The last of the Goons

Press, 24 May 1977, Page 17

The last of the Goons

As part of the 8.8.C.’s fiftieth anniversary celebrations, the radio service invited Spike Milligan to write a special edition of the “Goon” show, the phenomenon of the 19505, and all the original cast agreed to take part. They were Peter Sellers, who was responsible for the voices of Grytpype Thynne, Major Denis Bloodnok, Bluebottle, and Henry Crun; Harry Secombe (Neddy Seagoon); and Spike Milligan (Eccles, Minnie Bannister and Moriarty). They were ably supported by Max Geldray, the Ray Ellington Quartet, the announcer, Andrew Timothy, and the Wally Stott Orchestra, now conducted by Peter Knight. The producer. John Browell, even booked the Camden Theatre, one of the original venues, to record the show. The programme includes part of the Goons’ famous warm-up routine, and a brief appearance by their families from the audience. Four television cameras were squeezed into a very full house, and the Goons were asked to ignore them so that the viewers could see the recording more or less as a studio audience would. The result of eavesdropping on an entertaining show being recorded for sound radio, amidst the paraphernalia of the studio, was quite unusual. “The Last Goon Show of Ail” will be on S.P.T. tomorrow evening.