Big Red Book
Celebrating television's This Is Your Life
The theatre – a world of drama, comedy, passion, excitement and surprise – a world not so dissimilar to that of the This Is Your Life production office perhaps?
Here we look at the subjects more used to being backstage than onstage, from impresario to stage door keeper, whose hard work - which enables the show to go on - was rewarded with the Big Red Book* treatment...
Ben FULLER 13 November 1962 The stage door keeper of London's Windmill Theatre was surprised by Eamonn at his place of work! |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Ned SHERRIN 8 February 1995 The broadcaster, author and stage director was surprised by Michael at the BBC's Broadcasting House. |
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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. |
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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. |
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* the pre-1970 subjects were surprised by a different coloured book - see the Big Red Book feature for full details