From quite an early age I have had a great interest in Lex McLean, and now I regard Lex as my "Hero" from the Scottish Variety theatre. At "Those Variety days" staged by the Scottish Music Hall Society, I do my own tribute to Lex and I do two of his classic sketches at each show.
The gang who work with me in the shows have now had quite a few years of stage experience, especially in Comedy and Farce. Lynn Robertson, Stephanie MacDonald, James Keenan and Charlie Friell all fit into the roles well. Lynn and Stephanie are always cast in the roles that Margo Bentley, Una McLean and Helen Randell portrayed in Lex's Sketches. James Keenan plays the role of Lex's daft mate "Shughie", among Lex's shughie's were Walter Carr, Ron Dale and Glen Daly. Charlie Friell a well known actor from Cumbernauld plays the Work Foreman or policemen, the roles that Charlie Sim had in the Pavilion sketches.
My father Bill who is the SMHS Membership Secretary plays all the small cameo parts that were suited for "Jimmy Carr" in Lex's 60's sketches. Bill is great in these roles as over the years he has played may comedy characters but I think Bill and Jimmy Carr would have got on well together, as I feel they are very similar. Quoted from "Those Variety Days" 2001 programme, "Derek's
dad Bill, who directs tonight's show, can be seen in the cameo role usually portrayed by Jimmy Carr in the Pavilion. Derek says that enjoys working with him but still suffers the same "Exasperation" as Lex once did."
I am so happy that these shows with the help of the Scottish Music Hall Society are keeping the Scottish Variety flag flying and very importantly keeping Lex McLean's memory alive.
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