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"I
stood looking around me wishing I had a partner to dance with -
not a single person was in their seat. They were all so engrossed
listening to Elvis and bopping..."
Hello,
I'm Kathleen, but everyone calls me Kath. I'm 71 years old and live
in Stoke on Trent. Infact I've lived here all my life. My son and
daughter, as well as their Grandmother and aunts have all worked
in the local pottery industries for many years. I keep myself busy
and creative by writing. I love to compose poetry. I've even had
some published - along with a book of childhood memories.
Having
been a fan of Elvis Presley for many years I was thrilled to be
able to tell this story of what happened when I worked as one of
the usherettes the the old Empire. It was a great pleasure sharing
the story with the other members of my Inside Lives group - and
now with you. Thanks to the team at BBC Radio Stoke.
I'll
never forget the night I saw Elvis in Longton. It was in the fifties
and I was working as an usherette at the Empire Cinema.
It
was the era of the Teddy Boys, who wore long coats with a velvet
collar and drainpipe trousers. Some of their girlfriends wore taffeta
skirts with a blouse and ankle socks and wore their hair in two
bunches tied with ribbons.
Then
came the night all the teenagers had waited for. They'd queued outside
the cinema for ages. When the entrance door opened, the crowd let
out a loud cheer. Then they rushed in to get seated.
Elvis
Presley was starring in the film Jailhouse Rock.
When
Elvis started to sing, the cinema erupted. The atmosphere was electrifying.
Some couples leapt up onto the stage and were bopping. Others were
dancing all around the cinema. The house lights came on. It was
a fantastic sight.
I saw
a Teddy Boy grab Kathleen, the ice-cream lady. The tray flew up
in the air and it's contents covered the audience. He tore off her
working overall, and threw her over his shoulder. Then he gently
let her down and she ran away - she couldn't get away quick enough!
I stood
looking around me wishing I had a partner to dance with - not a
single person was in their seat. They were all so engrossed listening
to Elvis and bopping.
When
suddenly reality kicked in. All along the back of the stalls were
standing the riot police with their dogs. Management had called
them in. They were not needed. As soon as Elvis finished singing,
everyone sat down. The police filed out and the cinema went quiet.
The
memory of that special night when I saw Elvis in Longton will never
fade.
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