Hi everyone, just wanted to share my latest acquisition:
ALI BABA programme
A pantomime takes place, somewhere in italy, whilst all these men were serving with army artillery regiments during ww2. They had been part of the African campaign and the following Italian campaign, so had certainly seen some action.
Its amazing to me, to think that during ww2 , for "Ali baba" they could find an orchestra, corps de ballet, and a full cast of twenty five men, (reminds me a little of "It 'aint Half hot mum!")
A few interesting little facts (well, they're interesting to me anyway)
Douglas Kidgell, Kenneth carter and harry Edington who appear in the pantomime in various guises, and it seems were responsible for most of it, were all army pals of the brilliant comedian Spike Milligan, and feature to some extent in his books on army life. They all also later played in a band with Spike.
Harry Edgington, was Spikes best friend for life. He was the inspiration behind the Goon shows most famous song which originated when Harry Secombe incorrectly refered to Milligan's friend as Edgerton. Spike corrected him: "its Edgington, Edgington" and enphasised it by saying "YINGTON YINGTON" Secombe ended the sentence with a "tiddle-i-po" and so the nonsense Goons song "ying tong ying tong tiddle-i-po" was born!
It is a little disappointment that Spike doesnt appear in the programme, but it may be that this was the time when he had been wounded in action and was in hospital.
Anyway sorry to bore everyone with me bimble-ing on, i just love these little bits of history!
Ed
Bookmarks