OLD-TIME COMEDIAN.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 15, 28 October 1932, Page 8

OLD-TIME COMEDIAN.

DEATH OF HENRY RANDALL f "FAREWELL, BENJAMIN BINNS" Mr Henry Randall, one of the most famous of the music-hall stars of the 'eighties and 'nineties died recently in London, -aged 72, He had been ill since Christmas. ' ~ Mr Randall was one of the comedians who helped to put the music hall m the thriving position it was at the beginning of this century, and for dU years 'he played at all the leading theatres He was contemporary with & ucli stars as Marie Lloyd Arthur Robert,, Lottie Collins, Albert Chevalier, Chirgwin, Cinquevalli and Tom Costello. He was'a famous "dame" and for five years appeared with Dan Leno and Herbert Campbell in the annual pantomime at Drury Lane. Born in London, Mr Randall made his first stage appearance when 11 in the children's chorus of a pantomime. But his father decided that he should become an heraldic artist and stone engraver, and although he sang at concerts as an amateur he did not appear until he was married. Stimulated* by his wife's encouragement, he soon won success. . Mr Randall made one of his biggest hits with a song the chorus of which ran: — '

I'm the ghost of John James Christopher Benjamin Binns, I was cut down right in the midst of my sins. For my home is down below ; I'm let out for an hour or so. When the cock begins to crowFarewell. Benjamin Bums. Many of the songs which Mr Randall made popular he wrote and composed himself. In his reminiscences, published last year," he predicted that variety would be revived in a different form and at the moment a new style ot music-hall entertainment continuous variety—is gaining much success.