Laddie Cliff

Laddie Cliff
Born 3 September 1891
Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom
Died 8 December 1937
London, United Kingdom
Other names Clifford Albyn Perry
Occupation Actor, writer, Singer
Years active 1922–1937 (film)

Laddie Cliff (1891–1937) was a British writer, choreographer, dancer, actor, producer and director of comedy and musical theatre and film. He was noted for his versatility. His many London West End theatre appearances and films included a long association with fellow thespian Stanley Lupino.[1] He was married to the actress Phyllis Monkman. He died in 1937 after a period of ill health.

Life and theatrical credits

Born Clifford Albyn Perry on 3 September 1891 in Bristol, Laddie Cliff first toured in British, Australian, and American variety.[2]

US Vaudeville work

Laddie Cliff's US debut at New York's Colonial Theatre on Thursday 2 January 1908 was reviewed on the 4th:

he was suffering from hoarseness and had to cut out some of his songs. He did enough, however, to prove that he is an exceptionally clever youngster. He managed to talk and act two comic songs in a distinctly pleasing way, and as for his dancing, it completely brought down the house. He has a terpsichorean method entirely original, and almost every eccentric move he made brought a hearty laugh . . . he is certain to find plenty of appreciation in America.[3]

The London stage

Cliff's acclaimed "extraordinary dancing"[2] as a bespectacled comic in the London musical Three Little Widows resulted in his being engaged to choreograph André Charlot's The Wild Geese[2] and put him on the road to stardom. He subsequently appeared in the revue Pins and Needles (1921).

As a performer, Cliff was the first to sing "Swanee" on the London stage, in Albert de Courville's London Hippodrome revue Jig-Saw! (1920), and appears on the original sheet music of the song.[4]

Cliff subsequently became a producer and director.[2] He choreographed George Gershwin's Primrose at the Winter Garden Theatre in 1924, working alongside George Grossmith who co-wrote the book, produced and staged the show.[5] As one of the most popular performers on the London stage, his other many West End hits[2] included

  • The Co-Optimists (1921)
  • Tip-Toes (1926) - the London production of the Gershwin musical.[6]
  • Lady Luck (1927)
  • So This Is Love (1928)
  • Love Lies (1929)
  • The Millionaire Kid (1931)
  • Sporting Love (1934)
  • Over She Goes (1936) (a role he recreated in the film version)

Laddie Cliff had to leave the cast of Crazy Days (1937) owing to illness[2] and was replaced by Leo Franklyn. He died later that year.

Selected filmography

References

  1. ↑ Gänzl p.394
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 John Kenrick, "Who's Who in Musicals", 2004, from Musicals101.com Accessed 13 February 2016]
  3. ↑ Fulton History website, accessed 29 December 2017. Source of the review is New York Dramatic Mirror, January 14, 1908, "New Acts" section on "The Vaudeville Stage" page, p. 14.
  4. ↑ Image of the original sheet music, publication date erroneously given as 1909 Accessed 13 February 2016. Kenrick gives the first performance as The Co-Optimists (1921), but the original sheet music identifies Jig-Saw! (1920) as Laddie Cliff's debut performance of the song.
  5. ↑ Gershwin website, publications section. Accessed 30 December 2017
  6. ↑ Tip-Toes at the Guide to Musical Theatre

Bibliography

  • Kurt Gänzl. The Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre: A-Gi. Schirmer Books, 2001.
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