PRESS UPDATE : THEATRE FULL STOP .. IN MEMORY : PETER CHARLESWORTH .. 1931 - 2024 ..

 

Peter Charlesworth : Theatrical agent dies at age 93..

Peter Charlesworth, the distinguished theatrical agent and producer, passed away peacefully at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, on July 8, 2024, at around noon, following a prolonged illness. He was 93 years old.

Born on April 3, 1931, in Fulham, London, Charlesworth leaves a remarkable legacy in the British arts scene. During his over 50-year career, he represented numerous household names in the entertainment industry, including Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, Joan Collins, Petula Clark, Benny Hill, Frankie Howerd, Clive Dunn, Barbara Windsor, Anthony Newley and many more.

Charlesworth’s journey to success was marked by humble beginnings. Leaving school at the age of 15, he began his career as a pageboy at Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair, London. He later worked at a showbiz restaurant in Soho, where he made significant contacts in the entertainment industry. This network led him to a role as a ‘record plugger’ and subsequently as a junior partner at Jock Jacobsen’s theatrical agency, where he worked with stars such as singer, comedian, and variety performer Max Bygraves.

In 1979, armed with valuable experience and connections, Charlesworth established his own agency in South Kensington. His agency quickly gained a global reputation for excellence and fierce advocacy on behalf of its clients. In 2016, Charlesworth retired, and the agency was rebranded as Sharry Clark Artists and continues to serve clients with distinction from offices in London and Wales.

Beyond his illustrious career in theatre and entertainment, Charlesworth was an expert and passionate collector of antique firearms and weaponry, becoming a renowned authority on Napoleonic-era history, art, and arms. He was also an avid jazz enthusiast.

A small memorial service for close friends and family will be announced in the coming weeks.

Peter Charlesworth’s contributions to the arts and his dedication to his clients have left an indelible mark on the industry. He will be remembered with great admiration and affection by those who knew and worked with him.

Peter leaves behind a powerful legacy having built up the Britsh entertainment industry, below is a list of well known stars he represented:

• Judy Garland (1922-1969) – Singer and actor, best known for her role as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz.”
• Shirley Bassey (1937-) – Iconic Welsh singer, famous for recording the theme songs for three James Bond films.
• Joan Collins (1933-) – Actor and author, famous for her role as Alexis Carrington on the TV series “Dynasty.”
• Petula Clark (1932-) – Singer, actor, and composer, best known for her hit song “Downtown.”
• Benny Hill (1924-1992) – Comedian and actor, best known for “The Benny Hill Show.”
• Frankie Howerd (1917-1992) – Comedian and actor, known for his unique comedic style and roles in British television and film.
• Barbara Windsor (1937-2020) – Actor, famous for her roles in the “Carry On” films and as Peggy Mitchell in the soap opera “EastEnders.”
• Clive Dunn (1920-2012) – Actor, best known for his role as Corporal Jones in the sitcom “Dad’s Army.”
• Ron Moody (1924-2015) – Actor, best known for his role as Fagin in the musical “Oliver!”
• Lonnie Donegan (1931-2002) – Singer, songwriter, and musician, known as the “King of Skiffle” for his influential music.
• Lionel Blair (1928-2021) – Dancer, choreographer, and television presenter, known for his work on British TV variety shows.
• Frankie Vaughan (1928-1999) – Singer and actor, known for his hit songs and performances in musicals.
• Anthony Newley (1931-1999) – Singer, songwriter, and actor, known for his stage and screen performances and contributions to musicals.
• Britt Ekland (1942-) – Swedish actor, known for her roles in films such as “The Man with the Golden Gun” and “Get Carter.”
• Colin Welland (1934-2015) – Actor and screenwriter, won an Academy Award for writing “Chariots of Fire.”
• Kenneth Haigh (1931-2018) – Actor, noted for his role in the play “Look Back in Anger.”
• Robin Askwith (1950-) – Actor, known for his roles in the “Confessions” series of British sex comedies.
• Valerie Leon (1943-) – Actor, known for her roles in the “Carry On” films and James Bond movies.
• Des O’Connor (1932-2020) – Singer, comedian, and television presenter, known for hosting his own chat shows and variety shows.
• Jimmy Edwards (1920-1988) – Comedian and actor, known for his work on radio and television, especially in “Whack-O!”
• David Lodge (1921-2003) – Actor, appeared in numerous British films and television shows.
• James Ellis (1931-2014) – Actor, best known for his role in the TV series “Z-Cars.”
• Shani Wallis (1933-) – Actor and singer, best known for her role as Nancy in the musical film “Oliver!”
• Pat Roach (1937-2004) – Actor and professional wrestler, known for his roles in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” and “Indiana Jones” films.
• George Sewell (1924-2007) – Actor, known for his roles in British television series and films.
• Liz Frazer (1930-2018) – Actor, known for her roles in British comedies including the “Carry On” series.
• Katy Manning (1946-) – Actor, best known for her role as Jo Grant in the TV series “Doctor Who.”
• Frazer Hines (1944-) – Actor, best known for his role as Jamie McCrimmon in the TV series “Doctor Who.”
• Anita Harris (1942-) – Singer, actor, and entertainer, known for her work on stage and in television.
• Melvyn Hayes (1935-) – Actor, known for his role as Gunner “Gloria” Beaumont in the sitcom “It Ain’t Half Hot Mum.”
• Amanda Barrie (1935-) – Actor, known for her roles in the “Carry On” films and as Alma Baldwin in the soap opera “Coronation Street.”
• Barry Howard (1937-2016) – Actor, known for his role as Barry Stuart-Hargreaves in the sitcom “Hi-de-Hi!”
• Lorraine Chase (1951-) – Model and actor, known for her appearances in British TV commercials and series.
• Aimee Macdonald (1942-) – Actor and comedian, known for her appearances on British television and radio.
• Avril Angers (1918-2005) – Actor and comedian, known for her work on stage and in film.
• Terrence Rigby (1937-2008) – Actor, known for his roles in British television and film, including “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.”
• Denis Lotis (1925-2023) – Singer and actor, popular in the 1950s and 1960s for his performances on radio and television.
• Jimmy James (1892-1965) – Comedian and music hall performer, known for his influential work in British comedy.
• Jack Wild (1952-2006) – Actor, known for his role as the Artful Dodger in the musical film “Oliver!”
• Louise English (1962-) – Actor and singer, known for her appearances on “The Benny Hill Show.”
• Lyn Frederick (1954-1994) – Actor, known for her roles in British films of the 1970s.
• Hinge and Bracket (Patrick Fyffe (1942-2002) and George Logan (1944-2023)) – Comedy and music duo, known for their drag act as elderly women.
• Jess Conrad (1936-) – Singer and actor, known for his work in British pop music and film.
• Sheila White (1948-2018) – Actor, known for her roles in British television series and films.
• Sheila Bernette (1931-) – Actor and singer, known for her roles in British film and television.
• Fred Housego (1944-) – Former London taxi driver who won the BBC quiz show “Mastermind.”

EVENT ALERT : SEQUEL FASHION SHOW TO SUPPORT SHOOTING STAR CHILDRENS HOSPICE... PAVILION BROADSTAIRS.. KENT ... JULY 14TH 2024 ..

FASHION SHOW ITEMS LOTS JOAN COLLINS
 

DAME JOAN COLLINS TO AUCTION OFF CLOTHES FOR CHARITY AT BROADSTAIRS FASHION SHOW IN KENT..

ORGANISED BY PRE-LOVED DESIGNER BOUTIQUE SHOP SEQUEL DRESS AGENCY.

Iconic actress Dame Joan Collins will be donating clothes and accessories for a charity fashion show at Broadstairs Pavilion on Sunday, July 14th.

Organised by pre-loved designer boutique shop, Sequel Dress Agency, the show will have a catwalk and an auction that will see some of Dame Joan’s famous pieces go under the hammer, with all money raised from the auction going to the Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

With a career spanning nearly eight decades, Dame Joan is the recipient of several accolades, including Golden Globe Award, a People's Choice Award, two Soap Opera Digest Awards and a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. A true National Treasure.

There will also be clothes and accessories donated by TV presenter Vogue Williams, raffle, dancing and live music.

Sequel Dress Agency has been revolutionising fashion while promoting sustainability, while also offering fashion-forward individuals the opportunity to indulge in luxury at affordable prices.

With an exquisite collection of pre-loved Designer and High Street brands, there is an abundance of clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories from a broad range of brands such as Zara, Louis Vuitton, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Prada, Stella McCartney, Ralph Lauren, YSL, Gucci, and many more.

Owner Nicola Killington said: “After 15 years of running my pre-loved business in London, my family and I relocated to Thanet in 2021 where I opened Sequel. During these few short years I have met so many amazing people and businesses which led me to this event this evening.

“Over the past few years I have met so many lovely people including Jayne, first a client/customer, now a friend. She introduced me to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and educated me on all the great help and support the charity provides. This inspired me to hold tonights event. I truly hope this event raises awareness for all the wonderful work they do and inspires others to support them, too.

“Another important value of mine is sustainability, I get so much pleasure from helping clients recycle their clothes and bring joy to other customers who give the clothes a new life. I am looking forward to showcasing some of our current items on the night - all items are available to purchase at the end and a percentage of all sales will be given to the charity.”

For more information, visit: https://www.sequeldressagency.co.uk/fashion-show

PRESS UPDATE : HUNGER MAGAZINE .. ISSUE 31.. OUT NOW!

 

The inimitable Dame Joan Collins

Get a sneak peak of our upcoming cover story with the iconic English actress, who sits down with Rankin to discuss old Hollywood, the realities that faced her as a young starlet and her lasting cultural influence.

July 3, 2024

Rankin: Our issue is dedicated to Los Angeles and Hollywood and all the dreamers that go there. We’re calling the issue The Dreamers. As you’re one of the biggest British exports to Hollywood, I was wondering what it was like for you to go there for the first time in the Fifties. What was it like?

Dame Joan Collins: Oh, I was very brave then. I didn’t think twice about getting on a jumbo jet by myself and going to New York, staying overnight in a hotel I’d never been to. And I didn’t know anybody when I got on a plane the next day to go to California. I was met by the publicity team, who took me to an apartment that they’d already rented for me, showed me a car that they’d already rented for me, and told me where the studio was for the next day. From then on I was under contract to the studio, 20th Century Fox. I did what I was told, I did the movies that I was told to do. I went out with the guys that they wanted me to go out with – I was very obedient. I stopped doing my bohemian look, which was heavy bangs, jeans, black polonecks and gold earrings. I went into the more sophisticated, Grace Kelly type of look. White gloves and nice little suits. But during all of this time I had a huge amount of fun.

R: Wow. Did you love it? Was it like a dream?

DJC: Well, I never had these dreams of going to Hollywood like everybody else does. My expectation was that I might be lucky enough to get into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

R: Which is so hard, isn’t it? It’s the best of the best, really.

DJC: Oh, it is, yes. A lot of people were trying to get in and they only took about 50 out of 400 — very competitive. But I wanted to do my two and a half years, go into repertory – which I did for three months – and then make it to the stage and start as an ingenue. Then go into being a leading lady. I didn’t really think I would ever, ever, ever be invited to Hollywood. It wasn’t even in my dreams.

R: Has Hollywood really changed? Do you still see a little bit of the old Hollywood when you’re there?

DJC: Well I do at the red carpet, yes. Like going to the Vanity Fair screening party for the Oscars. You see a lot of very glamorous people. You see a lot of movers and shakers and studio heads and CEOs. And you know, people like Jon Hamm and Pamela Anderson and Jennifer Aniston. But you do not see the stars out walking the streets of Beverly Hills, like they did when I first went there. I would see people like Gene Kelly walking around, or Fred Astaire. The stars all stay in their homes now. If they go out, they will either be papped by the paparazzi or asked to take selfies with the public. Los Angeles, particularly in Hollywood, has become a mecca for holiday spots. It didn’t used to be when I went – it was a working town and actors were workers in the factories of MGM, 20th Century Fox and Paramount. Now it’s a hotspot for the buses. People come in to go to Disneyland and Universal City, where they show you everything. It’s become a big vacation spot for the public.

R: So, do you miss the old Hollywood?

DJC: No, I never miss anything that doesn’t miss you. The only thing I ever miss is my sister, and my mother sometimes, although she died a long time ago. But things, places, no. Life’s too short.

This excerpt was taken from HUNGER Issue 31: The Dreamers. The full story is available in stores worldwide now.