Arthur English (British, 1919-1995)  Between shows, 1989  ...

Estimate

£200 - £300

Arthur English (British, 1919-1995) 
Between shows, 1989 
Oil on canvas
Notation plaque on reverse sized by the artist - Arthur English - Small hats, Over sized boots, Baggy check trousers, Shack headed wigs and Red Noses are the Trade marks of Auguste Clowns. Here we see an Auguste Clown at the Clyde Beatty, and Cole Brothers Circus, of America, resting in his tent. I painted this picture in August 1989, and call it; "BETWEEN SHOWS"
Signed on painting lower right
Framed
34cm x 44 cm (13.5" x 17.5")

One of Britain's great variety comedians Arthur English was known as 'The Prince of the Wide Boys', a cockney 'spiv' character outrageously dressed on stage and wearing a huge kipper tie.

Born in Aldershot, Hants English started his career at an early age appearing in amateur shows but did not become a professional performer until he was 30. He served in the Army during World War Two and after being demobbed worked as a painter and decorator.

In 1949 he auditioned at the famous Windmill Theatre in London and he was put under contract for several seasons as a principal comic. His catchphrases became legendary: "They're laughin' at me Mum", "Sharpen up there, the quick stuff's coming" and his famous exit line "Play the music - open the cage!".

On radio he starred in BBC's Variety Bandbox alongside comics such as Reg Dixon and Mrs Shufflewick (Rex Jameson) and he also appeared in numerous summer shows, pantomimes and clubs throughout the UK.

English turned to straight acting in the early 1970s both on stage, screen and on television. He starred in a variety of comic cockney parts on television in the Comedy Playhouse series and Hugh and I (1962). In 1987 he joined fellow veterans Irene Handl and Charlie Chester in Never Say Die (1987), a comedy series set in an old people's home. His greatest success on tv was as the janitor Mr. Harman in the cult series Are You Being Served? (1972).

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