CHRIS Turner’s career path was mapped out from the age of six when he repeatedly won “Opportunity Knocks” heats at Rhyl’s Gaiety Theatre.
In the 1960s and 70s the resort was in its prime, and Chris was in his element, mixing with the stars of the theatre, which was run by his parents Roy and June.
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The Gaiety, which was one of three seafront theatres in Rhyl at the time, was demolished in 1991 but now Chris, who went on to become a professional musician and songwriter, is compiling a history of the venue, provisionally titled “The Gaiety Chronicles”.
June and Roy Turner at the Gaiety Theatre, Rhyl. Photo: Gaiety Chronicles
The anecdotes flow as he recalls those heady days when some of the biggest names on TV visited the resort and many of them attended parties in the Turners’ family home.
At the time Roy, who later became the first person to be made a Freeman of the town, was the Urban Council’s entertainments director and the whole family – June, Chris and his two sisters Jane and Vicky – were involved in virtually all aspects of the Gaiety’s shows.
Roy Turner comparing the wrestling at the Gaiety Theatre, Rhyl. Photo: Gaiety Chronicles
In addition to the nightly performances by the stars Roy also acted as MC for the hugely popular Saturday night wrestling bouts featuring such big names as Jackie Pallo, Mick McManus, Kendo Nagasaki and Leon Aris, later better known as the actor Brian Glover.
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Among the regular performers were skiffle king Lonnie Donegan, comedians Arthur Askey and Hilda Baker, a young Freddie Starr, Charles Hawtrey – later a star of the Carry On films – and “Old Mother Riley” Roy Roland.
Gaiety Theatre. Hughie Green with June Turner. Photo: Gaiety Chronicles
Hughie Green and his assistant Monica Rose staged the popular “Opportunity Knocks” competitions for several summer seasons and Chris admits that some parents were unhappy when he, as the son of the theatre’s licensee, won so many times.
“I was really privileged to have been brought up in that environment,” said Chris, now 62, who is a multi-instrumentalist and has had a good career as a cruise ship entertainer.
“My sisters and I have been discussing for a long time the possibility of writing about the Gaiety and I would love to hear from ex-performers, members of the audience and anyone with memories of those great days,” he said.
Gaiety Theatre, Rhyl. Photo: Gaiety Chronicles
A TV production company has shown interest in making a documentary based on the Chronicles but Chris would like to hear from more people.
He can be contacted at info@gaietychronicles.tv.
Most of those closely involved in the shows have passed on but one that Chris has spoken to is Gay Harris, now in her 90s, whose dancers were a consistent part of the shows.
