Hands Off My Crumpet

This projected 16-week tour (tagline: ‘More sauce than HP’) was pulled after only three dates when Griffin Theatrical Productions collapsed, owing £67,000. The King’s Theatre, Southsea – scheduled as the fourth date – cancelled on 1^st February and the remainder of the tour was called off the same day. (See ‘The way the crumpet crumbles’, Newcastle Journal 2^nd February 1990, page 9; ‘Chit Chat: Crumpet Call’, The Stage 22^nd February 1990, page 12; ‘Theatre News: Griffin Demise’, The Stage 15^th March 1990, page 2.)

“This is CARRY ON UP THE BAKERY without any of the style, wit and good taste for which that late-lamented series of films was renowned … possibly the most awful professional production to land with a dull thud on the North East stage since Fiona Richmond gave her all in SPACE IN MY PYJAMAS.” – Phil Penfold, ‘First Night: Worst for Years’, Newcastle Evening Chronicle 30^th January 1990, page 3

Other Newcastle reviews were headed ‘Crumbs! British comedy murdered’ (Sheldon Hall, Northern Echo: “all this spectator could do was sit aghast at the dismal level to which the British tradition of broad comedy has sunk”) and ‘No merit in this fare’ (David Isaacs, Newcastle Journal: “it would weigh heavily on my conscience if anything I wrote were to persuade you to visit the Tyne Theatre this week”).

The show’s star, Bob Grant, made a record shortly before this tour, also called HANDS OFF MY CRUMPET – ‘A Muffin Production’ credited to ‘Bob Grant and the Bakehouse Beauties’. (Henry Trent, ‘Busman Bob sets off on a new route’, Birmingham Sunday Mercury 29^th October 1989, page 11.)

Cast & Crew

Cast

Observations

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