Well, if you think the title of this piece sounds like a forthcoming episode of Summer Wine I don’t care! On the evening of Friday 7^th November 2003 we went to the theatre – The Little Theatre in Doncaster to be exact - to see Keith Clifford’s one man show “Scandals, (The Life and Liver of Frank Randle)”. And the evening had a totally unexpected twist!

The show is about the life and work of Northern comic Frank Randle who was one of the most popular performers of his era, even making several movies including one with Diana Dors.  Scandals was written some years ago by Keith Clifford and his friend John Chambers and Keith has performed it more than 300 times. It was also performed on Radio 4 in November 1992, for which Keith was awarded the Sony Award for ‘Best Actor in a Title Role’ in 1993.

I had left a note for Keith at the theatre, to extend our good wishes, say how much we were looking forward to the show and also to ask for a few moments of his valuable time if he had any spare – I did add that I would completely understand if he didn’t! When we arrived and I collected our tickets from the box office, there was a lovely note thanking me for the good wishes and very apologetic that he would not have time to see me as he had to prepare for the show. So we did the only sensible thing and retired to the Lounge and had a ‘quick half’, while we waited for the bell!

It is an accepted fact that one of the most difficult theatre presentations is the ‘One Man Show’ and ‘Scandals’ is perhaps more difficult than some others, dealing as it does with humour and tragedy with a sprinkling of the more serious issues of Frank Randle’s life, and no strict delineation between them. Keith Clifford gave us a wonderful performance, we saw Frank Randle performing the comedy for which he was famous and we saw a very human portrayal of a man who should have been in his prime, dying from a combination of TB, cirrhosis of the liver, pneumonia and acute gastritis.

We heard of his womanising, but also of his beloved Queenie, the wife of whom he was so insanely jealous, (without any cause whatsoever), that he had her followed every time she stepped out of the house. We learned of his drinking and his love of fast cars – and we were all convinced of the one overriding pride, the pride in his work and in his ability to make people laugh. In his long career he helped many young performers to make their way in the profession but apparently once hung the young Jimmy Clitheroe, (who was later to become famous through his work in radio), by his jacket from a fire bucket bracket for stealing his material and performing it elsewhere!

A lot of the comedy material was performed by Keith in the form of a ‘stand-up’ performance to the audience – but many humourous items were blended with the more tragic aspects in much the same way that the raspberry sauce runs through the ice-cream in raspberry ripple and it says much for his skill as an actor that the audience responded appropriately at every twist and turn – and it was often a very short breath between silence and laughter.

We went to the show with an open mind and prepared to enjoy ourselves and we were anything but disappointed – the show was excellent and Keith’s performance in a difficult role confirms him as a very fine actor indeed – and I have to say that if he returns to Doncaster with the same show, we would go and see it again, and enjoy it as much!  May I respectfully suggest that if the show is coming to a theatre near you, you take an evening away from the TV and go and see it – I don’t think you will be disappointed!  I have added a list of the future performances and venues that I know about – anyone who already knew about the planned show in Lancaster please note that it has been cancelled – apparently due to a lack of interest on the part of the manager of the theatre concerned, I promise you it’s their loss!

And now for the twist – and the reason for the unusual title of this piece!

As I said, after we collected our tickets we retired to the Lounge to await the start of the show. While enjoying a glass of beer we watched the arrival of other members of the audience and Michelle saw a face she recognised – and when she pointed it out, I too recognised a certain  tall grey – haired gentleman, well known for his writing skills! Yes, we were sharing the auditorium with Roy Clarke!

After the show, we retired again to the Lounge to enjoy a post performance drink, along with most of the rest of the audience – and found ourselves sitting at a table opposite our favourite writer of comedy! – Be still my beating heart!  I sat there trying to decide if I had enough nerve to approach this man who has a reputation locally as being ‘shy and retiring’. A few minutes later Keith himself appeared, had a few words with Kevin, the theatre manager, then came to greet Roy Clarke!

Well, on behalf of the many fans that visit this site to keep up with the news, I decided that – when an opportunity arose – I would introduce myself to Keith, thank him for a wonderful show and perhaps gain a few comments on the forthcoming series. Sure enough, after around 15 minutes Roy had gone to the bar and I girded my loins and went over to introduce myself. Now I am here to tell you that Keith is one of the most charming men I have ever met; he was delighted we had enjoyed the show and was telling me about his most memorable days filming ever on Summer Wine when Roy Clarke came up to hand him his drink. So, the next thing we know is that we are sitting chatting with both Keith Clifford AND Roy Clarke and I hope I managed to pass on to both of them how much we all enjoy their work and that they can always depend on our support.

I learned from Keith that his most memorable day ever was filming the song and dance routine for the forthcoming Christmas episode – there was snow all around, but there was nothing cool about it – it was the hottest day of the summer, they were all in top hat and tails and they were expected to DANCE – and they did, again and again till they got it right! I also discovered that he would do it again if we asked it of him – and his message to the fans is that our enjoyment is his pleasure and he is more than happy to continue to be Billy Hardcastle – direct descendant of Robin Hood. Oh, and please keep watching!

I learned a lot from Roy – a good deal of it about squirrels and tree planting – and also several interesting facts about the various cast members which I promised I would not reveal – but one thing I have decided to reveal – until he started in Summer Wine, Peter Sallis couldn’t ride a bicycle, a fact which totally delighted me and also gave me a degree of reassurance, because I can’t ride a bicycle either – a fact which most people seem to find hilarious, and which accounts for the fact that my husband Malc and I have a tandem! However, I must say that Peter did learn to ride his bike and I haven’t.

We spent a memorable hour chatting with Keith and Roy and their parties, about lots of things that have nothing to do with Summer Wine, including the best way of reintroducing the red squirrel, but then, who knows what might become part of a future episode of the show. Roy is also a delightful and charming man and meeting him has helped me achieve an ambition – to tell him how wonderful are the episodes he wrote covering the passing of Compo/Bill, and that we all realised how difficult it must have been. We have lived within a few miles of Roy’s home for more than 25 years and have cycled passed it on many occasions but this is the first time I have met him – and it was a pleasure worth waiting for. Roy’s message to the fans is that while we keep watching and creating the demand, he is happy to keep writing Summer Wine – I promised him that we would do just that!

And if you read this, Keith and Roy, thank you both for a most memorable evening!

And as you can see from the photo – I am definitely the happiest lass in Yorkshire!

‘Scandals’ Venues and dates

Please check with the venue of your choice to confirm performances.

Doncaster Little Theatre. 7th November 2003 7:30pm

Bradford (The Priestley Centre). 14th November 2003 7:30pm

Blackpool Grand Theatre. 16th December 2003 7:30pm

Coliseum Theatre, Oldham. 22nd January 2004 7:30pm

Colne Little Theatre, Colne, 29th, 30th and 31st January 2004 Lancs. 7:30pm

Partington Players Glossop. 6th February 2004 7:30pm

Little Theatre, Holme St. Hebden 6th March 2004 Bridge. 7:30pm

Lancaster Footlights, Grand 24th March 2004 Theatre, Lancaster. CANCELLED

Leicester Little Theatre. 5th April 2004 7:30pm