Twice Nightly

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Dominic Goodwin writes and acts in this one- man play about the variety theatre of the heydays of the 1920’s through to the demise of many theatres in the late 50’s

The play starts in 1956 with second comedian Freddie “mine’s a half” Francis about to go on stage and perform his drunk comedy act.

He then takes us on a journey back in time through the legendary comics and acts that trod the boards of the variety halls and the war-torn fields of ENSA performances. 

He recounts the stories of the legendary theatrical landladies, “the guest house has two toilets, downstairs is for solids". And the ominous” put the lid back on the chamber pot after use as the steam rusts the bed springs”.

Dominic obviously loves variety as he performs the well known jokes of Max Miller, will you pick the white or blue book? Norman Evans as the old woman, which must have influenced Les Dawson’s Cissy and Aida. 

The play is peppered with old time songs, Mary from the Dairy, The Man Who broke the bank at Monte Carlo and Goodnight Sweetheart will have you swaying in your seat.

In amongst the fun and laughs, there is a tender story of a marriage gone wrong and the longing to meet a son he never knew.

This is a superbly nostalgic play of a time gone by, and totally unknown to anyone under the age of 60. However many of the great comedy talents do look back to these travelling minstrels for inspiration in their set. Even if the comics they are looking at came much later. 

Dominic is a great performer with a glint in his eye he slips in and out of the characters with a change of jacket, hat or wig. 

If I was to offer a suggestion, some entrance music of the period could be played. The audience came in to a quiet room and it was quite library-like. 

If the roots of Stand-up comedy are of interest to you, turn off the TV, buy a ticket to this show and be taken back to the 1920’s, when Jimmy James, Rob Wilton, Max Miller, Norman Evans, Gracie Fields, Dan Leno were the kings of comedy.