Title:
Interview with Harold Whiteley
Level: Category
Sound Archive
Level: Fonds
TED HALEY RECORDINGS
Scope and Content:
Title: Harold Whiteley - Life of a Clown
Speaker(s): Whiteley, Harold A,; Haley, Edward
Date of recording: 16/4/81
Length of tape: 88 mins
Depositor Haley, Edward
Restrictions: Copyright E. Haley
Synopsis of tape: Harold Alexander Whiteley, Clown (professional name Rainbow), born Brixton 1903; learning to be a clown; anecdotes about attending many different schools; family history, some details of income; description of Harlequinade and origin of Clowning; extent of travelling and involvement of English families in European Circuses; system of booking; learning music as an insurance for old age; description of his day as an 8 year old, daily performances, travelling on a Sunday; story of older brother who became a music teacher; costumes; father's memoirs, mother's memories; (side 2) female clowns; stories about digs and landladies; performing in music halls during winter season; different types of audiences; stories about travelling - 'Theatrical Specials', Music Hall Artists Railway Association; arrangements to deal with illness, hot baths, Actors Church Union; many references to lack of education, value of travelling and advantage of being a dumb act.Sound recording
Dates of Creation:
1981
Custodial History:
Ted Haley Accession Number A0081

Key terms

TypeKey termsDescription
Subjects Circuses Harold Whiteley - Life of a Clown, 1981
Subjects Entertainment Harold Whiteley - Life of a Clown, 1981
Document Types Sound recording Harold Whiteley - Life of a Clown, 1981