Waldini Gypsy Orchestra in Germany

In early January 1946, Mabel entered Germany as part of the ENSA-organised Waldini and his Gypsy Band tour.  Waldini later that year wrote his own account of this tour in a self-published book “Front-Line Theatre”, but this brief information is from Mabel’s Memoir, written when she was about 85: ‘What first impressed me about Germany

Ivy Benson, Part 2 and Blanche Coleman

The Ivy Benson band stayed in Bristol broadcasting almost daily for some months, and then returned to London.  They continued to work for the BBC, and also to record with His Master’s Voice, and to appear in concerts, along with other bands such as The Squadronaires.  The official title of this group was the Royal

Teddy Joyce, Part 3

Reality and fantasy Mabel recorded that Teddy used to take the four section leaders of ‘The Girl Friends’ on trips. “For publicity purposes he, together with his very debonair manager, would take us on various outings, ranging from a farm – such fun there – a visit to a battleship, theatres, a night club…  He

Teddy Joyce, Part 2

One of the costume designs for Teddy Joyce’s The Girl Friends was for a white blouse with a huge raised colour, and black satin trousers. This was actually a female version of the traditional black evening suit and white dress shirt the male bands of the time were wearing, and echoed the dress suit Teddy

Teddy Joyce, Bandleader, (1904?-1941)

Teddy Joyce, (Edmund John Cuthbertson), was born in Canada, and originally trained as a violinist.  However, an accident to his hand prevented him pursuing this as a career, although, according to Mabel, he continued to play.  She commented that he always made a joke of it, so perhaps he felt that his technique was not