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Comedian Dodd backs calls for a Futurist facelift
LEGENDARY entertainer Ken Dodd is backing calls to give the Futurist Theatre a revamp.
The comic is heading back to Scarborough to perform in front of "the best fans in the world", amid concerns over the future of the seafront venue.
Evening News calls a new theatre with modern facilities to stand in its place have received widespread backing, with Dodd, known to his legions of fans as Doddy, joining those ranks.
He said: "It would be marvellous if it could be re-developed.
"It is very expensive to run a theatre and they need to become more multi-purpose, but it would be great to see it given a loving facelift."
Having made the people of the town smile for more than 50 years, the comedian returns to the Futurist Theatre on Saturday with his variety show, promising to keep the laughs coming for his favourite crowd.
He said: "I have some great memories of Scarborough. As a child I used to come on holiday here with the family and I always look forward to coming to Scarborough and meeting the people.
"As an entertainer I first performed in Scarborough in 1954 and the audiences in Yorkshire are the best in the world for their northern grittiness combined with their sense of fun.
"The real joy is no two shows are the same because of the permeation of different personalities in the audience who get involved and make your act.
Despite his constantly changing material, in response to the ever-shifting attitudes of his crowd, the 82-year old promised fans could still expect examples of his typical repertoire.
He said: "People come to my shows to be entertained and escape the cares and worries of life.
"The traditional jokes are still there and being by the seaside, there will be usual stories about sandcastles and candy floss among others.
"But the times and people's attitudes change and the humour from when I first started in 1954, is totally different to now.
"There was more art to comedy years ago and comics were masters of their craft.
"Today there are precious few places to learn that craft, and far too much emphasis is placed on vulgar material and sadly swearing is passed off as comedy."
He also backed plans to transform the Futurist theatre, as revealed in the Evening News, which could include a hotel and cinema screens.
Ken Dodd's Happiness Show is at the Futurist on Saturday at 7pm.
* Turn to page 17 for more entertainments news
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Weather for Scarborough
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
