Dick Whittington - Programme, 1943
Title
Dick Whittington - Programme, 1943
Date
December 1943
Description
Programme for Dick Whittington, the Theatre Royal Pantomime for 1943.
What's the story?
The undoubted star of this Pantomime is George Formby (1904 – 1961), a singer and comedian, who was hugely popular during the 1930s and 40s and still has a huge following to this day.
According to the website for the George Formby Society, by 1939 Formby was the highest paid entertainer in the UK, earning over £100,000 a year (equivalent to £3 million in 2019).
Also, according to the website, during World War Two Formby entertained an estimated three million allied servicemen and women throughout Europe and the Middle East.
There can be no doubt that casting Formby in this Pantomime was a massive draw for the Theatre Royal in 1943.
According to the website for the George Formby Society, by 1939 Formby was the highest paid entertainer in the UK, earning over £100,000 a year (equivalent to £3 million in 2019).
Also, according to the website, during World War Two Formby entertained an estimated three million allied servicemen and women throughout Europe and the Middle East.
There can be no doubt that casting Formby in this Pantomime was a massive draw for the Theatre Royal in 1943.
Type
Programme
Location of item
Private Collection: Trevor Lee
Rights
Private Collection: Trevor Lee
Contributor
Researcher: David Longford
