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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment

How Michael Rudman’s wit led to a sellout show for me and Billy Connolly

A young Billy Connolly, traveling in the North West of England, as part of his 64 date Big Wee Tour of Britain, February 1979.
Billy Connolly in 1979. ‘The show sold out for three weeks, and Billy never looked back.’ Photograph: Mirrorpix/Getty Images

During the 1972 Edinburgh festival, I was part of the cast cooperative which mounted a financially reckless production of The Great Northern Welly Boot Show in the vast and long-demolished Waverley Market. It was partly written by, and starred, an up-and-coming Billy Connolly.

We gave Michael Rudman (Obituary, 30 March), who was running the Traverse theatre, a free ticket to our show and asked for his reaction.

When we got it, we decided to turn it into a publicity banner with two-feet-high letters: “‘IT’S CRAP – BUT IT’S GOOD CRAP’ – MICHAEL RUDMAN, TRAVERSE”.

The show sold out for three weeks, and Billy never looked back.
Bill Paterson
London

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