Wartime swingers
Readers of a certain age may recognise my picture - the saxophone section of the legendary Ivy Benson All Girls Band, who came to international fame during the Second World War.
I'm happy to pass on a plea to track down female band musicians from that era.
Producers of Alan Plater's award-winning play Blonde Bombshells of 1943, which comes to Royal & Derngate, Northampton, from Monday 26 to Saturday 31 January, are searching for women who may have been an original Blonde Bombshell.
The young cast would be delighted to meet an original band member, hear their stories and relive the nostalgia of a bygone era. For an opportunity to win some free tickets to the show and meet the cast afterwards, ex-wartime band members should send details of their story, with a photo of themselves from during their time in the band if possible, to Amanda Howson, Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road, Northampton NN1 1DP, or email amanda.howson@royalandderngate.co.uk, by 21 January.
Blonde Bombshells of 1943 is packed with live swing band performances of 1940s classics by Fats Waller, The Andrews Sisters and Glen Miller.
Written by Alan Plater, based on his award-winning TV film The Last of the Blonde Bombshells which starred Judi Dench and Ian Holm, the stage play features a live band of eight talented actor/musicians including Jane Milligan, daughter of the infamous Spike.
The Blonde Bombshells, the most glamorous all-girl swing band in the North, loses members every time it plays a GI camp. Now there's an important BBC job in the offing and Betty needs to find new musicians - fast. Among those drafted are naïve schoolgirl Liz, who plays a mean clarinet, Miranda, an upper-crust saxophonist, singing nun Lily - and Patrick, a male drummer prepared to don a frock in order to avoid a drafting.
With her motley line-up complete, Betty and her band prepare to dodge Hitler's bombs and make the dangerous journey to a secret BBC recording - and potential fame and fortune.
Featuring all time favourite songs of the era Blonde Bombshells of 1943 comes to Royal & Derngate from 26 to 30 January with matinees on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets from 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
For anyone who wants to know more about the original band, there's an online site and a Wikipedia entry.
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The young cast would be delighted to meet an original band member, hear their stories and relive the nostalgia of a bygone era. For an opportunity to win some free tickets to the show and meet the cast afterwards, ex-wartime band members should send details of their story, with a photo of themselves from during their time in the band if possible, to Amanda Howson, Royal & Derngate, Guildhall Road.
...................
neeo
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My Nan was in the Ivy Benson band. Her stage name was Edna Wayne.
I am an 88 year old man now retired & living in MALTA. During w.w.2 I was with the RAF,when in the north of England I compered a show at my RAF base the featured Ivy and her all girls band.
I was very impressed by the great top class professional standard the reached. In particular the girl on Precussion( Drums) she I believe also was a front of band Vocalist,I would dearly like to hear of anyone who has any detail of the Band and this great drummer.Singer.I think he name was "Kay"