- Al Read
Al Read (
3 March 1909 –9 September 1987 ) was a famous British radio comedian active throughout the 1950s and 60s.He was born in
Broughton ,Salford ,Lancashire and was a sausage maker in his father's business. He became known as a popular after dinner speaker with wry and well observed humour in clubs. In 1950 Al had his radio debut on theBBC . His comedy was based around themonologue form, but he also became known for dialogues in which he played both voices. His humour was observational and was about northern English working class people, often in a domestic situation.The Al Read Show was one of the most popular radio comedy shows in the UK in the 1950s and 1960s. Up to 35 million people listened to it each week. His catchphrases 'Right Monkey' and 'You'll be lucky, I say you'll be lucky!' were well known. In 1963 he headed a variety format forITV calledLife and Al Read which was apparently unscripted and was broadcast live. In 1966 another ITV series called 'Al Read Says What a Life!' was broadcast. He also worked extensively on the variety stage. It was generally considered that sound radio was his best medium.In 1954 he appeared high on the bill at the
Royal Variety Performance at theLondon Palladium . In 1959 he appeared with comedianJimmy Clitheroe in the Royal Northern Variety Performance, in the presence of the Queen Mother, at the Palace Theatre in Manchester.The introduction to his radio show was usually "Al Read: introducing us to ourselves"; and he himself described his work as 'pictures of life'. His monologues were certainly very perceptive about the human condition, and also very witty. Many of his monologue recordings are still available from the BBC.
The Al Read Show
Surviving editions held by BBC Sound Archives:
References
*Papillon Graphics Encyclopaedia of Greater Manchester,2002
*BBC.co.uk Guide to Comedy
* [http://radiolistings.co.uk/programmes/al_read_show__the.html RadioListings.co.uk] episode guide
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