When Sid Field died at his home in Wimbledon in 1950 aged just 45 he was the king of British comedy, but today he is largely forgotten, a show-business ghost.

In this illustrated talk we’ll bring this hilarious and humble star of variety and the West End back to life. We’ll meet his famous fans – including Laurence Olivier and Bob Hope, examine his role in one of the biggest flops in British cinema and explore his vital and enduring influence on a generation of post-war comic legends: from Kenneth Williams to Tony Hancock and Spike Milligan.

“This talk is a triumph.” British Music Hall Society

FURTHER READING:

WHAT A PERFORMANCE: A LIFE OF SID FIELD by John Fisher

FUNNY WAY TO BE A HERO by John Fisher

TONY HANCOCK: THE DEFINITIVE BIOGRAPHY by John Fisher