One of the most famous theatrical impresarios in British light
entertainment Alfred Black produced numerous post war revues and
musicals in London's West End and the provinces. Together with his
brother George they discovered the comedian Sid Field and brought him
to London where he starred in shows such as Picadilly Hayride and
Strike a New Note.
Alfred Black was born in Sunderland. The family were steeped in
showbusiness, his grandfather was a travelling showman and his father,
George, was to become one of London's most powerful producers,
presenting shows at the London Palladium and controlling the Moss
Empires variety circuit.
Alfred's brother George was two years his elder and both of them
decided at an early age to go into showbusiness. During WW2 Alfred
served in the Army Film and Photographic Unit and in 1942 he married
the stage and screen actress Roma Beaumont.
George Black Senior died in 1943 after which the two brothers took over
the family's flourishing entertainment empire. They presented many star
name West End shows including Harvey, starring Sid Field and Wedding in
Paris, starring Evelyn Laye.
In 1957 the brothers were among the successful consortium (which
included the film producer Sidney Box) who invested in Tyne Tees
Television. As one of the smallest of all ITV regions the company's
ambitions were modest but among their successes were Saturday Showtime,
starring the comedian Jimmy Logan, and The One O'Clock Show, starring
Sheila Mathews. The latter had the highest viewing figures in the UK
for a lunchtime show and boasted more than 150,000 viewers each day.
George Black died in 1970 aged 59 and Alfred continued to produce
televison and variety shows with leading stars. In his retirement he
and his wife Roma were noted for their lavish showbusiness parties
which they held at their penthouse in North London, once the home of
Peter Sellers. Roma Beaumont died in 2001.
