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Team
Jessamie Edkins-O’Brien, our administrator, is the newest member of the Prom-Prom team! Jessamie received first-class honours in English with Drama from The University of Exeter. She is a freelance creative who has worked as a producer for Documental Theatre and Poet In
Scrooge
Scrooge On your streets!
Seagulls
Seagulls Our saucy puppet seagulls (Sally & Cedric) are walkabout duo who alert folk to keeping their chips covered and putting litter in bins…in between squirting people with water!
Pirate Galleon
Pirate Galleon The pirate galleon (a mobility scooter) is crewed by two scurrilous twits: trailing laughs and bubbles in their wake, this bonkers pair are an interactive ride-about act for young and old alike. The galleon is a full square-rigger,
Seaside Games
Seaside Games ‘Codswallop!’ – all the fun of the seaside funfair with this game for all ages. Visit Sergeant Spike’s jolly fishmonger’s stall and see if you can manage to splat the fish, as it dashes out of the full-pipe
Spike’s Punch & Judy act
Spikes’ Punch & Judy act Nephew Spike Bones is a 20 year old second generation showman and nonsense merchant, with a skillset that includes puppetry, clowning, music and general tomfoolery. Nephew Spike Bones’ Punch & Judy show is a traditional,
PAID WORK AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITY – HOW TO APPLY
PAID WORK and TRAINING OPPORTUNITY with Prom-Prom in Outdoor Arts and Street Performance – Deadline Extended to 15 June Promenade Promotions (Prom-Prom for short) is one of the UK’s leading companies specializing in family-friendly seaside entertainment, outdoor festivals and street
Dr Tony Lidington awarded Accredited Lecturer status by The Arts Society
We are delighted to announce that The Arts Society have awarded Dr Tony Lidington the status of Accredited Lecturer, allowing local Societies the opportunity to invite Tony to an event as a guest speaker. Tony’s fascinating and entertaining illustrated talks
Support us
We are a not-for-profit social enterprise. Our work covers all sorts of areas, from performing to research and training. Much of our performance work is delivered free at the point of access and therefore reaches a hugely diverse range of
‘Seaside Fun!’ – Teignmouth 2020. The first seaside entertainment to perform in the UK after the Covid lockdown!
A short video of our ‘Seaside Fun!’ – featuring Uncle Tacko’s Flea Circus and Professor Gayton’s Punch & Judy, on Teignmouth seafront 2020: the first seaside entertainment to perform in the UK after the Covid lockdown. Drone footage and editing
Archive video of The Pierrotters discovered!
The first known video of The Pierotters has been discovered and published on this website – http://www.prom-prom.com/tony-lidington/research/pierrots/the-pierrotters/ along with unseen video of them live at Wakefield Theatre Royal in 1997 and a BBC TV documnetary from the Picture This series
Promoting Dr Lidington
Dr Tony Lidington – television showreel (LowRes) from Uncle Tacko on Vimeo Tony Lidington has regularly presented on both television and radio for the past 10 years – his work has been critically-acclaimed and publicly well-received on mainstream, high-profile shows
Seaside Follies Website
Prom-Prom has created a sister website called Seaside Follies which is dedicated to the history and art of Pierrots and Concert Parties. With hundreds of archive photos its a modern resource elements of British Seaside Entertainment and plans to develop
Picture Postcard Monthly
Picture Postcard Monthly article “A treasure trove of joy and rapture – the lost history of pierrots and concert parties rediscovered through postcards” – Dr Tony Lidington My first pierrot postcard was a picture of the ‘Dandy Coons’ of Worthing,
Futures Venture Foundation
Tony Lidington is an advisor (& former trustee) of Futures Venture Foundation, the charitable organisation for the distribution of the legacy of ‘Welfare State International’.
Who Do You Think You Are? for BBC1, Wall to Wall Productions
Who Do You Think You Are? for BBC1, Wall to Wall Productions Tony was the expert on seaside entertainment, giving advice about Lee Mack’s ancestor who was a performer and pierrot (TX date TBC)
Sickert for SkyArts and 7Wonder Productions
Sickert’ for SkyArts, 7Wonder Productions Tony was the expert on popular entertainment giving advice to Gus Casely Hayford (director of The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, USA) about the interpretation of Walter Sickert’s 1915 painting ‘The Brighton Pierrots’ (TX date TBC)
Tony Lidington receives his PhD, May 2017
Dr Tony Lidington received his PhD for his study of the itinerant British Showman in May 2017 Tony was awarded his doctorate (PhD) through publication and performance practice entitled “‘The Itinerant British Showman’: an exploration of the history and
The Magic Lanternist: “’Lucky Dicky Crangle & the Cinnabar Moth’ – peepshows past & present”
“Lucky Dicky Crangle & the Cinnabar Moth” – peepshows past & present. Tony Lidington Man of your readers will know of Dr Richard Crangle and his work with Dr Joe Kember on digitising the magic lantern slide collections at the
A Million Pictures – “A Fantastical Phantasmagorical Phenomenon for the Twenty-First Century – ghosts, gauzes and grandiloquence.”
“A Fantastical Phantasmagorical Phenomenon for the Twenty-First Century – ghosts, gauzes and grandiloquence.” Dr Tony Lidington considers the possibilities and practicalities of re-imagining a phantasmagoria for our conflicted postmodernist age of cynicism and credulity. What are the constituents of a
Dan Leno App
Dan Leno App In 2015, Tony worked with Harmony Augmented Reality Company to produce the first ever 3D avatar of Dan Leno: working with Dan’s 1903 cylinder recording of The Grass Widower, Tony performed and recorded the role in perfect
Tony works with Frank Skinner on television series
Tony works with Frank Skinner on television series about British popular entertainment In September 2015, Tony worked with Liberty Bell Productions on a television series with Frank Skinner, to be broadcast around Christmas 2015. Tony was teaching Frank how Dan
Punch & Judy May Fayre, Covent Garden 2015
Punch & Judy May Fayre, Covent Garden 2015 In May 2015, Tony MC’d as Mr Punch at the Covent Garden May Fayre, celebrating 353 years since he was first recorded by Samuel Peyps.
Jack and the Beanstalk, Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond 2015
Jack and the Beanstalk, Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond 9th December 2015 Jack and the Beanstalk, Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond “TRADITIONAL panto meets the circus in a fusion of talent. It shouldn’t work, but it does – incredibly well too. Kelly
Jack and the Beanstalk review at Georgian Theatre Royal, North Yorkshire – ‘unmissable and incredibly refreshing’ The Stage
Jack and the Beanstalk review at Georgian Theatre Royal, North Yorkshire – ‘unmissable and incredibly refreshing’ by Helen Brown How eccentric, and ridiculously clever, of writer/director Tony Lidington to send in the clowns and make Jack part of the Circus
Who Will See the New World?
We hope you enjoyed the sneak preview! If you haven’t heard about it already, ‘The Raree Man’s Peepshow’ is Tony Lidington’s latest venture into the world of historical, nonsensical popular entertainments: like ‘Uncle Tacko’s Flea Circus’ and ‘The Imaginarium’ this is
The Raree Man’s Peepshow – RAMM Showcase
Don’t miss the exciting showcase of the Raree Man’s Peepshow at Exeter’s RAMM Museum this week. Shows are on Wednesday 17th and Thursday 18th September from 12-4pm! Be sure to book: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-raree-man-peepshow-showcase-tickets-12959356785
‘The Banker’s Progress’: A Peepshow in Three Parts – Coming Soon!
‘The Raree Man’s Peepshow’ is Tony Lidington’s latest venture into the world of historical, nonsensical popular entertainments: like ‘Uncle Tacko’s Flea Circus’ and ‘The Imaginarium’ this is the next brilliantly bonkers and highly entertaining project to explore historical forms in contemporary contexts. Promenade
The Peepshow Project is well underway!
The Raree Man Peepshow Project is now well underway. If you haven’t heard about it by now, click here to find out more: http://www.prom-prom.com/raree/ On Tuesday 5th August, Laura, one of our trainee producers, Steve, our trusty camera man, and Tony
Saltaire Festival 2013
Saltaire Festival 2013
Programme notes on Joey – King of Clowns & Dan Leno – The King’s Jester
Programmme notes on Joey – King of Clowns & Dan Leno – The King’s Jester Joey – King of Clowns – programme note “Dan Leno – The King’s Jester” programme note
Arts and the Economy
Arts & Economy In the light of the comment from Maria Miller (the former Culture Secretary who resigned for inappropriate use of her MP’s expenses,) that the arts should focus on “culture’s economic impact”, I
Night of Dragons – Sidmouth Festival 2002
Sidmouth’s “Night of Dragons” – the director’s notes The Night of Dragons had been in the planning for nearly a year, but it was only with 2 weeks to go that I knew I would be there – not just
“Up Frankie!” – director’s notes (Autumn 2010)
I thought it might be interesting to post some of the notes I have contributed to the programmes of productions over the years – so here is the first of a short series that will occasionally appear: “Mocking ourselves gently”
Photos from 2013 – Hebden and Northcott
Photos from 2013 – Hebden and Northcott
Saltaire Festival 2013
Saltaire Festival 2013
Wartime Entertainment – 2 year project announced
We shall be working with Doorstep Arts & Torbay Council on a 2-year project exploring wartime entertainments – pierrot troupes, concert parties and ENSA; leading to a touring exhibition and show in 2015/16.
Prom-Prom to create 21st Century interpretation of 18th Century Peepshow
Promenade Promotions received a Grants For the Arts Award to create a 21st Century interpretation of the 18th century itinerant artform of the peepshow. We are collaborating with The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum, the Northcott Theatre, Exeter University and a
Uncle Announces Summer Season 2014
Uncle Announces Summer Season 2014 Our 2014 summer season starts in May once again with Exmouth Festival. We have a range of different events booking all the time for Uncle Tacko’s Flea Circus, the magnificent Imaginarium and the ever-popular Dom-tink! So have a
Richmond’s Georgian Theatre Royal – “Puss in Boots”
There’s a whole lot of stuff going on! Having just completed a Radio 4 series on ‘The Showman’s Parson’ and managing a first year research-performance project at Exeter University (find out more about these elsewhere on the website), I am
Clifford Essex Pierrot. Article for Banjo, Mandolin & Guitar (BMG) magazine
Clifford Essex – My Pierrot Hero I first started exploring the history of pierrots and concert parties when I was an undergraduate at Sussex University – I was astonished to find that this entire history of a British popular entertainment
Showmanship with Exeter University performances at Royal Albert Museum (RAMM), Exeter
Showmanship with Exeter University performances at Royal Albert Museum (RAMM), Exeter Barnum & wife in front of the tiger display A really successful collaboration between Exeter 1st year drama students, RAMM and Promenade Promotions took place this Spring. The title
“The Raree Man & Peepshow”
Promenade Promotions has been successful in winning an Arts Council of England Grants for the Arts to produce a street peepshow presented by The Raree Man. The peepshow was one of the most popular forms of street entertainment in the
‘Street noise’ sound file
Street Noise This sounds really interesting! This is the first of a series of sound-bites, a bit like mini radio programmes, made by Tim Hill, entitled ‘The Island of Noise’, These are themed around outdoor music making and ritual noise
The Showman’s Parson – BBC Radio 4
March 16th 2014 Eyup there! The first of my new series “The Showman’s Parson – The Memoirs of Thomas Horne” with stories about Victorian fairground sideshows was broadcast tonight on BBC Radio 4 at 7.45PM: you can get it on Iplayer/Listen Again
Showman’s Parson – Broadcast on BBC
The first of my new series “The Showman’s Parson – The Memoirs of Thomas Horne” with stories about Victorian fairground sideshows was broadcast tonight on Radio 4 at 7.45PM: you can get it on Iplayer/Listen Again for another 5-6 days,
Cinderella Review – British Theatre Guide Dec 2013
Cinderella Review – British Theatre Guide directed by Tony Lidington Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond From 07 December 2013 to 05 January 2014 Review by Helen Brown Jake England-Johns as Buttons and Claire-Marie Seddon as Cinderella I often wonder whether I’m just
Cinderella – review The Stage 11th Dec 2013
Cinderella Review from The Stage Published Wednesday 11 December 2013 at 11:48 by Kevin Berry For the fourth Christmas in succession Tony Lidington has put together a thoroughly joyful pantomime for the Georgian Theatre Royal, a pantomime thoroughly in keeping with this magical venue which
My Pierrot Hero – by Tony Lidington
My Pierrot Hero – an article about Clifford Essex & pierrots for Banjo Mandolin & Guitar (BMG), published Summer 2013 by Tony Lidington. I first started exploring the history of pierrots and concert parties when I was an undergraduate at
Action on the streets of Camden to support Busking!
Action on the streets of Camden to support Busking! Thursday October 24th: ably supported by the Citizen’s Kazoo Orchestra, Bill Bailey does his finest impression of Billy Bragg in support of Keep Streets Live in Camden! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1_uEbGJtnY
Great Website
Congrats on the new website! Lots of great images and love the radio clips! Helena
What a laugh! Erddig Hall Aug 6th 2012
Saw Uncle Tacko at Erddig Hall, Wrexham, at the Victorian weekend, 5th Aug 2012. What a laugh!! A fantastic show for an audience of all ages, great fun. Mrs Diane Porter Aug 6th 2012 (From our wordpress.com website)
I was in mother goose its amazing. Dec 4th 2012
I was in mother goose its amazing, the Georgian theater royal is such a cool place visit it guys and come see me in babes in the wood this year, tickets are selling fast so book now to have the
please keep me informed as when and if the pierrotters will be performing Feb 10th, 2013
please keep me informed as when and if the pierrotters will be performing, Also would they consider playing at a renewing of vows wedding . good luck to you all and thanks for this web page jackie little
August 27th 2013: Saw Uncle Tacko’s Flea Circus…fabulous
Saw Uncle Tacko’s Flea Circus at Britannia Park, Cardiff Bay as part of Cardiff Festival yesterday and it was a fabulous show. Thoroughly entertaining! My partner, our 21-month-old son and I agree that it was the highlight of our day
Saltaire Festival 2013
Here are some great shots of Uncle Tacko at the Saltaire Festival 2013
Skipton Puppet Festival 2013
Here are a few of our favourite images from Skipton Puppet Festival this year, 2013 Skipton UK. 29th September, 2013. International Puppet Festival. Giant Swaledales Sheep and Wolf at Skipton’s biennial international puppet festival featuring puppet theatre companies from all
Tony Lidington – MC & Motivational Speaker Fundraising Fellowship Assessment Day event.
Tony Lidington – MC & Motivational Speaker at Opera North’s Fundraising Fellowship Assessment Day, Leeds University. photo credit: Steve Riding.
We had a ball yesterday at Pilton Green Man Festival, North Devon
We had a ball yesterday at Pilton Green Man Festival, North Devon
Pete White & Uncle Tacko! getting the dom-tink! into position early morning at The International Eistedfodd, Llangollen
Pete White & Uncle Tacko! getting the dom-tink! into position early morning at The International Eistedfodd, Llangollen
Sinbad 2011
SINBAD Directed by Tony Lidington. Written by Andrew Pollard. Here’s an account of the show from the Georgian Theatre Royal website: You would think after the success of Mother Goose that producing the Adventures of Sinbad would have been a
Babes In The Wood 2012
‘Babes in the Wood’ is one of the oldest of pantomime stories – beginning life as a ballad in 1595, it was first staged as an opera, before becoming a pantomime as “Harlequin and Cock Robin: or The Babes in
Ladles and Jellyspoons! Posted on March 7, 2011
Ladles and Jellyspoons! Posted on March 7, 2011 Ladles and Jellyspoons! A most hearty hello, how-do-you-do-madam and welcome to Promenade-Promotion’s (to be referred to as Prom-Prom from here onwards) all new all singing all clog dancing all pom pom wearing shiny
Prom-Prom at Beaford Arts Posted on March 28, 2011
Prom-Prom at Beaford Arts Posted on March 28, 2011 On Thursday 17th March, a very large estate car with Uncle Tacko at the wheel and navigator Bunny with the map and with many strange, old and wonderful instruments stuffed into the
Tony Lidington’s “The Great Mephisto!” on Radio 4…again! Posted on July 26, 2011
Tony Lidington’s “The Great Mephisto!” on Radio 4…again! Posted on July 26, 2011 “Curiosities of the Egyptian Hall” series is to be repeated on BBC Radio 4 at 7.45pm on 31st July and at 7.45pm on the 7th and 14th August.
Prom-Prom at Greentop’s Hothouse Residency Posted on September 27, 2011
Prom-Prom at Greentop’s Hothouse Residency Posted on September 27, 2011 Uncle, Bunny & Beeno travelled northwards last week for Greentop Circus’s Hothouse Residency at their community space in Sheffield. We had the chance to meet a variety of practitioners from a
Silver Screens Posted on October 22, 2011
Silver Screens Posted on October 22, 2011 Prom-Prom is pleased to announce it’s latest community project, “Silver Screens”. “Silver Screens” is an exciting new intergenerational, oral history project for Dawlish in South Devon about cinema-going in the 1930s-50s. A group of
Spring News! Posted on March 5, 2012
Spring News! Posted on March 5, 2012 KING JOHN Tony Lidington is currently directing the MA and MFA Staging Shakespeare students at the University of Exeter in an adaptation of King John. The production has an international cast of 16 and
For The Love Of It @ The Lanternhouse
For The Love Of It @ The Lanternhouse Posted on March 14, 2012 1 This weekend Uncle Tacko and Prom-Prom attended this year’s NASA conference at the Lanternhouse in Ulverston…here’s what he got up to! Uncle tackled 12 volt electrickery and
Uncle’s Corner
Uncle’s Corner Posted on March 30, 2012 Over the past few weeks, I have finished directing the MA students at Exeter University who are studying “Staging Shakespeare” in a promenade production of King John which toured local venues around the region. In
Uncle’s Corner: Fleas, Monkeys, a Tinglary and an Imaginarium
Uncle’s Corner: Fleas, Monkeys, a Tinglary and an Imaginarium Posted on June 22, 2012 Uncle’s fleas & Captain Ginger have been doing grand business around the festivals of the South West in Teignbridge and Exmouth. Captain Ginger and Uncle were the
We’re All On Tour!
We’re All On Tour! Posted on July 23, 2012 Uncle Tacko @ Pilton Green Man Festival: Uncle says: After an early start and a beautiful drive to North Devon, Uncle Tacko!, Captain Ginger and the performing fleas have had a grand
Uncle’s Corner! August 2012
Uncle’s Corner! Posted on August 22, 2012 Uncle on Tour Uncle Tacko’s Flea Circus & Captain Ginger have been wowing the crowds across the country – tireless trips across the country with a trunk-load of restless fleas and a very naughty
Uncle’s Corner – Goodbye Summer 2012!
Uncle’s Corner – Goodbye Summer 2012! Posted on September 18, 2012 Fleas, fleas, fleas : a grand night at Oscar Andrews’ 18th birthday party last week: 14 years ago Old Boy Gacko & Uncle Tacko! performed for his 4th birthday party and
Au revoir ma petite Lapin….
Au revoir ma petite Lapin…. Posted on September 29, 2012 Bunny Tranter has been working flat out on getting Uncle Tacko, Captain Ginger, Beano and the motley Prom-Prom crew all primed, peeled and ready for action for the Summer season. Her charm
Thank you Uncle Tacko. Posted on September 29, 2012
Thank you Uncle Tacko Posted on September 29, 2012 After spending 2 years in sunny Devon since graduating, working on various brilliant projects with Uncle Tacko and Promenade Promotions, I have decided to move to the North East where I am
Clifford Essex
Clifford Essex Posted on October 21, 2012 Tony is writing another series for BBC Radio 4, commissioned by Pier Productions about the first ever pierrot troupe created by Clifford Essex in 1891 at Henley Regatta. They were originally called ‘The Pierrot
In other news – Oct 2012
In other news! Posted on October 21, 2012 Summer Season: Yes, we know it’s not even Christmas yet, but we are already planning our Summer season for Uncle Tacko’s Flea Circus, Captain Ginger, The Imaginarium & The Dom-Tink! The advance publicity
The Apple Fair at Dawlish
The Apple Fair at Dawlish 12th October 2012
Pierrot Hero: The Story of Clifford Essex – broadcast dates
Pierrot Hero: The Story of Clifford Essex Posted on January 2, 2013 We are pleased to announce that Pierrot Hero: The Story of Clifford Essex, written and performed by Tony Lidington and produced by Pier Productions will be aired on BBC
Babes in the Wood
Babes in the Wood Posted on January 8, 2013 The Georgian Theatre Royal’s 47 show run of “Babes in the Wood”, written and directed by Tony Lidington, has now come to an end. Here’s what some people said about it: “That
Love Dawlish Posted on February 5, 2013
Love Dawlish Posted on February 5, 2013 “Love Dawlish” is an event to celebrate Valentine’s Day on Saturday 16th February 2013. After their success with The Apple Fair in the Autumn, Dawlish-based social enterprise, Promenade Promotions, will be presenting another day of
Kings of the Cloth of Gold
Kings of Cloth of Gold Tony Lidington’s new play ‘Kings of the Cloth of Gold’ is opening with Angus & Ross Theatre Company at The Royal Armouries, Leeds this weekend (29th September). I hope you’ll be able to see it
Clifford Essex
Clifford Essex Tony is writing another series for BBC Radio 4, commissioned by Pier Productions about the first ever Pierrot Troupe created by Clifford Essex in 1891 at Henley Regatta. They were originally called “The Pierrot Banjo Team” but changed
MOTHER GOOSE 2010
MOTHER GOOSE 2010 Directed by: Tony Lidington Written by: Andrew Pollard Starring Dominic Goodwin as Mother Goose. For the first time ever, the Georgian Theatre Royal produced its own professionally cast pantomime, supported by the Janet Seymour School of Dance,