Antique & Vintage Photographs

This is a silver gelatin photograph that is unmounted and is approximately 10 x 8 inches (254x203mm).

It shows comedian Arthur Askey with a group of chorus girls in costume, seen from a high angle looking down. They are at a dress rehearsal for the pantomime "Jack & the Beanstalk" at the London Palladium on 4th December 1969. Askey, wearing glasses and a bonnet, is in the centre of the group of smiling young women who are also wearing elaborate bonnets and costumes. The reverse has a typed press caption from Central Press Photos which reads: "Comedian Arthur Askey in 'Jack & the Beanstalk'. Comedian Arthur Askey, playing the part of Mrs. Giles will be with his girls, the delightful chorus girls, at a dress rehearsal for the pantomime tomorrow (Friday), which opens at the Palladium the day after that. Let's hope that Arthur has better luck this year. Last year's Christmas pantomime at the Palladium was also 'Jack & the Beanstalk'. A year he fell through the stage on Christmas last sustaining injuries to his ribs." Stamps on the back include one for Central Press Photos Ltd., Fleet Street, London, and another red stamp stating the photograph is the property of the Picture Library TV Times. A handwritten note reads: "Ent - Pantomimes - Jack & the Beanstalk".