Wot! No Pyjamas! - Leaflet, 1981
Title
Wot! No Pyjamas! - Leaflet, 1981
Date
22 June 1981
Description
Leaflet for 'French Sex comedy' Wot! No Pyjamas! starring Fiona Richmond.
What's the story?
In detailing the Theatre Royal’s rich heritage, it is important to remember that it is not full of thrilling and outstanding productions from companies such as the National Theatre or the Royal Shakespeare Company. The venue’s history also includes productions such as Wot! No Pyjamas!
Presented in 1981 by Paul Raymond, this production starred glamour model and vicar’s daughter Fiona Richmond, along with Roger Kitter and ‘A Bedfull (sic) of Beauties’
Raymond (1925 – 2008) was a publisher and club owner, specialising in adult entertainment with magazines such as Men Only and Mayfair.
He purchased theatres in London’s Soho, such as the Whitehall Theatre where he staged his sex comedies and strip shows and always seemed to circumvent the rules of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office.
However, by the early 80s this form of entertainment was declining and seen as dated.
In his book The Look of Love: The Life and Times of Paul Raymond, Soho’s King of Clubs, Paul Willets describes how by January 1981, Raymond was forced to close his production of Wot! No Pyjamas! at the Whitehall Theatre. Apparently backstage staff described it as “Wot! No Audience!”
With this touring production taking place in June 1981, Raymond clearly felt the regions would respond to his unique form of entertainment.
Memories of the show from Isobel (nee Mason) who played Kiki and also rehearsed as understudy to Ms Richmond:
‘We absolutely loved the Theatre Royal and played to wonderfully receptive and packed audiences. Wot! No Pyjamas! was actually a very funny show and whilst obviously not appropriate these days, was very warmly received on its very successful U.K. National Number One Tour in 1981.
The play was based on Birds of Paradise and was actually written and directed by the renowned and fondly remembered Michael Pertwee (using a French pseudonym). Micheal was the brother of Jon Pertwee (who was an early 1960s Dr Who). Michael was well known in the theatre in his own right. It was a pleasure and a delight to work with him.
The play was my first Number One U.K. Tour. I was 18 years old, turned 19 during the tour. I learnt so much and I absolutely loved playing Kiki who did, I like to think, get most of the laughs of the show, much to my delight as a young actress interested in performing comedy.
Contrary to what one might imagine, Mr Raymond and Ms Richmond were lovely to work for and with. As for the rest of us, were all just really rather lovely, nice normal girls who could definitely act and who all got along very well. Nor were we unintelligent, I went on to become a Barrister and another of the actresses on the tour, who I am still in touch with, has gone on to become a rather successful poet.’
For Isobel the show is still a very important part of her life as she went on to marry the tour’s Company Stage Manager and together had three children. She recalls going to see Kraftwerk perform at Rock City in the early stages of their dating on tour in Nottingham and remembers the beautiful Theatre Royal and the amazing dressing rooms. She reminds us that this particular show was very much in the vein of the Carry Ons, was well received at the time and possibly encouraged new audiences to visit the theatre. Also contrary to belief the performers had costumes, a wardrobe mistress and dresser and were never completely ‘bare’ on stage. Fiona Richmond’s costumes were mostly beautiful dresses and gowns designed by Anthony Price.
Presented in 1981 by Paul Raymond, this production starred glamour model and vicar’s daughter Fiona Richmond, along with Roger Kitter and ‘A Bedfull (sic) of Beauties’
Raymond (1925 – 2008) was a publisher and club owner, specialising in adult entertainment with magazines such as Men Only and Mayfair.
He purchased theatres in London’s Soho, such as the Whitehall Theatre where he staged his sex comedies and strip shows and always seemed to circumvent the rules of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office.
However, by the early 80s this form of entertainment was declining and seen as dated.
In his book The Look of Love: The Life and Times of Paul Raymond, Soho’s King of Clubs, Paul Willets describes how by January 1981, Raymond was forced to close his production of Wot! No Pyjamas! at the Whitehall Theatre. Apparently backstage staff described it as “Wot! No Audience!”
With this touring production taking place in June 1981, Raymond clearly felt the regions would respond to his unique form of entertainment.
Memories of the show from Isobel (nee Mason) who played Kiki and also rehearsed as understudy to Ms Richmond:
‘We absolutely loved the Theatre Royal and played to wonderfully receptive and packed audiences. Wot! No Pyjamas! was actually a very funny show and whilst obviously not appropriate these days, was very warmly received on its very successful U.K. National Number One Tour in 1981.
The play was based on Birds of Paradise and was actually written and directed by the renowned and fondly remembered Michael Pertwee (using a French pseudonym). Micheal was the brother of Jon Pertwee (who was an early 1960s Dr Who). Michael was well known in the theatre in his own right. It was a pleasure and a delight to work with him.
The play was my first Number One U.K. Tour. I was 18 years old, turned 19 during the tour. I learnt so much and I absolutely loved playing Kiki who did, I like to think, get most of the laughs of the show, much to my delight as a young actress interested in performing comedy.
Contrary to what one might imagine, Mr Raymond and Ms Richmond were lovely to work for and with. As for the rest of us, were all just really rather lovely, nice normal girls who could definitely act and who all got along very well. Nor were we unintelligent, I went on to become a Barrister and another of the actresses on the tour, who I am still in touch with, has gone on to become a rather successful poet.’
For Isobel the show is still a very important part of her life as she went on to marry the tour’s Company Stage Manager and together had three children. She recalls going to see Kraftwerk perform at Rock City in the early stages of their dating on tour in Nottingham and remembers the beautiful Theatre Royal and the amazing dressing rooms. She reminds us that this particular show was very much in the vein of the Carry Ons, was well received at the time and possibly encouraged new audiences to visit the theatre. Also contrary to belief the performers had costumes, a wardrobe mistress and dresser and were never completely ‘bare’ on stage. Fiona Richmond’s costumes were mostly beautiful dresses and gowns designed by Anthony Price.
Type
Leaflet
Location of item
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Rights
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Contributor
Researcher: David Longford
