George William Farndale

4 July 1886 to 15 December 1948

The life of a Yorkshire Mummer

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Post Clerk and Soldier

George William Farndale, the son of Joseph and Sophia Farndale was born in Harrogate on 4 July 1886.

In 1891, when George was five, his father was a bootmaker and he lived with his mother and father, three sisters and brother, at Malta Terrace, Bilton with Harrogate, a suburb to the north of the town.

By 1901 the family had moved to 24 Cheltenham Place, Harrogate. George was 14. His father was still working as a bootmaker. His older sister Edith was working for a milliner.

By 1911 they lived at Drigon Terrace, Harrogate. Joseph was still a bootmaker and George’s widowered grandfather had come to live with the family too. George, then 25, had started working as a post office clerk. His siblings worked in clothing and drapery shops. In May 1913, George became a Clerical Assistant with the Post Office.

After the outbreak of war, George joined the army and as 011374 Private George William Farndale, joined the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. On 24 March 1916 he was given an exemption at a tribunal until 30 July 1916, on the understanding that the exemption would be final. He was promoted to Corporal during the War. He was given a temporary exemption in 1918. The exemption may have been for urgent private affairs, as was the reason for a later period of exemption to 29 September 1918. His father died in autumn 1918, so this was probably the reason for the temporary compassionate exemption. On 11 November 1918 he was an acting Lance Sergeant. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

After the War, Georghe moved to Leeds. By 1921, aged 34, he was a civil service clerk with the Post Office Engineering Depot, at Basinghall Street, Leeds.

The Comic Actor

It was in 1921 that George became seriously involved in drama. In October 1921, Mr Colin Bryce has now taken charge of the Leeds Sylvian Society’s rehearsals of “The Cingales”. Mr G W Farndale is to play Mr Rutland Barrington's original comedy part of Boobhambs.

George married Mary I Beecroft in Leeds in 1922. They had a daughter, Audrey Farndale, who was born on 7 August 1923.

In February 1923 members of the Leeds Sylvian Amateur Operatic Society gave a successful concert in aid of the Leeds Workpeople's Hospital Fund to an audience of about a thousand people last night. A thoroughly praiseworthy and entertaining programme of music was contributed to by the following members of the Sylvian Society, George Farndale.

On 3 December 1923, an evening production, by the Leeds “Thalian” Amateur Operatic Society, inevitably challenged comparison with its predecessor on the same boards. How successfully it emerged from the ordeal was proved by the obvious enjoyment of a large audience, eager to encore each familiar number. Well mounted, and notably well dressed, the production provides a capital evening’s amusement - for do we not meet, once again, incomparable Peter Doddy, and the equally irresistible Simplicitas? Played by Mr G W Farndale, the Jonah jockey drove each quip and crank home with all the time honoured lugubriousness.

Another cleverly-played character was that of Peter Doody, G. W. Farndale acting and singing in the recognised lugnbrioita manner. Muriel Clarke and Mrs. Billle Ruston made good impression as Eileen.

In December 1924 the Leeds “Thalian” Amateur Company appear at the Grand, next week in a revival of the musical play, “Havana”. The Company only came into being last year, since when they have successfully produced “The Arcadians” at the Grand, and done much good work in the course of charity. The comedy element, which is very strong, is in the hands of Mr George Farndale, as Lix.

Next week the Leeds Thalian Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, who were a considerable success last year with “The Arcadians” will occupy the stage at the Grand Theatre, with their performances of Leslie Stewart's tuneful musical play, “Havana” in aid of the medical and other local charities. It is anticipated that the veteran composer will himself visit Leeds to attend the production. Last year's principals are again in the cast, which includes Mr George Farndale.

In Chichester Observer in April 1925 Shippam’s Social Club wound up the seasons activities last week with another of the popular Assembly Room concerts for members’ wives and friends. The humorous songs included, “Ragtime Yokel”, Mr G Farndale and an amusing little sketch, “Everyday happenings reversed”, by Messrs Farndale and H Lintott.

In October 1926 Miss Gladys Laycock and Mr G Farndale, were in the Leeds Sylvians’ production of “The Dancing Mistress” at the Theatre Royal, Leeds, next week. Over £400 was raised for Leeds charities last year.

In January 1927 “Let's pretend”, a delightful little play for old and young children, by E P Genn, is being given by the combined companies of the Leeds Art Theatre and the Leeds Repertory Company at the Little Theatre, Leeds, on Monday. So confident are the producers of the play’s appeal that they have billed it to run for a fortnight. The cast includes George Farndale.

For the next fortnight the fantasy, “Let's Pretend” by E P Genn, will be given at this theatre, through the conjoined efforts of the Leeds Repertory Company and the Leeds Art Theatre. The piece has an excellent reception on Monday, and both the juvenile as well as the adult players showed a commendable grasp of the parts allotted to them. A very intelligent conception of Jack comes from Master Laurence Waite, and a similar happy rendering of East Wind is introduced by Vera Hudson. George Farndale thoroughly grasped the spirit of the part of Peter the Butler and to Gentleman Joe, George Marston gives elocutionary point and finish.

The fairy pantomime, “Let's Pretend” opened its third week at the Leeds Little Theatre last night. The leading players include Mr George Farndale.

In January 1928 seven hundred inmates of the Leeds Beckett Street Workhouse Infirmary were entertained by the Leeds Sylvian Society, last night, to a supper of sausage and mashed potatoes, mince pies and sweets, followed by a concert, which was given by the members themselves. During the meal, music was provided by a panatrope. Each man and woman wore a coloured paper hat, and the room was decorated with red and white flowers. The artists who contributed to the concert programme included Mr George Farndale.

In February 1929 the Earl of Rothes, in responding, said that in the whole of his visits throughout the country he found the same tremendous keenness among the “Imps”. As the men and women of tomorrow they realised what great responsibilities awaited them, and they knew that as members of a great and growing organisation they could begin working at once for the good of the Empire, both home and overseas. During the evening an excellent musical programme was given by various performers including Mr George Farndale, humorist.

Later that month, during the afternoon and evening a first class round of amusements and entertainments engaged attention. In the evening, appreciative audiences heard two excellent performances of A A Milne's play, “The Man in the Bowler Hat”, in which the producer, Mr Clifford Buckton, had an efficient cast which included Mr George Farndale.

In August 1929 the Leeds Sylvians will soon be ready to put into rehearsal their next production, “Mercenary Mary,” to be staged at the Grand in the middle of November. Mary is to be played by Miss Gladys Lacock. The male parts are in the hands of various actors including George Farndale (Chris).

In November 1929 there was an excellent attendance at the opening night of the “Unicorn” Social Cub on Monday evening. Among those who contributed to the entertainment were G Farndale and others.

1- Miss Sybil Thorndike in “Madam Plays Nap”, 3 – Mr George Farndale as “Mr Skinner” in “Mercenary Mary” by the Sylvians at the Leeds Grand

George Farndale, as the lisping Chris, also inclined too much to the grotesque, though the laughter they provoked may be held to justify the means.

The chief laughter makers included George Farndale (Chris).

Back in Chichester in December 1929 members of Shippam's social club gave their annual concerts in the Assembly Room, Chichester, on Wednesday and Thursday evening of last week, and there were crowded attendances on either occasion. A laughable sketch, “An insurance claim”, was a main item that found particular appreciation and G Farndale (the agent), playing their parts in a very capable manner. The rest of the programme included the following, humorous: “The Poor Old Cow”, Mr G Farndale.

In November 1930 the stage was held by the Leeds Sylvian Operatic Society in a presentation of “No, No, Nannete.” In the principal parts various actors including George Farndale combined in a “riot” of fun.

A farce called “The Referee” ended the November 1931 programme of an excellent concert given by Shippam Social Club at the Assembly Room last night. It was a very laughable affair, in which the parts were taken by actors including G Farndale (comedian).

By November 1931, George was performing on the wireless with a well known entertainment group, called the Yorkshire Mummers.

Mumming was a Christmas tradition from the fourteenth century, which involved visiting homes in disguise. In the eighteenth century a new form of performance was known as the Mummers Play and involved mock plays acted by mummers or guisers, with rhyming stanzas, involving heroes and villains portraying historical events.

Drawing on that tradition, the Yorkshire Mummers were a light entertainment group who performed comic songs and other entertainment, generally for broadcast.

In November 1931 a list of wireless programmes included the Yorkshire Mummers in a Pierotie Phantasie. Artists taking part: Dorothy Lee, Millie Hodgson, Phyllis Bryant, Albert Murgatroyd, George Farndale and John Woods-Smith. At the piano: Norman Sykes and Dorothy Spooner. Arranged and produced by John Woods-Smith (from Leeds).

Entertainment in Chichester continued alongside George’s new Mummers’ performances. Shipham's Social Club are fortunate in having sufficient talent amongst its members to be able to put on a first class concert, and their “annual” is eagerly looked forward to. This year's concert was held in the Assembly Room on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week, and during the three nights comment drew over one thousand people. Mr G Farndale, evidently a prime favourite, also gave a character song, “Come and have a cuddle”. His impersonation was very clever, and his patter kept the audience convulsed. I was rather sorry to notice that he was inclined to step over the line a bit. It was a pity, as it was quite unnecessary, and rather detracted from the performance.

In December 1931 the Yorkshire Mummers, including George Farndale had a slot at 9.30pm. They were listed again, at the same time, in February 1932 and there were a very large number of similar listings. Generally the group included Dorothy Hodson, George Farndale, Phyllis Murgitroyd, Billy Hodson, John Woods Smith; Dorothy Spooner and Norman Sykes, at the pianos, arranged and produced by John Woods Smith, from Leeds.

Radio Times, 4 February 1934

In April 1932 four coppers thundered into a telephone box, the line was put through to “North Regional Listeners, One Million”, and, the other night, the Yorkshire Mummers embarked on their fifth show. It had its ups and downs, but many more of the former than the latter. The comedian, George Farndale, who, I think, may be considered a radio “find” scarcely got enough to do. He has the sort of voice, Formbyesque, which the assumption of age can wither excellently, and one of the brightest items was a duologue between him and John Wood Smith as veterans of 90. A comedy number in which three old ladies of the mid Victorian times sniffed at the modern girl, was rather surprising for the Mummers, somewhat indistinct, due, I thought, to over acting. As a whole, however, the entertainment came through up to the standard which we expect from a company so well established in the northern programmes.

George Formby Gracie Fields

In March 1933, the popular Yorkshire Mummers on Saturday evening again “take the air” with Phyllis Brandt, Dorothy Lee, Millie Hodgson, Frederick Brooke, George Beaumont, George Farndale, and John Woods Smith, who is also the arranger and producer. At the pianos will be Billy Hobson and Jack Lawton. The programme which Miss Gracie Fields is to broadcast from Rochdale tonight will comprise of the following songs.

In November 1933 the first amateur performance of the musical comedy, “Mr Cinders”, was given by the Leeds Sylvian Operatic and Dramatic Society, last night, before a packed house. Other parts were well filled by Mr George Farndale as the policeman.

Back in Chichester in the same month, each part was well done by everyone in the sketch, and the result was very amusing. The village choir scene was very good and the falsetto voices of the females blended well with the male section of the choir under the direction of Rev Peregrine Chick-pen (Mr G Farndale). The National Anthem concluded a really first class and entertaining evening.

1934

John Woods Smith, Director of the Yorkshire Mummers Theatre Royal, Huddersfield Doris Cullerne in Ruddigore

In December 1934, the Yorkshire Mummers performed at the Theatre Royal in Huddersfield. The Yorkshire Mummers, the popular BBC favourites, who are coming to the Theatre Royal next week were formed in October 1931, on the instigation of the BBC, who desired that a regular programme of a light nature be given monthly from the Leeds studios. This was put into the hands of John Woods Smith, whose first programme caused something of a sensation. The success of the experiment was thus assured, the party continued for three years regular broadcasting to all Regionals, National and Empire. They have put on a new programme every month. John Woods Smith is probably one of the oldest regular broadcasters in the north. When asked some little time ago as to what he attributed to the success of the Mummers he replied: “The wonderful team spirit displayed by the whole party”, in fact he always refers to them as his “boys and girls,” and a happier party would be hard to find, thus they make light of anything they undertake, and certainly enjoy their work. The cast is as follows. Millie Hodgson, comedian, one of the original members of the party. Doris Cullerne, soprano, who was for many years one of the principal sopranos of the D’Oyly Caret Opera Company. Frederick Brooke, baritone, who hails from Cleckheaton. Millie Evans, soubrette. George Farndale, comedian, another one of the original members. Ethel Roe, at one of the pianos, has that rare ability of being able to play any type of music, whether it be classical or syncopated. Fred Ainsworth is the other pianist.

There are also the Yorkshire Mummers’ Mabelles under the direction of Mabel Glover. She needs no introduction to Huddersfield audiences. The orchestra is in the hands of Billy Hobson, one of the earliest members of the auction numbers. There will be two performances each evening, at 6:30 and 8:45.

In January 1936 the company were then entertained to a delightful programme of songs, duets and “stories”. The artists, all of whom gave of their best, and were deservedly applauded for their artistic performances were, Mr Jack Wood Smith and partner (Mr Farndale), Humorists of the Yorkshire Mummers of the famous BBC.

In February 1936 the toast of the National Farmers Union to which Mr Wain replied, was proposed by Mr Eddie Nutter, the Yorkshire dialect comedian, and Mr G W Farndale entertained the company with song and story.

In January 1938, Lincoln County Hospital’s first public effort of 1938 in aid of the New Buildings Fund will be the concert which will be held at the Savoy Cinema, Lincoln on Sunday evening. Included in the programme, the only contributor to the programme from beyond the city will be Mr G W Farndale, the Leeds entertainer who was formerly with the Lancashire (sic) Mummers.

In 1939, George lived at 16 Hetton Road, Leeds, with Mary and Audrey, and was still also working as a post office engineering clerk

In August 1942 at Chichester, the Portland Church Heating Fund benefited by a large sum as a result of a performance at the Portfield Parish Hall, on Tuesday of last week, given by the “Versatile” Concert Party. The programme included songs comment music, sketches and monologues, and the artists included Mr George Farndale.

By 1944, George had set up a theatre business, Farndale Limited, registered at 45 Charges Street, London W1. In August 1944, thanks Messrs Farndale and B A Mayer for Happy and Successful Sixteen Weeks with their No 1 tour of “Ten Little N…”

In association with Farndale Limited, another tour has been arranged beginning early in the new year of B A Mayer’s production of Agatha Christie's play, “Ten Little N…s”. It has had successful seasons in New York, London and Paris, and on tour. Terrence de Marney produced the play in London and Paris.

In January 1946 Farndale Limited will present, at Brighton Theatre Royal, a new play, prior to its presentation in London. It is “So Brief the Spring”, a romantic comedy by the famous Lancashire author, Walter Greenwood, author of “Love on the Dole.” and the present Westminster Theatre success, “The Cure for Love”. Walter Greenwood wrote his play especially for Robert Newton, who stars in it.

George W Farndale, of 16 Hetton Road, Leeds, died age 62, on 15 December 1948.

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