This page is going
to be a source of information for anyone requiring information and material on
various artistes. I haven’t produced my material yet, but I would like to draw
your attention to three books and two tapes from Mike Craig, an expert on the
Variety era. Since 1964 Mike has been responsible for writing or producing
over 1,200 comedy shows for television and radio.
In the sixties and
seventies he wrote for Harry Worth, Ken Dodd, Roy Castle, Selwyn Froggitt, Jimmy
Tarbuck, Des O'Connor, Hinge and Bracket, Rolf Harris and Morecambe and Wise,
including the classic1976 Eric and Ernie Christmas Show when Angela Rippon bared
her legs!
Mike has written a
series of books on most of our comedy heroes. The books are called 'Look Back
with Laughter' and there are three volumes. At the moment he is writing
Volume 4!
Volume 1 covers
Albert Modley, Jimmy James, Tom Mennard, Al Read, Sandy Powell, Robb Wilton,
plus his s memories of 'The Wireless' days, his home town
theatre, the Dewsbury Empire and the funny side of life on various luxury cruise
liners he performs on.
Volume 2 contains
chapters on Les Dawson, Frank Randle, Roy Castle, a chapter abpout his
years of producing many of our best loved radio comedy shows (entitled 'The
Grumbleweed Experience', It also covers Norman Evans and a chapter entitled
- 'Remembering Eric Morecambe'.
Volume 3 has
chapters on Ted Ray, Cardew 'the cad' Robinson, Beryl Reid, Arthur
English, Jill Summers, Arthur Askey, plus a chapter entitled 'For
Better or for Worse' in which he looks at the institution of Marriage
as seen through the material of comedians like Al Read, Nat Mills and Bobbie,
Burns and Allen, Chic Murray, Bobby Thompson and many others.
Mike also has some
superb tapes on offer that will keep you laughing time after time because of
that special way he has of delivering his material - all clean by the way!
You can order these
items from Mike or his wife, Sue at e mail craigers@suers.u-net.com
Books are £14.50 each including P&P or a special deal - £37.50 for all 3 volumes, which includes a free tape of his 'Evening of Comedy'. He has a super Double tape called - 'Mike Craig's ABC of Comedy'. The two tapes run for three hours and were recorded on board the S.S.Canberra during Mike's comedy sessions which he has performed on cruise ships for over 17 years. This 'ABC of Comedy' tape is £12.50 inc P&P and his 'Evbening of Comedy' is £6, imnc P&P