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. The Palace Theatre Manchester opened in May 1891 as the Palace Theatre of Varieties Manchester and was remodelled in 1896 by the renowned theatre architect Frank Matcham. This 1950 twice-nightly show starred Beryl Reid (1919-1996), the English actress who grew up in Manchester and who by 1950 was famous for her Educating Archie radio characters the 'Brummie' Marlene, and the naughty schoolgirl Monica, and featured the Coventry-born comedian Reg Dixon (1914-1983) famous for his catch-phrase 'I'm not well, I'm proper poorly') and his 1949 hit song Confidentially); the young magician David Berglas and The Mumford Puppets. Unusually for a Variety programme it also included a table-tennis bout between Richard Bergmann, world champion in 1948 and 1950, and the Japanese doubles champion Norikazu Fujii (1925-1992).

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 in Variety theatres and cabaret 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.