Variety was an extremely popular form of entertainment in the first half of the 20th century, following on from the success of Music Hall and the building of palatial Theatres of Variety throughout the country. This advertises a typical twice-nightly show at Blackpool's superb Palace Theatre, originally the Alhambra Theatre that had opened in 1899, was redesigned by Frank Matcham for the Blackpool Tower Company that bought it in 1903, and reopened in July 1904. It became famous for twice-nightly Variety featuring top-line performers but was finally closed in 1962. This week's programme starred the Lancashire comedian Albert Modley (1901-1979) known as 'Our Albert', whose catch-phrases included: 'It'll meek a reight good do', and 'Eeh, init grand when you're daft?', and included the dancing and acrobatic act formed by the brothers Peter and Sam Sherry in 1946; the baritone singer Percy Garside; the dance troupe The Sherman Fisher Girls, active in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, and also The Mumford Puppets.

Frank Mumford (1918-2014) had an extraordinary career as a puppeteer, from his schooldays and throughout his long life. He appeared at Wood Green Empire aged just 14, billed as Master Mumford and His Marionettes. In 1938 Maisie Tierney joined the troupe which they disbanded in 1939, on the outbreak of war. They married in July 1944 and that September Frank was taken prisoner at Arnheim. He joined the Central Pool of Artists on his release and created the two-hour show Stars on Strings that he performed with his puppets in Army Entertainment. The War Office Central Pool of Artistes, based in London's Upper Grosvenor Street, was the organisation formed during the latter stages of World War II to provide entertainment under the title Stars in Battledress, to troops in areas of conflict, by performers serving in the Armed Forces of Great Britain.

After his demob in 1946 he and Maisie created a more practical two-handed marionette act, with Frank creating all the puppets. They presented The Mumford Puppets for royalty and in top nightspots including the London Palladium and the Moulin Rouge. They played cabarets around the world, meeting celebrities such as Jean Cocteau, Josephine Baker and Charlie Chaplin. They performed for Prince Rainier and Princess Grace in Monaco, at private parties for the Duke and Duchess of Windsor in Paris, and for stars including Laurel and Hardy and Ingrid Bergman. Frank also carved the early versions of the TV puppet Andy Pandy.