:: This article originally appeared in the Express & Star on 11th December 2009 ::
Husband and wife act The Krankies are making a welcome return to the stage at the Grand Theatre.
With it being their third year in Wolverhampton, there's not much you can tell The Krankies about the city that they don't already know. In fact, they have become such a regular feature of the city's festive celebrations, they are now given personal invitations to join in the annual Christmas bash held by former Beatties workers and chat with them as though they are old friends.
It may be the fact that Janette - who will be taking on the role of Buttons in this year's production of Cinderella at the Grand Theatre - often tells them it is the store in which she spends most of her time when she's not on stage.
Far from being nervous about their latest outing in Wolverhampton, the Glasweigan couple have no doubts that they will receive anything less than a warm welcome from the pantomime audience in their adopted home city.
"We do the work we want to do so we get to pick and choose," said Janette, who stands at 4ft 5ins and has appeared on stages across the world with her husband for 40 years. "Wolverhampton seems to like us, so we enjoy coming to work here. The reception is always very good. It's an old town so you get a lot of character in the audience. I think the Black Country is good for atmosphere."
It all started for The Krankies when the husband and wife double act won 1978 Club Act of the Year. They were spotted by the late Lord Delfont who immediately signed them to appear at the London Palladium in the 1979 Royal Variety Show. By Royal Command, The Krankies were the stars of the first Children's Royal Variety Show and seven further Royal performances followed, in front of the Queen Mother, Prince Phillip, Princess Royal, Princess Margaret and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Krankies semi-retired in 1991 after years of TV appearances but are still active on the pantomime circuit and insist that they will continue performing "until people stop laughing."
In 2004, Janette was seriously injured when she fell 20ft from a giant beanstalk during the Christmas panto Jack and the Beanstalk in Glasgow. But, even when faced with such a trauma, she joked that "hospital staff didn't know whether to take me to the children's or geriatrics ward." And she has now battled back to full health to retain her crown as the country's pantomime queen.
Janette and her husband Ian, both aged 62, live in Torquay, Devon, and will be staying in a rented barn conversion in Chesterton in between their performances in Wolverhampton.
"We've had a terrible summer in Torquay. We call it the Wet Country instead of the West Country because it rained all summer," says Jeanette. "Chesterton is about eight miles away. We stay there because we don't like to be in hotels for eight weeks. They're noisy around this time of year."
Ian, who is playing Cinderella's father The Baron, said: "We've always liked the Black Country, since the late 60s and 70s. It's got character because people have lived here for centuries. Our accents are different, but the humour here is very similar to Glasweigans' humour. We laugh at the same things. We're always made welcome. The Grand is a great theatre. I'm looking forward to the show."
Showing posts with label the krankies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the krankies. Show all posts
Friday, 11 December 2009
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Krankies treat for Beatties staff
:: This article originally appeared on the Express & Star website on December 17th 2008 ::
Turkey with trimmings and memories of the good old days were not the only treats on the menu when former Beatties workers got together for their annual Christmas party.
Special guests The Krankies also made it a great festive day out for more the 120 diners. The Scottish comedy duo, real names Janette and Ian Tough, took time off their hectic Wolverhampton panto schedule to join the annual celebration.
And the husband and wife team had them in fits of laughter as they chatted to the former Wolverhampton co-workers s at the city’s Britannia Hotel.
John Shenton, 84, of Wombourne, who worked for Beatties for 30 years, said he loved every minute .
“They were the best years of my life,” said 78-year-old Shirley Richards.
“We are like one big family.”
Husband and wife Arthur and Joan Evans, of Bradmore, who met when they worked in the store in the 1950s, were also among the guests.
After catching up with old friends, the diners were entertained by special guests The Krankies. “I’m standing up here so I can see you,” she announced, as she balanced on a chair.
“But I don’t know if I should be doing this as it’s the four year anniversary of the beanstalk collapse.
Janette was injured when she fell 20ft from a beanstalk during a panto in Glasgow.
The couple also chatted to guests, including 83-year-old Connie Horton.
“I’m 4ft 6in – the same height as Janette – so we were talking about size,” said Connie, who worked as a Beatties cashier for 33 years.
Turkey with trimmings and memories of the good old days were not the only treats on the menu when former Beatties workers got together for their annual Christmas party.
Special guests The Krankies also made it a great festive day out for more the 120 diners. The Scottish comedy duo, real names Janette and Ian Tough, took time off their hectic Wolverhampton panto schedule to join the annual celebration.
And the husband and wife team had them in fits of laughter as they chatted to the former Wolverhampton co-workers s at the city’s Britannia Hotel.
John Shenton, 84, of Wombourne, who worked for Beatties for 30 years, said he loved every minute .
“They were the best years of my life,” said 78-year-old Shirley Richards.
“We are like one big family.”
Husband and wife Arthur and Joan Evans, of Bradmore, who met when they worked in the store in the 1950s, were also among the guests.
After catching up with old friends, the diners were entertained by special guests The Krankies. “I’m standing up here so I can see you,” she announced, as she balanced on a chair.
“But I don’t know if I should be doing this as it’s the four year anniversary of the beanstalk collapse.
Janette was injured when she fell 20ft from a beanstalk during a panto in Glasgow.
The couple also chatted to guests, including 83-year-old Connie Horton.
“I’m 4ft 6in – the same height as Janette – so we were talking about size,” said Connie, who worked as a Beatties cashier for 33 years.
Monday, 15 December 2008
Wee Jimmy Krankie is talk of the town
:: This article originally appeared on the Express & Star website on December 15th 2008 ::
What is it about Wee Jimmy Krankie that the coolest of showbiz stars cannot resist? When departing Doctor Who actor David Tennant was asked recently about who he wanted to see take over the role, he suggested his pint-sized fellow Scot.
And Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has revealed he would like to record a Christmas album with the Krankies. “I’d sound great singing with Wee Jimmy, both of us dressed as elves,” he told an interviewer.
And now Janette Tough, who plays Jimmy, finds her name cropping up in episodes of Coronation Street. “It’s all quite fascinating,” she says.
“The Chris Martin-thing actually created a lot of work for us – people kept inviting us on to game shows and quizzes, asking whether it was true. I think he was just frustrated with being asked about who he was going to record with next. The same with the Dr Who job, which would be very nice but, honest, no one has approached me – yet.
“Now it’s happening with Corrie. Can you imagine what it’s like sitting in your living room and suddenly hearing your name pop out. I was ‘Where’s this come from?’ I’m certainly not offended, in fact I think it’s an honour.”
The pair are back in panto at The Grand this year for the second season running. The Wolverhampton audiences adore the duo’s knockabout humour – and the feeling is mutual.
“We love the audiences here – they’ve got character,” says Janette. She and comic partner Ian, her husband, are 61 and semi-retired now but they still have more get-up-and-go than performers half their age.
In the summer, after returning from their four-month sojourn in Australia, where they have a holiday home, the couple set off on a Best of British Variety tour with Frank Carson, Cannon and Ball, Paul Daniels, Jimmy Cricket and Brotherhood of Man.
“It was great to rekindle old friendships,” says Janette. “When we bumped into each other back in the 80s we used to talk about the business, now we discuss what medication we’re on.
“We worked out that our combined age was 701. Apart from Nicky from Brotherhood of Man, who’s 59, we all have bus passes.” She believes the tour was timely and says the popular TV programme Britain’s Got Talent has shown that there is more to entertainment than singing.
“It’s not a show where there is any bad language. Comics, certainly not comics of our age, don’t need to do that. The Press say we’re not very politically correct but our audience is our age group and we know what makes them laugh. We leave the swearing to the celebrity chefs.Frank Carson never stopped telling gags. I said to Tommy Cannon: ‘It’s a good job we haven’t got a tour bus, or you and I would need therapy by the end’.” She chuckles: “Frank’s 82 now, and he’s marvellous.”
Although they’ve always been a favourite with the young and the elderly, the Krankies’ old-school humour fell out of favour in certain quarters in the early 90s when TV executives failed to renew their contract. It was the only wobble in 40 years of otherwise continuous work.
Nowaday’s the veterans’ popularity has reached cult status with appearances alongside Peter Kay and on Absolutely Fabulous.
They enjoy an enviable lifestyle with a house in Devon and an apartment on Australia’s Gold Coast. They spend February to June swimming, cycling and playing golf in their Down Under retreat.
“We just relax. After all our years in the business, if we don’t do it now, we never will,” says Jeanette, who met Ian when they were 18 at the Glasgow Pavilion where she was working as a dancer and he a theatre electrician. They formed a song and dance act before creating the character of cheeky schoolboy Wee Jimmy for Janette with Ian playing Jimmy’s long-suffering father.
Last year the pair stayed in Theatre House in Springfield Road, the same place they were put up during a panto stint 17 years before. This year they are staying near Bridgnorth. “We’re hoping to get out and explore but with matinees every day, we’re not sure when that will be.”
* Peter Pan runs at The Grand until January 25.
What is it about Wee Jimmy Krankie that the coolest of showbiz stars cannot resist? When departing Doctor Who actor David Tennant was asked recently about who he wanted to see take over the role, he suggested his pint-sized fellow Scot.
And Coldplay frontman Chris Martin has revealed he would like to record a Christmas album with the Krankies. “I’d sound great singing with Wee Jimmy, both of us dressed as elves,” he told an interviewer.
And now Janette Tough, who plays Jimmy, finds her name cropping up in episodes of Coronation Street. “It’s all quite fascinating,” she says.
“The Chris Martin-thing actually created a lot of work for us – people kept inviting us on to game shows and quizzes, asking whether it was true. I think he was just frustrated with being asked about who he was going to record with next. The same with the Dr Who job, which would be very nice but, honest, no one has approached me – yet.
“Now it’s happening with Corrie. Can you imagine what it’s like sitting in your living room and suddenly hearing your name pop out. I was ‘Where’s this come from?’ I’m certainly not offended, in fact I think it’s an honour.”
The pair are back in panto at The Grand this year for the second season running. The Wolverhampton audiences adore the duo’s knockabout humour – and the feeling is mutual.
“We love the audiences here – they’ve got character,” says Janette. She and comic partner Ian, her husband, are 61 and semi-retired now but they still have more get-up-and-go than performers half their age.
In the summer, after returning from their four-month sojourn in Australia, where they have a holiday home, the couple set off on a Best of British Variety tour with Frank Carson, Cannon and Ball, Paul Daniels, Jimmy Cricket and Brotherhood of Man.
“It was great to rekindle old friendships,” says Janette. “When we bumped into each other back in the 80s we used to talk about the business, now we discuss what medication we’re on.
“We worked out that our combined age was 701. Apart from Nicky from Brotherhood of Man, who’s 59, we all have bus passes.” She believes the tour was timely and says the popular TV programme Britain’s Got Talent has shown that there is more to entertainment than singing.
“It’s not a show where there is any bad language. Comics, certainly not comics of our age, don’t need to do that. The Press say we’re not very politically correct but our audience is our age group and we know what makes them laugh. We leave the swearing to the celebrity chefs.Frank Carson never stopped telling gags. I said to Tommy Cannon: ‘It’s a good job we haven’t got a tour bus, or you and I would need therapy by the end’.” She chuckles: “Frank’s 82 now, and he’s marvellous.”
Although they’ve always been a favourite with the young and the elderly, the Krankies’ old-school humour fell out of favour in certain quarters in the early 90s when TV executives failed to renew their contract. It was the only wobble in 40 years of otherwise continuous work.
Nowaday’s the veterans’ popularity has reached cult status with appearances alongside Peter Kay and on Absolutely Fabulous.
They enjoy an enviable lifestyle with a house in Devon and an apartment on Australia’s Gold Coast. They spend February to June swimming, cycling and playing golf in their Down Under retreat.
“We just relax. After all our years in the business, if we don’t do it now, we never will,” says Jeanette, who met Ian when they were 18 at the Glasgow Pavilion where she was working as a dancer and he a theatre electrician. They formed a song and dance act before creating the character of cheeky schoolboy Wee Jimmy for Janette with Ian playing Jimmy’s long-suffering father.
Last year the pair stayed in Theatre House in Springfield Road, the same place they were put up during a panto stint 17 years before. This year they are staying near Bridgnorth. “We’re hoping to get out and explore but with matinees every day, we’re not sure when that will be.”
* Peter Pan runs at The Grand until January 25.
Friday, 24 October 2008
Grand prank capped the lot for Krankies!
:: This story first appeared on the Express & Star's website on June 21st 2008 ::
Little Jimmy Krankie almost appeared on Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre stage without his trademark cap after the son of a celebrity friend hid it backstage. The practical joke was revealed on ITV’s Loose Women.
During the programme, The Krankies – alias Janette and Ian Tough – spoke of their love of panto. The pair, who are both aged 61, will be back at the Grand this year for Peter Pan after a successful run last Christmas with Dick Whittington. Janette said: “We were in Wolverhampton last year, and we will be back there again this year.”
She raised a laugh from the show’s studio audience when she told of how Loose Women host, actress Denise Welch, came to the city to see last year’s pantomime with her young son Louis.
The cheeky tot stole Janette’s trademark red cap just before she was about to take to the stage.
She said: “I was ready to go on stage and I said ‘Where’s my red cap?’ I had a blow-up bed that I had got from Argos and Louis had put it right down the side of the bed.” Both Krankies were forced to carry out a frantic search of their dressing room, finding the cap with just moments to spare.
The pair, who are veterans of stage and TV shows such as Crackerjack, were a big hit at the Grand panto. Janette, who stands at 4ft 5in, said she used the blow-up bed to rest on between shows during the gruelling run. The husband-and-wife partnership are about to go on the road to seaside resorts with the Best of British Variety tour. Janette said The Krankies would be touring the country with entertainers including magician Paul Daniels and entertainer Frank Carson before coming back to Wolverhampton for this year’s star-studded pantomime.
The couple looked tanned, having just returned from Australia where they spend around six months of the year at their home on the East Coast. They said they always took off Down Under after the panto for a break before returning to work the summer season in this country.
More than 16,000 tickets have already been snapped up to see Peter Pan at the Grand. The show will star showbiz favourite Paul Nicholas and will also be a return to the Grand for Nicholas, who performed there last year in the musical comedy 42nd Street.
Peter Pan will be at the theatre in Lichfield Street from December 6 to January 25. Tickets can be booked on 01902 429212 or on-line at www.grandtheatre.co.uk
Little Jimmy Krankie almost appeared on Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre stage without his trademark cap after the son of a celebrity friend hid it backstage. The practical joke was revealed on ITV’s Loose Women.
During the programme, The Krankies – alias Janette and Ian Tough – spoke of their love of panto. The pair, who are both aged 61, will be back at the Grand this year for Peter Pan after a successful run last Christmas with Dick Whittington. Janette said: “We were in Wolverhampton last year, and we will be back there again this year.”
She raised a laugh from the show’s studio audience when she told of how Loose Women host, actress Denise Welch, came to the city to see last year’s pantomime with her young son Louis.
The cheeky tot stole Janette’s trademark red cap just before she was about to take to the stage.
She said: “I was ready to go on stage and I said ‘Where’s my red cap?’ I had a blow-up bed that I had got from Argos and Louis had put it right down the side of the bed.” Both Krankies were forced to carry out a frantic search of their dressing room, finding the cap with just moments to spare.
The pair, who are veterans of stage and TV shows such as Crackerjack, were a big hit at the Grand panto. Janette, who stands at 4ft 5in, said she used the blow-up bed to rest on between shows during the gruelling run. The husband-and-wife partnership are about to go on the road to seaside resorts with the Best of British Variety tour. Janette said The Krankies would be touring the country with entertainers including magician Paul Daniels and entertainer Frank Carson before coming back to Wolverhampton for this year’s star-studded pantomime.
The couple looked tanned, having just returned from Australia where they spend around six months of the year at their home on the East Coast. They said they always took off Down Under after the panto for a break before returning to work the summer season in this country.
More than 16,000 tickets have already been snapped up to see Peter Pan at the Grand. The show will star showbiz favourite Paul Nicholas and will also be a return to the Grand for Nicholas, who performed there last year in the musical comedy 42nd Street.
Peter Pan will be at the theatre in Lichfield Street from December 6 to January 25. Tickets can be booked on 01902 429212 or on-line at www.grandtheatre.co.uk
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