Happy birthday, Grandad

My dear old Grandad passed away in December, and today would have been his birthday, so I couldn't let it pass without a little note to tell everybody what a sweetheart he was.

Like everyone in my family, Joseph Burgh had several careers. He was in the Royal Navy. During the Second World War he served on RMS Aquitania (who has a very colourful history herself, nicknamed The Ship Beautiful, originally a luxury cruise liner, converted to transport troops in both World Wars). He didn't talk about the war at all, or his military service, but he did tell us once that he was in New York on VE Day, and they didn't pay for a drink all night. Grandad liked a tipple, Black Sheep bitter was his favourite.

He later trained to be a Catholic priest, until he met my Grandma (we all do crazy things for love in my family). Then he worked for British Airways, years later he would become a music teacher...like I said, he got up to all sorts, but my Grandad's favourite thing was musical theatre. Oh, yes. My Grandma also loves musicals. They separated, and my Grandad's life partner Dorothy also loves musicals. Subsequently, my Ma loves musicals, and hence, so do my sister and I. My sister made a career out of it, and despite my Psychology degree, I ended up working in theatres, venues, and box offices for years in London (including, I am proud to say, the Royal Opera House). Naturally, Grandad and Dorothy were very proud of us both for these career choices. I tell you, there isn't a musical, operetta, or show tune that my Grandad didn't know. He was a member of Hornsey Operatic Society for decades, and all his dinner party jokes were based on someone being inappropriately cast in a production: "well you see the funny thing was, the Policeman was being played by a six foot Irishman with a lisp!"

I'd like to do an occasional spot on this blog to share some of my favourite musicals with you, but today, in honour of my lovely lovely Grandad, here is Richard Gere's version of Razzle Dazzle from Chicago. This was my Grandad's exit song at his funeral: what a star.



I do love a 1930s musical, and there are so many great numbers in Chicago, but I must admit, it was a delightful surprise when I found out this would be played at the funeral.

"Give 'em the old three ring circus
Stun and stagger 'em
When you're in trouble, go into your dance

Though you are stiffer than a girder
They'll let you get away with murder
Razzle dazzle 'em
And you've got a romance"

As our ballet teacher Mrs Piggot used to say, "It doesn't matter if you go wrong, just carry on like nothing's happened. They won't be looking at your feet if you've got a big smile on your face." You've gotta hand it to the luvvies, they have a good philosophy on life.

As Grandad always used to say, "tutty-bye" x x