Title:
Cliffs Pavilion "Showtime": Programme 3
Level: Category
Sound Archive
Level: Fonds
CLIFFS PAVILION
Level: Series
"Showtime" 1968 recordings
Scope and Content:
Track 1 (on the original reel)
[Part 1:] National anthem [part, instrumental]; [00:28:] introductory instrumental music; [01:45:] "Pavilion Showtime" song and instrumental piece; [05:00:] show business song medley [with interruption to recording], with introduction of Derek Dene, compere (6 minutes 28 seconds).
[Part 2:] Derek Dene singing "Put On A Happy Face", interspersed with chatting with the audience and telling jokes; another piece by Derek Dene chatting with audience (6 minutes 6 seconds).
[Part 3:] John Tiller Girls dancing (2 minutes 16 seconds).
[Part 4:] Song "I'm Gonna Live 'Till I Die"; comic interlude with Dene telling jokes; end of "I'm Gonna Live" (8 minutes 13 seconds).
[Part 5:] Comedy sketch about drunk friends trying to get home after a party (7 minutes 45 seconds).
[Part 6:] Musical medley including songs "Day-O", "Bali Ha'i", and "That Old Black Magic" (9 minutes).
[Part 7:] Comedy sketch about contestant auditioning for amateur talent contest (12 minutes 42 seconds).
[Part 8:] Songs ["Priscilla Sue"?] and "Who Can I Turn To?" (8 minutes 48 seconds).
[Part 9:] Musical medleys "Li'l Ole New York" including songs "The Fountain In The Park", "In The Good Old Summertime", "Let Me Call You Sweetheart", "Take Me Down To Coney Island", "You're The Cream In My Coffee", "Lulu's Back In Town", "Thoroughly Modern Millie", and "42nd Street" (15 minutes 19 seconds).

Track 2 (on the original reel)
[Part 1:] Instrumental introduction; "Pavilion Showtime" song; song medley "Circus" with dancing, song "Be A Clown" (6 minutes 49 seconds).
[Part 2:] Comedy sketch in a doctor's surgery (6 minutes 11 seconds).
[Part 3:] Accordionist Pearl Fawcett performing, including tune "Londonderry" and personal arrangement of selection of music from opera "Carmen" (9 minutes 42 seconds).
[Part 4:] Comedy sketch set in a photographer's studio about taking photographs for a wedding party (10 minutes 8 seconds).
Part 5 [32:52:] Song medley including "Carnaby Street" [in copyright]; percussion sections; instrumental version of "A Hard Day's Night".
Part 6 [38:55:] Comic interlude with Derek Dene telling jokes, including reflections on changing musical tastes, audience suggestions for suitable songs for a honeymoon couple; comedy performances of "Knees Up, Mother Brown" [traditional].
Part 7 [51:55:] End music including "Pavilion Showtime" song, with audience applause; closing comments by Dene.
Dates of Creation:
1968
Extent:
2 hours 14 minutes 1 second
Creator Name:
Herbert J. Pointer
Admin History:
Cliffs Pavilion was originally built and managed by Southend Borough Council. It first opened in 1964. It is now managed by HQ Theatres and Hospitality.

The Entertainments Department ran their first summer variety show, known as "Pavilion Showtime", in 1967. After a successful season, the Council agreed to run a similar event the following year, when these recordings were made. The show returned for a third year in 1969.

The 1968 show was produced by Stanley Willis-Croft, then living in London. He was an active member of the Association of Touring and Producing Managers, and had been in show business since the 1930s. His death on 8 March 1969 might be one of the reasons why the show was not repeated after this year.

The compere for 1968 was Derek Dene. The John Tiller Girls performed dancing routines; Louis Mordish conducted the orchestra; and the choreography was by Tommy Shaw. Additional performers included Brian Edwards, Johnny Pace, Peter Vernon, Betty Emery, Mavis Lane, Ben Steel, the accordianist Pearl Fawcett, Bill Binks, Bill Palmerly, and Jan Peters.
Archivist Note:
SJM August 2016
Custodial History:
These reels were recorded by the Entertainments Manager at the Cliffs Pavilion, Mr Herbert J. Pointer. Although he was employed by Southend Borough Council, they were possibly recorded for his own personal use. It is unknown why he recorded these performances in particular, and whether he recorded any others that have not survived.
Copyright:
Copyright of recorder transferred to ESVA; additional copyright holders in material.
Physical Characteristics:
Audio CD (digitised from open reel tape)
Related Unit of Description:
See D/BC 1/11 for records of the Southend-on-Sea Borough Council Entertainments Department, including planning and publicity for the summer entertainment.

Key terms

TypeKey termsDescription
Subjects Comedy Cliffs Pavilion Showtime entertainment 1968
Subjects John Tiller Girls Cliffs Pavilion "Showtime": Programme 3
Subjects Musicals Cliffs Pavilion Showtime entertainment 1968
Personal Names Derek
Dene 		Cliffs Pavilion "Showtime": Programme 3
Personal Names Sidney
Willis-Croft 		Cliffs Pavilion "Showtime": Programme 3
Place Names Station Road
Cliffs Pavilion
Westcliff-on-Sea 		Cliffs Pavilion Showtime entertainment 1968
Document Types Sound recording Cliffs Pavilion Showtime entertainment 1968