Chairman’s Christmas Newsletter

10th January 202223rd December 2021 by Site Admin

We hope this year we can celebrate Christmas with our loved ones! Covid permitting!

We have enjoyed three fantastic Christmas parties with excellent festive food from our caterer Peter Cliffe and his team. Socially distanced Cabaret, dancing and Santa and his Elf! Hooray!

As you know, 2022 is our 125th anniversary, the club being formed in 1897. So organising special CELEBRATORY functions is well underway.

The First function is Friday 14th January at 7.30pm. ‘Evening All’ A tribute to our past president who we owe so much to, Jack Warner, devised and written by Gerald Glover. Technical direction is by Richard Norman. Cost is £25 members (£27 guests) which includes light refreshments after the show.

A CAA 125th Anniversary Fund Raising Event

FRIDAY 14th JANUARY at 7.30pm

‘EVENING ALL’

A TRIBUTE TO JACK WARNER

Written by Gerald Glover

Technical Director Richard Norman

Donation £25 Members (£27 Guests)

includes light refreshments after the show

Celebrating the life and career of one of Britain’s best loved entertainers – Jack Warner.

Featuring movie clips from his many films – he was particularly proud of Carve Her Name With Pride (1950) – mingled with sound clips from his wireless and record career – Garrison Theatre on the BBC (Light Programme, of course!) and at the London Palladium (1940) – through to the film The Blue Lamp (1950) which was followed by his most famous incarnation, George Dixon……of Dock Green (1955-76).

To us at the CAA he is the Diamond Geezer who, as our President, found our present premises. He persuaded J. Arthur Rank to be the guarantor for the mortgage we took out at the Midland Bank for 20 Bedford Street. Jack Warner was Rank’s biggest star at the time.

The first Monday night Club show of the New Year will be Monday 17th January. Simon Bashford is Social Secretary that evening presenting a ‘125 years Anniversary Show.’ West End Musicals through the ages performed by West End Musical Stars. Monday 24th January will be a ‘Member’s Night Show.’

A CAA 125th Anniversary Event

FRIDAY 28th JANUARY 7pm for 7.30pm

BURNS NIGHT

With a Piper, Dancing and Haggis!

£32 (£35 Guests) Includes Three Course Meal

The second CAA 125 Function on Friday 28th January is our traditional fun evening ‘BURNS NIGHT’ with piper and Haggis. Cost £32 Members (£35 guests) including the three course meal. This is followed by our Monday night show organised by Shannon Rewcroft as Social Secretary.

The following Monday 7th February, Social Secretary David Power presents Star baritone Anthony Cable and Barry Stewart. Fun at the piano and in song with Laurence Payne as MD. On Monday 14th February Social Secretary Kay Carman presents a Valentine’s Night Show with Showbiz couple Vivienne McMaster a dancer and star vocalist with MD Sean Whittle from the Ritz.

A CAA 125th Anniversary Event

FRIDAY 25th FEBRUARY at 7.30pm

A BRIEF HISTORY OF JAZZ

A Jazzy musical journey from 1920’s Ragtime through the ages to Miles Davis.

An award winning show performed by the acclaimed PAUL HIGGS QUARTET

£20 Members (£22 Guests)

On Monday 21st February we have no show as the hall is rented for a private function. Our next 125 show opens the Jazz Nights series with ‘A Brief History of Jazz.’ From 1920s Ragtime through the jazz ages to Miles Davis. This award winning show is performed by the acclaimed Paul Higgs Quartet. Cost £20 Members (£22 Guests)

PAYMENT FOR CLUB FUNCTIONS – IF POSSIBLE PLEASE PAY BY CARD OVER THE PHONE OR IN PERSON TO MALCOLM IN THE OFFICE. Cash and Cheques are still acceptable in person or by post but card payments by phone are preferable. Many Thanks.

Judith Quiney is overseeing the refurbishment of the office suites which will be completed soon together with complete internet update.

SUNDAY 13th MARCH at 5pm

The CAA 125th ANNIVERSARY BALL

Cabaret, Dancing & Dinner.

THE EVENT OF THE YEAR!

Venue: The Victory Services Club, Seymour Street, W2 2HF

Members £80 (Guests £85)

THE CAA 125 YEARS ANNIVERSARY BALL will be held on Sunday 13th March at the Victory Services Club, Seymour Street, W2 2HF. Please put the date in your diaries.

Thank you to all who bought tickets for the postponed 2020 ball. Although the costs and price have increased for 2022, the CAA will make up the shortfall on all monies we have already received. If you haven’t yet booked, New Prices are Members £80 (Guests £85) Thank you.

The Club bar looked like a welcoming Santa’s grotto during the run up to Christmas. Thank you Nick Robinson.

I hope you all have a happy holiday season. Closed from 5pm on Thursday 23rd December, the Club reopens, Covid restrictions permitting, at 12 noon on Wednesday 5th January 2020.

Finally, Thanks to the Committee and Malcolm and the Staff, also all of you Members for your support during these ‘trying’ times.

Love to you all.

Stay Safe

Kay x

A Message from Anita Dobson

13th March 202223rd December 2021 by Site Admin

Originally posted on the Home Page in August 2021

A personal message from our President Anita Dobson…

Hi Gang, you wonderful members of our Fabulous Club. It has been a long hard time for us all since Covid struck and our lives were turned upside down.

It’s now time for us to reclaim our world and try to embrace life again and that means gently and lovingly meeting our friends and loved ones in a safe way.

I have missed our get-togethers and am hoping to see you all in the not too distant future. We have lost some members, but we will remember them and raise a glass in their memory. Life is tough, but CAA members are made of strong stuff and the Club will survive.

We will keep our traditions and love of life alive. Showbusiness is the link that binds us and the Show must… and WILL go on.

See you soon and stay strong and healthy till then, lotsa love your adoring President.

Anita xxxxxx

Larry Parker 1929 – 2021

1st December 202128th November 2021 by Site Admin

Larry Parker, comedy magician, passed away peacefully in a care home in Cornwall aged 92 on 17th August, 2021.

Larry was born in Preston while his parents were appearing in a season of plays in the Lancashire town. He was the third generation of a theatrical family. His grandfather was the Edwardian actor-manager, Charles Clifford.

From the age of twelve Larry helped and appeared in his parents’ fit up company, The Kinloch Players, touring villages and towns in the Highlands of Scotland. It was here that he first performed a magic act.

Following his National Service, which he spent mainly in London, his early years were in the theatre, initially as an actor, but developing his talents to become a straight man and juvenile lead in summer shows around the coast of Britain. It was during his time, while in a summer season in Babbacombe, that he met comedienne Rowena Vincent, who he later married.

It was at this point Larry started to develop a comedy magic act which later in his career was to bring him success, not only in Britain, but also internationally. The unique act combining comedy, magic and mime was enjoyed by audiences of all ages and nationalities.

In the 1960’s and 70’s Larry was a regular on children’s television, often seen performing with his faithful friend, Theodore the rabbit. He wrote and appeared in programmes including two series of Whistle Stop, five episodes of Jackanory and was also in several other popular children’s programmes of the time, including Crackerjack, The Sooty Show, Blue Peter and Magpie. His first break through came in the late 1950’s, appearing and writing “Happy Go Lucky”, a children ‘s television series for Tyne Tees Television, which ran for six years.

It was in the 1970’s that Larry became a regular on British television, with his own brand of comedy magic, making regular appearances on shows such as the Good Old Days, 321, Seaside Special and many other variety shows of the day.

When not on television he continued to work in summer shows and the clubs around Britain as well as completing a year long run in the Max Bygraves Show at the Victoria Palace in London and a short season at the London Palladium with the Two Ronnies. His proudest moment though came in 1975, when he appeared in the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium in front of Her Majesty the Queen.

In the 1980’s, as the club scene dwindled in the U.K. and summer seasons became shorter and scarcer, Larry turned his attention to the Continent where speciality acts were in high demand. Working in top night spots including Paris, Brussels, Barcelona, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Rome, Larry’s combination of magic and visual humour was perfect for an international audience.

Always quick to adapt to the latest trend, Larry also saw an opportunity in the increasingly popular cruising market and during the late 1980’s and 90’s became a regular on both P&O and Cunard cruise ships.

Following the death of his wife, Rowena, in 1997 Larry moved to Cornwall, where he continued to entertain at children’s parties and local fayres. His final years were spent in Mousehole, a beautiful fishing village situated between Penzance and Lands End, where he spent many happy hours taking in the harbour views.

Although throughout his career he was known as a comedy magician, Larry was interested in all forms of magic and was a member of the Inner Magic Circle. He was also a member of the theatrical club, the CAA, and served two terms as the club’s President, as well as writing a book to commemorate the club’s centenary. Larry’s other great passion was the Players Theatre, a Victorian musical theatre club based in London, where he performed on a regular basis whenever he could.

Larry will be sadly missed by his son, Robin, and his three grandchildren, Rebecca, Sophie and Ewan.

CAA Patron BARRY CRYER On Stage at the Club

27th January 20224th November 2021 by Site Admin

WITH THE PASSING OF COMEDY GENIUS BARRY CRYER, THE CLUB HAS LOST A MARVELLOUS PATRON AND SUPPORTER.

Site Admin 27th Jan 2022

A WONDERFUL AFTERNOON at the club on the 2nd of November.

Barry Cryer entertained us all brilliantly together with his great pianist and friend, Colin Sell. The full house were swept away on a magical carpet of humour and enjoyment. The Hall rocked with laughter!

Barry Cryer is a true Showbiz STAR and LEGEND. A huge thanks to our PATRON BARRY CRYER!! All our love and thanks from

Kay, Chairman, and all of our Members.

Chairman’s Newsletter August 2021

31st August 2021 by Site Admin

Please note…a fuller version of this newsletter is available in the Private Member’s section. Please click on that section and register.

Dear Members,

I hope you have survived the past long Covid months during lockdown. It has been a dreadful time for everyone and sadly we have lost many members since March 2020, not just through Covid but other illnesses as well! Please note that we will be having a special Tribute Evening at the Club on Monday 27^th September from 7.30pm to share our memories of them. More later.

The Committee have agreed to fully open the Club from 1^st September, Monday to Friday, 12 noon to last orders 11.10pm. Please note that we will only be taking card payments behind the bar for the foreseeable future. (Everything is still dependable on Government Guidelines.)

Monday night shows will be slightly different but will commence with a special ‘Welcome Back’ show on Monday 20th September at 8pm. Then, as mentioned, on Monday 27^th September we will have a Tribute Evening to celebrate the lives and careers of all our members who have passed away during this Covid dominated period. If you would like to say a few words about anyone that evening, please contact me and I will give you a time slot. The evening will be interspersed with music that was relevant to these passed members. A list of the deceased members is available in the Final Curtain section of the web site or at the office.

These first two Monday evenings may be well attended so you should book your seat in advance, either from myself on 07768 126994 or via Malcolm in the office. Also book with us if you require a meal in the hall beforehand, last orders on these two evenings will be 6.30pm. Booking is only required for these first two Mondays. Monday shows from October onwards will be as in the past.

From September 1^st, Peter Cliffe, our new caterer is launching a new full menu served daily from 12 noon until 7pm. Please look at Backstage Bites on the site for details of this lovely menu.

Our ‘C’ Member, Frank Butler, is kindly taking over from Ron Wallace to organise the CAA Ex Serviceman’s Dinner on November 12^th assisted by our ‘A’ Member Teddy Farnham. Look out for further details on the Club noticeboard and this web site.

Keep checking this website for immediate updates. The Committee have agreed to add a new performance or ‘gig ’guide to the site like we used to print in our old newsletters. We also now have a private ‘Member’s Only’ section on the web site. Please register. In time you will be able to pay your subs and book for events thought this Private Section. There is also a fuller version of this newsletter to view in the private section. So please complete the easy registration and password process. Just click on Member’s Only Area and go from there!

There are two Jazz Nights booked for the autumn. Friday 29^th October: the wonderful Helen Theophanus Quintet present ‘The Look of Love,’ a celebration of the music of Burt Bacharach and his Latin American influences. On Friday 26^th November a jazzy mix entitled ‘Basie to the Beatles and Beyond’ with the multi award winning Sarah Bolter Quintet. Ticket prices are £20 for members (£22 guests) which includes light refreshments.

We are arranging new ways to book and pay. At the club on Monday evenings and through the web site. We will also have new card facilities and will also accept old fashioned cheques and cash!

I am very optimistic for us! ‘Always look on the bright side of life!’

The CAA will be 125 years old in 2022. So let’s make it a truly CELEBRATORY YEAR!!

My Love and Thanks to you all,

Kay Carman (CAA Chair)