Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

Billy Bottini

If I were to see this in a phone box today, I'd wonder just what type of chorus numbers Billy was offering.

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Comment by Hugh on December 19, 2018 at 1:37: Here's a notice about a Wood Green concert that Billy appeared in

The Stage - 22 May 1924

Comment by Leanne Knibb on December 19, 2018 at 6:53: That is my great grandfather! Billy Bottini was his stage name. I have never seen an advert for his act before where did you find this? The only time I have seen that photo of him is on a programme for a celebratory performance of his career.

Comment by Hugh on December 19, 2018 at 7:12: Thanks Leanne. May I ask what his real name was? Was he of Italian extraction? Did he stay in Harringay?

Comment by Leanne Knibb on December 20, 2018 at 12:48: Hi Hugh

His real name was William Henry Alfred Joseph Bottomley. He used to have another stage name before Bottini which was Will Barclay. He could sing, play the piano and drums and was a very good dancer. He toured many Music Halls.

His Billy Bottini charcter was inspired by an Italian Ice cream vendor he had met on a holiday in France. He used to have a large music box, called a hurdy-gurdy and a monkey called Jacko.

He also used to perform with Leon Gable and they were quite often written about in the stage as Bottini and Gable.

We only have a programme from a special gala performance that was put on to commemorate his work, and a flyer for a show but I've never seen this advert for him before, where did you find it?

Comment by John Shulver on February 2, 2021 at 15:44: Isn't it amazing what can be unearthed on this site ! And provide such interest to families down the line.

Made Leanne's day I bet Hugh.

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