Robinson Crusoe - Programme, 1942
Title
Robinson Crusoe - Programme, 1942
Date
December 1942
Description
Programme for Robinson Crusoe, the Theatre Royal Pantomime for 1942.
What's the story?
The stars of this production of Robinson Crusoe were Sid Field, Nat Mills and Bobbie, all of whom were very popular and even influential entertainers during the 1940s, but now seem relatively forgotten.
Sid Field (1904 – 1950) was an actor and comedian, who was very successful on the variety stage and is believed to have pioneered the use of different characterisations in his comedy. Such names as Bob Hope, Tony Hancock and even Laurence Olivier have cited Field as a comic favourite.
Nat Mills (1900 – 1993) and Bobbie were a married couple and comic double act. In Mills’ obituary in The Independent in August 1993, their act is described:
“Giving themselves the bill-matter of 'the rare pair', they opened at the Woolwich Empire in 1929 and were an instant hit. Bobbie, skinny-legged and pigeon-toed, was the dumb blonde to Nat, not much smarter in his flat boater and baggy tails. Unlike all the other double-acts in the business, neither played the 'straight man', both were equally idiotic.”
They were very successful and contributed a great deal to entertaining the troops overseas during the war.
Bobbie died suddenly in 1955. Mills was heart-broken and realised his comedy act was truly with her, immediately retired from show-business.
Sid Field (1904 – 1950) was an actor and comedian, who was very successful on the variety stage and is believed to have pioneered the use of different characterisations in his comedy. Such names as Bob Hope, Tony Hancock and even Laurence Olivier have cited Field as a comic favourite.
Nat Mills (1900 – 1993) and Bobbie were a married couple and comic double act. In Mills’ obituary in The Independent in August 1993, their act is described:
“Giving themselves the bill-matter of 'the rare pair', they opened at the Woolwich Empire in 1929 and were an instant hit. Bobbie, skinny-legged and pigeon-toed, was the dumb blonde to Nat, not much smarter in his flat boater and baggy tails. Unlike all the other double-acts in the business, neither played the 'straight man', both were equally idiotic.”
They were very successful and contributed a great deal to entertaining the troops overseas during the war.
Bobbie died suddenly in 1955. Mills was heart-broken and realised his comedy act was truly with her, immediately retired from show-business.
Type
Programme
Location of item
Private Collection: Trevor Lee
Rights
Private Collection: Trevor Lee
Contributor
Researcher: David Longford
