Bin and Gone

Review by: Paul Towers, 3/10/19

Bin & Gone by Tom Glover

A Boxfish Theatre production with Danny Rogers

Upstairs @ The Western, 3/10/19

“a beautifully crafted script”

During the late 70’s and most of the 80’s Saturday Night TV was dominated by quiz shows and variety shows. The big names were Tarbuck, Forsyth and Ted Rogers. All acts who could sing, dance, tell jokes and present shows.

Bin & Gone is the story of Ted Rogers and the transformation of Variety into Light Entertainment for television as told by his son Danny Rogers, himself an accomplished variety performer. Ted’s rise to fame took the route of  what was to become a well trodden path for all-rounders in the 50’s and 60’s. The holiday camps. He knew from an early age that entertaining was his calling, as was son Danny’s.

Ted’s star ascended pretty quickly once he had polished his talents and his son here revels in name dropping such luminaries as Danny Kaye (after whom he is named), Bing Crosby, Andy Williams and Bob Hope, all stars he effortlessly impersonates in passing. Along the way he also impersonates his father, dropping snippets of his act in as he slips in and out of reminiscences.

Ted’s biggest break was when ITV asked him to front a new game show, 3-2-1.This perfectly fitted Ted’s instant rapport with an audience and allowed him full reign for his linguistic gymnastic abilities. Alongside Dusty Bin, a remote controlled cartoon-like dustbin, Ted created the iconic hand gesture that was a signature of the show.

All of this success quickly translated into money in the bank as he was in great demand. Unfortunately the minute 3-2-1 was cancelled in 1988 the money and work started to dry up and the family were reduced to comparative poverty. This was further compounded by Ted’s wife, Marion, falling off a horse and sustaining life changing injuries.

When Ted died in 2001 Danny was just 11 years old and, his mother being unable to cope any more, he went into care. A decision which he credits with saving him and steering him towards his current fulfilling career as a song and dance man with a gift for impressions and a hugely personable character.

This is a beautifully crafted script which has obviously had huge input from Danny and is an emotional homage to a comedian, presenter, singer, dancer and father who is much missed. Ted would, I am sure, be incredibly proud of his son, not only because of the love with which he presents his story but also for the way he is carrying on entertaining with the talents handed down in his father’s genes.

The old 3-2-1 shows, complete with impenetrable riddle clues and daft prizes, continue to run on Challenge TV if you want a reminder of simpler times.

Bin & Gone is touring and future dates can be found at www.binandgoneplay.co.uk

Upstairs at The Western http://upstairsatthewestern.com/
First published on Western Gazette