Gladys Morgan

Gladys Morgan (1898–1983) was a Welsh comedienne, billed variously as the 'Queen of Comedy' or 'the Queen of Laughter', and was renowned for her toothless, ear-splitting, infectious laugh. Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts. Robson Books 1998 ISBN 1 86105 206 5]

Biography

Early life and career

Gladys Morgan was born in Swansea, Wales, in 1898 and, though her family were not theatrical, she was always interested in the stage and by the time she turned eleven she had her own song and dance act. She joined a children’s concert party called The Brilliant Gems, where one of her colleagues was Albert Burdon, who was later to become well-known as an actor and comedian.Four foot ten inch Gladys then formed an act called The Three Virgins, with the equally diminutive Betty Jumel on violin and Vy Vivienne on piano.

While touring as a solo singer in a concert party in the Isle of Man she was asked by the company manager to play the part of an old deaf woman in a sketch. She reluctantly agreed to do so, and was amazed and delighted to find that the audience found her hilarious. [ [http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/6454] The Stage] She teamed up with, and married, fellow comedian Frank Laurie, whom she had first met when he was only sixteen. The act wasn't very successful until it was suggested that they swap jobs, with Gladys becoming the comic and Frank the straight man. The scheme worked and plentiful dates followed. By this time she had dropped her broad Welsh accent in favour of a Lancashire one, possibly in imitation of her great hero Frank Randle.

Like many other entertainers Gladys and Frank worked for ENSA during the war, being joined in the act by their daughter, Joan.The ENSA organiser for northwest England at the time was a man called Bert Hollman. Joan later became Mrs Hollman, with Bert joining the act both as a performer and manager.

"Welsh Rarebit"

Gladys' big break came when she auditioned for the popular BBC radio variety show "Welsh Rarebit". [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/walesonair/database/rarebit.shtml] Welsh Rarebit] [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/southwest/sites/entertainment/pages/radio.shtml] BBC Wales tribute] As the show was for Welsh performers only, producer Mai Jones was reluctant to cast her, as Gladys was well-known for her Lancashire accent. A week performing at the Town Hall, Pontypridd using her natural accent was enough to convince Mai that Morgan was indeed Welsh, and she was given a two-minute spot on the show. Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts. p.126 Robson Books 1998 ISBN 1 86105 206 5] Her great friend, comedian Wyn Calvin, is reported to have said, "Her maniacal laugh created such a furore it practically filled the two minutes." Roy Hudd's Cavalcade of Variety Acts. p.126 Robson Books 1998 ISBN 1 86105 206 5] Gladys became resident comedienne on the show, sharing top billing with a rising young star, Harry Secombe.

Morgan's success on Welsh Rarebit led to many successful variety tours around all the major theatres in the UK, including supporting Frankie Vaughan at the London Palladium in 1961. Along with many television appearances in shows like the "The Good Old Days" [ [http://www.tv.com/the-good-old-days/the-good-old-days---gladys-morgan/episode/1083703/cast.html] TV.com The Good Old Days] she was frequently heard in popular radio shows such as "Workers' Playtime" and "Midday Music Hall". Regular appearances on "Educating Archie" and "The Frankie Howerd Show", with her trademark striped blazer and cheeky grin established her as one of the country's best-loved performers.

Throughout the nineteen sixties she was kept busy with pantomime and summer season, five tours to Australia, and four sell-out tours of South Africa where the family also had their own series on Springbok Radio called "The Morgans". Gladys also made a film with Nancy Kwan, Jack Hawkins and Bud Flanagan in 1965 called "The Wild Affair". [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0604687/] Internet Movie DataBase ]

Arthritis forced Gladys to retire from show business when she was in her seventies, and she died in Worthing where she had been a resident for 47 years, in 1983. [http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/CustomPages/CustomPage.aspx?SectionID=13094] Worthing Herald ]

References

ee also

[http://www.fandango.com/thewildaffair_v117002/cast Gladys Morgan] on Fandango
[http://www.famouswelsh.com/Welsh-Media/comedians-news-readers-beauty-winners-personalities.php?pid=337 Gladys Morgan] on Famous Welsh