The Roosters Concert Party on Stage & in Public

Mon, 29/11/1919

Lapford Carnival

Lapford's first ever carnival, included a procession of tableaus through the town including the Roosters, in order to raise funds for the completion of the Victory Hall and the war memorial outside dedicated to the men from the area who did not return from the War.

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Sat, 13/11/1920

Morchard Bishop Carnival

Included a procession through the town starting at Church Street, and parade through the principal streets of the town. The Roosters were one of two pierrot troupes in the carnival, and the Morchard Bishop Brass Band amongst others.

Sat, 13/06/1925 (Chelmsford Chronicle, Fri 18/06/1925)

Chelmsford Carnival, Recreation Ground, Chelmsford

In aid of the Chelmsford Hospital Fund. Amongst other entertainments was an Evening fete in the Recreation Ground. There were displays by local Boy Scout groups and the Roosters Concert Party put on a show. 11,400 people paid for admission to the Recreation Ground, raising over £800 gross receipts for the whole event, from which fees and other expenses had to be paid.

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Sat, 13/06/1926 (Chelmsford Chronicle, Fri 19/06/1926)

Chelmsford Carnival, Recreation Ground, Chelmsford

As per the same concert at same grounds a year earlier, in aid of the Chelmsford Hospital Fund. Amongst other entertainments, an Evening fete in the Recreation Ground where the Roosters Concert Party performed again. Present were; William Mack and Kenneth Western (entertainers), Arthur Mackness (tenor), Septimus Hunt (baritone), and Frederick Pain (pianist).

Unusual Roosters appearance line-up in that leader Percy Merriman wasn't present, and Kenneth Western was without George, who had been the original Rooster!

Fri, 23/07/1926

Conservative Fete, Moor Hall, Harlow

A Conservative fete was held in the grounds of Moor Hall, by permission of owner John Balfour. Although the weather turned out stormy, hundreds attended. The fete was opened by Lady Gosehen and Mr. Balfour. There were stalls, fair attractions, and speeches by Mrs. Winston Churchill (Clementine Churchill); Captain Anthony Eden (M.P. for Warwick & Leamington at the time, later Prime Minister from 1955); Sir Harry Gosehen (President of the National Provincial Bank), Mr J. Balfour; and Mr. J. Swire. A vote of Confidence in Mr. Baldwin and Mr. Churchill was unanimously passed. A band and the Roosters Concert Party entertained.

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Two Weeks beginning Sat, 15/01/1927 14:30

Royal Albert Hall, London

Miss Carrie Tubb, Miss Dorothy Greene, Miss Gladys Ripley, Mr. Walter Glynne, Mr. Robert Easton, Miss Muriel George and Mr. Ernest Butcher (in Folk Songs and Duets), the J.H. Squire Celeste Octet, "The Roosters" Concert Party, Solo organ - Mr. Arthur Meale.

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Sat, 16/06/1928 (Essex Chronicle, Fri 22/06/1928)

Chelmsford Carnival, Recreation Ground, Chelmsford

The third appearance in 4 years at the Chelmsford Hospital Fund's carnival at Chelmsford recreation ground. The evening fete saw nearly 14,000 people pay a total of over £340 for admission, with £1700 raised in total. Many attractions including a large pleasure fair, selections of music played in the bandstand by Callender's Cable Works band and Messrs. Crompton Parkinson's band, as well as dancing on the tennis lawns to music by the 5th Essex Regiment Band. There was also an 'ankle' judging competition for young ladies to show off their ankles (must have been a right orgy)! Two large stages were assembled, one for the Roosters Wireless Concert Party, the other for the Hoffman Black Diamonds concert party.

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Sat, 17/11/1928

Labour Party concert, Church House, Paulton, Bristol

Not ones for any particular political affiliation, after giving a concert for the Conservative party in 1926, the Roosters gave a concert for the Paulton branch of the Labour Party on Saturday evening, 17th November 1928, at Church House, Paulton, which was followed by a dance.

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Mon, 09/02/1929 (Ad in Bath Chronicle & Herald, Sat 02/02/1929)

The Pump Room, Bath

The Roosters' first visit to Bath. Claimed here that the Roosters were the last original army concert party still extant. The Pump Room in Bath had a restaurant with live band (still has live band today) and on this occasional the Roosters provided the entertainment at 15:00 & 20:00.

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Sat, 29/05/1929

Chelmsford Carnival, Recreation Ground, Chelmsford

Becoming something of a regular fixture, the fourth appearance in 5 years (missing 1927) for the Roosters Concert Party at the evening fete held at the recreation ground in Chelmsford in aid of the Chelmsford Hospital Fund. The Hoffman Black Diamonds concert party also attended again as per 1928. The 5th Essex Regiment Band were again on hand to provide dance music. The Pontypool Prize Singers were also on hand to sing. This year 13,884 people paid admission to the fete, with £47 paid in total by 1906 people for admission to the dancing. The Roosters provided two programmes, which were much enjoyed.

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Sat, 01/06/1929

Duke of Norfolk's Coming of Age party, Arundel Castle

In celebration of the Duke of Norfolk's Coming of Age a garden party was held in the grounds of Arundel Castle, to which 6000 people from the Duke's estate were invited! The fete was the final day of a three-day celebration. Present to provide entertainment were the Roosters' Concert Party, band of the Royal Horse Guards, and a troupe of marionettes. (See review from the Glasgow Herald, left)

Sat, 28/06/1930

Battalion Headquarters, 7th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, Sun Street, Finsbury Square

The 7th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, put on a concert during a week-long open event to attract new recruits. In their first three days they obtained 30 men. A recruiting depot was opened at 128, Moorgate, and efforts made to attract likely recruits. The week was being concluded by a concert by the "Roosters," of wireless fame, on Saturday 28th June at 7.30 p.m. at Battalion Headquarters in Sun-street, Finsbury Square, E.C, by ticket only, from the Recruiting Depot by 'intending recruits' only. 

Sun, 11/01/1931

National Sunday League Concert, Lewisham Hippodrome, London

Sunday 11th, Albert Howe died when he slipped off a tram on Archway Road, London and fractured his skull. He was 42 years old. At the time the Roosters were doing another live show at the Lewisham Hippodrome for the National Sunday League Concert. Percy Merriman knew of the accident in advance but decided not to tell the others until after the show so as to not spoil the evening’s entertainment for the public, explaining Howe's absence to the other members by saying he was ill. He told them the truth after the show.

Sat, 19/12/1931

Central Hall, Bristol

Roosters Concert Party. Septimus Hunt and William Mack sang solos, the whole concert performed the sketch 'The Recruiting Depot'. Charles Harrison sang a tenor solo of 'Phyllida'. Frederick Pain did a piano diversion and Arthur Mackness sang.  (See review, left, from Western Daily Press of Monday 21/12/1931)

Mon, 08/02/1932

Brush Works Sports Club concert, Loughborough Town Hall

The "Roosters" Concert Party made their first appearance in Loughborough, on the occasion of the Brush Works Sports Club concert at the Town Hall, before a large audience.

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Thu, 28/04/1932

Albert Hall, Nottingham

Thursday 28th April, the Roosters appeared at the Albert Hall, Nottingham (playing to a large audience of 2,200 people) as arranged but Septimus Hunt and Charles Harrison had to miss the concert due to the injuries sustained in the car accident of the previous week, they were still in hospital then, as announced to the audience. Robert Carr did the baritone songs that would have been performed by Septimus Hunt whilst Wilfred Liddiatt did Charles Harrison's comedy duties. Louis Dare was also present to do tenor solos that were usually the domain of Arthur Mackness who was not present at this concert for some unknown reason.

Fri, 03/06/1932

The Mayor and Mayoress of Paddington (Alderman Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Handover and Lady Handover) held a reception at the Porchester Hall, Bayswater, last evening to meet the Lord Mayor, the Lady Mayor, the Sherrifs of the City of London and their Ladies, the Chairman of the London County Council, the Chairman of the Metropolitan Water Board, and the mayors and mayoresses of the Metropolitan and other Boroughs. During the evening Harper's Imperial orchestra played and the "Roosters" Concert Party provided an entertainment. Between 500 and 600 guests were present.

Sat, 04/03/1933 (little bit of history of Party in Hull Daily Mail, Fri 03/03/1933)

Queen's Hall, Hull.

The Roosters Concert Party. The concert party's first visit to Hull. they returned to the Queen's Hall, Hull, 21 days later, see below. (See review in Hull Daily Mail of Monday 6th March 1933, left)

Sat, 25/03/1933

Queen's Hall, Hull.

The Roosters Concert Party. The concert party performed "The Old Kentucky Home', Percy Merriman did a sketch of "the Weather Report" imitating the voices of radio announcers, Septimus Hunt sang in baritone 'The Wheel-tappers Song' and an Irish song called 'McCushia', William Mack did a comedy interlude in which he described the change in women's figures through the ages, Frederick Pain played a piano medley of various popular and classical melodies, Charles Harrison did a comedy turn, and Louis Dare sang several songs in tenor (usually performed by Arthur Mackness who was absent). (See review in Hull Daily Mail of Monday 27th March 1933, left)

Thu, 13/09/1934

Ilfracombe Swimming Club Gala - Ilfracombe Baths, Ilfracombe, Devon

A gala organised by the Ilfracombe Swimming Club at the Ilfracombe Baths included, as principal event, a polo match between the teams of Ilfracombe and Barnstaple. Also schoolgirl Marion Durman was presented with a picture, subscribed for by teachers and pupils at Church Senior School, as well as being presented with a wristlet watch generously given by members of the Roosters Concert Party, in recognition of her rescuing a visitor from drowning at Larkstone. It was the third rescue Marion had effected in 3 years. (See review in North Devon Journal, right)

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Mon, 27/11/1937

City Hall, Glasgow.

Roosters Concert Party

Thu, 16/12/1937 (Nottingham Evening Post, review, Fri 17/12/1937)

Wesley Chapel, Broad Street, Nottingham.

Celebrity Concert at Wesley Chapel. The Rev. G.W. Teale gave a brief history of the Roosters to the audience. Baritone solos by Septimus Hunt, tenor solos by Arthur Mackness, Frederick Pain at the piano, Percy Merriman was compere of the show and shared comedy with William Mack and Charles Harrison. (See review from Nottingham Evening Post of Friday 17/12/1937, left)

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Wed, 19/07/1939

Warminster Glove Factory, Wiltshire

Annual Garden Party held by Misses Foster Clark of Hinton Charterhouse, near Bath, for the blinded ex-Servicemen of Bristol, Bath and district, at which a concert was given by the famous "Roosters."

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Week beginning Mon, 24/07/1939

Palace Theatre, Bath

The Friday, 28th July, was William Mack’s birthday so for the whole week at this venue the Roosters ran a talent competition in which members of the audience, as amateurs, could come up on to the stage and do their own party piece, and the winner, on the Friday, would receive a cheque (See article on the ‘Roosters in Print’ page).

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Mon. 18th - Sat. 23rd /03/1940

Pavilion, Torquay.

Matinee 2.30. Tonight at 7.30. The Roosters. Radio Entertainers.

Mon, 25/03/1940

Grove Park Pavilion, Weston-Super-Mare

William Mack, of Roosters' fame, presented a revue called "Cock-a-doodle-do!" This was just Mack without the other Roosters.

Tue, 15/07/1941

West Ham

An open-air theatre for the summer evenings was an obvious counterpart of the entertainment in shelters in the winter. The open-air theatre is now being built in West Ham, and at the time of writing has been full to overflowing at the two performances each week. A very varied programme is arranged. Plays predominate, and there are concerts by C.E.M.A. and by local artists. T.P. Ratcliff, the community song leader, and the Roosters Concert Party are also to appear.

Thu, 23rd to Sat  25th /03/1944

Pavilion, Torquay

Matinee 2:15. Tonight 6.30. Tickets 4/6 3/6 2/6 1/3

The Roosters Concert Party, the last of the old wartime concert parties, will present their old-time show.

Wed, 11/12/1946

Bournemouth Civic Centre Reception - Bournemouth Pavilion

The Mayor & Mayoress of Bournemouth (Mr. & Mrs. J.W. Moore) held a Civic reception at the Pavilion. There were 1300 guests, including seven other Mayors and Mayoresses from nearby towns. The Roosters Concert Party gave an hour and a half’s entertainment, led by Percy Merriman.

Wed, 7th & Thur 15/05/1947

Sherborne British Legion at the Church Hall, Sherborne.

Get-together for ex-Serviceman of the 1939-1945 war. The Roosters Concert Party, still going with some of the original members.

Mon, 10/11/1947

Princes Ballroom, Yeovil

Roosters Concert Party. Last newspaper-noted performance of the original Roosters I can find. (See left)

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