Dominic Goodwin in a triptych of variety guises in Twice Nightly
DOMINIC Goodwin, one-time manager of Helmsley Arts Centre, pantomime dame and actor, returns to his old stamping ground with his first one-man comedy show in a celebration of the glory days of variety on Friday and Saturday.
Written and performed by Goodwin and directed by York director and actor Thomas Frere, Twice Nightly follows the story of struggling comedian Freddie Francis in 1956 as the final curtain hovers over variety.
Many acts of the time are highlighted, including Norman “Over The Garden Wall” Evans (said to be an influence on Les Dawson), Stockton comic Jimmy James, wartime star Robb Wilton and the iconic Max Miller.
“It’s been an honour to perform these stars’ material, and even more so to have the backing of the families,” says Dominic, who will be on tour until July 25, including further North Yorkshire performances at the Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, on July 10 and 11 and Friargate Theatre, York, on July 17 and 18.
Dominic Goodwin at his most colourful in Twice Nightly
Here Dominic discusses Twice Nightly, variety’s golden age and going solo with CharlesHutchPress.
Introduce the show, Dominic…
“Freddie Francis has been a second spot comic for 30 years, touring the country on every variety bill going. We find him in 1956 recalling his life spent touring the halls; the ups, the downs, the riotous, the fantastic and the downright silly!
“He recalls his days entertaining the troops during the Second World War, playing at the infamous Glasgow Empire, and we discover what really happened when a speciality act lost her snake on stage!!
“Ultimately Twice Nightly is a fading memory of the variety stage. The death of something that has been part of everyone’s life for decades is now on the decline. Where will Freddie go when he finishes this tour? Who will he go back to, and ultimately who really cares?”
What are your own memories of the golden era of variety? Did you see any of the icons on stage?
“Oh how I wish I had! I’ve only ever seen them in YouTube clips. The sheer diversity of the acts on offer was extraordinary. From singers to comics, contortionists to animal acts like Rumba the man-eating lion! And even a guy who would walk on stage with a live bull!”
Who are your variety heroes?
“It would have to be Jimmy James – he of the “box routine” fame – and Norman Evans. Norman was the forerunner of Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough with their Ada & Cissie act. Norman did his ‘over the garden wall’ sketches with his character of Fanny Fairbottom. Very funny sketches and at the time there was nothing like it.
“I suppose the ultimate variety star would be Max Miller. He had the longest stage life and was top of the bill for longer.”
What has been the gestation of Twice Nightly from idea to stage?
“I originally wrote it in 2015 and performed in Scotland with a cast of eight, when [Easingwold actor, songwriter and magician] Phil Grainger was in it, but the intention was always to do it as a one-man play.”
Dominic Goodwin’s Dr Watson, left, and Julian Finnegan’s Sherlock Holmes in Kirkbymoorside company Pyramus and Thisbe Productions’ 2021 revival of Stuart Fortey’s two-hander Holmes And Watson: The Farewell Tour
What was the attraction of performing a solo show when we have often seen you in double acts previously?
“My friends at The Swallow [Scotland’s smallest theatre at Ravenstone, Whithorn, Dumfries and Galloway], have asked about a return of Twice Nightly for a few years and after the success of Switcheroo last year I decided the time was right, while I was still young enough to tackle a one-man play!”
Why is the show called Twice Nightly?
“In the heyday days of variety, the shows would be performed twice nightly, at 6pm and 8pm, so the title kind of fits!”
Which variety acts feature in Twice Nightly?
“The show includes routines from amongst others, Max Miller, Rob Wilton, Jimmy James and Norman Evans, and renditions of many of the popular songs of the time, such as The Man Who Broke The Bank At Monte Carlo, Happy Days Are Here Again and Goodnight Sweetheart.”
What form has the “backing of the [variety act] families” taken for Twice Nightly?
“That has been amazing! Firstly, the Max Miller Appreciation Society has been very helpful. They’ve given me permission to use his gags, and on the matinee of the week I’m doing in Brighton they have booked the theatre out for a social event! So they’ll all sit and watch the show and then we’ll have a little do.
“Jimmy James’s granddaughter has given me permission to do the box routine, and she is actually coming to the show on Thursday (25/6/2026) at Grantham! I had quite an online trawl to find her.
“The Norman Evans routine was written by Ronnie Taylor, who died in the 1970s, and all his scripts and ephemera went to the V&A, but his two daughters have also given me permission to perform a Fanny Fairbottom sketch!”
Dominic Goodwin in the role of Norman Evans’s variety character Fanny Fairbottom
Why did the good old days of variety die out?
“Things changed, The Beatles, Cliff Richard etc. People wanted something different. When Johnnie Ray came to the UK in 1956, that was the beginning of the end. Then of course the introduction of television, people could see their favourite acts while sitting in their living rooms.”
Have you worked with director Thomas Frere previously and why did you pick him to direct Twice Nightly?
“Thom is a dear good friend and a top-notch director. We’ve worked together a few times now, although always as co-actors, from panto in 2009 to Switcheroo in 2025. This is the first time he’s sat in the director’s seat and I wouldn’t hesitate to hook him again.
“He knows instinctively what will work and what won’t. His understanding of the relationship between actor and audience is top-notch.
“We’ve together worked to give the show its shape and form. He’s also very well aware of when it’s time to stop for the day in the rehearsal room. Doing a one-man show is pretty knackering and generally he wouldn’t let me go on after 4pm.”
What are your happiest memories of your time as manager of Helmsley Arts Centre?
“Running the youth theatre for so many years and watching youngsters really get to grips with texts; meeting some top-class names, like Jonathan Miller, Nicholas Parsons and Robert Powell, and working alongside people who had a real love of the arts centre and its aims.”
Finally, Dominic, why should we see Twice Nightly?
“Come along for a laugh. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, you’ll go away having had a high old time. If you want to laugh, go! It’s not a show to be viewed as a piece of history; it’s full of fun, with an added dollop of pathos thrown in for good measure.”
Pyramus and Thisbe Productions presents Dominic Goodwin in Twice Nightly, Helmsley Arts Centre, June 26 & 27, 7.30pm; Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond, July 10 & 11, 7.30pm; Friargate Theatre, York, July 17 & 18, 7.30pm.
Box office: Helmsley, 01439 771700 or helmsleyarts.co.uk; Richmond, 01748 825252 or georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk; York, 01904 655317 or ridinglights.org/friargatetheatre.
Dominic Goodwin making his point in Twice Nightly