Here's something I've been digging into. From 1936-49, the BBC aired a TV series called Variety.
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt0402567/
From what I've discovered, the entire series has been lost but I've had a look through the full cast list of over 300 acts/performers and some of them appear in the plethora of old, Pathe videos that we can see on YouTube.
Here's a fabulous comedy unicyclist called, Larry Kemble. He was born as Lawrence Nicol on December 13th, 1894 in Glasgow, Scotland. He died on December 1st, 1968 in Croydon, Surrey, England. You can read more about Larry here:
https://www-circus–parade-com.translate.goog/2017/04/09/nicol-martin-kemble-trois-familles-rire/?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp
Here's the Pathe video of Larry Kemble from 1940:
https://youtu.be/V_A9018j1n8
It's a very funny act and it was passed on and performed by his son, Allan Nicol, using the act's name of Allan Kemble & Christine. I've been chatting to Allan Nicol on Facebook Messenger and he shared with me some stories and these photos that were taken during his career. I've not been able to find any video footage of their act yet – it may exist! Allan said that regarding the article in Circus Parade: “I was in London at the time that the writer got in touch with me. I only gave him what I knew – dates etc. Harry And Larry started the Nicol and Martin act. Harry was an interpreter during the war as his German was perfect. Larry was in forces entertainment as he had lost the sight in one eye He got his first Royal Command in 1919 at the Little Theatre on Sloane Square, Chelsea and his second appearance was in 1928 at the Coliseum Theatre.” . “I had over 20 Christine’s!” “I performed at the Casino de Paris from 1976-1980, without a break Monday was our day off and even then, I would drive to Germany, do a TV special or film and be back for the show on Tuesday. I also doubled for a month at a time at the Eiffel Tower restaurant.” “I knew Johnny Hutch very well and in many ways he and the boys saved my life. I was working in Paris at the Bobino Theater. My last gag on the high bike was to ride directly at the audience and grab the proscenium at the very last moment. The theater had a very old stage and it was bumpy, and I missed the proscenium arch. I hit the balcony and fell backwards with my head hitting the pit enclosure that was made of concrete. The public laughed but Johnny and the boys rushed down and carried me to my dressing room. I was out for over half an hour and still have ringing in my ears! I worked with his old partner. a wonderful and original comic. In fact I went to visit him in Toulouse when I was there.” I'll be getting back in touch with Allan soon to see if he can remember any more stories that I can add to this article.
