Remember Me by Margaret Thornton Read Free Book Online Page A

but she was a little in awe of him and dubious about his droll sense of humour. She could never tell whether he was being serious or having her on. He was a very talented performer who could turn his hand to almost anything. He played the piano accordion, the mouth organ and the banjo; he could sing quite passably and dance a little; and he was also a ‘funny man’ with a good selection of amusing – rather lengthy – stories, which he related in his own peculiar style. His lugubrious expression would convince the audience he was being serious until, at the last minute, there would come the punchline, and they would shriek with laughter as his solemn face broke into a beaming smile.
    Frank was what might be called a jack of all trades, but far from being master of none he had a talent for most of the performing arts. This, indeed, was a requirement for anyone who joined Percy Morgan’s troupe, either in the summer as a Pierrot or out of season as a Melody Maker. They all needed to be versatile enough to take part in sketches, to act as a stooge to a comedian, or to join in a chorus line, singing or dancing. Percy Morgan himself was a good baritone singer as well as being able to act and to take part in comedy duos. But his chief function was to act as leader and to make sure that all was running smoothly amongst themembers of his little concert party. His wife, Letty, was a very able musician who could tackle the music for all kinds of songs and dance routines, and act in sketches as well, when required.
    Nancy Pritchard’s act was unique because she had the performing dogs, Daisy and Dolly, who danced, jumped through hoops and over obstacles, obeyed all her commands in a delightful manner, and endeared themselves to audiences with their friendly faces, wagging tails and immaculately white coats. It was obvious, too, that they were much loved. Nancy, it must be admitted, did little else but perform with her dogs and look after them, but her husband, Pete, was a good all-rounder. He sang a little, danced a little, was the chief comedian and played the male lead in the sketches; and during the summer at the Pierrot shows he acted as the ‘bottler’, collecting the money from the crowd. Pete and Nancy did not really need to earn money in this way; it was well known that they had ‘independent means’. They lived in York in a leafy suburb where they owned a comfortable detached house, left to them by Pete’s parents. So Nancy had told Maddy, but not in a boasting fashion; Nancy knew that they were very fortunate. Pete had been the only child of a successful solicitor. He had tried, but without a great deal of enthusiasm, to follow in his father’s footsteps. But his heart was not in it and so, eventually, he had left the business in a partner’s capable hands and concentrated on his first love,the stage. A decision with which Nancy had only been too pleased to concur.
    Barney and Benjy – Barnaby Dewhurst and Benjamin Carstairs; now they were an unusual couple and no mistake! Maddy had been puzzled at Susannah’s remarks about them and the reason why neither of them had married. Come to think of it, she hadn’t stated a reason except that they were wedded to their art. They were certainly brilliant in their tap-dancing routines, their feet, clad in shiny patent leather, flashing to and fro like quicksilver; their equally flashing smiles which delighted the audiences revealing gleaming pearly white teeth. Benjy was blonde-haired and fresh-faced, a perfect complement to Barney, whose hair was dark and sleek and who had a leaner look about him. Admittedly they, too, did little else besides dance. They might, occasionally, be coerced into taking part in a sketch or a chorus line, and always, of course, in the final scene when all the troupe appeared on the stage; but it was their song and dance routines that were a favourite with the audiences, especially with the ladies.
    Carlo – his real name was Charles – and