The Stage

Jimmy Thompson

Published Tuesday 31 May 2005 at 12:05

My father Jimmy Thompson, who died aged 79 on April 21, had a distinguished career as a stage, film and television performer and director.

Born in Halifax in 1925 and educated at Saint Peter’s School in York, he began his career with repertory companies in Yorkshire, playing leading roles such as Morgan Evans in The Corn is Green, Tobias in Tobias and the Angel, and also directing.

Appearances in many successful West End revues led to a triumphal appearance in For Amusement Opera at the Apollo Theatre, a performance he repeated at the London Palladium and in New York.

His career ranged widely, including long-running West End comedies such as The Rape of the Belt, Monsiur Blaise, which he also directed, The Amorous Prawn with Evelyn Laye and musicals such as The Boy Friend, The Maid of the Mountains at the Palace Theatre and Spread a Little Happiness, the Vivian Ellis musical, at the Whitehall Theatre.

A long list of directorial credits included directing Simon Ward in Perchance to Dream, Patrick Cargill in Don’t Misunderstand Me, Mollie Sugden in My Giddy Aunt, Windsor Davies in My Wife Whatsername, Peggy Mount in Blythe Spirit, and the original production of Jeeves Takes Charge with Edward Duke.

Well-known to TV fans for his popular appearances in the sixties with Pinky and Perky, Jimmy had the honour of starring in the title role in the comedy Lieutenant Tenant, which inaugurated the BBC Television colour service. He also devised a number of his own shows, including You Don’t Say and Firsts. Film appearances included Carry On Cruising and Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines.

After the loss of his wife, Nina, in 1999, Jimmy retired to York where he died. He is survived by his two children, Sandra and myself.

Roderick Thompson