Welsh Rarebit (radio programme)
Encyclopedia
Welsh Rarebit was a Welsh
radio
variety show
broadcasted from Cardiff
by the BBC
. First transmitted in 1938 by the Welsh Home Service, it became the main English language
entertainment programme from the BBC in Wales during Second World War
. The programme's most lasting legacy is its closing song, We'll Keep a Welcome (in the Hillsides).
, and abroad, on the BBC
unified Home Service. The programme was mainly a variety show
, but also ran regular features such as Eynon Evans
as "Tommy Troubles" and Dai's Letter to the Forces, a sentimental reflection of life in Wales read by Lyn Joshua. From 1941 the show was produced by Mai Jones
, she also produced other programmes such as Saturday Starlight. Welsh Rarebit featured a host of Welsh entertainers, many of which became household names; regular names included Albert Ward
, Gladys Morgan
, Vera Meazey, Les Ward, Eynon Evans, Ossie Morris, Stan Stennett
, Harry Secombe
, Maudie Edwards
and Wyn Calvin
. At its peak the programme attracted 12 million listeners and remains one of the most popular entertainment shows produced from Wales.
From 1948 until it ended in July 1951 it was broadcast on the BBC's network Light Programme. In 1951 the progamme transferred for a limited run as a BBC television show, with Eynon Evans continuing his role as "Tommy Troubles".
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
broadcasted from Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. First transmitted in 1938 by the Welsh Home Service, it became the main English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
entertainment programme from the BBC in Wales during Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The programme's most lasting legacy is its closing song, We'll Keep a Welcome (in the Hillsides).
Programme history
Welsh Rarebit was first broadcast on the Welsh Home Service in July 1938. With the outbreak of the Second World War it was broadcast to the whole of the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and abroad, on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
unified Home Service. The programme was mainly a variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
, but also ran regular features such as Eynon Evans
Eynon Evans
Eynon Evans also known as E. Eynon Rees was a Welsh writer and film actor of the 1950s, mainly known for his radio and television work. During the 1940s he appeared on the BBC radio variety show Welsh Rarebit as the comedic character Tommy Troubles, reaching an audience of 12 million.-Career...
as "Tommy Troubles" and Dai's Letter to the Forces, a sentimental reflection of life in Wales read by Lyn Joshua. From 1941 the show was produced by Mai Jones
Mai Jones
Mai Jones , was a Welsh songwriter, entertainer and radio producer.She was born in Newport, the daughter of a railway stationmaster. Having won a scholarship to study music at the University of Wales, Cardiff, she went on to the Royal College of Music...
, she also produced other programmes such as Saturday Starlight. Welsh Rarebit featured a host of Welsh entertainers, many of which became household names; regular names included Albert Ward
Albert Ward
Albert Ward was an English first-class cricketer, who played first-class cricket for Yorkshire County Cricket Club in 1886, and for Lancashire between 1889 and 1904. Ward also played seven Test matches for England, and was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1890.Ward was born in...
, Gladys Morgan
Gladys Morgan
Gladys Morgan was a Welsh comedienne, billed variously as the 'Queen of Comedy' or 'the Queen of Laughter', and was renowned for her toothless, ear-splitting, infectious laugh.-Early life and career:...
, Vera Meazey, Les Ward, Eynon Evans, Ossie Morris, Stan Stennett
Stan Stennett
Stan Stennett is a Welsh comedian, actor and jazz musician.Stennett was born in Cardiff. During World War II, he served in the army and also worked as an entertainer. He made his professional stage debut with a group called the Harmaniacs...
, Harry Secombe
Harry Secombe
Sir Harry Donald Secombe CBE was a Welsh entertainer with a talent for comedy and a noted fine tenor singing voice. He is best known for playing Neddie Seagoon, the central character in the BBC radio comedy series The Goon Show...
, Maudie Edwards
Maudie Edwards
Maudie Edwards was a Welsh actress and singer, now best remembered as a member of the original cast of Coronation Street....
and Wyn Calvin
Wyn Calvin
Wyn Calvin, MBE OStJ , sometimes called the "Clown Prince of Wales" and "The Welsh Prince of Laughter", is a veteran Welsh comedian and entertainer....
. At its peak the programme attracted 12 million listeners and remains one of the most popular entertainment shows produced from Wales.
From 1948 until it ended in July 1951 it was broadcast on the BBC's network Light Programme. In 1951 the progamme transferred for a limited run as a BBC television show, with Eynon Evans continuing his role as "Tommy Troubles".
External links
- Short clip from Welsh Rarebit from 1950, including a sample of the programme's theme song We'll Keep a Welcome BBC Wales: Wales on Air
- A clip from Welsh Rarebit from 1941, featuring the section Dai's Letter to the Forces BBC Wales: Wales on Air