1932 - London Palladium

Two who were to become dozens of Royal Variety Performances made their debut at this year’s show at the Palladium – Bud Flanagan and Chesney Allen – and it was from this show that sprang the origins of the Crazy Gang who were to be such favourites on these occasions for years to come. George Clarke and Madge Aubrey caused great amusement when they appeared on stage – in an Austin Seven car. There were plenty of other acts to savour, two acrobats Christopher and Columbus, David Arram’s Magyar Orchestra and Jack Hylton and his Band.

Afterwards, one commentator remarked, ‘Not for some years has Variety in England been able to face the future with which confidence and hopes high as now, and accordingly, the show proceeded with what seemed like even more than its usual buoyancy and spirit.’

And the King commented: ‘A wonderful Variety show and how well thought-out.’

Bud Flanagan made his mark in more than one way in this show when a spur-of-the-moment gesture because part of Royal Performance history.

‘Rehearsing the National Anthem,’ he recalled, ‘we were told to turn half left and face the Royal Box. After the Anthem was sung, I impulsively shouted “Hip-Hip” and the rest of the company of a hundred and fifty shouted “Hurrah” three times.’

This spontaneous outburst was so successful it was kept in the performance on the night and remained a tradition ever after.

However, the night itself was tinged with mild disappointment for Flanagan and Allen, again due to a what might have literally been termed a ‘time-honoured’ feature of ‘royal shows’. With the programme running over time, the two young comics were asked to trim their act and come off early. ‘Although it was a great disappointment for us to cut,’ admitted the deflated Flanagan, ‘we had appeared in our first royal show.’

Apparently George V had asked for the show to be finished before eleven o’clock, so for the extra police on duty that night on the way back to the Palace would not have to work overtime.