Talk of the Midlands: No other venue like The Talk
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Last month, Bygones reminded readers it was 30 years since the nightclub closed its doors.
John Harley, secretary of the Blue Pool social club back in the 1970s is just one of many who regret the club’s passing.
“I remember one outing I organised from the Blue Pool to one of the shows. I forgot my cheque book, so Tommy Barnes (joint owner) told me not to worry but to go back on Monday or Tuesday, which I did.
“When I went he gave me half a dozen free tickets for the following week for a new comedy act called The Grumbleweeds.
“We went along and they were brilliant, top class. Of course, they went on to star on TV etc. I went to Tommy and said ‘If they come again, I want 100 of the best seats’. Well, they did come again and we got the seats.
“The work Tommy and his partner, Julian Beck, did in turning that tiny cinema into one of the Midlands’ best nightclubs was unbelievable.
“It had such an intimate atmosphere and, at the same time, they booked such top stars. You used to dine right in front of the stage. I went there about half a dozen times to see Matt Munro, Dave Allen, Les Dawson, Ella FitzGerald, Jack Jones.
I remember Matt Munro was the only one who ever objected to people eating while he was performing.
“There has never been a venue like it since the days of the Grand Theatre and the Hippodrome.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t big enough to make enough money to pay for the acts. It only seated 700. Tommy applied for an extension to bring it up to 1,000, but was refused.
“Julian used to spend a lot of money flying backwards and forwards to the States, booking acts. Then he had an accident in his Rolls at Etwall which resulted in him being fined. It all added to their money troubles.
“There was a crowd of us who used to dine at Rose’s Cafe in Friar Gate and Julian used to join us sometimes.
“It’s a shame the club went under. It really was a tribute to Derby.”
This article is from the Derby Evening Telegraph and is reproduced online here.
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John Keetley said ...
What a brilliant time Tommy Barnes gave us during the five year life of ' The Talk '. The resident singers, Ricki Disoni and Jimmy Crawford were first class entertainers but I think that Toms enthusiasm got the better of him when he got out of his depth, and cash flow level, trying to promote Ricki in Vagus. Top entertainers were there almost every week. Memories I have include Tommy Cooper being almost dragged from the Pennine Hotel when he was due on stage only to start his spot facing the back curtain. When things started to go wrong Tom was on Radio Derby trying to increase 'bums on seats' when a lady rang in saying that she thought that the front row of tables needed to go back a bit. Quick as a flash Tom explained that if locals didn't make more use of the venue all the seats and tables would be going back. Even at the court hearing to make him bancrupt the judge suggested that thousands of pounds must have been spent on his high living and heavy drinking. The judge commented " All that drinking, and what have you to show for it" Tom replied "If your figures are right I've got ruined liver" I doubt that we will ever see a local make such an impact in the local entertainment business. What a shame he failed.
--John Keetley 16:55, 27 October 2008 (UTC)