I began my working life in 1966 at The Congress Theatre in Eastbourne, straight from school at the age of 17. I was initially general stage crew but was soon appointed as Assistant Electrician and eventually Chief Electrician.
The 1966 summer season with the Fol de Rols featured a first act finale of Jimmy Currie’s Scottish waterfall. I remember that the tanks which fed it were stored in Dressing Room 8 which is situated immediately under the stage. Dressing Room 8 is above the Wardrobe room and because of the weight of water in the tanks the ceiling of the Wardrobe had to be shored up with Acrow steel supports.
The 1967 season (now rebranded as The Fols of 1967) had a first act finale of Currie’s Caribbean waterfall.
The final season at The Congress (The Fols of ’68) featured Currie’s Waltzing Waters. There was also a comedy bathroom sketch in which water erupted from several openings, soaking Jack Tripp the star of the show.
I always remember these summer seasons with great affection, a wonderful camaraderie with between the cast and resident crew.
