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  • New Chairperson Needed

    ATTENTION PLEASE!

    Richard Usher thanked John Repsch for his service.

    Following the long service of our chairman, John Repsch, he has decided to take a break and pass the chair to somebody else.

    We need your help!
    We need a new chairperson to help steer the Society towards its main goal, to keep The Goon Show fresh and alive in people’s minds and habits and to spread the word to the world.
    We need to keep the pressure on the BBC to broadcast shows, appeal to the public for more lost audio treasures, perhaps encourage theatre groups to perform scripts of shows the BBC no longer holds recordings of, and to help build our archive of everything Goon.
    In addition, we need to keep membership growing, and to find a long-term solution regarding our archive.

    If you are attracted by this role, please let the Secretary know. Alternatively, if you’d be interested in the secretary role, get in touch anyway. A reshuffle of roles could well be possible [Contact Form]
    Please briefly outline your history with the Society and The Goon Show, and your ideas to ensure the GSPS thrives and fulfils its central aim to: ‘… perpetuate enjoyment of The Goon Show among its members and the wider public, by increasing their knowledge and awareness of The Goon Show, including its pleasures and its place in entertainment history.’

    It’s your society, so why not become part of the team that runs it?

    Please…
    and thank you.

    Regards, Richard Usher
    Secretary (Acting Chairperson), GSPS

  • The Goons Go To Africa Preview

    Last September, the author Stephen Palmer came to the GSPS Annual Gathering and told us about the book he was busy writing, The Goons Go To Africa. The book is now set to be published later this year.

    To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first Goon Show broadcast, he has released this preview of the Hunt Emerson designed front cover.

    In the book, Stephen evokes the trials, losses, victories and success of The Goon Show using its own techniques. He imagines the men of the show, including those, like Jimmy Grafton, Larry Stephens, John Snagge and the irrepressible, remarkable Wallace Greenslade, who both supported Milligan and acted as the framework in which his genius flourished. This is no dry history of great times in radio broadcasting, this is the book of the show.

    • The first new book proper on The Goon Show for thirty years.
    • Tells the story of the main comic actors in vivid narrative format.
    • Follows the entire history of the show and through it interrogates the nature of humour.
    • Celebrates the legacy of the show through the use of its unique narrative form.
    • Includes the stories of Goon Show associates less well known to the general public.

    Update
    The book is now available for pre-order from the publishers Pen and Sword Books. click here for more.

    Spike and Steve

    Stephen Palmer is a professionally published author of thirty years, whose work has garnered much acclaim in genre, independent and national press. His books have encompassed SF, Steampunk, and in narrative non-fiction Music and Anthropology. He first discovered The Goon Show in his teens, where they had been lurking for a while. Now a mature adult in his sixties, he likes peace and love, laughter, and Spon. He lives in south Shropshire, but can often be found tramping the woods of north Herefordshire thinking green thoughts.

    Stephen’s Amazon Author page

  • The Goon Show 75th Anniversary

    The first Goon Show was broadcast on the BBC Home Service on 28th May 1951.

    Hello Folks! Calling Folks!
    Are you celebrating the 75th anniversary of our beloved show in style?

    Sadly, it wasn’t possible to get an actual Goon Show arranged to celebrate the milestone (oh we tried folks, we really tried…), but there should be plenty
    going on to commemorate it in other ways.

    One way the GSPS is celebrating the day is with the publication of the new (seventh) edition of Encyclopaedia Goonicus, our archive collection of documents and recordings which we make available to paid-up members of the society.

    There’s also a new 75th Anniversary page on the website looking at some stories from that 1951 broadcast.

    And to celebrate the anniversary, there’s a special discount offer on our membership fee to those of you who might be persuaded to join our society.

    At the time of writing, Stephens House were girding their loins in readiness for An Evening Without Spike Milligan, starring Jeremy Stockwell and featuring the multi-talented Jane Milligan. There’s also a celebratory event taking place in Aberdare.

    On yesterday’s episode of GoonPod, Tyler Adams marked the anniversary with six Goon Show fans having a round table discussion about our favourite show
    Find it on your usual podcast source or try here if you don’t have one.

    I will be taking to the stage at the TPTV event in September with two performances of some long-forgotten Galton and Simpson mini–Goon Shows, and the mighty Hambledon Productions will soon be touring the UK with The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town.

    Looking ahead, this year’s Annual Gathering will be taking place at Stephens House & Gardens in Finchley on Saturday 10th October, and we hope to see lots of you there.

    String Vest Fishes and Custard,

    Richard Usher
    secretary and acting-chair, GSPS

  • Goon Show Anniversary Newsletter

    A message from our editor has arrived. It says he’s been visited by the nice lady in her red van. What does that mean? You can imagine what you like, we choose to think that the June issue of the GSPS newsletter has entered the postal system, and it’ll be delivered to our members once they’ve found the Stolen Postman*.

    In this newsletter issue, we’re celebrating the 75th Anniversary of our beloved radio show first hitting the airwaves. And there’s more than anniversary talk, just look at the crowded contents list above.

    The Goon Show News newsletter is published quarterly and sent to all of our members. A sample copy can be downloaded here. If you’re not getting it, why not take advantage of the special offer now on and join the GSPS. You won’t be disappointed.

    * A postman hasn’t really been stolen. It’s an attempted humorous reference to a Goon Show episode.

  • The Phantom Raspberry Blower is getting closer.

    It’s time to get your tickets for the UK stage tour of The Phantom Raspberry Blower of Old London Town.

    The work was written by Spike Milligan and Ronnie Barker. It was originally conceived to be a Goon Show revival project, however, Peter, Harry and Spike couldn’t get together at the time.

    Many will remember the Phantom from its serialisation on The Two Ronnies TV show. Actually that was 50 years ago, so many more might not.

    For those who don’t remember, it’s a Victorian London set spoof on the Jack the Ripper story. With the Milligan and Barker connection, expect surreal absurdism, clever puns, near-the-knuckle ribaldry, quick-fire jokes and wordplay.

    Hambledon Productions, the theatre company which specialises in vintage comedy, have adapted the show and are touring it from September to November this year. Details of the tour and tickets are on the Hambledon Productions website.

  • Celebrating the Goons in South Wales

    A celebration of 75 years of the Goon Show being held on 28th May has come to our attention.

    It’s part of the regular monthly series of WAM (Words Art Music) events held in St. Elvan’s Church in Aberdare. In the words of the organisers:
    Join us for a WAM | Thursday Night Radio Play Special, as we celebrate the 75th anniversary (to the day Minn) of the first ever broadcast of the iconic Goon Show. Expect madness, mayhem – and more!

    Information and tickets here


    SEAGOON: Welcome to Wales!
    MORIARTY: You’re welcome to it, too!
    From The Goon Show series 10 – The Chinese Legs

  • Another Series of Goon Pod

    We’re delighted that, after a break of three months, Tyler Adams’ podcast Goon Pod started a new series on 1st April.

    If you haven’t listened to Goon Pod before, and I know that won’t be many of you, it’s a weekly show which looks at various aspects of The Goon Show. It could be a specific episode from the radio show, the music, movies or other projects involving one or more of the cast, or even some celebrity guest who can talk about a connection. The new series has started with a look at a Peter Sellers film which is now 50 years old, The Return of the Pink Panther.

    Goon Pod can be supported through Patreon, where Tyler produces Goon Pod Film Club for subscribers, looking at the wider world of comedy.

    The Goons Sell Out – Goon Pod

    Cars, hotels, cigarettes, breakfast cereal, airlines, petrol stations, banks, department stores, milk, newspapers, even nuts – there was seemingly nothing that the former members of the Goon Show wouldn't promote should an advertising executive show a bit of leg and wave a fat cheque under their nose.Spike Milligan in particular was always game for a telly commercial, endorsing products with his own particular brand of humour and the faintest hint of 'I'm getting PAID to do this?' – everything from Kelloggs cornflakes to a Norwegian soft drink (in which he appeared with Marty Feldman).Peter Sellers notably advertised TWA and Barclays Bank in the seventies and early eighties, right up to his death, and of course he and Milligan had collaborated on the popular commercial for Benson & Hedges, the back story of which has to be heard to be believed. Harry Secombe likewise would pop up between programmes pushing some product or service, from Woolworths to Goodyear tyres, but didn't seem to do quite as many as his erstwhile colleagues.This week Tyler and guest Chris Oakley look into the murky world of commercials and consider the Goons' relationship with television admen.
    1. The Goons Sell Out
    2. Trailer: Episode Number Nine
    3. The Great Regent's Park Swim
    4. Jet Storm (1959)
    5. Steptoe & Son Ride Again (1973)

  • Encyclopaedia Goonicus – the new edition

    To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the first Goon Show broadcast in 1951, the GSPS will release a new, seventh, edition of Encyclopaedia Goonicus, on 28th May.

    The Encyclopaedia gives access to the GSPS’s’s library of information and archive material in digital form on a memory stick. It’s available to paid up members of the society only.

    click here for more info

  • An Evening Without Spike Milligan

    In the late 1970’s, Spike Milligan toured his one-man show around the world. Twice. Spike Milligan Productions will be recreating those performances in Finchley on Thursday 28th May, the 75th anniversary of the first Goon Show broadcast.

    Jeremy Stockwell recreates that evening of unique, absurd, surreal flights of fancy. Featuring stories, poems, gags, and Goonery; expect a roller-coaster ride through the life of Spike; a homage to the man who defined a golden age of British comedy.

    Jeremy Stockwell, renowned for his brilliant and multi-layered embodiment of Spike, will once more conjure this iconic legend. Jeremy will be joined by Spike’s daughter Jane and the very talented Matthew Deveraux on keys. Together they will perform some previously unheard songs composed by Spike.

    The venue is Avenue House at Stephens House and Gardens, N3 3QE. There will be afternoon and evening performances on 28th May. Tickets cost £22.50 and are available here.

    Spike Milligan Productions are also celebrating Spike’s birthday on 16th April with guided tours of the archive at Stephens House. Tickets are available here.

  • Two Goon Shows getting 4 Extra debuts

    The Tuesday Goon Show slot on BBC Radio 4 Extra has reached the tenth and final series. (Hopefully they’ll loop round to some earlier shows next.) With that comes what will be the first time two of the episodes have been aired on any BBC channel since their original broadcasts in January 1960.

    Getting their 4 Extra debuts will be The Chinese Legs on 31st March and Robin’s Post on 7th April.

    They’ll be available to stream for 30 days after broadcast on BBC Sounds (for the UK audience) here

    For the obsessives among us, other regular series episodes for which recordings exist still waiting for their Radio 4 Extra debuts are:
    05/12 – Dishonoured, or the Fall of Neddie Seagoon
    05/13 – Forog
    05/26 – The End (Secret Senna-pod Drinker)
    06/12 – The Terrible Revenge of Fred Fu-Manchu
    06/13 – The Lost Year
    06/15 – The Hastings Flyer–Robbed
    08/11 – The Stolen Postman
    (all but Dishonoured have never been repeated on the BBC)

  • Goon Show News – March Edition

    Grytpype-Thynne: Good news Moriarty, the March issue of Goon Show News has been posted out to the membership.
    Moriarty: Sapristi Grytpype, it’s still only February, or if you’re in the Chateau D’If, nous ne sommes qu’en février. The GSPS are spoiling us…

    Issue 192, the March edition of the GSPS newsletter, is indeed on it way to our members, on paper and PDF.

    This edition has two major stories. There’s an appreciation of Goon Show scriptwriter and GSPS Honorary President John Antrobus, who passed away in December at the age of 92, and the cheerier confirmation that King Charles III is continuing to be the patron of the GSPS.

    We also look at music in the Goon Shows, a mystery from the first ever Goon Show (aka Crazy People) episode, and consider Spike’s contributions to The Marty Feldman Comedy Machine and the early TV programme Secombe Here. Plus there are many more snippets filling the pages.

    The clickable Kick up the Archives feature from this issue is here.

    The Goon Show News newsletter/magazine thingy is published quarterly and sent to all of our members. A sample copy can be downloaded here. If you’re not getting it, why not join the GSPS. You won’t be disappointed.