Childhood: an autobiography of a boy from 1889-1906

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

48

text excerpt

[Edward Stewart-Humphries and his mother relocated from Cornwall to London in 1903. Stewart-Humphries worked as a page boy and other similar roles at hotels and private clubs over three years, visiting London Music Halls on a weekly basis] 

For my part I was more interested in the unusual such as that provided by Harry Lauder at the old Canterbury Music Hall, who, on finishing his “Stop Your Tickling Jock” paused for the applause to end and then stalked solemnly to the footlights with the silence broken only by his crooked stick as it struck the stage floor, then, after a further pause, he addressed the audience in his broad Scots accent:

“Did ye ken folk that I’ve got a bonny Hieland Lassie?”  This sudden switch of tempo surprised me and momentarily hushed the audience, but Cockney wit and Harry Lauder’s self-assured, droll Scottish repartee ensured its success. I left the Hall marvelling at the great man’s audacity and self-confidence. 

excerpt from 'Childhood: an autobiography of a boy from 1889-1906' pp. 48 (161 words)

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