Brian Godfrey 1948-2015
We at IBY were saddened to hear of Brian's death on Christmas Day 2015 and pay tribute to our friend with the article from 2012 celebrating his 25th year as a Sister/Dame for Qdos.
Brian Godfrey has recently
celebrated Twenty-Five years as pantomime Dame and Ugly Sister for Qdos. This
year, 2012 he will be appearing as 'Sister' at the Alhambra Theatre Bradford
enjoying one of the longest panto seasons in 'Cinderella'.
2012 has been a busy year for Brian. The New Year was
spent at the Civic Theatre Darlington in 'Cinderella'
with Jimmy Cricket, Deena Payne and Ray Quinn. He has just finished appearing
and co-directing 'Wife Begins At Forty'
at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford.
'Wife' starred Vikki Michelle,
Mark Curry, Royce Mills,
Anita Graham, Richard Lowe and Brian himself.
Later this Summer, from June through August Brian Directs and appears in Ray
Cooney's 'Cash on Delivery' at the
Mill Sonning. This comedy also features Royce Mills,
, Lynette McMorrough , Nick Wilton and Anita
Graham.
Brian's career has spanned all aspects of Theatre, Musicals, Farces, Films, Television and, of course Pantomime. IBY is proud to turn the Spotlight on this versatile Performer and Director!
Television & Theatre:
Television Credits:
Brian Godfrey was born into a family that already had
Theatrical connections. His Grandmother was an actress, and had appeared in
pantomime at the old Surrey Theatre. His Uncle - his Father's brother was the
television and film actor Tommy Godfrey.
Tommy Godfrey was a familiar face on TV in the 1960's
and 70's from appearances in Sit Coms like 'Love Thy Neighbour' and 'Mind Your
Language', and had appeared in the Ealing comedy 'Passport To Pimlico'. Tommy
was a seasoned Variety performer who specialised in comedy and dance, and
appeared as one of 'The Crazy Gang' in 'Underneath The Arches' with Roy Hudd in
the West End.
Both Tommy and Brian were South Londoners, Brian
continues to live South of The River today. He saw his Uncle Tommy in pantomime
as Captain in 'Dick Whittington' at the Streatham Hill Theatre when he was a
boy.
At the age of fourteen he had the distinction of
appearing in the Judy Garland film 'I could go on Singing' in 1963. The film
starred Judy Garland and Dirk Bogarde, with scenes filmed at the London
Palladium.
Brian made his
early
Television debut in1964 when he made appearances in 'Z Cars' and 'Dr. Finlay's
Casebook
In 1965 The BBC opened their
second channel BBC2. Previously the Television picture was composed of 405
lines. Now it was changed to accommodate 625 lines
for a clearer picture. BBC2 celebrated with an
hour long drama as part of their 'Theatre 625' series. Brian appeared in this.
Brian appeared in television
productions during the 1970's that included 'Jackanory' ('70), 'The Rivals Of
Sherlock Holmes' ('71) 'Colditz' ('72)
and roles in 'The Mating Season', 'George &
Mildred', with Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce, 'Minder', 'Never The Twain', 'The
Les Dawson Special', 'Up The Elephant And Round The Castle', and appeared in 'Stand Up Virgin Soldiers'.
That same year Brian made his film appearance in 'Queen
Kong!'- a film that has yet to appear on cinema screens! Due to an injunction by
the Film Director Dino De Laurentis, the film was withdrawn- De Laurentis
produced a Kong remake that year and this spoof version has now achieved cult
status! It starred Robin Asquith as Ray Fay, with Rula Lenska in the role of
Luce Habit, British Film Star and pantomime Principal Boy Linda Hayden as a
singing nun, and Hammer Horror Star Valerie Leon as The Queen Of The Nabongas!
Brian continued to appear in theatre and in television
that included a season with The Kenny Everett Television Show (1982-83) and
playing the role of Jimmy Jasper in 'Hi De Hi'. In this episode Paul Shane's
character Ted Bovis is sacked from Maplins Holiday Camp, and the boss Alec
Foster employs comic Jasper to replace him. Brian appeared in 2000 in Carlton
Television's series 'Barbara'.
Theatre includes:
Brian has made several appearances in the West End- at
The Criterion Theatre, The Duchess and the Whitehall Theatre as can actor, and
at The Vaudeville and the Whitehall Theatre as Assistant Director to Ray Cooney.
Paul Elliott
produced 'Run For Your Wife' in London's West End, and around the world. He
recalls Brian's first entry into the world of Farce for Elliott and Cooney:
' Brian was
introduced to the team by Robin Askwith when we were at the Criterion Theatre
and Ray Cooney and I cast him as "Bobby Franklin" in "Run For Yor Wife" [which I
produced in London and around the world] and he played the part more times than
any other actor...and was by far the best "Bobby" the play has ever had.
On
the tour of "Wife" with Les Dawson I was forced to cast another actor..and with
2 days to go before we opened in Blackpool I fired him and Brian stepped in and
did the entire tour and Les loved him so much that when we did the show again
with Les he insisted that Brian was in the show.
Brian also was in
my play "There's No Place Like A Home" which did 2 tours with a wonderful
"geriatric" cast of Gorden Kaye, Ray Allan and Lord Charles, Brian Cant, Ken
Morley, Tony Adams, Joan Savage and Peter Byrne and was the associate
director...[ I hope he will be in it again at the Mill at Sonning in April of
next year!]
If all people in
this industry were as nice and as talented as Brian Godfrey it would be a better
world! '
Brian has a long working relationship with 'The Master
Of Farce', Ray Cooney, and has appeared in many of his comedies- Brian played
Bobby Franklyn in 'Run For Your Wife' in 1985 at The Duchess and The Whitehall
Theatre, as well as 'Caught In The Net', 'Two And Two Make Sex', 'Cash On
Delivery' and 'Wife Begins At Forty' at The prestigious 'Mill At Sonning'.
He has toured in 'Run For Your Wife' in Canada- North
and South, and Ireland '“ North and South and throughout the UK alongside the
legendary Les Dawson.
Ray Cooney had this to say about Brian recently:
Brian became a member of the 'Ray Cooney Players' early on in his career - I think it was 1602. Now, whenever the opportunity arises, I cast Brian in my productions - and, even if the opportunity does not arise, Brian insists I cast him. So, the fact of the matter is, Brian has been in all my productions since he was sacked by William Shakespeare for corpsing in the Graveyard Scene.
Brian has appeared in
'Funny Money' by Ray Cooney in the Far and
Middle East tours for Derek Nimmo, and on board the QE2 appearing and directing
two plays and a musical. He directed 'Cash On Delivery' in Israel, and in 1999
directed 'Run For Your Wife' at The Churchill Theatre Bromley and for the Summer
Season at Bournemouth. At The Mill Sonning Brian appeared in 'Two Into One' in
2010, and recently directed 'Wife Begins At Forty' appearing with Vicki Michelle
at Sonning in 2011, and in the comedy 'Holiday Snap'.
In
2007 Brian appeared and was associate director on the comedy 'There's No
Place Like A Home', written by Panto King Paul Elliott. It toured the UK on
two national tours with Brian appearing alongside Gorden Kaye, Ken Moreley,
Peter Byrne Sue Hodge, Brian Cant, Tony Adams, Audrey Leybourne,
Jody
Crosier and Joan Savage- the play featured Ray Allan and his 'Dolly' Lord
Charles, and Don McLean and Jan Hunt.
Most recently Brian has appeared alongside many of Ray
Cooney's 'Repertory Players' '“ the stars of his hit comedies, in Ray's
forthcoming feature film 'Run For Your Wife' due for release this year.
Outside of the world of Cooney, Brian has appeared in
London's West End in the revue 'Off The Peg', and in the musical 'You're A Good
Man Charlie Brown' in the role of Linus.
Brian has toured extensively
and tours include 'Lend Me A Tenor'- another Middle and Far East engagement,
'The
Mating Season' with Sid James, 'Come Blow Your Horn', 'Babes In Arms', 'Let's Go
Camping!' and the Stage Version of 'It Aint Half Hot Mum'.
Pantomimes
Pre E&B/Qdos
1977
Mother Goose
Bristol Hippodrome
Peter Elliott Producer
John Inman, Susan Maugham, Hope & Keen, Nicholas Brent,
Barbara Newman with Brian Godfrey as Billy Goose
1978
Mother Goose
New Theatre Oxford
Peter Elliott
John Inman with Billy Burdon as Squire, Jimmy and Brian
Patton, Susan Paul.
1979
Mother Goose
Davenport Theatre Stockport
Peter Elliott
Paul Elliott produced
'Run For Your Wife'
in the West End
and tours in the UK
and abroad. His Pantomime company E&B Productions first cast Brian as Ugly
Sister in 1987. After playing 'Sister' for eighteen years Paul devised and
directed Brian's solo Dame in 'Aladdin'
at the Orchard Theatre Dartford, with Brian Conley starring as Aladdin.
Brian recalls:
I do remember over 25 years ago I was in the dressing
room at the Criterion theatre doing RUN FOR YOUR WIFE when Paul Elliott called
in and asked me if I fancied doing Dame for him. I thought about it for a few
seconds and said " Not sure, don't know if I'd be any good at it. But I don't
mind having a go at Ugly. Because if it all goes wrong I can blame it on the
other
bloke!!!" So that's where it all started!
For E&B- Paul
Elliott
1987
Cinderella
Cambridge
Paul Elliott/E&B
Linda Hayden, Amanda Bairstow, Peter Sowerbutts & Brian
Godfrey as Ugly Sisters.
1988
Cinderella
Brighton Theatre Royal
Paul Elliott/E&B
Bill Owen, Anna Wing, Paul Toothill and Brian Godfrey as
Ugly Sisters.
1989
Cinderella
Guildford
Paul Elliott/E&B
Bonnie Langford as Cinderella.
1990
Cinderella
Plymouth Theatre Royal
Paul Elliott/E&B
Brian's first pantomime paired with David Moreton as
Ugly Sisters. Designed by Tim Goodchild it starred Des O'Connor, Eric Sykes and
Peggy Mount as Fairy Godmother.
1991
Cinderella
Woking Victoria Theatre
Paul Elliott/E&B
Des O'Connor. Brian & David as Ugly Sisters
1992
Cinderella
Hippodrome Birmingham
Paul Elliott/E&B
Des O'Connor
. Brian & David as Ugly Sisters
1993
Cinderella
Southampton Mayflower
Paul Elliott/E&B
Brian Conley.
Gloria
Honeyford as Fairy Godmother
This
pantomime ran until February 6th
1994.
1994
Cinderella
Bournemouth Pavilion
Paul Elliott/E&B
Les Dennis as Buttons, Kathy Staff, Amanda Holden as
Cinderella. Brian & David as Ugly Sisters
1995
Cinderella
Lincoln Theatre Royal
Paul Elliott/E&B
Frazer Hines.
1996
1997
Cinderella
Chichester Festival Theatre
Paul Elliott/E&B
Dora Bryan, Ray Meagher, Bobby Davro
1998
Cinderella
Mayflower Southampton
Paul Elliott/E&B
Brian Conley, Danny La Rue, Anne Sydney, Kate
O'Sullivan. Brian & David as Sisters. In this production Brian Conley stepped in
to replace Dudley Moore who was taken ill before rehearsals. Danny La Rue played
The Baroness Voluptua
1999
Cinderella
Plymouth Theatre Royal
Paul Elliott/E&B
Brian Conley, Danny La Rue,
Jody Crosier, Brian
& David as Sisters
This imagremainremains the copyright of Judy Graham and cannot be used without permission.
2000 Cinderella Woking Victoria Theatre E&B/E&B
Bobby Davro, Melinda Messenger as Cinderella.. Brian &
David as Sisters.
2001 Cinderella Milton Keynes Qdos
Brian Godfrey
Directed pantomime here for the first time.
The Pantomime once again starred Bobby Davro and Melinda Messenger. Melinda was
pregnant, and her role was played by Melanie Marshall.
2002 Cinderella High Wycombe Swan Theatre Qdos
Brian Godfrey directed this
pantomime. He did not appear that year. Sisters were played by David Moreton and
Simon Butteriss. It starred Danny La Rue, Kevin
Woodford and Dave Benson Phillips.
2003
Cinderella
Nottingham Theatre Royal
Qdos
Brian directed this pantomime with Danny La Rue playing
Fairy Godmother for the first time, and Bobby Davro.
2004
Cinderella
Cardiff New Theatre
Qdos
Brian directed and played Ugly Sister with Cardiff's
Tony Wright. The panto starred Danny La Rue with Dave Benson Phillips.
2005
Aladdin
Dartford Orchard Theatre
Qdos
Directed and devised by Paul Elliott - Brian Godfrey in
his first Dame role as Widow Twankey with Brian Conley starring as Aladdin, and
Dawson Chance.
2006
Jack & The Beanstalk
Newcastle Theatre Royal
Qdos
Directed and written by Michael Harrison, Brian Godfrey
as Dame Trott. The panto starred Jill Halfpenny and Clive Webb and Danny Adams.
Craig Conway played Fleshcreep.
2007
Dick Whittington
Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
Qdos
Brian Godfrey as Sarah The Cook. The Pantomime directed
by Sam Kane who played Dick, The Krankies as Captain & Mate with Leslie Grantham
as King Rat., Dani Harmer .
2008
Cinderella
Northampton Derngate Theatre
Qdos
Brian Godfrey returned to play Sister with Darren
Southworth. The Panto starred Jimmy Osmond as Buttons.
2009
Cinderella
Southend Cliffs Pavilion
Qdos
Brian Godfrey and Darren
Southworth with Brian Conley starring as Buttons, Dawson Chance and Willy as
Baron, Denise Pitter as Fairy Godmother, and
Eaton
James as Dandini.
Click on the following image to enlarge
2010
Cinderella
Cardiff New Theatre
Qdos
Brian Godfrey directing and playing Sister with Darren
Southworth. The Pantomime starring Brian Conley with Dawson Chance, Amy
Pemberton as Cinderella.
2011
Cinderella
Darlington Civic Theatre
Qdos
In his Twenty
Fifth pantomime for E&B/Qdos- Brian Godfrey
played Ugly Sister with Darren Southworth. This pantomime starred Ray Quinn and
Jimmy Cricket with Deena Payne as Cinderella.
We'll leave the last words to Jonathan Kiley, Director Qdos Entertainment Group
I have known Brian for
over 30 years, we first met in Guildford where Brian was giving his '˜Ugly' and I
was directing Cinderella starring Bonnie Langford, we became great friends and
have worked together every Christmas since. Brian is a one off, a consummate
professional, and genius comic actor, whether in farce or pantomime, his
attention to detail and timing are spot on.
It's not often one meets
actors who are happy to graft at their craft, never moan, and always approach
every job with incredible enthusiasm, be it in performance or directing, Brian
has all those qualities. With a great sense of humour, he is a lesson to us all
in dedication and is the ultimate pro! A Panto legend!
This page was last updated 2nd January 2016
