POPULAR crooner Tony Brent headed the bill at a variety show at the Theatre Royal, Barnsley, on Monday, September 6 1954.

In days when crowds flocked to theatre shows, variety topped the bill for most of the paying public.

Other artistes included Lou Campara, described as Australia's Accordian Virtuoso, comedian Joe Crosby, Darley's "wonderful" dogs, a balancing act named Krandon and Karna, Phillis Fisher and her puppets and another comedian Joe Crosbie.

What is interesting in the programme is advertisements for local businesses. They include M Kenworthy & Son, family butchers of Sheffield Road, Rita's hairdressing salon, Doncaster Road, Frank Sawyer, locksmith of Queen Street South, Beckett Bros Mineral Waters, Shaw Lane, Jack Hepenstall, gent's tailor, Duke of York Hotel, Cheapside Corner, wedding photographer Geffrey Robinson, Pemberton & Butcher Ltd, painting and decorating contractors of Cudworth, Wine Shades Hotel and Wragg & Stott, house furnishers of Shambles Street.

Morton's Fish Restaurant, which stood very near to the Theatre Royal, was very popular with the theatregoers.

They would either call for their tea before the performances or have supper there afterwards. The fish and chips were first class.

Tony Brent was best known for his interpretation of "Cindy Oh Cindy" which he recorded in 1956 and "Walking to Missouri" which reached number nine in the charts.

He was a popular figure on the variety circuit and on television.

He left the UK for Australia where he died in 1993.