A selection of works from Tickling Jock which have been made available online. Select the OPEN links to read more about a work, and select the image to enlarge it.
2002
This celebratory portrait was painted to commemorate the comedian's 60th year. In his affectionate and humorous depiction, Byrne has included elements that represent the different aspects of Connolly's life and career. Wearing one of his famous 'Big Banana Feet' shoes, and with his belt buckle bearing his nickname 'Big Yin', the laughing figure of Connolly gestures towards his younger self in the background. The scene also includes smaller images of the comedian playing the banjo and running in the nude, two of the other pastimes for which he has become famous.
1997
The wry smile of the man in this portrait, sums up a comedian for whom making an audience laugh was 'an indescribable joy', something that 'everyone craves to be able to do'. The son of a shopkeeper, Rikki Fulton was born in Glasgow. His successful career spanned theatre, pantomime, radio, television and film. Many will remember his annual TV appearance in Scotch and Wry on Hogmanay as the Revd I.M. Jolly. Equally memorable was his role as Josie, playing opposite Jack Milroy's Francie - a double act that had audiences in stitches long after the first show in 1959.
1915
The music-hall star Harry Lauder was sometimes blamed for creating a commercial image of the kilted Scot, but he was a much-loved man and a hugely successful perfomer. Typically dressed in fantastic tartans and holding a crooked stick, he interspersed his songs, such as ' I Love a Lassie' and 'Roamin' in the Gloamin', with comic patter. This caricature captures not only the distinctive costume, but also the vibrant energy of this tiny figure.
1996
Brought up in Edinburgh on a diet of pantomime, Gilbert and Sullivan and the occasional production of Shakespeare, the young Graham Crowden had no doubt of his future career: ?I saw the theatre as a gilded temple of laughter and tears, music and dance, romance, mystery and magic. So I took life?s gamble, packed a suitcase and with my ration book and identity card, set off for London.? In the course of his long and successful career, Crowden acted alongside many of the most famous names in post-war British theatre and was a distinguished member of the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal Court.
14 December 2000
Born in Strathaven, McLean studied at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) in Glasgow. She began her acting career in 1955 in St Andrews at the town?s Byre Theatre before returning to Glasgow in 1959 to work with the Citizens Theatre. From 1965 she had her own TV show called `Over to Una? and then, in 1967, she starred in Scotland?s first one-woman TV show ? `Did You See Una??. She has gone on to feature in many TV shows and films, including Peter Capaldi?s 2001 production, `Strictly Sinatra?. More recently she has played Molly O?Hara in BBC Scotland?s `River City?. McLean also regularly appears in pantomime.
2006
Chic Murray used the word ?funnyosities? to describe his brand of abstract observational comedy. In the early days of his career, as a vaudeville act with his wife Maidie - The Tall Droll with the Small Doll ? his distinctive style was evident with his display of ?a humour as dry as champagne?. He went solo in the 1960s and caused audiences to fall about laughing with his detailed descriptions of everyday activities which, with his asides and punchlines, he made seem remarkable. Although his solo work was sporadic he influenced many of today?s stand-ups and is one of the most impersonated comedians. On formulating his unique style he said: ?I listen to good stories whether they were lies or otherwise.?
about 1956
This drawing of Rikki Fulton probably depicts him in his first pantomime role in 1956. Although he was not enamoured with this particular production, Fulton honed his Dame persona and ranks high on the list of actors who have played this traditional role. His most spectacular pantomime appearance was with Kenneth McKellar in `A Wish for Jamie? at Glasgow?s Alhambra Theatre in 1960. The show proved so successful it was repeated the following year and spawned two sequels. In this drawing Coia has exaggerated Fulton?s long and expressive face, presenting us with a portrait of the comedian who, for a split second, seems to be out of character.
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