Manchester pub stages Coronation Street classics to raise money for Myeloma UK

Last month, the Lass O'Gowrie pub staged three classic 1968 episodes of Coronation Street, complete with a full cast and using the original script written by Jack Rosenthal. For the first time ITV, along with Maureen Lipman, Jack’s widow, gave consent for the scripts to be released for performances to be staged in a two week tribute. Maureen, who is Patron of Myeloma UK, waived the royalty rights but asked that a donation from the profits be given to Myeloma UK.

Maureen attended the event along with Myeloma UK Chief Executive Eric Low and Manchester and Bury Support Group members Joan and Mel Smith.

In addition, Hot Fat, a Play For Today from 1974, also written by Jack Rosenthal was staged and this was the first time this show had been performed since 1974.

The main action of the episodes centred in the bar which was to become the Rovers Return. Other areas of the Lass O’Gowrie were transformed into various different sets including a corner shop and a Chinese restaurant where Stan and Hilda Ogden dined in one episode for their first ever ‘foreign’ meal.

Dave Browning, the original trumpet player from the Coronation Street opening and closing title music, performed live.

At the after stage party, Joan and Mel Smith raised awareness by answering questions about myeloma while Eric Low spoke about the work of Myeloma UK.

Earlier in the day, Maureen Lipman gave a speech which was described as being “laced with both humour and tears” and in which she praised the work of the actors and Myeloma UK.

Myeloma UK was delighted to be part of LassFest and is very grateful to the organisers, actors and the generosity of the audience. So far £367 has been raised in aid of Myeloma UK.

Photo (L-R)
Jeni Howart Williams (Elsie Tanner); Maureen Lipman; Russell Dixon (Ena Sharples); Val Tagger (Minnie Caldwell) and Richard Sails (Albert Tatlock)