Backstage Life
This Is Your Life Backstage Life feature
Ben Fuller This Is Your Life Ben Fuller This Is Your Life Ben FULLER

13 November 1962

The stage door keeper of London's Windmill Theatre was surprised by Eamonn at his place of work!
The Windmill was a variety and revue theatre located in Great Windmill Street - famous for its nude tableaux vivants - where many prominent British comedians and comedy acts of the 1950s and 1960s started their careers.

     
     
Ralph Reader This Is Your Life Ralph Reader This Is Your Life Ralph READER

21 November 1963

Ralph - best known for staging the original Gang Show, a variety entertainment presented by members of the Scouting movement - was surprised by Eamonn outside the BBC Television Theatre.
Among those on the guest list are comedian Dick Emery and the widow of the Chief Scout, Lady Baden-Powell.

     
     
Ray Cooney This Is Your Life Ray Cooney This Is Your Life Ray COONEY

15 January 1975

Eamonn surprised the actor and playwright - famous for his West End farces, such as Not Now Darling - in the bar of London's Savoy Hotel.
Paying tribute to Ray - who at that time had seven different productions playing in London's West End - are his fellow farcer Brian Rix and celebrated actress Anna Neagle.

     
     
Michael Croft This Is Your Life Michael Croft This Is Your Life Michael CROFT

15 February 1978

The actor, writer and former schoolteacher who founded the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain was surprised by Eamonn outside the Shaw Theatre on London's Euston Road.
Michael's tribute includes messages from actors Ralph Richardson and Albert Finney, and concludes with a gathering of some of his students.

     
     
Wendy Toye This Is Your Life Wendy Toye This Is Your Life Wendy TOYE

29 January 1992

The dancer, stage and film director and actress was surprised by Michael onstage at the Wimbledon Theatre following a performance of her production of The Sound Of Music.
Wendy is greeted by, among others, singer Cleo Laine and former ballet dancer Dame Alicia Markova.

     
     
Peter Saunders This Is Your Life Peter Saunders This Is Your Life Peter SAUNDERS

25 November 1992

The theatre impresario, notable for his production of the long-running Agatha Christie murder mystery, The Mousetrap, was surprised by Michael on stage at London's St Martin's Theatre, on the occasion of the play's 40th anniversary.
Among the show's guests are actors Richard Attenborough and Moira Lister.

     
     
Bill Kenwright This Is Your Life Bill Kenwright This Is Your Life Bill KENWRIGHT

23 February 1994

One of the UK's most successful theatre producers, Bill was surprised by Michael at Everton FC's Goodison Park, where he is Chairman.
Perhaps his biggest success is the musical Blood Brothers, and Bill's guests include the show's writer, Willy Russell, and two actresses who have played the lead role, Kiki Dee and Petula Clark.

     
     
Ned Sherrin This Is Your Life Ned Sherrin This Is Your Life Ned SHERRIN

8 February 1995

The broadcaster, author and stage director was surprised by Michael at the BBC's Broadcasting House.
Ned produced and directed numerous theatre productions in London's West End, including Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell and the landmark musical Side By Side By Sondheim. Ned's final guest is American composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim.

     
     
Mary Ward This Is Your Life Mary Ward This Is Your Life Mary WARD

29 December 1997

The co-founder of Chickenshed - an inclusive theatre company in north London, open to everyone of all ages, backgrounds and abilities - was surprised by Michael at the company's venue, where the show was then recorded. Mary's tribute includes guests Bob Hoskins and Trevor Nunn, and a performance from some of the theatre's students.

     
     
Sylvia Young This Is Your Life Sylvia Young This Is Your Life Sylvia YOUNG

21 December 1998

The founder and principal of the theatre school that bears her name was surprised by Michael during an prize giving ceremony at the school's Marylebone premises in London.
Many of her former pupils are among the guests including Spice Girl Emma Bunton and singers and actresses Billie Piper and Samantha Janus.

     

* the pre-1970 subjects were surprised by a different coloured book - see the Big Red Book feature for full details