'Monsewer' Eddie Gray facts for kids
Edward Earl Gray (born June 10, 1898 – died September 15, 1969), known as 'Monsewer' Eddie Gray, was a famous English comedian. He performed in music halls, which were popular entertainment venues. Eddie Gray was known for his solo acts and also as a member of a well-known comedy group called the Crazy Gang.
Eddie Gray started performing at a very young age. When he was just nine years old, he began training with a professional juggler. Even though he was a very skilled juggler, he slowly added funny jokes and a dry sense of humor to his act.
In 1919, he was invited to perform with the comedy duo Nervo and Knox. These three performers became the first members of a larger group of seven comedians. This group later became famous as the Crazy Gang in the 1930s.
After World War II, the Crazy Gang got back together, but Eddie Gray did not join them right away. He continued his solo career until 1956. Then, he rejoined the Crazy Gang for their last three shows, which ended in 1962. Even after the Crazy Gang stopped performing, Gray kept working. One of his later performances was in a London play called A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in 1962.
Contents
Eddie Gray's Early Life and Career
Becoming a Juggler
Eddie Gray was born in Pimlico, London. He was one of nine children. His father, Edward Earl Gray, owned a shop. When Eddie was nine, he and his brother Danny started training with a juggling group.
Eddie Gray traveled all over the world as a juggler. He performed in Europe, the United States, and Asia. At first, he was a serious and very skilled juggler. But over time, he started adding a quiet, funny humor to his act. This became his famous style.
Joining Nervo and Knox
Eddie Gray had been friends with comedian Jimmy Nervo since they were kids. In 1919, Nervo invited Gray to perform with him and his stage partner Teddy Knox. Gray performed with them more often in the 1920s. His calm and funny style was a great contrast to their wild and crazy acts.
During the 1920s, Gray toured a lot. He was part of Harry Lauder's comedy group that toured Australia and South Africa. Newspapers praised his "amusing dexterity" (skill) with clubs and hoops. In 1931, he married Marie Cecilia Loftus, who was also a performer known as Patti Loftus.
The Crazy Gang Years
Forming the Crazy Gang
In November 1931, Eddie Gray performed with Nervo and Knox, and Naughton and Gold. They were in a show called Crazy Week at the London Palladium theater. These comedians created a feeling of wild fun throughout the theater. Their performances often spilled into the audience. They would also interrupt other acts on the show with jokes.
The Crazy Week show was a big hit! More "Crazy Weeks" and "Crazy Months" followed. Flanagan and Allen joined the team in 1932. The next year, all seven members of the group performed for the King and Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.
Crazy Gang's Famous Shows
From 1937, the group was officially called the Crazy Gang. Their shows at the Palladium in the 1930s included All Alight at Oxford Circus (1936) and London Rhapsody (1937).
During this time, Eddie Gray perfected his special "Cockney-French" humor. This was a funny mix of London slang and French words. He would say things like, "Je got 'ere un packet de cards, cinquante deux in numero. I cuttee in deux, with vang-seess ici and vang-seess there-si." His stage costume often included metal-rimmed glasses and a looped mustache. He also had a large nose that became redder over the years.
Solo Work and Rejoining the Gang
All the Crazy Gang members also had their own separate careers. Eddie Gray performed in different variety shows. He also appeared in pantomimes, which are popular musical plays. One newspaper said about his performance in Puss in Boots in 1936, "Monsewer Eddie Gray, quite arbitrary and quite irresistible." They also noted his nose "blazes more than ever" and his language skills now included German words.
During World War II, the Crazy Gang members went their separate ways. They reunited in 1947, but without Chesney Allen and Eddie Gray. Gray continued his solo career, performing with other famous comedians. He did briefly rejoin the Crazy Gang for the 1948 Royal Variety Performance.
Eddie Gray returned to the Crazy Gang as a regular member in 1956. He was in the group's last three shows: These Foolish Kings (1956), Clown Jewels (1959), and Young in Heart. The show Young in Heart ran for 826 performances and had an emotional farewell on May 19, 1962.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1963, Eddie Gray played the character Senex in the first London production of Stephen Sondheim's musical A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. Critics praised his performance. One reviewer said that Eddie Gray and another actor, Frankie Howerd, were especially good. They made their funny routines even funnier by acting as if they were only half-paying attention.
Eddie Gray never officially retired from performing. His very last stage appearance was in September 1969. He made a surprise guest appearance in a show by Elsie and Doris Waters at the Royal Hippodrome Theatre. He passed away three days later, on September 15, 1969, in Shoreham-by-Sea, Sussex. He was 71 years old.
Partial Filmography
- First a Girl (1935) - Goose Trainer
- Skylarks (1936) - Monsewer Eddie Gray
- Keep Smiling (1938) - Silvo
- Don Chicago (1945) - Police Constable Gray
- Life Is a Circus (1960) - Eddie
- The Fast Lady (1962) - 2nd Golfer
