Last Member Of Dad’s Army Hasdied

[carolegif]

Ian Lavender has died aged 77.  No age these days.  I still watch and laugh at Dad's Army.  Usually on some channel.

[jourdain2]

I'm saddened, not very old.  R.I.P.  'Dad's Army' is still better than most comedies.

[Canary42]

R I P Ian, and thanks for all the laughs.

[andy-hughes]

// Arnold Ridley was always cast as a doddering old fool. //

Mr Ridley also wrote the play 'The Ghost Train' which was first performed in the early 1920's.

It is so popular, that some stats record it as the most-performed theatre play after Macbeth.

Oh, and while we're here - the reason why Macbeth is referred to in theatrical circles as 'The Scottish Play' is down to theatrical superstition, of which there are many.

In Rep, if the play was performing badly, it was a common fall-back for the producers to cancel, and substitute a run of Macbeth until the end of the season, because it was guarenteed to bring customers back to the theatre.

It was decided therefore, that to say the word 'Macbeth' inside the theatre, would jinx the current production, causing it to fail, and Shakespeare's famous tragedy to be wheeled out instead.

Therefore speaking the word 'Macbeth' is seriously frowned on, and if necessary, must only be referred to as 'The Scottish Play' to avoid any unpleasant consequences for the cast.

[Canary42]

How pompous - derailing the thread to show off some idle knowledge.

 

R I P Ian Lavender

[david small]

Thanks for the information AH.

[andy-hughes]

Canary - You can't 'derail' a thread, only post on it.

Please feel free to ignore this, or any other post I offer on any thread, ever, in perpetuity, for ever and ever, amen.

David - You're welcome. 

[New Judge]

"How pompous - derailing the thread to show off some idle knowledge."

Why is it pompous? It's called having a discussion. It's how information and gossip gets shared around.

Thanks for the info re "The Scottish Play", Andy. I knew of its soubriquet, of course, but not of its origin. This is surprising because, although I often cannot recall what I had for dinner yesterday, I have quite a deep mine of "useless" information which has been accumulating and stored for many, many years. Another fact added to it means that something useful (like where I put the key to the shed yesterday) will have to  go.🤣

 

[youngmafbog]

Didnt an episode of Black adder allude to that AH?

[andy-hughes]

Thanks for your support NJ - always valuable from an intelligent and informed AB'er.

I quoted the Ghost Train fact because of the mention of Mr Ridley, and that led to the Macbeth connection.

As you point out, that is exactly how discussion develops on any and all threads, one thing leads to another.

And just to be sure I am not re-accused of 'derailing' - chortle - let me register my sadness at the passing of Mr Lavender, who, by all accounts, was a nice man.

[davebro3]

Despite his much-vaunted erudition I think A-H's explanation of the Macbeth superstition is not the whole story. There have been many tragic events associated with productions of Macbeth over the years and the play itself has copious references to the supernatural.......

[andy-hughes]

YMB - Not sure, I haven't watched all the Blackadders.

[andy-hughes]

Dave - I am unsure who is supposed to have 'vaunted' my erudition, 'much' or otherwise, it certainly wasn't myself.

As for the 'tragedies' around the performance of Macbeth, I would suggest that if a play is performed more than any other, then logistics must mean that more 'events' happen around it, and theatrical superstition will do the rest.

[davebro3]

Suggest what you like it doesn't alter the fact that theatre peoples' superstion doesn't stem solely for the reason you put forward.

[naomi24]

According to a list drawn up by Shakespearian.com, A Midsummer Night's Dream is the most performed play. followed by Romeo & Juliet  - Macbeth coming in seventh.

[naomi24]

Back to Ian Lavender, he performed on stage in a production of Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice.

[andy-hughes]

Dave - Like you, I have simply posted a random piece of information. I have never suggested that my information trumps yours, or I am right and you are wrong.

I may be entirely incorrect, Naomi's post suggests that I am.

Whatever, it was just an observation from the back of the mind, certainly nothing worth falling out about.

[Atheist]

I think that Ron Glum was Dick Bentley.

[naomi24]

Atheist, Ian Lavender played the part in the television series.

[davebro3]

Ian Lavender played Ron in the TV adapation of the radio show.

[naomi24]

One of the funniest things I've ever heard came from the Glums - and I've never forgotten it.  Ron had 'I love Sue' tattooed on his arm.  Thinking he had another girlfriend, Eth went into twittering panic mode - until the explanation came out.  He'd intended to have 'I love Suet Pudding' tattooed but it hurt too much so he stopped before the tattoo was complete.  They don’t make 'em like that any more.   :o))))