Who can remember the strains of a Gypsy Orchestra in those pre WW2 evenings emanating from the Roath Park Pavilion?
The stage was full of music and colour. The audience, seated on hard chairs, some with cushions, listened in rapture, as the great Waldini entertained young and old, with a variety of music, comedy and songs.
I certainly remember it well as as a schoolboy. There was Waldini himself playing his 'gypsy' violin, well supported by musicians on accordions and numerous string instruments.
There was a young girl singer who was almost the star of the show, called I believe 'Little Joan, and a great comedy double act, whose names I cannot remember - but they made us roar with laughter.
This show played nightly during the summer season, but like most things at the time, was stopped when WW2 started.
Waldini was of course a well known Cardiffian by the name of Wally Bishop, and lived, I believe in Canton or Grangetown. He was a real trooper as indeed were the whole company, and they entertained many many people who supported them loyally during those pre war years. Happy days!
The Pavilion continued to serve many of us during the war years. We could dance to record music in the summer evenings for a mere three pence in old money having spent another 3d to swim in the lake in the afternoon.
Many romances started (and finished) during that time, and wonderful friendships were made, never to be forgotten.
your comments
Invicta from Westminster
My memories are of a still young-looking Wally Bishop (Waldini) in the mid nineteen-fifties playing in an enclosure in Llandudno. What a marvellous show it was, a vast varied repetoire, singers, dancers, comedy numbers.
One of his singers was a neighbour, a girl called Maureen Evans. I thought that she was heading straight for stardom, but she never did. Happy memories!
Gregg Chapman from Farnborough
I remember vividly Waldini performing at the Victoria Pavillion in Ilfracombe in 1964. There was also an all girl pop group on the bill called "The Fabs", and a comedian called Les Jones. In the foyer of the pavillion were photos of Waldini's band entertaining the soldiers in Burma during the war. In the afternoons his small band would play concerts at the open air bandstand. Oh happy days!
Muriel Williams from Weston-super-Mare
The Great Waldini certainly got about. I remember taking my children to see him at Ilfracombe, North Devon, in the late 50's/early 60's. We even played "Waldini" at home when they would take turns to "entertain" me!
Mike Lewis from Somerset
My father heard Troy and his mandoliers on Radio 2 on Saturday night and and remembered his parents taking him to see them and the local play house (a cinema come theatre, now a night club). His parents also took him to see the great Waldini and his gypsy accordians as he called them. He can remember them on the stage surrounding the great Waldini with his violin. He also remembers a comedian and other acts being included in the show. This we think must have been in the 1930s before WW2. Do you happen to know where I may be able to get hold of a CD or casette tape of Waldini music? Many thanks.
Keith from Birmingham
In the late fifties the great Waldini used to do open air summer shows at 'Happy Valley' Llandudno. He had a a big showband. I think Mrs Waldini was in the show too. This included a talent spot for teenagers and younger children. My version of 'Singing the Blues' in 1957 failed to win. (I remember a false start as the band changed key to fit my piping alto.) I lost out to a much better girl singer doing 'Mr Wonderful'.
