Here it is again: The Bird Entree.
I'm not sure who this is performing it. They do a masterful job with the material but it's still not my favorite routine. I've got one more version around here somewhere that I have to track down and post here for comparison.
First off...Welcome Home Pat!
ReplyDeleteI always have heard this routine referred to a The Nightingale Entree. This looks like Bocky & Randel performing it. Like you, I too have about a half a dozen different versions from The Aarnott Brothers to Pio Nock & Mario performing it. It was tried once in Clown College in 1993 when it was decided to insert a more European influence in the clowning. It never made it to the final show....
-Greg
wel the ringmaster anounces them.
ReplyDeleteI wil translate his french for you.
he says in our city there are quit some famous duos: for instans romeo et juliette, tistan et Isolde, and a few more.
but there is also Bocky et Randell
and thats how the clowns are Bocky et Randell
they were quite well kwown in european circus en if I'm not mistaking English
oops small mistake.
ReplyDeletecan you correct it webmaster??
although the ringmaster anounces them as and there are funnier duo's then that: het is bocky and randel
actually the august is called bocky randel. and the act is mostly called bocky randel & co.
and there not english but french.
yes you can find about everything on the net even lots of pictures from bocky
Sorry, Zippo, but the whiteface is Bocky, and the auguste is Randell. Bocky adopted a type of short jacket as his costume as opposed the more regular "sac", and the shorter costume became known as a Bocky.
ReplyDeleteThe routine is known (in English) as "The Nightingale's Courtship", the idea being that the male bird is trying to woo the female.
John.
While appearing with Caesar's Circus Maximus, produced by Bill Hall, on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, 20 plus years ago: In Ballys was a review and it featured two English comic, Hope and Kean. In their routine they did this Nightingale bit along with an acrobatic bit. I said to myself, "They've got to be from circus." After the show I had a very nice conversation with them.
ReplyDeleteTheir version of The Nightingale was hysterical, in fact, I went back and saw the show a second time. Keep in mind that this was nightclub and presented on stage which is an entirely different setting than circus in the round.
John, what can you share with us about HOPE and KEAN?
aha, but why is there on programs not bocky and randel??
ReplyDeleteso the ringmaster in the clip has it correct but many other sites and titles under pictures do it different and call the august bocky randel.
and call the act bocky randel and co.
the costume bocky wears I dont like very much. the yellow was something stylish in those times but i like much more the butifull " sac" of fransesco caroli and yann rosyan
but the act is a good version of the nightingale. the one pio nock does is also quiet good. But this is certainly not my favorite entree.
there are much nicer things: " the bonbons" , some " boxing entrees", the "water entree" of jose michells, the "busy bee" at roncalli.
but all this fwiet fwiet trrr.... mmm not so nice.
I was fortunate enough to work with The Jose Mitchel Trio on Circus Krone, and the Water Entree was a riot, I never got tired of watching it. It is another gag that has been around for a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteSince you ask, Mike.
ReplyDeleteMike Hope and Albie Keen (note the spelling) are cousins, their fathers having been brothers who worked in Variety as Syd and Max Harrison, Harrison being the actual family name.
There is a circus connection. Albie's brother Peter is married to Claire Harrison, as in Clarrison's Sealions, an act I believe to have worked for RBBB. Peter and Claire's son Patrick is currently working in Finland with Sirkus Finlandia with a comedy dog act, which was Peter's. Also on Finlandia at the moment are The Gotys - who are sure to be doing their version of The Nightingale's Courtship, as featured within these pages recently.
With regard to Bocky Randell, Andre Randell died in May 2005. I believe that Bocky is still in the land of the living.
John.
Thank you, John. Yes, now that you mention it I do remember a sea lion connection.
ReplyDeleteHope and Keen were very good and scored very well with the Atlantic City audience, who at times are jaded.
I appreciate the update.