Funny memories of Me and My Girl

The musical is set in the late 1930s and tells the story of an unapologetically unrefined cockney gentleman named Bill Snibson, who learns that he is the 14th heir to the Earl of Hareford.

It features the songs The Lambeth Walk and The Sun Has Got His Hat On.

Reader Lee Wigham was in the production, but recalls how he very nearly missed his chance to take the limelight.

The 47-year-old said: “I was in my fourth year at school.

“I missed the auditions for parts for the musicals.

“Mr Porter stopped me on the corridor and asked if I would be interested.

“I was, but was worried about singing as my voice was breaking and I couldn’t really sing.

“As I would play Lord John Tremayne I only had one song which was a duet with Lady Tremayne, played by Rachel Garvy. It was a bit of a comedy. Lyndon Heaton played the male lead.

“We had both taken part in a production of Oliver in our second year – Lyndon had been the Artful Dodger and I played Oliver.

“I have fond memories of both. They were great fun and we were always laughing.

“In Me and My Girl, there was a scene where Lyndon and I had to play drunken 
characters.

“It was our favourite scene and brought the house down every night.

“As I said, I could not sing, so I shouted out my song.

“Mr Bowden, the music teacher, spent considerable time with Rachael and I, as Rachael was very nervous. We were always laughing.

“It was a great time for us all and I have fond memories of my time at Parklands.

“I left after my O-levels in 1985 – a year after this photograph was taken.”