One of our earliest concerts together was in a local Broadway on the day they opened a ‘Cockney Museum’. Yes we can truthfully say we have sung 'On Broadway'! The first I had heard about this was one rehearsal evening when two strange gentlemen were present. Val had arranged for them to come along to see us and to discuss what was happening and what we could offer in the way of entertainment. The event was going to be attended by a Pearly King named George and we were to be involved because of our ‘Pearlies’ songs. Hence it seemed appropriate that we should sing a selection of our cockney songs, attired as Pearly Kings and Queens, on ' Broadway' for this momentous occasion. In addition to this we were asked if we would accompany a young lad (the son of one of the gentlemen present) in the singing of ‘Who will buy’ – the lovely song from the musical ‘Oliver’ as this was one of George’s favourite songs. The young lad would start the song and the Showtimers would join in part way through. We agreed to all this and made arrangements for the young lad to come along to rehearsal one Thursday. Unfortunately only a young lady turned up but she assured us that the young lad was an experienced choir boy and that she would be there to back him up if he had any difficulties so we were left with the impression that there would be no problem about not rehearsing together. We arrived at the Broadway on the day and met up with the young lad in question. I queried with him the fact that there was only one spread chord as introduction in the score for ‘Who will buy’ and I wondered if he wanted me to play a couple of lines instead but he seemed quite happy about having just one chord so we left it at that. George duly arrived and we prepared to launch ourselves into this lovely song. I played the opening chord with as much of a flourish as I could muster and waited. Nothing! I decided I’d better play a couple of lines and then played the opening chord again. I waited for this marvellous choir boy to start singing. Nothing! The young lady who was supposed to be his back up just stood there behind him. It seemed that this was what she understood by the word backup – standing behind him – that’s all she did! I played the ‘opening’ chord yet again and finally the young lad started singing. Well if that’s what you could call it. His voice was so weak it could hardly be heard and he was even in tune just once in a while! We soldiered on and I was intensely relieved to reach the end. Never again! Except that George loved the song so much he wanted to hear it again! Was he totally deranged? Was he totally tone deaf? Well he must have been. With no option other than to go for it again I thought at least the young lad would now know when to come in so I played the opening chord for the fourth time that day. NOTHING!!!!! I could gladly have throttled this choir boy in full view of everybody! If there’s one thing worse than the casting director’s couch it’s the organiser’s family. Somehow we struggled through the song for a second time but if anyone had suggested another encore I would have shot myself let alone the choir boy! Our ‘Pearlies’ songs were a doddle after this and seemed to go down reasonably well. We certainly looked the part, though whether we could be heard I’m not sure. But we learned a valuable lesson that day, never work with children, with or without a rehearsal and especially if they happen to be the organiser’s family!