Bobby Thompson - The Little Waster

BOBBY THOMPSON - A PRIVATE AUDIENCE

Paperback, 198 pages plus 16 pages of photographs.

Bobby Thompson, the North-East legend, mirrored his own life - warts and all - and those of the working class with his sharp, humorous observations of human nature.  The small man, wearing a cloth cap, oversize 'gansey' and baggy trousers, or an ill-fitting army uniform, sticking two fingers up to false pride and a hostile world.  A true clown in the great tradition.  This book provides a fascinating insight into the private world of the Little Waster - the private man, and his private audience of family, colleagues and friends.

'Bobby Thompson - A Private Audience takes the form of personal reminiscences from family, friends and fellow entertainers.  The contributors provide us with an honest picture evoking sometimes painful memories... A must for ardent fans.'  (SUNDERLAND ECHO)

'Geordie legend' (EVENING CHRONICLE)

'What a bobby dazzler... Nicolson spent five years soliciting the memories of the 'key players' in Bobby Thompson's life, including members of his closest family.  They are certainly not an invitation to get all gooey-eyed and sentimental.  In fact, it says much for the charisma of the man that he is remembered in such a fond light.'  (THE JOURNAL)

'The Music Hall has known many great comics: funsters who make audiences laugh, performance after performance, year after year.  Their humour remains timeless.  Max Miller in his outrageous suits, the gentle understated comedy of Robb Wilton, the grotesque antics of Max Wall.  Comedy craftsmen like Jimmy James, Sandy Powell, Arthur Askey and Tommy Cooper.  And right up there with them in the Premier League is Bobby Thompson, Tyneside's own 'Little Waster'.

        Like them, Bobby was a one-off, an emaciated figure crowned by a flat cap.  He was the little man fighting back - cheeky, chauvinistic, yet vulnerable and appealing.  He made no secret of his shortcomings, or ours.  Many people associate Andy Capp with Bobby's stage character, but 'The Little Waster' had warmth and vulnerability, and you always had the feeling that his missus would have the last word!

        Bobby was that rarest of comedians, a man who could make his fellow comics laugh - even if we had to travel to the North-East for the pleasure.  'The Little Waster' he may have been, but you never wasted your money when you went to one of his shows.  You were guaranteed to come out limp with laughter, and I can think of no finer tribute.'  (KEN DODD)

Price £9.00 including postage and packing to all UK destinations.

AVAILABLE ONLY FROM:

Mrs M Nicolaou

31 Rayleigh Drive

Wideopen

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE

NE13 6AQ

(Please make cheques/postal orders payable to "M. Nicolaou")

Overseas enquiries welcome.

OTHER BOOKS BY DAVE NICOLSON

Do you remember when?  The following titles are collections of previously unpublished interviews with the stars of Fifties and Sixties pop and rock'n'roll, packed full of nostalgic illustrations of vintage ads, record sleeves, labels, programmes, sheet music covers, etc.  They are all available by mail order direct from the publisher - see below.