W.F. Frame Tells His Own Story

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

87–90

text excerpt

My pantomime “success” had reached Edinburgh, and I was secured for the Royal Theatre there to take the role of the principal comedian on the following Christmas, 1892. “Alladin” was the pantomime, and I played “Uncle Abanazar.” This was a new role for me, as I had never acted the villain before.

 […]

On the opening night everybody and anybody that was somebody, as the saying goes, was there, and when the curtain went up on the first scene, the house was jubilant. When I entered as Abanazar, it was not intended by the manager that I should have a reception at that part of the programme, as the scene was a dark one.

But my east country admirers were in waiting, and the ovation they accorded me was so unexpected to the players that they stared in amazement. They had evidently no idea of my popularity. The performance was stopped for a little until I had acknowledged the call. Such a rousing welcome was very flattering indeed.

[…]

My big scene was in the market place, where I assumed the character of a “Cheap Jack.” There I gave the song of the pantomime, the chorus running thus:―

“Hi! hi! hi! come awa’, come awa’,
I’ve got the greatest bargains you ever, never saw;
From a needle to an anchor, I’m willing to supply,
So come and get your money ready. hi! hi! hi!”

My old comrade, H. C. Arnold, now proprietor of the Lyric Theatre, Liverpool, played “Widow Twankey,” and we scored high together.

excerpt from 'W.F. Frame Tells His Own Story' pp. 87–90 (254 words)

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