THE David Whitfield Commemorative Association presents an evening of family variety entertainment in aid of the David Whitfield Guide Dogs for the Blind Fund on Sunday at the Grand Opera House, York.
Topping the 7.30pm bill will be Bernie Clifton, the Merseyside funnyman best known for his zany performances on The Good Old Days, The Comedians, Crackerjack and his own series, Theatre Royal, and for his madcap stage partnership with Oswald the dancing ostrich.
These days he is to be found performing in pantomimes, summer season, concerts and cabaret, as well as on television and radio, not least in the BBC series Bernie Clifton's Comedy Store.
He is noted particularly for his visual comedy creations, such as the giant shark, the Arab sheikh, the piggyback nun, the fat man and, of course, that ostrich.
Clifton will be joined at the Opera House by versatile comedian Trevor Taylor; tenor Martin Colley; the Yvonne Hogue Dancers, from York; brass trio The Three Amigos; magician Steve Ashcroft and soprano Sheryl Croft. The compere is BBC Radio York presenter Elly Fiorentini.
For those too young to remember David Whitfield, who died in 1980, he was the golden-voiced singer of such Fifties hits as Bridge Of Sighs; Answer Me (number one in 1953); Rags To Riches; The Book; Cara Mia (number one, 1954); Santo Natale; Beyond The Stars; When You Lose The One You Love; My September Love and Adoration Waltz.
The David Whitfield Commemorative Association was formed in 1991 to keep his fans and friends together.
"Each year, as part of our fund-raising programme, we book a famous theatre where David appeared, and we stage a show similar to the variety shows in which he was a top-of-the-bill attraction," says the association's press officer, Stan Stirman.
"This year it's the Opera House in York, and proceeds will go towards providing and training a guide for a blind person in the York area. It will be a good clean family show on Sunday so we're hoping for a full house."
Tickets are on sale at £7.50, concessions £5.50, on 01904 671818.
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