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Optimists of 1936

Optimists: Billy Scarrow (tenor), Jack le White (violinist), Len Woodland (comedian), Iris Hillier (soubrette dancer), Georges Casselli (Baritone), Maisie Frances (comedienne), Wally Hillier (pianist), Jay Martell (yodeller and eccentric dancer), Nora McCourt (soubrette male impersonator).

 

Optimists perform at the New Pavilion, Redcar all week from Monday June 8th. Performances at 6:40pm and 8:40pm. Price 1/-, 9d and 6d. Children half-price. During this season, around mid-July, Billy successfully applied to the Council to hold performances on Sunday. This was subject to the programme being approved.

 

Redcar Council

Given the conflict with the council in the previous season over erecting pailings around the audience, the matter was dealt with properly this year. Extracts from the minutes are shown below:

20th February 1936: Adverting to item 1 of the Minutes of the Committee held on the 28th June, 1935, Mr. Scarrow appeared before the Committee in connection with the unauthorised erection of  fencing around the Pierrot site on the sands during the 1935 season. Mr. Scarrow gave an undertaking that in future he would comply with the requirements of the Council, but asked for permission to erect temporary windscreens for the protection and convenience of his patrons. It was resolved that the Town Clerk be instructed to report with regard to erections generally upon the sands to the next meeting of the Comittee and that the matter be then further considered.

19th March 1936: Adverting to item 2 of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 20th February, 1936, the report of the Town Clerk with regard to erections on the sands was received. It was resolved that Mr. Scarrow be asked to submit to this Committee a specimen of the windscreen for which he asks permission to erect around Pierrot site on the sands, and that the matter be then further considered.

23rd April 1936: Adverting to item 11 of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 19th March 1936, the Town Clerk submitted a specimen of the windscreen which Mr. Scarrow asked permission to erect around the Pierrot Site on the sands. The report of the Town Clerk with regard thereto was received.

It was resolved
(a) That  Mr. Scarrow be allowed to erect a windscreen, constructed of wood, 4.5 feet in height around the Pierrot Site, subject to the windscreen being painted and erected to the satisfaction of the Council;
(b) That during the time that performances are not being given a portion of the windscreen shall be taken down in order to allow the users of the sands to have a right of way between the Pierrot Site and the Promenade;
(c) That the Town Clerk be instructed to prepare an Agreement in respect of the erection of the windscreen;
(d) That at the conclusion of the final performance each day the whole of the windscreen be taken down and placed in a position so as to cause no obstruction.

Optimists Programme

The image below shows the programme from one of Billy's shows in 1936. Hovering the mouse over the numbers below will display the appropriate page. Page 10/11 is a double page spread.

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