia for this information

    DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

     

 Week commencing 1 Nov,  Alan Simpson may be on BBC Breakfast and/or Richard & Judy

Around this time or the week or so before there should be interview pieces with Ray & Alan in 'The Times Literary Supplement' and 'The Daily Express'.

 
Sun 21 Nov
NFT/BFI (London, South Bank) 'Hancock's Half Century' - Paul Merton interviews Ray & Alan on stage

 

 

 

HANCOCK ON THE RADIO - AT LAST!

 

Saturday 30th October, 08:00 - 11:00  and again at 21:00 - 00:00 and then again on Sunday 31st October at 03:00 - 06:00

Hancock's Half Century 

A BBC7 special presented by Adrian Juste - marking the 50th anniversary of the first ever broadcast of Hancock's Half Hour. Featuring: Turns of the Century: Robert Cushman on the essential Hancock; Hancock's Half Hour: The Election Candidate - a BBC Treasure Hunt recovery from March 1958; Happy Birthday Hancock: Andrew Sachs presents the story of the lad himself - first broadcast on the 75th anniversary of his birth; The Radio Academy 50th anniversary Hancock tribute - Adrian interviews Galton & Simpson; And hear the winning episode of the BBC7 listeners' poll to find their favourite edition of Hancock's Half Hour.

Tuesday 2nd November

Radio 4 (11:30-12:04)
Hancock's Helpers

Radio 2 (19:00-22:00)
Hancock's Whole Evening
This features "The First Night Party", "The Wild Man Of The Woods" and also features an interview with Ray Galton & Alan Simpson by Paul Merton. There is also a documentary by Dennis Norden about Hancock's early career and and a ten minute slot devoted to favourite moments from Hancock's celebrity fans.

The Radio Times for the week Saturday 30th October to Friday 5th November also includes interviews with Freddie Ross Hancock, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson.


PLAQUE UNVEILING

On Friday 12th November at 10:30 am the Lord Mayor of Birmingham will unveil a plaque at the site of the Tony Hancock statue in the centre of Old Square, Birmingham. All welcome.

THE MIDLANDS HANCOCK CONVENTION

This years convention will be on Saturday 6th November in Birmingham. This years special guest will be Richard Webber (subject to commitments) author of "50 Years Of Hancock's Half Hour" due to be published on 4th November. Richard will be answering questions and signing copies of his book, and our friend Damaris Hayman, who worked with Tony in 1967, should be calling in.

There will also be a THAS archive exhibition, screening of rare video material and a raffle. There is also a licensed bar and refreshment areas.

The event is being held at the Hexagon Theatre, Midlands Arts Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Edgbaston, Birmingham.

Tickets are priced at £7.50 (£4.50 concessions) and are available from THAS acting Treasurer Elaine Schollar (contact details here)  making cheques payable to THAS (please also enclose a SAE) or direct from the Midlands Art Centre booking office on 0121 440 3838

SOME DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Cooper Owen will be having an At The Movies online auction on the 13th October which includes:- 
Lot 143†

Tony Hancock and Galton & Simpson signatures

An autograph album page signed Tony Hancock in black ink, matted with colour image of the comic actor and a publicity postcard signed Alan Simpson and Ray Galton. 

£150-200
 
Commission/absentee bids can be placed on their website now at www.cooperowen.com and the auction will conclude 'live' at eBayliveauctions.com from 4pm BST on the 13th Oct.

 

 

GALTON AND SIMPSON INTERVIEW BY DANNY BAKER

BBC 7 will be celebrating 50 years of Hancock's Half Hour  on November 2nd this year . They are currently preparing a three hour Hancock "special" to mark the occasion.  As part of this, the legendary Ray Galton and Alan Simpson will be interviewed by the ebullient and knowledgeable Danny Baker, who is a great fan of Ray and Alan's work.

The interview will be part of a Radio Academy event and will take place at the Kings Fund on Wednesday 6th October. Listeners who live in or near London and would like to come along to what promises to be a great evening, can find out details from the Radio Academy Website or e-mail: events@radioacademy.org.

They have two pairs of tickets to give away for the event.  The question has been set by the great writers themselves, Ray Galton and Alan Simpson:
Tony's fictitious name was Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock, what were the middle names of Sidney James and William Kerr?

Please e-mail your answers to BBC 7 as soon as possible here with your name and address. Good luck.

 

BIRMINGHAM BEER FESTIVAL

This years Birmingham Beer Festival honours Tony Hancock and hopefully the society will have a presence there. The festival runs from Thursday 16th September to Saturday 18th September at the Aston Student Guild, Costa Green. Further details can be found at their official website here.

BBC EXPERIENCE

Once again THAS will have a presence at the BBC Experience to be held in Gloucester on Sunday 26th September. Other attractions include the Archers Addicts, the Dads Army Appreciation Society, the Only Fools & Horses Appreciation Society, the Goon Show Preservation Society and a Doctor Who exhibition. Special guests (subject to commitments) include John Challis and Sue Holderness (Boycie and Marlene from Only Fools & Horses and Henry Sandon from The Antiques Roadshow.

The event is being held at the Gloucester Leisure Centre, Bruton Way, Gloucester.
Time: 10:00am to 5:00pm and admission is FREE.

Further details can be found here.

 

THAS AT MEMORABILIA

THAS will be having a stall at this years Memorabilia fair at the NEC in Birmingham.
The fair is on 17th April and there will be over a thousand dealers there selling Sci-Fi, Film, Cult TV, Comics, pop and Sporting memorabilia.

More details can be found at their website www.memorabilia.co.uk

GET THE NEW ISSUE OF WORD MAGAZINE TODAY!

Writer and broadcaster Andrew Collins (BBC 6 Music & BBC Radio 2) was a recent attendee at the Annual reunion dinner at Bournemouth. He has written a short piece for Word magazine which can be found at all major newsagents. The piece is in the front section called FOREWORD. Buy it today!

 

 

GALTON AND SIMPSON - A CELEBRATION

THAS is pleased to be hosting a special day to celebrate the work of writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. The event will be held on Saturday 26th June (11:00am to 5:00pm) at the
Civil Service Sports & Social Club, Riverside Drive, Dukes Meadow, Chiswick, London W4 2SH.

Admission is FREE and the day will include displays; audio and video throughout the day; merchandise; raffle; auction; food and licensed bar. Ray and Alan will appear in the afternoon.
There may also be other celebrity guests to be announced. 

Further details can be obtained from our President, Dan Peat whose contact details can be found here.

THAS AT GLOUCESTER

Following the success of last years event organised by BBC Radio Gloucester. THAS will again be having an exhibition at this event. Further details will follow but the date is set for Sunday 26th September. Mark your calendars accordingly.

THAS Reunion Dinner : Sunday 30th May 2004
A date for your 2004 diary. This year's annual reunion of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society will be on Sunday 30th May - the  Bank Holiday weekend - at its usual venue, The Quality Hotel (formerly Durlston Court Hotel), Bournemouth. 
This year's guests of honour are JUNE WHITFIELD and RAY ALAN (both subject to work commitments)
Full details of the dinner and how to book, will appear in the latest issue of "The Missing Page"  [Updated: 5/5/2004]

 

 

 

 

THAS will be at the next Memorabilia Fair

The next Memorabilia Fair will be held at the NEC on Saturday 5th April and Sunday 6th April.

The THAS Merchandise stall will be in attendance (Saturday only) manned by Mike and Peggy Roberts.

 

New CD Box Set released.

Hancock's Half Hour: Collector's Edition Series 6 was released on 3rd February 2003.

This final set includes all fourteen shows from the sixth series, plus four episodes recorded for the BBC Transcription Service, a 1958 Christmas special, and the recently rediscovered Series 4 episode 'The Stolen Petrol'. A total of twenty episodes are published on ten CDs in a luxury box set.

It should be available from our Merchandise Officer shortly.

 

THE REBEL/THE PUNCH AND JUDY MAN RELEASED ON DVD

Recently released as a double bill DVD and available from all good stores

Certification: U / Duration: 189 mins
Format: DVD / Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.33 Full Screen
Cat. No: D038480 Warner Home Video/Canal Plus

 

RAY AND ALAN AT THE HAY FESTIVAL

Galton and Simpson are giving a talk at 17.30 on Monday 26 May (Bank Holiday weekend) at the Hay Festival. See the link below for more details.

www.hayfestival.co.uk

ANNUAL REUNION DINNER

This is your last chance to book for this years reunion, which as usual is being held at The Quality Hotel (formerly known as The Durlston Court) on Sunday 25th May. 
This years guest of honour (subject to commitments) is Ray Alan.
For more details see the current issue of The Missing Page.  

 

Want to be part of aN audience for a new TELEVISION show?

Liberty Bell TV are recording a series of television shows called "Stars Reunited". The programme will be being broadcast at 11am on BBC1 throughout the summer. 10 shows are being filmed over the coming weeks at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, London. They are looking for fans of the shows to be in the audience on the day of recording as there will be questions from the audience regarding favourite moments or special memories.

The list of shows confirmed and the times of recording are as follows:-
27 May  2:30pm  BREAD 7:30pm  HI-DE-HI
3 June    2:30pm  TOP OF THE POPS    7:30pm  NATIONWIDE
10 June  2:30pm   ALLO ALLO 7:30pm  tba
17 June  2:30pm   tba 7:30pm  tba
24 June   2:30pm   THAT'S LIFE 7:30pm  BLUE PETER

If you are interested in attending please contact anthony.carr@libertybell.tv for more details or telephone 020 8327 1067.
Liberty Bell TV can be found at www.libertybell.tv

 

Hancock voted Greatest Comedian Of All Time

In a poll to coincide with the launch of the BBC's new digital radio channel BBC7, Tony Hancock was voted greatest comedian of all time. 2nd place went to the Goons, 3rd place went to Kenneth Horne, 4th place went to I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, 5th place went to Morecambe & Wise, 6th place went to Kenneth Williams and 7th place went to Spike Milligan.

BBC7 launches tonight (Sunday 15th December, 2002) with a simultaneous broadcast on Radio 4 presented by THAS Honorary Member Paul Merton. Included in tonight's schedule is an excerpt from Hancock's Happy Christmas from December 1956.

Click here for the official website of BBC 7.

 


In celebration of the Theatre Museum's new exhibition of caricatures by Gilbert Summerlad of great 20th century British entertainers and performers. There are two events coming up which are of interest:-

REMEMBERING KENNETH WILLIAMS

Sunday 8th December - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Gyles Brandreth in conversation with special guests Fenella Fielding and Nicholas Parsons

 

REMEMBERING ARTHUR ASKEY

Sunday 15th December - 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Gyles Brandreth in conversation with special guests Barry Cryer, Liz Fraser and June Whitfield.

For these events tickets are £6.00 per performance (£5.00 concessions). For details/tickets please contact:- Malcolm Jones (Workshop Manager) on 020 7943 4804

The Theatre Museum is located at 1e Tavistock Street, London WC2E 7PR.
E-mail: m.jones@vam.ac.uk

 

HANCOCK NEW RELEASES

Click here for exciting details!

Galton and Simpson tribute at the nft

You may be interested to know that, this September, London's National Film Theatre is hosting a season of showings related to Ray and Alan, as well as having the boys to the stage to be interviewed by their friend Paul Merton.
Click here for a full programme of events

THAS EXHIBITION

The THAS exhibition "Hancock On The Stage: 1947 - 1968" will be at Renishaw Hall (just off Junction 30, M1, just south of Sheffield) from September 5th until September 29th this year. The exhibition comprises over 100 A4-size photographs, theatre programmes, posters, handbills , etc. of Hancock's career or the stage in this country and overseas. 
Renishaw Hall has an extensive collection of theatre memorabilia on display in its Performing Arts Museum and we are pleased to have been invited to include the THAS exhibition until the end of September, when Renishaw Hall closes for the winter.
 Their website is at www.sitwell.co.uk.

Hancock Plaque To Be Unveiled At The BBC

 

A TRIBUTE TO HANCOCK'S HALF HOUR

BLUE PLAQUES FOR TONY HANCOCK HATTIE JACQUES & SID JAMES

Sunday September 8, 2002

Comic Heritage, in association with the BBC Heritage Department, is staging a special tribute to Hancock's Half Hour and the late comic genius that was Tony Hancock. Comic Heritage blue plaques in honour of the three main characters -

Hattie Jacques, Sid James and Hancock himself - will be unveiled at the BBC Radio Theatre, Broadcasting House, London, on Sunday 8 September.

The plaque unveilings will be performed by writers Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, Sid's widow Val James and Joan Le Mesurier. Many other celebrities will be attending the ceremony in honour of these three widely popular comic actors.

Following the ceremony there will be a lunch in aid of charity at the Grosvenor House, Park Lane, which will be attended by many of the actors' friends and showbusiness admirers. There will be a cabaret of music and laughter following lunch, as well as an auction of memorabilia.

Tickets to this event will cost £50 each including a three course meal with wine. To book tickets or for more information, please contact Ian Freeman -

ian@theheritagefoundation.co.uk

More details can be found on their website by clicking here

Bill Kerr appears on new Doctor Who CD

Bill Kerr's appearance in DOCTOR WHO (as Giles Kent in the 1967 story ENEMY OF THE WORLD) is being released on audio CD by BBC Worldwide on August 5th. Price will probably be about £13.99 (double CD). The other releases in the collection have been excellent both in sound quality and presentation, so there's no reason why this should be different.

For more information click Here

Many Thanks to Richard Berry for this information
[Added: 28 July, 2002]

Little Chef - BBC Radio Collection Promotion
Little Chef are currently giving away CD's with every £7.99 or more spent at participating restaurants, whilst stocks last. There are three CD's to collect in this compilation series, "The Best of BBC Comedy". Volume 1 contains an excerpt from "The Americans Hit Town"; Volume 3 contains an excerpt from "Agricultural 'Ancock"; I cannot see any Hancock on Volume 2.

Click here to see the CD covers or, for further details, go to Little Chef's website and click on their Promotions page.[Added: 27.11.2001 & amended 19.12.2001]

Thank God For A Funny Face - Hugh Lloyd
Hugh Lloyd's Autobiography, "Thank God For A Funny Face", will be published on 15th February 2002 by John Blake Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1903402506, £16.99. It is subtitled "My adventures in comedy with Tony Hancock, Terry Scott, Anthony Hopkins, Lee Evans and other legends", so we should learn more about Hugh Lloyd's friendship and work with Hancock.
Click here to see the flyer and advance order form from the publishers.[Added: 27.11.2001]

Did You Record "Hancock's Half Hour"? - Help, please....
We need your help in locating the actual broadcast recordings of some of the "Hancock's Half Hour" radio shows.

You may already have read in the newspapers that four "HHH" radio shows, that were missing from the BBC Sound Archives, have been returned - they were returned to the BBC by the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society some months ago, but this news, together with other recent finds, only reached the newspapers in November.

We have edited versions in our Sound Archives of some shows and wish to have the longer - original broadcast - versions, Do you have these shows, recorded from the radio broadcasts ? (not from the BBC Radio Collection Cassettes / CD's) :-

  • The Bolshoi Ballet (Series 4 / Programme 2)
  • Anna And The King Of Siam (Series 4 / Programme 7)
  • The 13th Of The Series (Series 4 / Programme 13)
  • The Male Suffragettes (Series 5 / Programme 3)
  • The Unexploded Bomb (Series 5 / Programme 6)
  • Around The World In Eighty Days (Series 5 / Programme 8)
  • The Election Candidate (Series 5 / Programme 10)
  • The Junk Man (Series 5 / Programme 16)
  • The Prize Money (Series 5 / Programme 18)
  • The Last Bus Home (Series 6 / Programme 3)
  • The Picnic (Series 6 / Programme 4)
  • The Waxwork (Series 6 / Programme 8)
  • The Fete (Series 6 / Programme 10)
  • Bill And Father Christmas (Radio Special)

    If you can help, please write to the THAS Sound Archivist, Jeff Hammonds, giving details of the shows and date(s) of recording, at the address given on the Contacts page[Added: 27.11.2001]

 

Hancock's Half Day - MAC Birmingham: Sunday 4th August

The Hancock's Half Day event will be held at the MAC (Midlands Arts Centre) on the afternoon of Sunday 4th August. There are no details at present of the programme of events. Watch this space for further updates. 
[Added: 15 June 2002]

Hancock's Last Half Hour - Birmingham : 15-22 June
The Crescent Theatre's production - a Hancock Double Bill of Hancock's Last Half Hour and The Blood Donor is set to return on 15th June starring Gerry Lucas.
All Hancock fans are more than welcome to attend and meet the cast and have photographs beforehand.
For details of the Crescent Theatre's future productions, go to the Crescent Theatre's website. [Added: 29 May 2002]

"The Missing Page" : May 2002 Issue
Within the last few days, THAS members will have received a copy of the May 2002 issue of "The Missing Page" (The Society's Quarterly magazine). 

 



Little Chef - BBC Radio Collection Promotion
Little Chef are currntly giving away CD's with every £7.99 or more spent at participating restaurants, whilst stocks last. There are three CD's to collect in this compilation series, "The Best of BBC Comedy". Volume 1 contains an excerpt from "The Americans Hit Town"; Volume 3 contains an excerpt from "Agricultural 'Ancock"; I cannot see any Hancock on Volume 2.

Click here to see the CD covers or, for further details, go to Little Chef's website and click on their Promotions page.[Added: 27.11.2001 & amended 19.12.2001]

Thank God For A Funny Face - Hugh Lloyd
Hugh Lloyd's Autobiography, "Thank God For A Funny Face", will be published on 15th February 2002 by John Blake Publishing Ltd, ISBN 1903402506, £16.99. It is subtitled "My adventures in comedy with Tony Hancock, Terry Scott, Anthony Hopkins, Lee Evans and other legends", so we should learn more about Hugh Lloyd's friendship and work with Hancock.
Click here to see the flyer and advance order form from the publishers.[Added: 27.11.2001]


Death of Albert Ward
The death of Albert Ward - one half of the musical novelty act, Albert and Les Ward - was announced in the Obituary columns of The Stage newspaper on October 11th 2001. He was aged 84. Albert and Les Ward worked with Hancock on many occasions, first in the "Ocean Revue" at Clacton in 1950 and most notably in Hancock's provincial theatre tours of 1958 and 1961. Go to Albert Ward's Obituary in the Stage newspaper. [Added: 27.11.2001]

The next section is "Old News", so it's only here to read if you want history ...

Face To Face : BBC Knowledge - Friday 7th Dec. 2001
The John Freeman "Face To Face" interview with Tony Hancock will be shown on BBC Knowledge this Friday, 7th December at 8pm. It was shown a few weeks ago on the same channel, but is well worth seeing again. [Added: 2nd December 2001]

 

THAS Reunion Dinner : Sunday 5th May 2002
A date for your 2002 diary. Next year's annual reunion of the Tony Hancock Appreciation Society will be on Sunday 5th May - the May Day Bank Holiday weekend - at its usual venue, The Durlston Court Hotel, Bournemouth. The venue has strong Hancock connections - it was owned by Hancock's parents from 1932 until the early 1940's and Tony lived there until he joined the RAF in November 1942.
Full details of the dinner and how to book, will appear in a future issue of "The Missing Page" and on this page. [Added: 2.12.2001]

"The Missing Page" : November 2001 Issue
Within the last few days, THAS members will have received a copy of the November 2001 issue of "The Missing Page" (The Society's Quarterly magazine). This issue, with full colour front and back pages, has articles about Hancock in "Educating Archie; a review of "Lady Don't Turn Over" by Darcy Glinto (on which the book "Lady Don't Fall Backwards" which Tony is reading in "The Missing Page" TV episode, is loosely based); and the second part of Dennis Main Wilson's life story (as written by him).[Added: 2.12.2001]

Stone Me! It's Hancock - Birmingham : 20 October 2001
The Tony Hancock Appreciation Society Annual Convention was held at the Midlands Arts Centre in Birmingham on 20th October. Over 60 Hancock fans attended, making it the best-attended Convention for many years. For a review of the days events, click here. [Added: 21st October 2001]

Hancock's Last Half Hour - Birmingham : 13-20 October
The Crescent Theatre's production - a Hancock Double Bill - ended on 20th October. For a review of this excellent stage presentation, click here.
For details of the Crescent Theatre's future productions, go to the Crescent Theatre's website.[Added: 21st October 2001]

BBC Release Further Hancock CD's : 5th November 2001
The BBC plan to release another "Hancock's Half Hour" CD Box Set - The Third Series - on 5th November (ISBN: 0563 478136). The Set will comprise 4 CD's - the existing 8 shows in the BBC archives - from the Third Radio Series (which originally comprised 20 shows). The BBC recommended price is £34.99.

Also the BBC release the CD of "Hancock's Happy Christmas" on the same date (ISBN 0563 53513X), Price: £12.99. [Added: 21st October 2001]

Hancock's Last Half Hour - Birmingham : 13-20 October
Heathcote Williams' play, "Hancock's Last Half Hour" will be performed at the Crescent Theatre Studio, Birmingham, in the week 13th - 20th October 2001. The double bill also includes Galton and Simpson's "The Blood Donor". If you are coming to the THAS Annual Convention on 20th October, you may wish to stay over to see the evening performance, which commences at 7.45 pm. Tickets are limited for Saturday evening, so if you are thinking of attending, book now - the Crescent Theatre Box Office telephone number is 0121-643-5858 (12 noon-7 pm.) Ticket price is £7, or £6 if booked 24 hours in advance, with concessions available.

This week, 22th - 29th September, the Crescent Theatre is staging "When Did You Last See Your Trousers?" by Ray Galton and John Antrobus, daily at 7.30 pm. with a Saturday matinee at 2.30 pm.

For further details of all productions, visit the Crescent Theatre's website. [Added: 27th September 2001]

Hancock's House - Sale Update

Hancock's birthplace - 41 Southam Road, Hall Green, Birmingham
We have just learnt that the house has been withdrawn from the market - we understand that Mr. and Mrs. Pugh will continue to live in the house, which has been their home for many years.

Death of Phyllis Rounce
We are sorry to learn that Phyllis Rounce died on Monday 17th September 2001. Phyllis Rounce helped to establish International Artistes just after World War 2 and was one of London's most respected theatrical agents. She was Hancock's agent from 1948 until 1953, having "discovered" him working at the Windmill Theatre in London's West End (famous for its nude tableaux), where he was performing a six-week stint in a double act known as "Hank & Scott" (with musician Derek Scott).
It was she who secured Hancock's first big break in radio - on "Variety Bandbox" and negotiated much better fees, so much so, that he broke the £500-a-week barrier when he joined the cast of "London Laughs" in April 1952.To view Phyllis Rounce's Obituary, click here [Added: 27th September 2001]

Hugh Lloyd - the autobiography
We believe that Hugh Lloyd's autobiography is now scheduled to be published early in 2002 (February?). Hugh was a close friend of Hancock's, so this book should be well worth waiting for.[Added 27th September 2001]

THAS Annual Convention : Saturday 20th October 2001
A date for your diary - the Society's Annual Convention will be held on Saturday 20th October 2001, at its usual venue, the MAC, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. The Convention will commence at 11.0 am and close at 6.0 pm. (approximately)

The programme will include: