Wee Georgie Wood

Like Charles Hawtrey, Wee Georgie Wood‘s (1895-1975) Q factor is mainly elevated today by the fact that John Lennon uttered his name when fooling around during theLet it Be sessions. (I’d always heard it as “Whee, George, he would” until it was put right for me.)

Born George Bramlett (today is his birthday) Wood was a performing Little Person (standing four foot nine) in English music halls and panto. He typically played babies and little boys in comedy sketches. Starting on stage at the age of 6, in addition to the English halls, he was also to tour Australian/N.Z., South Africa, and the U.S. (the first time in 1915, and 34 weeks for Keith in 1924). He was a familiar figure in British popular culture for over half a century. For 35 years his partner in sketches, playing his mother, was Dolly Harmer. 

To find out more about the variety artspast and present, consult No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous.