Vivian Stanshall - English as Tuppence

[john poole]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03yh3wc

A 3 hour Radio Four Extra programme devoted to Viv Stanshall with archive material and presented by Neil Innes. I could have done without Adrian Edmondson's song, but otherwise recommended listening for fans. Available until next Saturday.

[NormanD]

I heard much of this and really enjoyed it. It's a well put together and touching tribute. He had a lot of music pals who held him in high regard and were ready to work with him at the drop of a hat - or pith helmet. I bet he must have been hell to live with.

[Adam Blake]

Stanshall was a bona-fide English genius who was also, unfortunately, an alcoholic. In those days, ignorance about the side-effects of anti-depressants was rampant. Vivian, my mother, and many thousands of others were effectively guinea pigs for Big Pharma's desire to experiment with valium, librium, tamazepan, heminevrin, mandrax and no doubt several other drugs whose names I have forgotten. In nearly all cases, when mixed with alcohol, these drugs produce a psychotic hypnotic state in which paranoia runs rampant and all perspective is lost. Those who were prescribed these drugs in the late 60s and early 70s are, to a large extent, a lost generation; they killed many almost immediately, and many others over a period of ten or fifteen years. Needless to say, they did absolutely nothing to help cure alcoholism. That Stanshall managed to produce as much as he did whilst under their influence is testament to his enormous strength and creativity. For myself, I loved him very much, and I know I was not alone by any means.

I look forward to the radio programme. Thank you for posting, John. With the best will in the world, Adrian Edmondson is not a comparable talent.

[Alan]

One Night Stanshall Tues 8th April 8pm
http://www.thebloomsbury.com/event/run/1870



After last year's sold out celebration of the life of the great Vivian Stanshall at the Bloomsbury, in 2014 we pick up where last year's show left off, exploring the many realms of creativity Vivian ventured into post-Bonzos entitled One Night Stanshall.

The evening will comprise a complete performance of Vivian's Meisterwerk Sir Henry at Rawlinson End performed by Michael Livesley and also performances of many of Vivian's songs by a super-group of Vivian's musical collaborators such as Neil Innes, Rick Wakeman, Danny Thompson, John Halsey, Jim Cuomo, Susie Honeyman and John Megginson. It promises to be an unmissable evening of jaw-dropping entertainment!


Here are some of the things said about last year's show;
"What a night, an ensemble of madmen at their best, smashing!" Rupert Stanshall, Vivian's son
"Rare facility and nimble erudition, as powerful an experience as one could wish for outside Hallucinogens!" Danny Baker, broadcaster
"Mike is absolutely remarkable. I'm thankful that Mike keeps the memory of Viv well and truly alive for all of us." Danny Thompson, musician
"Wonderful night at the Bloomsbury Theatre. Honoured to be a part of it." Rick Wakeman, musician
"Such fun - still grinning!" Neil Innes, musician
"Sir Henry's bluster and his epic lack of drawing room manners are still winning fun. All very odd, all very Stanshall!" Clive Davis, The Times
"Livesley's performance gives weight and truth to that old theatrical cliché, 'a comic tour-de-force'." Andrew Male, MOJO

Tickets £25 (booking fee £2.50 per transaction)


...quite a lot of money to not see Viv Stanshall, shame it's not tuppence

[NormanD]

"English as tuppence, changing yet changeless as canal water, nestling in green nowhere, armoured and effete, bold flag-bearer, lotus-fed Miss Havishambling opsimath and eremite, feudal still, reactionary Rawlinson End.

"The story so far..."

I'd hate to go to something as lovely as this and see Michael Gove sitting down the front chortling away. His apparent love of The Gentleman Rhymer would fill me with dread and foreboding. Sorry, that's the way I am.

The thought of David Cameroon and Louise notaMensch tapping their feet to Welch & Rawlings still causes me some upset. Sorry, that's the way I am.

[Adam Blake]

I'm very cross that Professor Elemental has been named in this regard. I was very fond of his Tea Rap.

As for Vivian - thank you for posting the link, John. I've listened to the whole three hours now. Strange that the first hour was such a mess and the rest of it really quite marvellous. Some fantastic vintage clips.

I have a mate who might be performing at the Stanshall night and he might be able to get me in. Otherwise, nah... I saw the man himself a few times and that's sort of ruined me for tribute nights.

I think I have told the story of when I saw him at the Bloomsbury Theatre. It was the first night of the run, which has gone down in infamy as being utter chaos. It was sublime chaos. It was one of only two times I have felt actual waves of love (to which I contributed) rolling from the audience towards the performer on the stage. The other time was Captain Beefheart who just took it as his due but Vivian was quite overwhelmed. He called a halt to proceedings and rolled a cigarette and lit it with shaking hands (shows how long ago it was). "You'll have to excuse me", he said. "I've never done it sober before".

[NormanD]

"You'll have to excuse me", he said. "I've never done it sober before".

Lovely. My own excuse for stage nerves: "Sorry - it's my first time on acid"

[Adam Blake]

"You'll have to excuse me", he said. "I've never done it sober before".

Lovely. My own excuse for stage nerves: "Sorry - it's my first time on acid"

I suspect you both of fibbing. (He wasn't sober, he was just able to stand up.)

[alister prince]

The last time I saw Viv live was in Newcastle in the late mid 70s. He was fall-off-the-stage drunk. Luckily it was more of a 3 inch platform. He was brilliant, very witty and 'with' the audience. We all forgave him the odd totally incoherent ramblings; who were we to judge?
A great artist.

Aly

[Adam Blake]

Yes, I saw him at the Nashville in about '75. He was late. He turned up off the street, walked straight on to the stage and started the show immediately. He was arsehole drunk and absolutely brilliant. When he finished, he walked straight out the door again.

[MLivesley]

Good evening chaps! My name is Michael Livesley, I am the chap who has revived Rawlinson End for the stage, you can read about my motivation here http://lauracdavis.com/2012/09/20/neil- ... forgotten/

I am also producing the 'One night Stanshall' event with Rupert, Vivian's son, whom I interviewed for 'English as Tuppence' as well as being lucky enough to perform some of the great man's music for it and, Adam, if Ade Ed is 'not a comparable talent' then you must think me an outright fraud! Haha! Anyway, do forgive this intrusion, but I would like to just address the points raised here.

Alan - yes, I'm sure that £25 does seem quite a lot to 'not see Viv Stanshall', but I'm afraid that even at that price, both Rupert and I shan't even be left with tuppence after we have paid for everybody and everything. There are about 20 people involved in this show, and all must be paid, fed and watered. We must also pay for the Theatre. In the absence of any promoter, Rupert and I must do this ourselves, as we wish his legacy to be celebrated with all the correct people involved.

NormanD - I promise you there shall be no Michael Gove present in the audience! Nor indeed any loathsome politician from any political stripe! After all, as Vivian, and Neil Innes, once sang, 'No Matter Who You Vote for the Government Always Gets In'. I do understand your reticense but, believe me, we would know if any Govt minister of any description were coming along!

Adam Blake - yes, having seen the great man himself, I can see that any tribute would pale in comparison. I ask that you appreciate that mine, Ruperts', and all our guests, intentions are the most honourable. We wish only to celebrate his life and work. We can never hope to emulate his genius. However, as the first link I posted says - 'his work should not be forgotten' - and that has always been my stated aim.

Anyway, there was a rather nice piece on 'One Night Stanshall' from Times and Guardian critic Bruce Dessau today, http://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/ ... ises-again, I hope you enjoy it. I just thought I would personally address your points, as you are all obviously fans who care.

I shall now 'wind me neck in'! Cheers chaps!

Michael Livesley

[Adam Blake]

Thanks Michael, I was very impressed with the bits of your rendition of "Sir Henry" that I heard. Well done. It turns out that my old mucker David Catlin-Birch is going to be in the show somewhere so I daresay I will be turning up and heckling after all.

Dada for now.

[NormanD]

Hello Michael
Thanks so much for writing back. Isn't it good when life comes into the internet and bites you in the arse? I'd read that Gove was a fan of Gentleman Rhymer, and my heart hit my boots. It should be a really great night, in a good venue too. It's been curated with love. Break a leg. x