Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
One of the great ladies of the music hall, celebrated for her stage performances.
On the island
Eight records
The keepsakes
The book
In conversation
Presenter asks
0:44Miss King, apart from the loneliness, what would worry you most about being on a desert island?
Well, I I I really would hate sunflies. And I'd be frightfully nervous. and I'd want to work out how I'd get something to eat.
Presenter asks
1:02Do you play records very much?
Yes, yes, I like records.
Presenter asks
4:13What about school?
Oh, that was when the board I think they call them school boards or something… One night I had to hide under my mother's crinoline… When the school boardman came I hid under her crinoline. She was ready to go on in the sketch. I under the skirt I went. Unfortunately, I saw the funny side of it, and I commenced to tickle her ankles. And poor mummy Scared to death in case the man would see the crinolin move in. But we got out of that difficulty all right. He went.
Presenter asks
4:56When did you decide to be a male impersonator?
Well, I'm very fond of history.
When I got thoroughly fed up doing imitations, I loved one of the impressions I did that was of George Lashwood. I thought, if I could only be like the great George Lashwood, he was wonderful. So I save my few Bob every week. and I kept it a dead secret until I had my little suit made. and ma got a shirt and shoes and collars, ties, everything. And, believe me, it was a lot of money. I had to pay a whole five pounds for my tails. It was a fortune. And I had to get songs, so I got two songs and I paid a whole five shillings each for them.
Presenter asks
11:54Miss King, you've had a lot of success, but every career has its ups and downs. Are there any downs that come to mind?
Oh, yes. I'll never forget going to Greenwich. I went on the stage there. you know, immaculate And I hadn't opened my mouth to say anything, when a voice from the store said Get off. I raised my hat, I said,'All right, young man' and off I went. Well, the man was tight. And his pals did him, What did you say that for? What did you say that for? Well, he said, I don't want to see that feller. I'd pay to see Heddy King.
Presenter asks
12:37Miss King, how long have you been a performer?
Oh, I don't forget I started from training when I was five. Working when I was eight, about seventy eight years, I said. Do you know I'm getting on I'm no teenager. I'll be eighty six this month.
Presenter asks
15:31Are you a good housekeeper? Are you a domesticated person?
Yeah. I'm not a big girl. I let everybody do it for me.
“My dad believed my working out my own personality. He would teach me my words, when I was very young. And then he would say, Come on, little one. Let me see how you'll work that. And I would work it in my little way. and then we'd forget all about old He would for a few days And then he'd bring it out again, and say, Oh, that lovely little song we did Will you do it again for me, love? And I'd probably do it a little better, and that's how we went on.”
“One night I had to hide under my mother's crinoline. When the school boardman came I hid under her crinoline. She was ready to go on in the sketch. I under the skirt I went. Unfortunately, I saw the funny side of it, and I commenced to tickle her ankles.”
“The first night I put it on Yeah, I was a great success. They thought I looked like Tilly. Mr Dilly, yes. I well, I haven't seen Vestidilia, but it is true I did look like her when I was young. And I was very fortunate that night instead of being on first turn, which I usually would put on first turn, I think of I was a third or fourth. and as I tell you, when I went on I got a reception. In my two songs I only had the two. When I came off the audience wouldn't stop applauding. I was a terrific success, and that night Just fate Luck was in my way. A theatre manager was in front. and he said, I want you to come to my office to morrow. and he said I'm going to make you The finest principal boy in England Oh, why should I am so sorry I couldn't possibly be a principal boy. I'm too skinny. I legs are so skinny. You don't worry, little lady, he said we'll pad your legs and make you a fine principal boy. And that was the beginning of my being a mailing person.”
“I always like them to know that the woman is under the male clothes.”
“Going into the theatre and getting everything ready for the next night. Seeing that my clothes are fresh right. Turned into my pipe tobacco cigars Then I may Get all my letters together. Fan mail, business letters, back home Up with my feet, rest for an hour in a big easy chair, if there's one about. Then back to the theatre and do my work.”