George Mitchell (Scottish musician): Difference between revisions
Change of job before the war, expansion of the Singers' careers. Adjustment of and addition to the Minstrels' story |
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'''George Mitchell''', (27 February 1917 – 27 August 2002) was a Scottish musician, best known for having devised the long-running ''[[The Black and White Minstrel Show]]''.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/aug/29/broadcasting2 Guardian]</ref> |
'''George Mitchell''', (27 February 1917 – 27 August 2002) was a Scottish musician, best known for having devised the long-running ''[[The Black and White Minstrel Show]]''.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2002/aug/29/broadcasting2 Guardian]</ref> |
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He was born in [[Falkirk]], Scotland.<ref name="birth">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2223239.stm BBC News]</ref> Mitchell's grandfather was well-known Scottish choir master John Laing, and both of his parents were amateur singers. He was educated at [[Southgate School|Southgate County School]] in North London.<ref name="scspupils">[http://www.southgatecountyschool.co.uk/pupils.php Southgate County School notable former pupils] Accessed 4 June 2007</ref> Mitchell was an accountant before his [[World War II]] military service |
He was born in [[Falkirk]], Scotland.<ref name="birth">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/2223239.stm BBC News]</ref> Mitchell's grandfather was well-known Scottish choir master John Laing, and both of his parents were amateur singers. He was educated at [[Southgate School|Southgate County School]] in North London.<ref name="scspupils">[http://www.southgatecountyschool.co.uk/pupils.php Southgate County School notable former pupils] Accessed 4 June 2007</ref> Mitchell was an accountant before his [[World War II]] military service. During the war, he served with the Royal Army Pay Corps at Finsbury Circus. This posting enabled him to organise choirs within the armed forces and put on shows at the Cripplegate Theatre<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theatrestrust.org.uk/resources/theatres/show/3204-cripplegate-theatre |title=Cripplegate Theatre |publisher=The Theatres Trust |date= |accessdate=16 April 2012}}</ref> among others. This led to appearances on many BBC radio shows ≤Minstrel Magic≥. The choir continued after the war and soon no radio programme was complete without its quote of Mitchell Singers, often performing under different names. Given their own radio show in 1950, the George Mitchell Glee Club, George and his singers continued to perform in hundreds of radio and stage shows and appeared in several films. They also had several hit records. In 1957, the George Mitchell Minstrels first appeared at the annual Earl's Court Radio Show, though misleadingly this programme was televised ≤Minstrel Magic≥. From 1958, the Minstrels, in red make-up which looked black on camera, became an enormous hit, with a peak viewing audience of 16.5 million viewers in 1964. It won the [[Golden Rose of Montreux]] for Best TV Show in the World in 1961.<ref name="birth" /><ref name="TVHeaven">[http://www.televisionheaven.co.uk/minstrel.htm Television Heaven pages] Accessed 19 February 2009</ref> |
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The show appeared in a prime-time television slot for twenty years, as well as spawning two touring stage shows, one in the UK and one in Australia, and a permanent one in London which ran from 1962 until 1972 at the Victoria Palace, with a further year at the New Victoria ≤Minstrel Magic≥. During the 1970s its popularity declined, partly because of the style of music becoming dated and partly because of an increase in racial awareness. It was axed by the BBC after several unsuccessful attempts to change the format. Mitchell was awarded the OBE in 1975. The minstrel show in black face continued to be performed on stage (and was very popular) until 1989. |
The show appeared in a prime-time television slot for twenty years, as well as spawning two touring stage shows, one in the UK and one in Australia, and a permanent one in London which ran from 1962 until 1972 at the Victoria Palace, with a further year at the New Victoria ≤Minstrel Magic≥. During the 1970s its popularity declined, partly because of the style of music becoming dated and partly because of an increase in racial awareness. It was axed by the BBC after several unsuccessful attempts to change the format. Mitchell was awarded the OBE in 1975. The minstrel show in black face continued to be performed on stage (and was very popular) until 1989. |
Revision as of 23:11, 30 August 2017
George Mitchell | |
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Born | Falkirk, Scotland | 27 February 1917
Died | 27 August 2002 | (aged 85)
Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, television personality |
George Mitchell, (27 February 1917 – 27 August 2002) was a Scottish musician, best known for having devised the long-running The Black and White Minstrel Show.[1]
He was born in Falkirk, Scotland.[2] Mitchell's grandfather was well-known Scottish choir master John Laing, and both of his parents were amateur singers. He was educated at Southgate County School in North London.[3] Mitchell was an accountant before his World War II military service. During the war, he served with the Royal Army Pay Corps at Finsbury Circus. This posting enabled him to organise choirs within the armed forces and put on shows at the Cripplegate Theatre[4] among others. This led to appearances on many BBC radio shows ≤Minstrel Magic≥. The choir continued after the war and soon no radio programme was complete without its quote of Mitchell Singers, often performing under different names. Given their own radio show in 1950, the George Mitchell Glee Club, George and his singers continued to perform in hundreds of radio and stage shows and appeared in several films. They also had several hit records. In 1957, the George Mitchell Minstrels first appeared at the annual Earl's Court Radio Show, though misleadingly this programme was televised ≤Minstrel Magic≥. From 1958, the Minstrels, in red make-up which looked black on camera, became an enormous hit, with a peak viewing audience of 16.5 million viewers in 1964. It won the Golden Rose of Montreux for Best TV Show in the World in 1961.[2][5]
The show appeared in a prime-time television slot for twenty years, as well as spawning two touring stage shows, one in the UK and one in Australia, and a permanent one in London which ran from 1962 until 1972 at the Victoria Palace, with a further year at the New Victoria ≤Minstrel Magic≥. During the 1970s its popularity declined, partly because of the style of music becoming dated and partly because of an increase in racial awareness. It was axed by the BBC after several unsuccessful attempts to change the format. Mitchell was awarded the OBE in 1975. The minstrel show in black face continued to be performed on stage (and was very popular) until 1989.
References
- ^ Guardian
- ^ a b BBC News
- ^ Southgate County School notable former pupils Accessed 4 June 2007
- ^ "Cripplegate Theatre". The Theatres Trust. Retrieved 16 April 2012.
- ^ Television Heaven pages Accessed 19 February 2009