Jun 04 2022 40 mins
Ally Sloper's Half-Holiday was the name of a weekly comic strip which first appeared on 3 May 1884.
Before Superman, Spiderman, Desperate Dan and Dennis the Menace came Ally Sloper. From 1884 until the 1920s, the red-nosed social climber who poked fun at the English people and their customs was a household name and national favourite.
Ally Sloper takes us into the realms of the first comic strip character whole Beano and Dandy. This comic strip started it all. Here is a man who became an institution, a national hero. People actually believed that he existed, they even wrote to him and joined his club. There were medals presented in his name.
He represented the hopes and aspirations of a whole new class of people, brought about by the industrial revolution. The aristocracy was under threat and the perennial class dilemma was at the fore.
Chris Harris and Chris Denys wrote this show based on Sloper, originally performed by Chris Harris. Ally Sloper is not brought to life by Steve Taylor. the play takes us to Ascot, Lords and the Summer Exhibition.
The running gag throughout the play is the arrival (or not!) of Queen Victoria. We thought it appropriate to release this audio drama during the Platinum Jubilee weekend of her great, great granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II.
Ally Sloper - Steve Taylor
Studio Recording & Production - Harry Jacobs
assisted by - Jacob Taylor
Music - James Hall https://www.jamesahall.co.uk/
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Thank you for listening. If you've enjoyed today's podcast do subscribe via your streaming platform so that you never miss an episode and you can catch up on past episodes.
If you'd like to help us to keep the podcast going in these tough times, please consider becoming a patron. It's really easy to do. Just go to :
https://www.patreon.com/bluefiretheatre
if you're more comfortable with a one off donation you can do this via our website:
https://www.bluefiretheatre.co.uk/
or buy us a coffee on:
https://ko-fi.com/bluefiretheatre
Even the smallest donation helps us get our shows on the road and keep the lights on in the studio and we are so grateful for all your help and support.
And finally...don't forget to follow us on social media. We'd love to hear from you!
Find us at:
https://twitter.com/famous_heard
https://www.instagram.com/bluefire_tc
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