Hello Folks! Calling Folks!
Huge news for The Goon Show Preservation Society! We are delighted to announce a special event to mark the 75th anniversary of The Goon Show!
The GSPS has teamed up with the Borthwick Institute for Archives and Birmingham Comedy Festival to create an afternoon of Goon Show goodies at the Scenic Stage Theatre at the University of York, home to our society archives. The event is made possible by being part of the York 50-Plus Festival and profits are going to AgeUK. There will be a look at the history of the series and a chance to see some of our archive materials, and live stage performances of two classic shows! We hope to add some special guests to the line-up and include a post-show Q&A.
We’ll be presenting two episodes on stage: The Phantom Head Shaver (Of Brighton), by Spike Milligan; and The Seagoon Memoirs, by Larry Stephens and Maurice Wiltshire. Starring Mark Earby (as Milligan), Jimm Rennie (as Harry Secombe) and Richard Usher (as Peter Sellers), plus guests.
The afternoon will also include a deep dive into the archives of the University of York’s Borthwick Institute for Archives – custodians of rare original radio scripts and other Goon-related ephemera, and more.
It is all in a very good cause, and we hope you can make it along to commemorate 75 glorious years! Please, open your wallets and repeat after me, “help yourself!”
The event, taking place at 2pm on Saturday 17th October 2026 in the Scenic Stage Theatre at the University of York, is part of the York 50-Plus Festival and supporting AgeUK York.
Here are the key event details:
Date – Saturday 17th October 2026 from 2pm until 4pm
Venue – The Scenic Stage Theatre, University of York East Campus, YO10 5GB
Admission Price – Tickets £10 with all profits to AgeUK York
Tickets are available now via this link, or this QR code below:
