Abaht them 'ere monologues

George Marriot Edgar (1880-1951) was born in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, just north of the English border.

He penned his name "Marriott Edgar" to his monologues but to his friends he was known as "George".

He became part of his family's theatre troupe from an early age and went on to build a successful writing career as a journalist and author of several novels. He also wrote plays for the stage and screen. He is best remembered for writing many of the monologues performed by stand-up comedians and other entertainers, particularly in the dark days when Britain was at war.

Stanley Holloway OBE (1890-1982), a fellow Briton, was one such performer. Holloway became famous for his comic character roles on both stage and the big screen, such as his role as Alfred Doolittle in 'My Fair Lady'. He began his recording career using 'The Ramsbottoms' monologues written by Marriott Edgar. It was a successful partnership of writer and performer.

Although he lived in London (Hampstead) he had served with a Yorkshire Regiment in World War I and acquired a close and detailed knowledge of the Yorkshire dialect.

Other writers of the same genre include:

• Archie de Bear (1888-1970), who staged plays at the Vaudeville Theatre in London's West End
• Ashley Sterne, reputedly an anagram of Ernest Halsey, a comic journalist of the London Opinion
• Bert Lee (1880-1946), a prolific comedy songwriter for music hall and stage
• Greatrex Newman (1892-1984), an author and screenwriter
• Mabel Constanduros (1880-1957), an actress and author who created the first radio family, the Buggins, where she played the role of Grandma Buggins
• Michael Hogan, actor and leading film-script writer
• Robert Patrick Weston (1878-1936), real name Robert Harris, wrote songs, monologues, musicals and films

Delivery of these monologues is best with an accent somewhere between the Scottish dialect of Edgar and the Southern English of Holloway; i.e., a Northern accent. (An' if thaz stuck on 'ow to pronunciate owt, wear tha' flat cap. It'll 'elp.)

These poems were not only entertaining, but also educational for those in the early 20^th century who were unable to complete a full education at school. The poems became light-hearted potted history lessons, which no doubt encouraged and enthused many to expand their knowledge.

Printed and re-printed in several formats, the poem title may vary, according to the whim of the publisher. To complicate things further, aficionados may refer to a poem by its first line or 'punchline'.