A world-famous variety show that started in Leeds is celebrating almost 60 years since its launch.
The long-running and popular BBC television programme The Good Old Days was filmed at Leeds City Varieties Music Hall from 1953 to 1983.
The show involved the audience dressing up in Victorian garb for a good old-fashioned knees-up with big name stars such as Les Dawson, Barbara Windsor, Jimmy Tarbuck, Val Doonican and Barry Cryer.
It was such a success that it ran for 30 years and put Leeds on the world map.
After a five-year break, it was then made into a stage show at the same venue and is still performed every spring and autumn.
The City Varieties still hosts The Good Old Days and next week it returns to start its latest four-weekend run, bringing a host of acts to Leeds.
Master of ceremonies, Johnny Dennis, has introduced every show since 1988.
He said: “It continues to be a real privilege to perform at the City Varieties and keep the flame of Music Hall alive.
“We have put together a wonderful group of people who are all excellent at what they do – we have some real talent on that stage.”
Johnny took part in several of the BBC programmes as one of Barney’s Players, who performed at the beginning and end of every show.
He said: “We still have Barney’s Players. Today they are performing arts students at SLP College in Garforth, which is wonderful.”
He added: “It’s such a marvellous opportunity for young people to perform on a world-class stage.”
On October 5 and 6, Johnny will introduce the stars of the much-loved children’s TV show Crackerjack – Don Maclean and Jan Hunt – alongside juggling jester Michael Pearse, Royal Opera singer John Rawnsley and Judith Hibbert, who leads the audience in the songs of Gracie Fields.
The show will be performed every Friday at 7pm and on Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm throughout October.
The audience is encouraged to wear fancy dress at each performance and a prize will be given for the best costume.
For details or tickets, visit: ww.cityvarieties.co.uk or call the box office on 0113 243 0808.
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