h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Caseys Court was talked about by my parents many years ago. I was under the impression it began in Bolton Lancs does anyone have any info on this. Also does anyone know if Will Murray was a stage name and if not what was his real name, <

Hi,
My grandfather Robert King started the show called Casey's Court in Liverpool at the turn of the century. I know that there were many immitators and I don't know if he was the original founder, but we have many references to him and his acts in the family and also his memories to my mother that Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel were in the show. His wife, my grandmother also had an act in the show called the Stannard Sisters, they were 'tumblers' and they also had three Japanese lady tumblers with them, which I guess would have been unusual. My grandfather worked most the music halls and also toured Canada with the show. There is a seal or plaque to of my grandfather in the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool archives that my brother has seen. My grandparent are in the local Census 1909 I think as 'Music Hall'entertainers. I would love to find out more in anyone has any information please let me know. Many Thanks

I can't go back further than 1949 when I was a Stagehand at the Granada Theatre, in East Ham and Casey's Court appeared there.
I have the Autographs of Will Murray, Roy Leo, Jack Buckland,Dan Casey,Billy Burton and Eric Hilland. The Two Pictures I have are of Roy Leo Principal Comedian and Will Murray Mrs.Casey. Hope this is of Some Use.

Thank you for providing extra information about Casey's Court. I was amazed how little information about it was on the net when I wrote the piece. It's especially good that someone can back the Chaplin and Laurel claims as when I first wrote the entry it seemed to drag a lot of Internet naysayers (on other sites) from out of the woodwork, all denying the two had ever been part of the show but failing to prove it with anything other than their stated opinion.

The Robert King connection is new to me but I certainly wouldn't dismiss the claim as I know the show went through several changes over the years (it might also explain why the earliest information I could unearth referred to 'Will Murray's Casey's Court', perhaps to distinguish it from Robert King).

Rather than do an entry update, I'll leave the piece as it stands for the moment as most people reading the entries tend to go on to read the conversation links at the bottom anyway, and will see your additional information there. I've never been to the Walker Gallery and I will try to get up to Liverpool at some point to investigate the trail further, meanwhile thanks to both of you for your input.

Interesting to read the messages about "Casey&#39;s court" - i was actually a member of the show joining it in 1949. will murray use tro do a "frontcloth" before the finale where he talked of the many "Stars" that had appeared in his show, I understand that the stage show had run since 1906, chaplin was indeed in the show around that time although chaplin himself refers to it as "Casey&#39;s circus" Certainly the official promotion material pictured chaplin with the company. Stan laurel was not in the show although chaplin and laurel had worked together before travelling together to america, they both worked for fred karno and it was he that sent them to america with a show called "wow wows" . one of the questioned asked was will murray his real name. I am pretty sure it was because his son called himeself Roy leo murray and was the porincipal comic as a fat policeman in the show and his grandson sang in the shaow as roy murray jnr. there was another murray who ran the theatre at blackburn which the murrays owned , he was caught fiddling the books and comitted suicide in front of will when confronted about it. i dont think they did another show after the 1949/50 tour that i did as i remember receiving a letter saying that they were going to audition for a new tour but i never heard anymore. i have meeet very few of the cast since two of the lads were paddyreilly and tony morgan who looked me up once and i met jacj buckland at the victoria palace when e was bud flanagans drsser, a post he had held for many years, i also met a paino accodan player keey butler who lived in york and we met up when i was in that city. I joined the black and white minstrel show in 1959 and stayed with it before coming to new zealand in 1975. istill entertain with a lady singer and we play at the retirement villages, rest homes, community clubs etc. The "casey Court" days were happy ones and i would be happy to answer any other questions that i might know the answer to. Keith Leggett. NZ.

Wow, thanks for that info Keith. Do you remember the first name of the man that committed suicide? Or any of the other performers involved in the shows? It's always great to hear from someone who was involved directly with not just Casey's Court, but variety shows in general. I think it's sad that so many of these great acts are becoming forgotten by people today. The generations coming on now seem to think that entertainment started with digital television.

Great to hear from a 'Black & White Minstrel' too. I don't think h2g2 has an entry on them in the guide. Something else to be rectified in the future, assuming h2g2 has one of course. I discovered some old sound recordings on the internet a few weeks back. They were of a minstrel act called 'Al Bernard and Ernest Hare'. The recordings were very poor quality, taken from an Edison cylinder, but the songs were still audible enough to make out the words. I think they were from 1919. Good luck with your act, I bet the rest home crowd are loving it.

Further to the above, I've found a video on YouTube of an old Casey's Court recording. Many kudos to the Old Curiosity Shop for putting it up - http://youtu.be/9MYi6kN94q4

I am desperately searching for information about my ancestors who were the Seven Royal Hindustans.The act was formed by Harry Prescott abut continued after his death in 1935.
Johnny Hutch became a part of the act in 1927 and in his obituary he mentions that he played in Casey's Court with the troupe.
Can you help me by giving me any information you may have?
Thanks.

Can't help with that one I'm afraid. You could try asking Keith (leggett). If he doesn't answer at his h2g2 Personal Space you can find him quite easily on Google. You might also try writing to someone like the actor Roy Hudd. I know he's written several books about music hall acts and is quite knowledgeable by all accounts. Bernie Clifton is another variety stalwart who might be able to help. Of course, you could always ask the Grand Order of Water Rats at http://www.gowr.net/

I read with much interest about the show Caseys Court my grandmother Daisy Reynolds was in Caseys Court in the chorus line so I have been told. Does anyone know of her or heard her name mentioned. Thanks

Hello to you. I have just read that you wish to know of anyone who knows of a relative in the Seven Royal Hindustans. My uncle was one of them, his name was Alfred Maloney. Regards.

Hi Visual Edward.

My name is Damian King and I am Edward Stannard King's youngest son. Are you the son of Mona King? I have done a bit of genealogy on the King family, and would like to know any history of the family you may have.

The stories of Robert King having Charlie Chaplin as part of his "troop" has gone down in family folklore, so it's good to know that you have kept the tradition alive.

If you want to reach out, my email address is [email protected]

Damian