Summer of 73

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Record Number: 4.000

Record Type: Text/Image

Caption:

Rene Curtis (nee James) danced in The Winter Gardens 1973 Summer Show starring Clinton Ford.

I worked with Terry Cantor at Skegness summer 1972 as a “Gorgeous Gaiety Girl” and had gone straight on to the City Varieties in Leeds for the winter season. Unfortunately I got appendicitis within two weeks and after a week’s stay at the now famous “Jimmies” I returned home to a long slow recovery. I was convinced that after failing to complete the season I would never get another chance. However after a surprise phone call, summer 1973 found me in Morecambe – a place I had never been and was pleasantly surprised about when I arrived. The first sunset I saw with the sun setting in the sea was amazing and fuelled a passion that has never left me.

My parents took me over pre season to find digs for the summer and we were fortunate enough to find a B & B that would give me a single room for the summer and let me use the house facilities in return for a bit of help. It proved to be a good working relationship all around. I took the landlady’s two young boys out in the mornings and used the washing machine or got an extra meal or two in return. I even slept on the camp bed in the front room if they needed to let my room but when I listened to the others girls complain about their cramped and shabby flats and fight over who owed what I was very grateful. We spent hours down on the beach, at the swimming pool and around the arcades. There was a fairground at the back of the theatre and I remember that there was always something to do and places to go. There was even a picture house if I remember rightly (I am convinced that on Sunday evenings when the theatre was used for “Mr & Mrs” I often went to the pictures).

It proved to be an amazing summer. The Winter Garden Theatre was wonderful and I would spend hours wandering around it amazed by the grandeur – even though it was a little faded. Many of the stage staff were local people who had ‘proper’ jobs and just loved the place and the atmosphere, some were students who needed odd hours to supplement their income (or in those days their lack of income), I remember Howard who was training to be a doctor and often wonder if he ever qualified – he used to regale us with some real horror stories!

We changed programme every Wednesday so that holidaymakers could see two shows and a special show on Sunday even if they were only staying for a week. The shows were always well attended and lively. Clinton Ford was the star of the show and my strongest memory of him will always be “I only drink port and brandy but if they want to buy me a drink they can buy one or the other – it keeps my stomach settled you know.” I was amazed at such a young age at the amount he could drink and still appear sober and always so professional. After show we would go to the bar next door where we could get a drink, relax and listen to the house band (I still have signed pictures); but more often we would go to the Bowl(?) up the other end of town which was open until the early hours. We almost always got in free of charge and often saw the second performance by the main act then we would dance until the early hours. The DJ was a blonde haired man whose name was Pete who used to sing at a local Karaoke bar on a Sunday lunch time and whenever I hear Oh Carole by Neil Sedaka I smile to myself – he could really massacre that song!

The photograph was used on the bill board outside the theatre and shows Clinton Ford, the Compere, one of the two leading ladies and the girls Karen, Vanessa, Sandra, Lynda, Sheila and me. We also had a comedy duo who I think were called Lambert and Smith. I am sure that a little part of me remembers with rose coloured glasses – but after 34 years I am sure I can be forgiven.

Contributed by RENE CURTIS (nee JAMES) in October, 2007.

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