Portsmouth Music Scene


The Portsmouth Music Scene
1951


melody maker 1951
The front page of the Melody Maker, but no mention of the friction in the Eveing News.
January 1st Teddy Hank's Band play at St Michael’s Church Hall, Paulsgrove.
January 2nd At the Embassy Ballroom, Roy Richards Mayfair Music plays for dancing.
January 3rd Jimmy Harris and his Orchestra play at Kimbells, Osborne Road.
January 5th Sid Phillips and his Jazz Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Teddy Hank's Band play at the Forrester's Hall Fratton Road.
January 6th Saturday, Johnny Lyne and his Music play at the South Parade Pier, where Wally Fry and his Collegians are again in residency.
Benny Freedman's Orchestra again this year, resident at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 8th At the Theatre Royal, Let yourself go, with Vic Oliver.
Dancing to Kay O'Dee Quartet, at Drayton Institute, in aid of the PDSA.
January 9th Ad in the Evening News, new and improved HMV television at the Hampshire Rose, Purbrook.
Leonard Leslie's Old Time Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom North End each week.
January 10th Son of Florence Greaves, the Portsmouth singer(in private life, Mrs. Primmer)Mr. Brian Primmer makes his concert debut as a pianist at Portsmouth High School for Girls, The St Cecelia Singers add to the vocal side of the program.
Richard Burgman, the world's singles table tennis champion is giving an exhibition at the Theatre Royal this week.
Mr. Frank Hurlock gives a talk at the RDS Jazz Club, entitled Hurlocks Dixieland Jazz band. A fictitious story about the progress of a jazz group, illustrated with recordings of New Orleans and Chicago jazzmen.
At the Cosham Civic Centre, The Merry Mascots perform Babes in the Wood.
January 12th Harry Roy and his Famous Dance Orchestra, with Johnny Green, Eve Lombard, Maurice Sterndale, The Royalists, and the Leicester Square Raggers, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Mr. E Voke gives a recital on record at the RDS Jazz Club.
The Teddy Hanks Band play at the Forrester’s Hall Fratton Road.
January 13th Saturday, Alf Gee and his Music have their Grand Farewell night at the Empress Ballroom.
Leonard Leslie's Trio play at the Waterloo Hall, Waterlooville.
Bill Cole is elected President, Ted Piggott secretary, and Frank Hurlock treasurer, at the inaugural meeting of the Portsmouth Progressive Music Club.
January 19th Eric Winstone and his Orchestra, plus the Hedley Ward Trio, play at the South Parade Pier.
Humphrey Lyttleton and his Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Mr. F H Hurlock, the retiring President of the Portsmouth Jazz Club, is made life Vice President. New president is Mr. J H Galpin, Secretary Mr. L M Dury, Treasurer Mr. E H Wenham.
January 20th Saturday, Johnny Lyne and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
Music for the Empire cancer Campaigns Dance at Lee Tower was provided by Billy Norman.
St Phillips Boys Club at Cosham give a Concert, one name appearing was M L Trevaskis, could this be Merrick Trevaskis?
January 21st Portsmouth Labour Party Club open at the Unity Hall St John's Road Fratton.
January 22nd At the Theatre Royal, Leslie Sarony and Macari with Dutch Serenaders appear.
January 23rd Embassy Ballroom band leader Roy Richards advertises for a girl singer in the Evening News.
January 25th Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
January 26th At a Ball held in 'Southsea' of the Hants and Dorset branch of the Electrical Industries Benevolent Association, music and entertainment was provided by Sim Grossman's band and cabaret from Bert Wright and Zena, the agile ancient and his girlfriend, also local boy whistler Bobby Collins.
January 27th Saturday, At the Embassy, Roy Richards new girl singer is announced.
At the Conservative Hall Fratton Road, music from Bert Harman and his Band.
January 29th At the Theatre Royal, Elsie and Doris Waters, Jimmy Jams and Peter Cavanagh.
At the Portsmouth No 2 British Legion club 1st dinner and dance, the MC for dancing was Mr. Renouf and the music was supplied by Mrs. E Leale of Copnor.
January 30th At the Club Dixie meeting at the Old Counrtyman in Thomas street, there was a talk by Mr. D Toms about a survey of English jazz.
January 31st The Portsmouth Police Choir present "a program of Music" at the Wesley Central Hall.
February 1st Alf Hallman and his Band play at the Empress Ballroom for the National Association of Nursery Nurses Grand Dance.
February 2nd At the South Parade Pier, The Famous Dutch Ramblers play for dancing.
Oscar Rabin and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
At the Empress Ballroom, a cabaret floor show is given by local girl Sylvia Gusman.
Bert Harman and his Band play at the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road.
At the Drayton Institute, Key O'Dee and her Players provide music for dancing, with MC Mrs. Pocklington, in aid of Dr Barnardos Homes.
February 4th Long playing record recital at the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road, with music of Tchaikovsky and Beethoven.
February 6th Margaret Lockwood appears in Peter Pan at the Kings Theatre.
At the Theatre Royal, Sam Costa plus Sid Millward and his Nitwits.
At the Empire Theatre, Girls, Glamour and Gags, with Sandy Powell.
February 8th At the Embassy, a meet the services Ball, with a floor show from local girl Sylvia Gusman.
February 9th Freddy Randall and his band appear at the Savoy Ballroom.
Ivy Benson and her all girl Orchestra, incorporating The Rumbaleros, play at the South Parade Pier.
A men’s knobbly knee contest and the Teddy Hanks Hot Club De Forrester’s Band, at the Forrester’s Hall.
The Kay O'Dee String Quartet play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
February 12th Variety at the Theatre Royal with Geogie Wood, Monte Rey, Eddie Gray and Kay Cavendish.
Charlie's Aunt at the Kings Theatre with Leslie Phillips as the aunt.
A concert at the Dockyard Club, a variety entertainment included master Graham Hunt who performed on the drums.
February 13th Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
At the Empress Ballroom, Leonard Leslie's Old Time Orchestra play for dancing.
February 16th Joe Loss and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
At the South Parade Pier, Tito Burns and his Sextet with Terry Devon, plus Cab Kaye and his Cabinettes play for dancing.
Kay O'Dee and her Players play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
February 17th Saturday, At a charity dance at St Mary's Institute, the MC was Pompey centre forward Ike Clarke.
Alf Gee and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier with Wally Fry and his Collegians.
The Portsmouth Arts Recorder Group lead by Mr. T Drage, give a performance including the music of Handel and Haydn at the Milton Music Society meeting.
February 18th The first of the municipal concerts at the Kings Theatre, Elizabeth Schwarzkopf sings with the Southern Philharmonic Orchestra.
February 19th John Laurie and John Gregson appear in Macadam and Eve at the Kings Theatre.
Dorothy Squires and Saveen with Daisy May appear at the Theatre Royal.
The Merry Mascots in panto 'Babes in the wood' is staged at St Mary's Institute.
February 20th Leonard Leslie's Old Time Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
February 21st Member at the Club Dixie meeting elect Humphrey Lyttleton as their President.
At the Victory Hall Fratton Road, Doris Westaway’s Band play for an old time dance.
February 22nd For the British Railways Staff Masked Ball at the South Parade Pier, Leonard Leslie's Band provide music for old time, and Billy Bennett's Band provide the modern.
Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
February 23rd At the Savoy Ballroom, Harry Gold and his Piece of Eight play for dancing.
Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play for dancing on the South Parade Pier.
Reg Bannistra and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 2nd The Squadronaires play at the South Parade Pier.
Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
At the Drill Hall, Haslar, Vic Walker's Band play for dancing.
Billy Bennett’s Band play at the Trinity Church House, Fareham.
The Airspeed Singers, conducted by Mirian Duncan, give a concert at London Road Baptist Church, Portsmouth.
March 3rd Saturday, Kay O'Dee and her Players play at Drayton institute for a PDSA old time dance.
March 6th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 7th The Milton Glee Club give a concert at the Wesley Central Hall for the Portsmouth Voluntary Association for the Blind.
March 9th Ray Ellington and his Quartet play at the South Parade Pier.
Billy Ternent and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Kay O'Dee and her Players play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
Bill Cole and his Clubmen play at the Forrester's hall Fratton Road.
March 12th At the Kings Theatre, Hubert Gregg in 'The Hollow'.
At the Theatre Royal, Harry Secombe in Radio's 1951 Star Parade.
Max Miller appears at the Empire Theatre.
March 13th Leonard Leslie's Band play at the Empress Ballroom.
March 14th Reg Bannistra and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
Doris Westaway and her band play at the Victory Hall Fratton Road.
march 15th The Portsmouth Glee Club celebrates it's 21st Birthday.
The Portsmouth Military Band have been in existence for two years.
March 16th Geraldo and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Teddy Hanks Band play at the Forrester's Hall Fratton Road.
March 17th Saturday, At the Wesley Central Hall a concert of Teenage Talent, featuring Colin Courtney(Clarinet) and the Portsmouth Young People's String Orchestra.
March 19th At the Kings Theatre, Jean Kent in 'Frou Frou' and at the Theatre Royal, slap stick comedy with 'Crazy Capers' and the Empire 'Evening Nudes'.
The Portsmouth Orpheus Singers give a concert at Bridgemary in aid of the Methodist Church.
Norman Loades and his DECSA Boys provide the music for a dancing at the Dockyard Establishments Central Sports Association dance in Southsea. Max Wall was MC for a time.
All this week, trumpeter Kenny Baker and his band play at the South Parade Pier.
March 22nd The Portsmouth Choral Union perform Handel's Messiah, their 57th annual performance, at the Portsmouth Northern Grammar School.
Nat Allen and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 23rd Good Friday. At the Forum Gosport, the Gosport Orchestra, The Portsmouth Police Choir and the Cranleigh Ladies Choir are in concert.
The Creation was performed by the Portsmouth Glee Club at London Road Baptist Church.
March 24th Saturday, Gordon Banner plays the Wonder Hammond Organ in the South Parade Pier Cafe.
Kenny Baker and his Band play South Parade Pier.
March 26th Easter Monday Cab Kaye and his Cabinets play on South Parade Pier.
also Teddy Hanks Band play St Michael's Church Hall Paulsgrove.
At the Kings Theatre, W Somerset Maughan's Home and Beauty, with Brenda Bruce.
At the Theatre Royal, the all laughter holiday show, Bless 'em all, with Wilson Kepple and Betty.
At the Empire Theatre, Down Lambeth Way with Lauri Lupino Lane.
Dick Whichello and his Band play at St Faith's Church hall Havant.
March 29th The Crane River Boys, Britain's newest jazz sensation, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
After a demonstration of novelty sequence "Tea for two" Charleston Dance by Mr. G B Turner and Miss Ivy Hadley at the Savoy Ballroom, a mixed Charleston competition was held.
March 30th For their Ladies Night, Kay O'Dee and her Players play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
The Variety Dance Band play at the Drill Hall Haslar.
March 31st Saturday, George Evans and his Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
April 3rd At the Kings Theatre Who on earth, the first stage play ever written about a flying saucer.
At the Theatre Royal, The Five Smith Brothers entertain.
At the Empire Theatre, Tommy Godfrey, Barry Lupino and Leo Franklyn in, Festival of Eve.
April 4th Music from Dicky Bird's Band at the British Legion Hall Emsworth.
April 6th Ted Heath and his Music play the Savoy Ballroom.
Teddy Hank's Band play at the Forrester’s Hall Fratton Road for a special teenagers dance.
The Lord Mayor's ball was held at the South Parade Pier with music from the Collegians Dance Orchestra, with a cabaret by the Five Smith Brothers.
April 7th Saturday, Dancing to Jimmy Greer's Band at the British Legion Hall Emsworth.
At a Sisterhood Meeting in the Ebeneza Hall Twyford Avenue, Mrs Powe sang solos accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Tibbles.
April 9th Portsmouth singer Reg Wassell, gives a talk entitled Music in the home for the Workers Educational Association at Cosham Park House.
At the Theatre Royal, Highlights of Radio, with Lester Ferguson, Max Wall and Semprini.
April 12th Harry Davidson and his BBC Broadcasting Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Billy Bennett's band and Leonard Leslie's Band play on South Parade Pier for the British Railways Staff Carnival Ball.
April 13th Humphrey Lyttleton and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Jan Ralfini and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier, plus Reg Bannistra and his Orchestra and Wally Fry and his Collegians.
Kay O'Dee Quartet play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
April 14th Saturday, Ted Nash and his Dance Band play the British Legion Hall Emsworth.
Dick Whichello and his Band play at St Faith's Church Hall Havant.
April 15th Cyril Rice and the Gosport and Fareham Accordion band entertain at the RAFA Club Cosham.
April 16th At the Theatre Royal, Webster Booth and Anne Ziegler entertain.
At the Empire Theatre, a revue entitled 'Let's go gay'.
Kay O'Dee Quartet play at the Forrester's Hall Fratton Road.
The Atom Rays Variety Show visit St James Hospital to entertain the patients. Those involved were the Rays Trio, Ted, George and John, Joan Garratt, Jack Edwards, Anne Ransom, Roy Seed, Eileen, Paul Ashton, Rene Fuller, Olive Cooper. Compared and produced by Glen Shelvington.
The Lyric Quintet, Jean Casey, Marie Scholley, Connie Goble, Keith Casey and Alfred Corbett, sing to the Portsmouth Music Club.
April 18th Jimmy Greer and his Dance band play at the British Legion Hall Emsworth.
April 20th Oscar Rabin and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Ray Ellington and his Quartette play at the South Parade Pier.
April 21st Saturday, The Portsmouth Glee Club present a concert with Max Jaffa, Reginald Kilbey, Jack Byfield and Helen Hill, plus full chorus, at the Wesley Central Hall Fratton Road.
Dick Whichello's Orchestra play at Rowlands Castle church Hall.
Ted Nash and his Commanders play at Emsworth British Legion Hall.
April 22nd The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, conductor Major F Vivian Dunn, give a concert at the Theatre Royal.
April 23rd At the Theatre Royal Peter Brough and Archie Andrews appear as Educating Archie.
At the Empire Theatre, Strike a nude note.
The Portsmouth Players present their Silver Jubilee production of The Vagabond King, on South Parade Pier.
April 27th Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Lew Stone and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier.
April 30th At the Theatre Royal, Big Hearted Arthur Askey and his 'big' company.
May 2nd Gordon Banner and his £3,000 wonder Hammond Organ playing on South Parade Pier, stage a series of talent contests, at almost the same time as the Savoy run theirs.
Dick Whichello's Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
The Portsmouth Musical Festival takes place at the Buckland Congregational Church. The Bullin Cup was won by Mr. Stanley Matthews and his wife Rosalind in the Duet class. He was previously pianist at the Wellington Hall, Southsea.
May 4th Nat Temple and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 5th Saturday, Leonard Leslie's Band play at St Faith's Church Hall, Havant.
At the Unity Hall, the Merry Mascots present a variety show.
May 6th Gosport Municipal Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
May 7th At the Kings Theatre Joyce Grenfell, June Whitfield and Elizabeth Welch perform in Penny Plain.
At The Empire Theatre, the Famous All Coloured Revue, Harlem comes to town.
At the Theatre Royal, Tom Arnold's Festival on Ice, is presented.
May 10th Ronnie Hancox and his Band play at the Embassy Ballroom.
The Jimmy James Band play at Lee Tower Ballroom, in aid of the HMS Affray fund.
May 11th Johnny Dankworth and his Seven, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom.
At the Clarence Pier Pavilion Ballroom, Jack Lennox and his New Style Quintet play for dancing.
May 12th Saturday, Eugene and his Serenaders start their summer season of concerts and play on the deck of South Parade Pier.
Eddie Nash and his band play at Emsworth British Legion Hall.
The Marinaires Dance Orchestra play at the TA Drill Hall, Haslar.
May 13th Sid Phillips and his Band play on South Parade Pier.
May 14th At the Theatre Royal, Donald Peers sings.
At the Kings Theatre, 'A wagonload o' monkeys', with Jimmy Hanley and Esme Cannon.
Ted Lune stars in Vive Les Femmes at the Empire Theatre.
In the South Parade Pier Theatre Hedley Claxton presents, 'Gay Time'.
May 15th Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 16th Mick Mulligan and his Magnolia Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 18th Joe Daniels and his Hot Shots play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Reg Pursglove and his Music Makers play at South Parade Pier.
May 19th Saturday, Eddie Nash and his Commanders play at the British Legion Hall, Emsworth.
May 20th Hastings Girls Choir appear at the South Parade Pier.
May 21st Freddie March and the Pompey Revellers gave a concert at the Fratton British Legion in aid of HMS Affray.
Jimmy Harris and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
May 25th Freddy Randall and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Tito Burns and his Sextet play at South Parade Pier.
Finale night for the Alf Hallman Orchestra at the Empress Ballroom.
May 26th Saturday, Reg Bannistra and his Music start their season at the Empress Ballroom.
May 27th Gracie Fields and the Gosport Orchestra appear at the Kings Theatre.
Sid Millward and Wally Stewart are at the South Parade Pier.
May 28th At the Theatre Royal, The Deep River Boys, Winifred Atwell and Betty Driver appear.
May 29th Leonard Leslie and his Music play at the Empress Ballroom.
May 30th Chris Barber and his New Orleans Jazz band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 2nd Saturday, Jack Simpson and his Radio Sextet, featuring Rita Williams, play on South Parade Pier.
Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 4th to 7th Portsmouth Schools Massed Concerts take place at the Gymnasium in the Royal Naval Barracks.
June 8th Oscar Rabin and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 10th An afternoon broadcast concert by the BBC West of England Light Orchestra as they play at South Parade Pier. The same night, Bob and Alf Pearson and the Geoff Love Sextet appear.
The St Cecelia Singers under the direction of Reg Wassell, broadcast from Winchester Cathedral on the BBC West Region Home Service.
June 11th At the Theatre Royal, an appearance of Frankie Howerd.
June 12th Jimmy Harris and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 13th At St Patrick's Institute, Winter Road, a performance by Madam Canaway's Attractive Juveniles.
June 14th At the South Parade Pier, 'Show Time' with Alfred Marks and Jack Jackson.
June 15th The Crane River Boys play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at St Faith's Church Hall, Havant.
Billy Bennett's Band demonstrate the latest musical sensation, The Clavioline, on television.
June 16th Saturday, At the Waterloo Hall, Waterlooville, old time dancing to Mrs. Ludman's Trio.
June 17th Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at South Parade Pier.
June 20th A Festival of Britain Concert at the Royal Naval Barracks Portsmouth included the combined orchestras of HM Royal Marines, The Portsmouth Bach Society and the Emsworth and District Choral Society.
June 22nd Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
The Merry Mascots present their Variety Show at the Drayton Institute.
June 24th The Ray Ellington Quartet appear on South Parade Pier.
June 25th Leslie Welch, the memory man, The Radio Revellers and Dick James appear at the Theatre Royal.
June 27th Teddy Wilcox's Orchestra play at Fort Brockhurst Gymnasium.
June 28th Jimmy Harris and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 29th Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 1st At the South Parade Pier, Tito Burns and his Sextet with Terry Devon, and also the Hedley Ward Trio, play.
July 2nd At the Empire Theatre, 'Back to Camp', an all male revue. At the Kings Theatre, The Chocolate Soldier, musical. At the Theatre Royal 'French Follies'
July 6th Humphrey Lyttleton and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 7th Saturday, Graham Leslie and his Orchestra playing for a Dinner and Dance at the Royal Beach Hotel, Southsea.
At the Waterloo Hall, Waterlooville, old time dancing to Mrs. Ludman's Trio.
Billy Bennett's Band and the Claviolina play at Emsworth British Legion Hall.
Maurice Winnick's Exhibition Orchestra play twice daily on the Castle Field all this week at the Portsmouth and Southsea Trades Fair.
July 8th Radio Star Derek Roy and accordionist Del Mondi and harmonica player Tommy Reilly appear at the South Parade Pier.
July 10th Madam Canaway's Attractive Juveniles perform at the Tramway Hall North End.
July A concert party by the Good Companions, from Gosport, at St Faith's Hall, gained £14 for the HMS Affray fund.
July 12th Jimmy Harris and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
The death is announced of Wilfred M W James of 56, Welch Road Gosport. he is better known as Jimmy and was a member of the Gosport Orchestral Society and also ran the Jimmy James Dance Band.
July 13th At the Portsmouth and Southsea Trades Fair and Exposition on the Castle Field, Ambrose's Festival Band play twice daily.
July 14th Saturday, Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Leonard Leslie's Trio play at the Waterloo Hall, Waterlooville.
July 16th At the Kings Theatre, Brigadoon.
At the Theatre Royal Hill Billy Ragtime with Morton Frasers Harmonica Gang.
Harmonica Club meets every Wednesday at 149 New Road.
July 20th First visit of Chris Barber and his New Orleans Jazz Group to the Savoy Ballroom, 3/-d admission.
The Connaught Drill Hall, Stanhope Road, home of the 383 Light Regiment TA, reconstructed after wartime damage, is re-opened by HRH Princess Elizabeth.
Kay O'Dee and her String Quartet play at the RAFA Club Cosham.
July 21st Saturday, Mrs. Ludman's Trio provide music for Old Time dancing at the Waterloo Hall, Waterlooville.
July 22nd The George Mitchell Choir sing on South Parade Pier.
July 23rd Charlie Kunz plays at the Theatre Royal.
Brigadoon runs for a second week at the Kings Theatre and includes Portsmouth actor Leon Czerny.
July 25th the Portsmouth Musical Festival Garden Party and Concert takes place at 'Longbarn' Portsdown Hill Road, an features, The Cecelia Singers, a recorder ensemble, Madame Courtney's Accordion Orchestra, and St Mary's Hospital nurses choir.
The Merry Mascots are in concert at the Winchester College Mission Hall, Rudmore Road, opposite Air Balloon.
July 26th Jimmy Harris and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 27th Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 28th Saturday, Accordion Day at the Wesley Central Hall competing for the Southern Area Championship, followed by an evening concert by world famous accordionist Toralf Tollofsen.
Leonard Leslie's Trio play at the Waterloo Hall Waterlooville.
July 30th On South Parade Pier, an appearance of Vanessa Lee and the Gosport Municipal Orchestra.
At the Kings Theatre, Annie get your gun. At the Theatre Royal, Copacabana. and at the Empire Theatre, the hit show of 1951, Hello Beautiful.
August 2nd Jimmy Harris and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 3rd Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 5th The Squadronaires Dance Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
August 6th The National light Opera Company present Chu Chin Chow at the Kings Theatre. At the Theatre Royal, Randle's Scandals of 1951 includes Jimmy Clitheroe and a 50 strong Daganham Girl Pipers.
August 8th The Portsmouth Music Club meet at the Central Library lecture hall for a program of classical music.
August 10th Jazz Band Ball at the Savoy Ballroom with music from Humphrey Lyttleton, Mike Daniels, Chris Barber, Mick Milligan and Benny Freedman's assorted bands.
August 11th Saturday, Leonard Leslie's Trio play at the Waterloo Hall Waterlooville.
August 14th At the Kings Theatre, from Drury Lane, Oklahoma.
At the Theatre Royal, Folies Bergere Revue.
August 16th Dick Whichello and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 17th Freddy Randall and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 23rd Joe Daniels and his Jazz group play at the Savoy Ballroom.
The Kay O'Dee Players play a the RAFA Club Cosham.
August 25th Saturday, Leonard Leslie's Trio play at the Waterloo Hall Waterlooville.
August 27th Theatre Royal, presents Arthur English, and Monsewer Eddie Gray.
August 29th Roy Fox and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
At the Conservative Hall Fratton Road, The Four Aces Dance Band play for dancing.
August 30th Leslie James Maskell, musician of 255 Highbury Grove, fined £1.0.0d for riding a motor pedal cycle without license, £1.0.0d for having no front number plate, and £1.0.0d for having no warning instrument on his machine.
Dick Whichello and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Monday to Friday at the Embassy Ballroom, Teddy Wilcox and his Music featuring the Clavioline.
August 31st Teddy Foster and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
The Kay O'Dee Players play the RAFA Club Cosham.
September 1st Saturday, Leonard Leslie's Trio play at the Waterloo Hall Waterlooville.
September 2nd Morton Fraser's Harmonica Rascals, plus the Four Aces, perform on South Parade Pier.
September 4th Co-op House in Fratton Road Re-opens.
September 6th At Lee Tower, The Jimmy James Orchestra play for dancing.
September 7th Nat Temple and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
at Lee Tower Ballroom for Gosport's NALGO Charity Ball, The Stan Matthews Band provide the music.
September 8th Saturday, Leonard Leslie's Trio play at the Waterloo Hall Waterlooville.
September 9th Big Bill Campbell and his Mountain Music appear on South Parade Pier.
September 14th Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom.
At the TA Drill Hall, Haslar, Music for dancing supplied by Roy Rogers Band.
September 15th Saturday, Roy Richards and his Newly Augmented Orchestra play nightly from today at Kimbells Clifton Ballroom.
Leonard Leslie's Trio play at the Waterloo Hall Waterlooville.
September 17th Jimmy Jewel and Ben Warriss appear at the Theatre Royal.
September 18th At the Kings Theatre, Ivor Novello's Kings Rhapsody.
September 21st Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Alf Hallman and his Orchestra play at Rowlands Castle Parish Hall.
September 22nd Saturday, A Festival Of Britian Autumn Concert at the Wesley Central Hall by the Portsmouth Philharmonic Society features a program of popular classics.
Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at St Faiths Church Hall Havant.
Mrs. Ludman's Trio play at St George's Hall Waterlooville.
Farewell night at the Embassy Ballroom for Teddy Wilcox and his Band.
September 23rd Violinist Campoli and the Gosport Municipal Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
September 24th The Portsmouth Players present Goodnight Vienna at the South Parade Pier.
At the Kings Theatre for a second week, Ivor Novello's Kings Rhapsody.
At the Theatre Royal, Hughie Green stars in Ladies night at the Turkish baths.
At the Empire Theatre Star of stars, Arthur Haynes, in Continental Tit Bits.
Doris Westaway’s Broadway Orchestra play for dancing at Drayton Institute.
September 26th Harold Grinter's Unique Concert Party is staged at the Emsworth Legion Hall.
New band at the Embassy Ballroom, Jimmy Luff and his Embassy Band.
September Billy Burkett and his Sextet play at the Hilsea Lido.
September 27th At St Peter's Church Hall, the Merry Mascots entertain.
September 28th Humphrey Lyttleton and his Jazz Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
At Lee Tower Ballroom, dancing to Bert Sharpe and his Music.
The Kay O'Dee Players provide the music at the RAFA Club Cosham.
September 29th Saturday, Leonard Leslie's Trio play at St George's Hall, Waterlooville.
The Harry James Orchestra play for dancing at the St George's Barracks Gosport REME Dance.
September 30th Tito Burns and his Sextet play on South Parade Pier also Bobby Collins, Portsmouth's own whistler.

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The Old Time Dancing Club at Kimbells on Tuesday 9th October 1951
October 1st Roy Richards and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom for a Royal Marines dance.
October 3rd The Gunwhorfians Dance Band play at the Piggott Hall in the National Children’s Homes at Alverstoke in the first of a series of dance to raise money to send the children on holiday.
At St Peter's Church Hall, the Merry Mascots entertain.
October 5th Billy Ternent and his Broadcasting Band play at the South Parade Pier.
Geraldo and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 6th Saturday, At the Wesley Central Hall, The Portsmouth Glee Club, for their 21st birthday, perform Merrie England.
Farewell dance at the Empress Ballroom to Reg Bannistra and his Music.
Mrs. Ludman's Trio play at the Waterloo Hall Waterlooville.
October 8th Alf Hallman and his band take up residency at the Empress Ballroom North End.
At the Theatre Royal, Bela Lugosi, in person, in Dracula.
At the Kings Theatre, The Girlfriend, which includes Wadham Road North End dancer girl, Elizabeth Taylor, known as Betty to friends. A former Northern grammar School pupil now with 12 years training and experience in her first professional show.
At the Empire Theatre, Ladies first, with Jack Mayo.
October 10th The Broadway Trio Band play at the Co-operative Hall Fratton Road.
October 11th For the British Railways Staff dance on the South Parade Pier, Leonard Leslie's Band and Billy Bennett's Band play for dancing.
The first of four musical evenings arranged by the Portsdown Music Guild, featured The Portsmouth Young people's String Orchestra, and vocalist Joan Reynolds and violinist Trevor Clark, in a program of classical music.
October 12th The Johnny Dankworth Seven play at the South Parade Pier.
Joe Loss and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
St Saviour's Hall Stamshaw re-opens for dances every Friday, Teddy Hanks Band play.
October 13th Saturday, Nancarrow’s Orchestra play at the Waterloo Hall, Waterlooville.
Ad in the Evening News, Cyril Brown, Tenor/alto Clari violin now free for gigs, tele 4760, 31 Fraser Road, Southsea.
October 15th The Milton Glee Club present an evening of 'Melody and Song' at the Eastney Central Hall.
October 18th Timothy Whites and Taylors in Palmerston Road, re-opens after war damage is made good.
Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
October 19th The Squadronaires play at the South Parade Pier.
Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 20th Saturday, Leonard Leslie's Band play at St Faith's Church Hall, Havant.
13 year old Joan St Paul of 59, Commercial Road, an accomplished accordionist and vibraphonist, impresses talent scout Hughie Green with her 'Flight of the bumble bee' and passes her radio audition.
The Purbrook Sincerity Entertainers perform 'The Wedding of the Painted Doll', at the Deverell Hall.
Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at St Faith's Hall Havant.
At Cowplain Social Club, Mrs' Ludman's Trio play for dancing.

purbrook1
purbrook2
The Purbrook Sincerity Players
Where were all the boys in 1951 in Purbrook? Maureen Riggs unearthed these photographs from 1951 of the all-girl concert party who called themselves the Purbrook Sincerity Entertainers.
They performed revues in the village's Deverell Hall and Maureen, who features in both pictures, wonders what happened to her fellow entertainers.
She was 14 when she played the bride in this sketch called The Wedding of the Painted Doll.
She remembers that her `groom' was played by Ann Parker. In the line-up of all the show's participants, Maureen is second from the right in the middle row.
Now living near Skegness, in Lincolnshire, Maureen said: `I looked at the faces through a magnifying glass and recognised Maureen Dagwell, Betty Bean, Gloria Haines, Margaret Bailey and a girl called Rena whose surname I can't remember.
It was only when I was looking at them again after all these years that I realised we were all girls, I can only assume the boys were playing football.

October 23rd, The Gems Concert Party have given shows at the infectious deceases Hospital Portsmouth and St Faith's Church Hall Havant.
A party at Chapman's Hall, Kingston Crescent, entertainment for 130 Rudmore children included Mavis Butler's Dancers, and Portsmouth's youngest soprano, Maureen age 14.
Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
October 25th Tonight and every Thursday, The Ruby Restall Trio play for dancing at St Mary's Institute.
October 26th Oscar Rabin and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Eric Winstone and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier.
The 'Starlets' give a variety concert at the Tramways Hall North End.
The Merry Mascots perform their variety show at All Saints Hall, Portsmouth.
October 27th Saturday, The Teddy Hanks Band play in the gymnasium at Fort Brockhurst.
At the Central Hall Fratton, the Orpheus Singers perform.
Billy Bennett's Band play at the Legion Hall Emsworth.
Leonard Leslie's trio play at the Waterloo Hall, Waterlooville.
Many local amateurs take part in the final concert of the Gosport Music Festival at HMS St Vincent, Gosprt.
October 29th George Robey, age 82, appears at the Theatre Royal.
The Airspeed Singers give a concert at the Eastney Central Hall.
November 1st For the second year in succession, 21 year old local dancer Miss Patricia Smith, stage name Patricia Dowling, of 9 Sandy Brow Purbrook, has been chosen dance in the Royal Command Performance.
Three jazz bands at the South Parade Pier include, Mike Daniels and his Delta Jazz Men, Charles Galbraith and his Jazz Stompers, and Cy Lawrie and his Group.
November 2nd Ted Heath and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Roy Bridger and his Sextet play at Unity Hall, St John's Road.
12 year old Pamela Fennimore of 121 Hilsea Crescent is to play 'boy babe' in 'Babes in the wood' at the Lewishsham Hippodrome.
The Teddy Hanks Band play at St Saviours Church Hall Stamshaw.
'The Versatile Six' play in the gymnasium at Fort Brockhurst.
November 3rd Saturday, Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at St Faith's Church Hall Havant.
At the Denmead Memorial Hall, Mrs. Ludman's Trio provide music for dancing.
November 5th Carroll Levis is at the Theatre Royal looking for new talent.
Margaret Lockwood stars in Pygmalion at the Kings Theatre.
November 6th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
November 7th The Broadway Orchestra play for dancing at the Co-operative Hall Fratton Road.
November 9th Teddy Foster and his Radio band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Harry Roy and his Band play on South Parade Pier.
Jimmy Luff's Band play at the Embassy Ballroom.
November 10th Saturday, At the Northern Grammar School Hall, the Portsmouth Choral Union with Phyllis Mander and Harold Williams present Purcell's 'Dido and Aenaes'.
The Marinaires Dance Band play at the TA Drill Hall, Haslar.
November 12th Cheerful Charlie Chester and Max Geldray and his electronic harmonica, appear at the Theatre Royal.
At the Kings Theatre, Peter Ustinov appears in 'Moment of truth'.
November 12th Johnny Lyne and his music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 13h Firemen are called to the Landport Liberal Club in Lake Road after smoke is seen coming from the back of the premises.
Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
November 14th The Black and White Quintet entertained an audience of blind people at the Wesley Central Hall, Fratton Road.
November 15th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
Dancing to the Ruby Restall Trio at St Mary's Institute, Fratton Road.
The Southernaires, a variety company from Portsmouth, entertain 500 at the Petersfield Town hall. Those involved were Don Watts, Len Reid, Bobby Cummings, Norma Sawyer, Frank Bradford, Enid Moxey, Angela Smith, Mary Spencer and harmonica player Johnny Farrow.
The Airspeed Choir give a concert at the Devonshire Avenue Baptist Church, under their conductor Mirian Duncan and accompanist Olive Tree.
November 16th Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Band play on South Parade Pier.
November 17th Saturday, Mrs. Ludman's Trio play for dancing at the Waterloo Hall, Waterlooville.
Twelve year old Anne Spencer of 27 Languard Road Eastney will appear in Jack Hylton's panto Aladdin at the New Theatre Oxford.
November 19th Reg Varney appears in 'Sky High' at the Theatre Royal.
November 22nd Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play on South Parade Pier for the British Railways Staff Carnival Ball along with Billy Bennett's Band, which features Charles 'Chiz' Bishop, 24 year old winner of two Great Britain Accordion Championships.
November 23rd Reg Bannistra's and his Music play at the Embassy Ballroom with resident Jimmy Luff Band.
Ralph Sharon and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
At St George's Barracks Gymnasium. Gosport, the Versatile Six play for dancing.
November 24th Saturday, Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at St Faith's Church hall, Havant.
The Portsmouth Glee Club is 21 years old.
Ad in the Evening News, Variety Artistes available for Christmas festivities, Star Makers, 27 Shaftesbury Road Southsea.
Band leader, Jimmy Harris plays the Grand piano at the Harvest Home Lounge in Copnor Road, and will do so each evening.
November 26th Ad in the evening New, Talent Contest, details, Star Makers Productions, 27 Shaftesbury Ave Southsea.
Roy Richards Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 27th The Masters Orchestra play at the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road.
A section of the Portsmouth Glee Club, conductor Harold Hall, entertained at the Portsmouth Music Club.
November 29th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
November 30th Nat Temple and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Joe Daniels and his All Star Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
December 1st Saturday, Roy Richards Band play at Kimbells Clifton Ballroom.
At Denmead Memorial Hall, Mrs. Ludman's Trio provide music for dancing.
December 3rd Leonard Sachs and Elsie and Doris Waters appear at the Theatre Royal.
December 5th Star Maker Productions talent contest at St Faith's Church Hall Havant.
Ad in the Evening News, Second Hand Pianos our Specialty, Haskell & Green 243 Lake Road.
The Broadway Trio play at the Victory Hall Fratton Road.
December 7th Freddie Randell and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
The Ray Ellington Quartet play at the South Parade Pier, also Gordon Banner at the organ.
December 8th Saturday, The Portsmouth Glee Club, with guest artistes Gwen Catley and Wilfred Parry give a Christmas Concert at the Wesley Central Hall Fratton Road.
Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at St Faith's Church Hall Havant.
Nancarrow's Orchestra play at the Waterloo Hall Waterlooville.
At the RAFA Club Cosham music from Kay O'Dee's Players.
At the Drill Hall Haslar, The Marinaires provide music for dancing.
December 10th The Folies Bergere, and Norman Vaughn and Terry Scott, appear at the Theatre Royal for two weeks. The principal dancer is Angela Page, born in Gosport, her mother living at 37, Hartingdon Road.
Madame Canaway's Atractive Juveniles give a performance at the Oddfellow's Hall.
December 11th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
December 12th A recital at Buckland Congregational Church in Queens Road by Carl Dolmetsch(recorder) and Joseph Saxby.
December 13th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at South Parade Pier.
Roy Richards and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Maureen Beazley of 25, Ivy Street Southsea, who is a member of the local 'Frivolities Concert Party', has been chosen to play the lead in the chorus of Tom Arnold's panto 'Puss in Boots' at a Leeds Theatre.
December 14th Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
'The Versatile Six' play in the gymnasium at St George's Barracks Gosport.
The Portsmouth Music Guild give a Choral and Instrumental concert at Christ Church Hall, Widley with vocals from Florence Graves and the Ernest Barr Trio, including Stanley Matthews(piano).
December 15th Saturday, The full orchestra and chorus of the Portsmouth Coral Union sing Carols and Christmas Music at the Northern Grammar School Hall.
Billy Bennett's band and the Claviolina play at the Legion Hall Emsworth.
December 17th The Embassy Ballroom, under entirely new management, re-opens after redecoration, with two new bands, Eric Winstone and is Orchestra and Frank Abbott and his Orchestra.
December 18th At the Conservative Hall, Fratton Road, The Masters Orchestra play for dancing.
Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom, with MC Donald Mack.
December 20th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play on South Parade Pier.
New resident band, Frank Abbott and his Broadcasting Orchestra, featuring vocalist Walter Russell, play at the Embassy Ballroom.
December 21st Kay O'Dee and her Players perform at the RAFA Club Cosham.
Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
Roy Bridger and his Sextet play at Unity Hall, St John's Road.
December 22nd Saturday, Audrey Jeans, daughter of Mr and Mrs T Jennings of 51 Longs Road, Landport, is principal boy in 'Cinderella' at Dudley. The show is being televised tonight.
December 23rd At the Theatre Royal, a grand variety show includes Bernard Miles and Kay Cavendish.
December 25th The South Parade Pier was filled with dancers and at about 9.15pm and an exceptionally powerful gust of wind lifted part of the zinc sheeting from the arcade roof, no one was hurt.
December 26th Babes in the Wood at the Kings Theatre.
Cinderella at the Empire Theatre includes an appearance of Madame Courtney's 'Babes'.
At the Waterloo Hall, Waterlooville, Mrs. Ludman's Trio play for dancing.
December 27th Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at the Empress Ballroom.
December 28th Teddy Foster and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 31st At the Clarence Pier, Eddie Carroll and his Sextet play for dancing with a midnight cabaret from 'Fayne and Evans'.
Graham Leslie's Dance Orchestra play at the Royal Beach Hotel.
At the Savoy Ballroom, Benny Freedman's Band are supported by broadcasting organist Charles Smitten.
Leonard Leslie's Orchestra play at St Faith's Church Hall, Havant.

15 january 1951

15 January 1951

13 july 1951

13 July 1951

20 july 1951

20 July 1951

9 august 1951

9 August 1951

chiz bishop
Chiz Bishop ad in the Eveing News

savoy
Advert in the Evening News early 1951 .

British Legion Dinner and Dance
The Evening News would regularly report on such functions but would rarely name the band playing.
There's a band on stage at the back, but they are nameless.

4 december 1951

4 december 1951

4 december 1951

4 december 1951

20 december 1951

20 december 1951

29 december 1951

29 december 1951

savoy31/12
Advert in the Evening News December 31st. 1951 .

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51-2

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