George Robey

about

ir George Edward Wade (20 September 1869 – 29 November 1954), better known by his stage name, George Robey, was an English music hall comedian and singer. He was known by audiences as the "Prime Minister of Mirth". Robey was born in Herne Hill, London into a middle class family. His father George was a civil engineer. He earned small fees from performing music and song at local venues, adopting the stage name "Robey" from a firm of builders, finally changing it by deed-poll. Robey's London début was made at the Royal Aquarium, as assistant to Professor Kennedy, a burlesque mesmerist, in 1891. In this act he sang songs, pretending to be under hypnosis. He was soon performing in his own act, and was booked at the Oxford Music Hall in June 1891, aged 21. Like many of his time, Robey's act consisted of patter and song, with elaborate stage costumes, often appearing in drag. He was renowned for his double entendres, and ordering his audience to "Desist" and "Kindly temper your hilarity with a modicum of reserve", in the manner adopted by later comedians such as Frankie Howerd. Naturally, these exhortations had the opposite effect. During World War I he was known for his enthusiastic participation in recruitment drives for the army. In one theatre he promised "a shiny florin for every recruit who signs on tonight". He raised over £500,000 for war charities and at the end of the war he was offered a knighthood for his services, but declined, accepting a CBE. In 1916, he appear

top songs

albums

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British Music Hall Memories

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Cockney Songs - The Old Bull & Bush

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A Night At the Music Hall (Disc A)

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The Music of World War I

A Night At The Music Hall (Disc D)

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The Golden Age of the Music Hall - 25 Original Mono Recordings 1905-1034

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The Glory of Music Hall

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I Love Nostalgia - 100 Original Hits From The Fabulous '30s and Fun '40s

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The Golden Years Of Music Hall

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Masculine Women & Feminine Men

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The World Of Music Hall

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Music Hall To Variety Vol 1: Matinee

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